I already packed for my trip so once I’m dressed, in denim overalls over the same white cami with my high-top Chucks, I’m ready to head out. Betty is safely back inside, and my next-door neighbor, a surly teenager with a perplexing affinity for Betty, will be taking care of her for the three days I’m gone.
I’m loading up my hybrid wagon with my duffel, camping gear, and a cooler full of La Croix and white wine, when someone lets out a quick succession of staccato honks as they drive up to my house.
“Get in loser, we’re going camping!” It’s Sunny in her outrageously fast convertible, idling at the curb.
Shit. I glance back toward the house. The perils of having family all up in your business all the time is the unannounced goddamn drop-ins. “Sunny, what the hell?” I say it with a smile, trying to keep the irritation out of my voice. “You’re on the east side before noon?”
She makes a face. “I know. But I wanted to see you off for your birthday trip.” And then she reaches over to the passenger side and hands me a single, beautiful chocolate cupcake.
“Thanks, Sunny, you really didn’t have to,” I say. It’s sweet and I feel bad, but I really need her out of here before—
Sunny’s eyebrows lift, and she pushes her sunglasses onto the top of her head. “Oh, hi there.”
Damn.
Ellis walks up behind me. “Hi.” He looks nervous. He’s arranged his hair a little more neatly, now wearing his gray sweatshirt with his artfully slouchy pants. His sneakers are something cool andmysterious to me. He looks like an ice-cold glass of sparkling water come to life.
I try to look easy-breezy. “Sunny, this is Ellis, you might remember him—”
“Of course, the strapping young man who rescued you,” she says with a shit-eating grin.
Ellis flushes and I rescue him. “And, Ellis, you remember my aunt, Sunny. She was just on her way, right?”
She’s still smiling. “Yeah, yeah. Did you figure out where you’re going this year?”
“Yeah, heading to the desert,” I say.
“Wait. Joshua Tree?” Ellis asks, his expression very alert suddenly.
“Yeah. Did I mention that already?”
He laughs, low and ironically. “You didn’t. But we’re taking a work trip there this week.”
“What? Are you serious?”
“Yeah. We do one of these every year for bonding but also for checking out different climates and landscape ideas.”
I take a deep breath. My birthday road trip is supposed to be one of extreme loner hermit vibes. Just knowing Ellis will be in the same area will put things off kilter. Suddenly I very much regret listening to Marcella’s “slut around” advice.
Sunny lets out a laugh. “That’s my cue to run. Happy birthday, Cass. Love you.”
I reach over to give her a kiss on the cheek and then she’s off in a zippy zoom around the bend.
When she’s gone, Ellis turns to me. “Hey, I won’t come looking for you, if that’s what you’re worried about.” Ellis says this lightly, but I can feel the strain behind it. I’ve probably hurt his feelings. Again.
“I’m not,” I say with a smile. “Have a good trip.”
“You, too.”
I’m about to step into the car when he says, “Wait.”
When I turn he’s right there. He slides his hand behind my neck, cupping my head. “Happy birthday,” he whispers, his lips hovering right above mine.
I make a slight movement forward to encourage him and he presses his lips to mine in a confident, soft kiss that hits me like a wave—reminding me immediately of how he was last night. Completely focused and enthusiastic.
When he pulls back, I almost say, “Fuck it,” and pull him back into the house. But it’s almost nine and I really have to hit the road. “Bye,” I say, touching his cheek briefly.
He’s waving at me while I back out. And then he stays there in my driveway. I roll down my window. “Where’s your car?”
