“Do you want that?” I ask because it’s never come up between us, oddly. Tenley is all about dating. She’s always got some guy falling all over himself to be close to her, but she’s never settled down. She never talks about finding the one, like I hope to do one day.
"Hell yeah. I want what my parents have. True love and babies," she announces. "After I win an Emmy and an Oscar for Best Documentary."
“Weren’t you meeting with some Amazon Prime guy soon?”
She nods. "Amazon Prime's assistant to the assistant of programming. Yeah. I honestly think he just wants to get in my pants, but I hope he'll be willing to actually listen."
“He will,” I say, but it’s more of a prayer than a confirmation. I know all about the casting couch and how it likely seeps into things like putting out documentaries too. “But your idea is solid and compelling and different. No one has covered the darker side of sports before. Not with the perspective you have.”
Tenley nods. “Right? I agree. I hope he does.”
“When do you meet him?”
“Next week,” she says, and I hug her.
“You’ve got this!” She laughs and hugs me back tightly. Tenley gives the best hugs.
“It’s your birthday. Don’t worry about me.” I feel her phone buzz in the kangaroo pocket of her hoodie, which is against my belly. She lets go of me and pulls it out and I almost gasp at the name on the screen.
“Nash-hole?” I say the name out loud. “Is that Nash Westwood? Calling you?Why?”
“Because he is a Nash-hole and doesn’t care or realize that I hate him,” she mutters and then sighs. “Probably Quake charity stuff or something. I should take this. Have a great day and see you later.”
She hops off my bed and heads out of my room, closing the door behind her. I bite into my cupcake holding it with one hand while I dig under my pillow for that hotel stationery. I stare at Crew's number.
I made the wrong wish.
I should have wished for the courage to call him.
* * *
* * *
“How are you feeling Ms. Garrison?” the masseuse asks as she greets me outside the room with a cup of water infused with orange blossom.
I smile but I know it looks loopy. I always feel half drunk when I come out of a spectacular massage and that’s what this is. “Wonderful. Thank you.”
I sip the water, which is delicious. I’m not going to lie, I feel blessed. This whole day is extravagant and I get to experience it makes me beyond lucky. “I’ll lead you to the facial room and settle you in there.”
I follow her down the lush, dimly lit hallway to another private room. She helps me into this crazy state-of-the-art chair that hugs my body like a glove and covers me with a warm blanket before tipping me back so I’m almost lying flat. “Esmeralda will be with you in a moment.”
She leaves me alone in the room. I pull my phone out of the pocket of my complimentary robe and scroll through the fourteen messages in our family group chat.
Mom: Happy birthday gorgeous girl. I love you. Enjoy the massage!
Dad: We’ll call you later. Have a great day. I love you!
Auntie R: Happy birthday Livvy!
Uncle J: Ditto from Jessie and me kiddo! Enjoy!
Grady: Have an awesome day Liv!
Tate: Happy birthday Livanator! See you tonight for your party!
Shelby: There’s a party? Livvy I would have flown out for a party!
Tenley: Not a real party. Just dinner at Marmont.
