That’s what I always wanted.
That’s what Jess wanted for me, too.
“I’ve only got chips,” I say, crossing back to the living room and holding out the bag to her.
She doesn’t look up from her laptop.
“Never mind, I’m not hungry.”
The bag crinkles in my hand. Is she serious?
Her phone pings and she picks it up, looking at the screen for only a half second before she snaps her laptop lid shut.
“Anyway, I have to go!”
I blink down at her. Probably she’s rattled from the interview. I shouldn’t judge.
Still, now I’d kind of gotten it in my head that we’d work. I guess tonight I’ll work alone. Or maybe I’ll call Mace later. Beth says he’s really going through it about Katie starting soccer, and I’m pretty sure his stress is at least partially my fault. At this point, I don’t think anyone in my family has been spared my commentary on head injuries in contact sports.
Maybe I can tell him about the joy-of-sport stuff Salem’s been wanting me to work on for the pitch. It might help.
Salem’s sliding her laptop into her shoulder bag when there’s a knock on my door, and I suppress a groan. It’s definitely Karen, my downstairs neighbor. Her cat Peaches hairballed my doormat again today. If Karen could keep Peaches out of the hallways or, I don’t know, modify the cat’s diet or something, that’d be better than these every-few-days awkward apologies.
I think about telling Salem to be quiet and wait for a minute, pretend no one’s home. She can leave when the coast is clear. But before I can say anything, she’s already going to the door, as if she owns the place.
And then she opens it, and it’s not my neighbor.
It’s Jess.
Jess and Tegan, at my front door.
“Uh,” I think I say.
“Hi!” says Tegan brightly. “We’re here!”
“God,” Salem says. “I’ve been stalling forever. He didn’t even put out snacks.”
I’m still holding the bag of corn chips. I haven’t managed to say or do anything else.
Jess.
Jess is there on my doorstep. All black as usual.
Beautiful, as usual.
I think I might be dreaming.
Except then, Salem leans forward casually and hugs Tegan. When she’s done, she does the same to Jess, who doesn’t even seem all that bothered. Only the slightest hesitation.
I could never have dreamed that.
“Jess missed a turn,” Tegan says, I guess by way of explanation for why Salem had to stall so long. “Her nerves! What a nightmare.”
Jess’s cheeks flush. She hasn’t taken her eyes off me. Not even during that awkward hug.
“All right, are you ready?” Salem says to Tegan.
Tegan looks to Jess. “You’re good?”
