We sit at the table, and the guys start talking about the work week, the usual events in our life, and plans for the weekend. I am only half-listening, and Jameson seems to notice.
“You still have your head wrapped around that girl, don’t you?”
I take another swig of my beer and shake my head. “Yup, still about the girl that got away.”
“Well, she didn’t get away, did she? You saw her again, and she’s now in Houston, right?”
She did say that we could talk but didn’t allude to when or where. She was busy and just sent a quick reply, but I may just be reading too much into it.
“Well, at least you know what coffee shop she goes to. Maybe you can stalk her there.” Jameson winks, and then I see something catch his eye.
He gets up quickly and makes his way to the door. That’s when I noticed the short little blonde girl who had just entered through the door. Her eyes light up when she sees Jameson, and shock runs through me when I remember who she is.Well, today is just full of coincidences isn’t it?
I see Jameson pull her into a hug, and the girl beams up at him like they are old friends. It isn’t until Jameson points my way and she looks at me that I remember her name, Emma.
“Holy shit,” I mutter under my breath.
He has her by the arm and is leading her to our table. “Dax, you remember Emma, don’t you, Liv’s friend?”
I go to pull her in for a hug, and she laughs. “Well, gentlemen, what a warm reception I’m getting this evening.”
Theo and Eric wave at her, and she gives a little royal wave like the Queen of England.
“Well, I guess the whole gang's here tonight.” She turns back to Jameson, and they quickly begin to catch up.
I almost have to wait my turn to ask her the most important question: Where is Liv? Is she coming here? Will I see her tonight? After an eternity, I finally attempt to break into their conversation.
“Hey, Emma, can we get you a drink?”
She turns her attention to me with a smile. “Sure, I’ll take a gimlet.”
Jameson laughs. “A what? Isn’t that what old people drink?”
She flashes him a megawatt smile and replies, “Well, I guess I am an old soul, Jameson. It also helps when it’s later on in the night, and I just end up getting soda water with a lime, and everyone thinks I have the fastest elimination process of alcohol consumption.”
I snort.
“Alright, one gimlet is coming up. I love it when you talk nerdy to me,” he whispers loudly in her ear so everyone hears it anyway.
Jameson goes to the bar that is now beginning to become crowded. Emma looks right at me and huffs. “Just ask me already.”
I look at her and tilt my head to get a good read of her. Before I know what I’m doing, the words spill out of my mouth. “Have you talked to Liv? How is she doing? Is she coming here tonight?”
She smiles widely, clearly loving that I want all this information on her friend. She then proceeds to catch me up on all that is Liv. “Well, she was torn up after the accident. She feels so guilty, like it is somehow her fault that he ended up like this.” She talks fast as her fingers play with a wisp of her hair, but I don’t miss a single word.
Jameson comes back with her drink, and she takes a big swig and continues speaking.
“I moved to Houston for her, you know. She was a wreck. I was so worried about her and told her I was ready to make a new life for myself. Start a new adventure. Honestly, I couldn’t let her come here by herself. She didn’t even walk the stage after graduation.”
I just stared at her dumbfounded. “I tried to reach out to her,” I manage to say, but my brain is still trying to catch up with the new information.
“Yeah, she told me. She seems to have put all her focus into school and this per diem job we have at the hospital.”
This piqued my interest. I sat up straighter, “Where does she work?”
She looks at me and thinks before she speaks. “I don’t want to tell you anything more because I think you both need to talk first.”
“I saw her today,” I say, almost like I am speaking to no one in particular, like it’s just a statement.
