“Good.”
“Victor,” I say cordially, regarding him with an air of modesty. “Unless you’re calling to borrow my place in Lake Tahoe again, I believe we’ve already said everything we need to say to each other.”
He offers a good-natured chuckle, letting some of that heedfulness dissipate in me. “Just hoping I could change your mind.”
I shake my head. “I’ve already made my decision,” I tell him for what feels like the hundredth time.
“I understand,” he answers, his voice still hopeful. “But we still haven’t filled your position. And replacing you is no easy task.”
“I’m sure you’ll manage.”
“Yes,” he agrees. “I’m sure we will. But?—”
“I need to take some time to figure things out,” I tell him, hoping it’s enough of an explanation as to why I decided to leave after six years with the company with practically zero notice, citing “personal reasons” in my resignation letter. As bittersweet as our conversations are, and while I appreciate the sentiment of his calls, it makes the words difficult to say each time I have to decline his offer.
“Well, don’t expect us to give up just yet. I’ll call you again soon.”
“Maybe give it an extra week next time. Give me some time to miss your voice.”
He chuckles again before hanging up.
It wasn’t a decision I made very soundly. In fact, it happened overnight. After Josh called, we chatted for hours. Catching each other up on the last twenty years. Like my dad’s retirement four years ago after he took a coaching job in Florida. Or that he’d met the love of his life and wanted me to be a part of their special day. I tried to stay composed when he brushed over the details that involved his family. Like that Andrew, the perpetual baby of the family, is still spending his days partying like he’s some frat boy. Or that his nieces are the stars of the family, something he hopes to add to in the near future. And then there was Teeny. Teeny who’d become a wife and mother. Who moved on and had the life I repeatedly thought about over the years. Come to find out, it could’ve all happened with me.
It was a rash move, but after all this time, all I could think about was going back home. And when I approached the board of directors at InnoDex, I was surprised at how naturally the words came out of my mouth. It might have been the coincidence of Eric, a fellow UC Davis alumni, reaching out to me a month prior, asking me about property management and hospitality experience, and whether or not I had any interest in investing in said property. Or even the idea of going back to a place that held too many memories. But deep down, I knew it was for Teeny. Just the idea of seeing her, even though she was happily married. Or so I thought.
And now, here I am, the day before Josh and Mina’s wedding, ready to begin the festivities with their rehearsal dinner. It isn’t long until I’m dressed and ready, walking through the lobby of El Cielo and to the outdoor patio offside to the pool. There’s an expansive view of the ocean, the string lights above the strategically placed tables fighting against the setting sun and floral arrangements that make the space look like its own secret garden.
When Mina and Josh were looking into local restaurants to hold a casual rehearsal dinner, just close friends and family, mostly members of the wedding party, I offered the hotel. I told them I’d handle the details, the food and drinks and set up. As a wedding gift, and in part, to thank Josh for bringing me back, though he doesn’t know how heavily he contributed to that minor detail.
When I step outside, I see most of the hired staff still setting up. Placing wineglasses on the tables, arranging the last of the floral centerpieces, setting up the bar area near the pool. And in the corner of the outdoor area, near the lounge chairs and patio heaters, I see Teeny. Her back is to me, facing the ocean ahead of her, and her hand is wrapped over her shoulder as the breeze picks up her hair. She doesn’t hear me approach her, so I’m careful with my steps, making sure I don’t startle her, but she knows I’m here anyway.
“It was a girl.” Her voice is so quiet and low, I barely understand what she’s saying. Until she turns to me with a smile so sad, it’s nearly void of life. “I wasn’t supposed to know because it was so early and…but the tech was there with her up on that little screen, and she asked me if I wanted to know. She wasn’t even a hundred percent sure, but she started pointing things out and?—
“I almost changed my mind,” she continues. “Thought about calling you or even doing it on my own. But then I couldn’t. And I spent the last twenty years hating you because of it. Because I couldn’t call you and tell you. Because I had to go through all of it on my own. Because I loved you so much and you—” Her words are cut off by a soft sob. I want to hold her, run my hand over the curves of her back, and tell her how sorry I am. But my body’s frozen. The guilt of hurting Teeny starts to wind down my body, keeping my feet planted, and I don’t know what to do. I don’t know how to fix this, how to make things right with the woman I love. “I don’t know how to trust you again. I don’t even know if I should, but I feel like…I want to.”
I reach out to her, hoping to soothe some of this ache. But she recoils. It’s subtle in the way her shoulders lean back and her arm crosses her chest. I know this isn’t an opening to comfort her. It’s simply my time to hear what I’ve done.
She lightly dabs a fingertip to the corner of her eye and looks at me. “They’re going to be here soon,” she says hoarsely.
I nod and turn to walk away, but Teeny surprises me when she touches me. Her fingertips sweep across my jaw, cupping it gently. She doesn’t say anything but just looks at me with the same smile I’ve memorized. The one with the small dip in the middle and the corners pointing up like little spears. And those teeth that press lightly into the fullness of her bottom lip. I can’t believe this is the same woman I fell in love with twenty years ago. The same woman I haven’t stopped loving.
My hand reaches for hers, my thumb running over her wrist where I feel the murmur of her pulse. It’s steady and calm, just like her eyes looking at me with so much pain and hope. And I realize then that I can’t give up. Not now.
I turn my head to kiss the inside of her palm just as we’re interrupted by the clatter of footsteps and excited voices. We step apart from each other at the same time.
“Everett!” I hear Josh’s stunned voice call my name. “Are you kidding me?” He has his hands outstretched in front of him and Mina at his side, her mouth open in shock as she takes in the scene.
“I can’t believe you did all this,” Mina says with a grateful smile. She reaches Teeny, giving her a quick squeeze. “Where’s Sadie?”
“She’s coming with James and Kendall,” Teeny tells her. “I came a little early to check on some things here.”
“This is amazing,” Josh adds, facing the ocean view. “Thank you, Everett.” He shakes my hand, patting a hand on my shoulder.
I nod a simple acknowledgment for his gratitude. “You guys want a drink?” I look to the bar, an attendant waiting patiently behind a neat row of bottles. We walk over as a group and I order a round, opting for the Patrón as Josh and Mina nod in approval. “To start off the celebrations,” I tell them, distributing a round of shot glasses filled to the brim.
Teeny takes one, looking at me with a contradictory smile, marked with a small smirk and disapproving shake of her head. “What did I say about hard liquor?”
“Come on, Teeny,” Josh interjects. “I’m getting married.”
