“If you can’t, you can’t,” I say. “It’s just that I talked to you earlier, and you didn’t say anything about not seeing us today. I’ve been calling you all day.”
“Yeah, I’m sorry. Sort of last minute, love. I had to run out and pick up some lumber for one of our projects. Now, I’ve got to help Pearce chop down a tree and haul it into their house. You must be jet-lagged anyway, right?” he asks.
“Right. Totally. So, tomorrow for sure?”
“Of course. Talk to you la—”
“Wait, Sabin!” I practically roll my eyes. “What time? Do you want to meet here?”
“Oh, right. What do you want?”
I take the martini Chris hands me and eat two olives before answering, “Maybe we can come see your tree house? Ten o’clock?”
“Perfect! Bring me sixty-eight blueberry bagels and a non-fat, no-whip decaf vegan mocha cappuccino with a foot-shaped cinnamon imprint.”
I laugh, and Chris looks relieved.
“Ask, and ye shall receive.”
“Welcome to California! The land of complicated and trendy ordering. See you tomorrow.”
“See you tomorrow.”
Chris takes his phone back and shakes another martini for himself. “I’m sorry. Sabin is being a prick for some reason,” he says above the rattling.
I don’t know what to say. I’m a bit embarrassed that I seem more eager to see Sabin than he does me, but he did say that he was busy.
It’s very possible that it’s true.
It’s also possible that it’s not.
There’s a chenille blanket draped over one of the white leather couches, and it looks perfect for snuggling, so I grab it, and Chris follows me back to the deck.
“Let’s just sit here and watch the sun set as we drink.” I need a minute to regroup because this day has been more than and also less than I expected.
Chris sits, and I take my usual spot, lounging between his legs with my head leaning back against him. His body is rigid, and I know the exchange he had with his brother is bothering him, but we don’t talk. We breathe, and we concentrate on the orange and pink colors that start to flood the sky.
When the water takes on the colors of the sunset, I feel more at ease—well, and more martini’d up. “We should get a tree tomorrow. A ginormous one. And we’ll put a crazy red bow on top. And I’ll hang up everyone’s stockings. Oh, we have to get wrapping paper. Do we have more shopping to do? I can’t remember.”
“A few things,” he says. “We’ll bring Sabe back with us tomorrow and get the house ready.”
“You can be my elves!” I suggest happily.
“Oh God, what are we in for?” But he hugs me in close. “How about we go out for sushi? It’s a good West Coast thing to do, don’t you think?”
“Can we get rolls with too many ingredients?”
“Yes.”
“And can I drink too much sake and let you take advantage of me before jet lag kicks my ass, and I pass out on that beautiful king bed upstairs?”
“Yes.”
“Then, sushi it is.”
“And Sabin it is tomorrow,” Chris says. Then, he’s quiet for a moment. “You know what? Drive down by yourself, and I’ll stay here. Take the whole day with him.”
“Without you? I don’t know.”
