“Let’s sit down, and we can talk about it over dinner.” His father put the platter with the meat, carrots, and potatoes beside the salad and other side dishes.
They spent the next hour getting updated since the last time they had talked online. Whenever his mother pressed Jem for an answer about how long he planned to stay, he redirected the discussion. He knew she was letting him do it, but both Kaitlyn and his father pinched their lips every time he did.
Jem didn’t know what to tell them. A part of him knew it would be a great thing for his career to work with this director again. She was going places, and he had no doubt that it wouldn’t take long before she was on Broadway rather than just over a traveling show.
He enjoyed the backstage work, loved the way a disparate group of people could collaborate to pull together a play. He might not be on stage himself, but Jem got a thrill when the actors and the audience connected. A part of him still wanted to be an actor.
“Are you even listening, Jem?” Kaitlyn asked with an indignant scowl. “You just barely got here, and we’re already boring you to death?”
“You’re hardly boring me to death.” He pushed back a little from the table and stretched out his legs, clasping his hands behind his head. “I was just focusing on this amazing food. That’s the best food I’ve eaten since I was last home.” Kaitlyn and his parents watched him expectantly, and he remembered that he had zoned out for a few seconds. He straightened and rested his elbows on the table. “So, while I was stuffing myself, what did I miss?”
“I’m going to Englandnext week.” Kaitlyn practically squealed as she said the last two words. “I just wish it was possible to go back in time and actually experience Regency England. But we’ll come as close as we can. We already have a list of places we want to visit, so it’ll be as close as we can get while still being in the 21st century.”
“We?” Jem asked.
“Reese is coming too.” His sister shot him a knowing look.
Jem’s pulse sped up, both at the mention of Reese’s name and at the way his sister was watching him. He hadn’t thought she knew about his feelings for her friend. That had been part of why he’d left and not made an effort to contact Reese again. She’d begun to take over all his thoughts.
His sister and Reese had been best friends since junior high. The thought of trying to break into that group had stopped him dead. If things didn’t work out between him and Reese, then what? And that had been assuming she would have been the least bit interested in him.
Too often over the last two years, especially when he was missing his family, Jem had regretted the decision not to push his luck and take a chance with Reese. Especially after that kiss.
“And don’t forget Cora,” Mother said.
“Who’s Cora?” Jem asked.
“A new roommate.” His mother rose from the table. “I understand how excited you all are to go on this trip, Kaitlyn, but I’ve seen thoseTakenmovies, you know. I just worry about three young women going off to England with only one man to watch out for them.”
“Oneman?” Jem asked. “Who’s going?”
“Cyrus,” Kaitlyn said. “He wants to check out the architecture.”
Another friend from their childhood. The trip was sounding even better.
“How long are you going to be gone?” Jem asked.
“Four weeks. Would you like to come? You could room with Cyrus,” Kaitlyn said, even more excited. “Do you still have your passport?”
“It should be in the boxes in the garage with the rest of my things.” Jem’s heart jumped at the possibilities, the important one being a chance to spend time with Reese again. He looked at his dad. “You guys didn’t throw away my stuff, did you?”
“Of course not. We’ve always hoped you’d come home,” his father said. “It would make your mother feel a lot better about this trip if you went along with them.”
“It’ll fit perfectly with my goals.” Jem got to his feet with a grin. “I’ve always wanted a chance to work on my English accent.”
“Your accent.Right.” Kaitlyn shot him a knowing smirk.
“Yes. My accent.” He kept his tone neutral, hoping the heat on his face didn’t show.
“Oh, Jem.” His mother threw her arms around him. “Thank you so much. I can sleep now, knowing the girls will be safe in your hands.”
“They’d be safe with Cyrus,” he said. “And if I have to renew my passport, I’ll only be there for part of the time.”
“I know.” His mother shot him a look similar to Kaitlyn’s, and he was struck by how much alike they were.
***
The kickboxing video ended. Breathing heavily, Reese bent over to pick up her towel. She wiped her face and grabbed the water bottle on the floor. She hoped she’d be able to get in some exercise while they were traveling.
