“I don’t know,” I said. “I just feel blue.”
“Period?”
“Nope.”
“Well, don’t borrow trouble. It’s probably because Flash is heading to a potentially dangerous situation.”
“Yeah. That’s what I keep telling myself.”
“Whatever you need, baby girl. You know that.”
“I know. I appreciate that.”
“You gonna stick around for dinner?”
“No, I really need to study,” I said. “I can hang for a little while, though.”
“How about I make you some breakfast?” Mom asked.
“I’d love that,” I said. “Thanks, Mama.”
“You’re welcome.”
I stayed for about an hour before heading home feeling ten times lighter than I had earlier. I let myself into our gorgeous home and went straight for the freezer, pulling it open to find it stuffed with everything mint chocolate chip. In fact, three-quarters of the freezer was filled with ice cream, while the rest had a few actual food items.
I couldn’t stop a laugh as I closed the door and settled myself on the sofa, pulling my laptop onto my lap.
Time to study.
* * *
At four o’clock thatafternoon, I heard a knock on the door and assuming it was the pizza I’d ordered, I pulled it open.
It wasn’t.
“Girl time,” Poppy exclaimed, walking in with Lily and Tillie Quinn following her.
“What are you guys doing here?” I asked, hugging each of them.
“We brought wine and snacks,” Tillie said, holding up wine and my pizza she’d intercepted, while Lily held up bags of groceries.
“If that’s okay,” Poppy rushed to say. “We don’t want to intrude. I just know that Flash left today so we thought you might want some company.”
“I’d love some company,” I said. “Come in.”
The ladies walked in, and Poppy started to pull dishes from cabinets to set up our snack station.
“Did Flash get to Cali okay?” Tillie asked.
“Yes,” I said. “He called me when he landed. All safe and sound with the fire captain.”
“Do you want red, rosé or white?” Poppy asked, pointing to the wine.
“Red, please.” I grabbed glasses.
“Tillie? Wine?”
“Rosé all day,” Tillie teased in a sing-song voice.
