No worries, girly! Nothing much, honestly.
Had a little accident at the shelter, but I’m okay.
The bubble appears instantly and I know she’s probably starting to freak out.
JAMIE:
Accident? What, how?
ME:
I promise, I’m all good.
I took out an aggressive dog and got cut on some exposed wire.
But I’m fine, all wrapped up.
I send her a picture, my eyes flitting down, the memories of Liam’s protectivenessbombarding me.
JAMIE:
If you say so, girl. But please be careful.
I bite down on my lip as I contemplate telling her who wrapped my arm, and decide to go with it.
ME:
Yeah, Liam actually helped wrap it for me.
Her answer doesn’t come as quickly as I thought it would. I wait with bated breath. Finally, those three dots bounce up and down on my screen.
JAMIE:
I hate that you told me this when I’m on a thirty-minute break.
That’s not nearly enough time to debrief ... ugh.
A smile starts on my face, a small chuckle leaving me, and I promise that when she’s off, I’ll tell her anything and everything she wants to know. Out of nowhere, a knock at the door grabs my attention. Mom peeks her head in, and I smile at her in her pretty new athleisure wear. “I’m heading over to Ana’s. And she’s been begging me to get you to come over.”
Knowing I should probably get out of the house, I slide my phone in the pocket of the hoodie. I hug her with my good arm as we close the door, heading out. I never noticed how close our two neighborhoods are until, within a split second, we’re already at their front gate.
Ana is waiting for us as she chats amiably with the guards and waves when she spots us. A huge smile breaks out on her face and she runs over to hug me, almost knocking me down.
Well, as well as all four foot eleven of her could.
“I heard what happened, cupcake. You okay?” A frown pulls down the corners of her mouth and I shake my head in dismissal.
I lift the hoodie sleeve slightly, showing her the wrapped arm. “Promise it’s not as bad as it looks. Just stings from time to time.”
She reaches up to grab my chin, pouting slightly. “Always my brave girl.” I knock her hand down, blushing, and she smiles. “I missed you.” She hugs me once again.
My eyebrows scrunch. “You saw me a few days ago.” She shakes her head as if my words are complete heresy to her.
“Too long for me.” Mom and I roll our eyes as she pulls back and links arms with us. As we walk down the road of her subdivision, I notice how beautiful it is. It’s more nature bound than ours. Hers are infested with these palm trees in the best way. There are some people outside in their yard tanning, and of course, Ana waves at every single one of them.
She’s truly the biggest ray of sunshine.
Reaching her house, my eyes rake over her driveway for Liam’s car, and my shoulders droop when I realize he isn’t here. As if she can read my mind, Ana’s eyes find mine, but they drift down to observe my hoodie. I pretend to be oblivious. We head inside and take off our shoes in the corner, and the elegance of this house strikes me.
