I nodded. “Almost. It still feels like I lost them yesterday. I really miss them.”
There wasn’t a day that passed when I didn’t think about my parents. Growing up without them was really hard. I was lucky enough to have a grandmother who loved me and supported me, but it wasn’t the same.
I didn’t get to have father-daughter dances at school. I wouldn’t get to have my dad walk me down the aisle when I got married or have our own dance. I wouldn’t have my mom there to give me her wedding dress, or tell me stories about her wedding. It sucked. It fucking sucked.
She rubbed my arm in a comforting gesture. “I know, I’m sorry.”
I shrugged. “No more sadness. Let’s change the subject please.”
“Okay, well, don’t forget we’re meeting Drea in a few days to go over the outline of the setup.”
“Can we go back to talking about my parents again?” I groaned.
“Blair, do not forget!”
“How could I forget? You’ve only reminded me a few times this week, Cara. I’ll be there with bells on.” I sent her a fake smile.
She rolled her eyes. “You two will be the death of me, I swear. I thought things were getting better? You both told me the festival went okay. Did something happen that you’re not telling me?”
I groaned. “For the millionth time, nothing happened. We aren’t best friends despite your plotting. But I can promise we won’t bicker—at least, not in front of you.” I winked. “I know you want us to get along, but I’m sorry, it’s just not going to happen. We will never see eye to eye, but for you, I can put all of that aside, at least until this project is done.”
It wasn’t a lie. Technically, nothing did happen, besides her pushing me against the wall and painting a very pleasurable picture, causing my legs to nearly give out. But Cara didn’t need to know that. I was trying to pretend like it never happened anyway. It couldn’t happen.
What happened in her office, again, still played on repeat in my mind, but that didn’t mean it wasa good idea, or something to ever be repeated again.
She sighed in defeat. “Fine. It was worth a try. You both are important to me, and I just wanted us all to get along. I won’t press it anymore as long as things are at least civil between you two.”
“I assure you, they are.” And they were, at least for now.
Chapter Eighteen
Drea
“Okay, so, I was thinking we could set the table up here so the line would be out of the way.”
We had been walking around the store for over an hour with Cara, trying to map out the signing and where everything would be. Cara had just left when Blair and I were discussing where to put the table for the signing.
“I think that’s a good idea. That way it won’t interfere with the line at the counter, and we can set up the snack table over there.” I nodded.
“Wow, something we agree on? Better film this or Cara will never believe it.” She laughed.
I rolled my eyes. “Don’t get used to it.” It was still weird for us to have this mutual civility toward one another. Complimenting her in my office was like pulling teeth, and now, here we were working together, alone, and no one had lost an arm. At least, not yet.
We were just about finished when there was a flash outside, followed by the boom of thunder.
I jumped. “We better put a pin in this until later. It looks like there’s a storm coming.” She must not have heard me, because she didn’t respond.
“Blair, did you hear me?” I turned around and saw her frozen. She wasn’t moving and was staring out the door. “Blair, are you?—”
Another loud boom. This time, she flinched.Okay, so she doesn’t like storms. Good to know.
“Do you want to call it quits for the night and get going before the storm gets bad?” I asked.
She was still standing there, but she was trembling slightly. “Blair?” I asked again, but no response.
There was another boom, a louder one this time, followed by the sound of heavy rain, and that caused a bigger reaction from her.
Her breathing quickened and she started sweating. Her eyes looked like they were filled with tears, and I didn’t know how to help. This situation felt like something her best friend, or even a stranger, would be more helpful in than me.
