Page 55 of Tell Me Something

Just in case, I prepared myself for a tell off.

“Thanks, Haylee. Now back to the wolves.” Resignedly, she turned and made her way out.

No matter how tough she might appear, I recognized she wasn’t above being affected by the criticism.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

A fter returning from Charlotte on Thursday, I spent Saturday evening packing for our trip to London. Josh had been right about travel getting old quickly. It had been nice to be back in New York, though, at least for the weekend. After hitting the Statue of Liberty as well as the Empire State building, I’d finished this afternoon with a half-price Broadway show. I wanted to make sure I took advantage of my time in the city.

I was becoming more efficient with my packing as I had the list down pat. There was an exception to the usual items this time, however. I was bringing one of my formal gowns for an art gala on Monday evening. It would be nice finally to have an occasion to wear one.

The six-hour flight to London felt a whole lot easier than the much longer flight to Asia. Josh worked for the first couple of hours and then shut it down and glanced over at me. “What are you doing?”

I was typing away on my laptop. “Finishing my personal statement for law school. I need to have everything submitted next week.”

“That’s good. Obviously, you’re prepared.”

I smiled. “Being prepared is the only way I know how to relax. I know that sounds strange.”

“It doesn’t. Actually, it speaks to me as I’m much the same way.”

I saved my document and turned toward him. “Did you read ahead in school?”

He nodded. “I did. My friends used to make fun of me, but I was always worried about being behind—which was really about not being ahead.”

I couldn’t help laughing. “I was the same. Tell me something, something about you in college. What were you like?”

“Undergrad or MBA?”

“Let’s start with undergrad. I want to know about eighteen-year-old Josh.”

He gave me a wry smile. “I was entitled, like a lot of freshmen at Harvard, I guess. My dad was an alumnus, we had money, and I was known. I went there with my best friend from childhood. He was much more extroverted than I was, had charisma in spades. I was the one who made sure he studied. I suppose that’s what made us a good team.”

“Are you still friends?”

“Yes, you know him. Brian Carpenter, your biggest treadmill fan, is my childhood friend. We grew up next door to one another, went to Harvard together, and met Mark there freshman year.”

I was shocked. “Mark-the-attorney Mark?”

“One and the same.”

“Wow. Well, that’s wonderful you have such good friends.” And a little strange that he would be jealous of Brian, considering their long history.

“I told you, I have a hard time with trust. I keep the people that I can confide in closest to me, and it’s served me well. Mark and Brian are two of the best people I know.”

“I can see that. So no big-time parties, fraternities, girls?” I teased.

He shook his head. “Not really. My father was adamant about no fraternity, so we spent the first year in the dorms. But the three of us rented an apartment by sophomore year. Mark met someone junior year who he was serious about, so it was mainly Brian and I. We all finished up Harvard together. Brian and I stayed there for our MBA while Mark went on to law school at Yale. So now it’s your turn. What was Haylee like in college?” He wriggled his brows as if to suggest I had some seedy secrets.

Laughing, I marveled at this rare side of him. “Sorry, there isn’t much to tell. My mom was there with me, and we shared an apartment. Studying was my escape when I sat through her chemo appointments. I had a notion junior year that I’d go out and try the party scene because I was tired of missing out. So I went to a fraternity party and drank too much. That’s where I met the douchebag I told you about. The episode didn’t exactly inspire me to go out anymore.”

“Any good friends?”

“I wish I could say yes, but my priority over the last few years hasn’t been forming or maintaining friendships.” Matter of fact, I’d yet to call my former roommate, Angela, to let her know how the move and new job were turning out.

“But you’re so outgoing.”

I smiled. “I am, but I didn’t click with fellow students. They were all so carefree, talking about what they were going to do on Friday night, while there I was without a dad and about to lose my mom. I spent a lot of time in hospitals, though, and got to know a lot of the staff and many other patients. I guess the whole thing gave me a sense that there’s no permanence in relationships. People in high school went off to their separate colleges. Individuals in college went on to their careers or more school. People in the hospital went back home or, unfortunately, they died. I’ve learned it’s easier not to get attached. But then I hear about how you and Brian and Mark have been best friends for years. I’m envious of that type of long-term relationship.”