They stared at each other for a heartbeat, wide-eyed, before bursting into simultaneous chatter.
“You are never going to believe what happened while you weregone—”
“Whaaaat happened while I was gone?”
Beth and Kim exclaimed at the same time.
“I have so much to tell you, but first—thank you again for covering my shift. I feel better now. I’m still not sure why I got sick earlier. You’re just now getting off?” Beth asked, glancing at the clock. Four-thirty. Over two hours after Kim’s shift should have ended.
“No, I was out of there by two, but I ran a few errands before coming home. I desperately need a shower, but I don’t know if I can wait that long for you to spill the tea!”
As excited and nervous as she was to tell her best friend everything, Beth understood the need to shower after working in a hospital.
“Go take a shower, and then I promise I will tell you everything.”
Beth used the time to clean up the lunch dishes before heading to her room to make her bed. She had inherited a little bit of her father’s OCD, and she simply couldn’t sleep in an unmade bed. Even if she didn’t make it until right before climbing in, the covers had to be straightened. First Lynn, and now Kim, teased her for it.
“I wonder if Bryce will too,” she murmured as she worked, allowing herself for the first time to wonder what living with him would be like. How would they get along?
Beth sat on her freshly made bed and looked around her room. She loved this apartment. She’d lived in it for five years, and there would be a lot to pack. The thought of Bryce movinghere crossed her mind, but then she remembered the look on his face when he pulled into the complex. She doubted that was part of his plan.
“A penny for your thoughts.” Kim’s voice broke into her reverie as her full-figured frame filled the doorway.
“I was wondering if you were ever going to get out of the shower,” Beth teased.
“Nice try. You didn’t even hear me get out of the shower.” Kim grinned. “I’m starving. How about we order pizza and call it an early dinner?”
“Sounds good to me. What do you want, and where from?” Beth joked, following her roommate into the kitchen.
“The whole time I was in Belize, I craved a sundried tomato and artichoke pizza from The Pizza Factory. Oh—and their fries.”
“I’m calling as we speak. Want anything to drink?”
“Only if they still have cream soda.”
Beth nodded and turned her attention to the phone.
“Hi, Ritchie, how are you? It’s Elizabeth Stoner. Kim just got home and she’s craving a Pizza Factory masterpiece.”
“Does she want her usual?” Ritchie shouted over the background noise of the pizzeria’s kitchen.
“Yes, a large sundried tomato and artichoke pizza and a large order of fries. She also wanted to know if you still carry cream soda.”
“Sure, we’ll find one for her. Someone will be there in fifteen to twenty minutes. Tell her ‘welcome home’ from me.”
Beth grinned as she ended the call. “Ritchie says ‘welcome home.’ I think he missed you.”
“Oh hush, he did not. He just missed the income I provide.” Kim playfully smacked Beth’s arm.
“No, really. The couple of times I ordered, he always asked about you and when you were coming back. I don’t know any other restaurant owner who does that. He even called one day just to check on you.”
“Oh stop, he did not—wait—did he?”
Beth paused dramatically.
Kim squinted. “Beth.”
Beth burst out laughing. “Okay, I made that last part up.”
