Page 151 of I Choose You

“I missed you!” She whooshed out a breath as she slid into a booth. “And I am so glad I’m meeting up before I forget what is what.”

I raised my brows as she set the many bags and packages on the table. “I already ordered for us.”

She nodded. “Thanks, girl. I’m starving for breakfast.” Pausing, she narrowed her eyes. “Lunch?”

I nodded.

“God, I hate time zones. Okay.”

She launched into a spiel of all her “best” memories, and I was sure it was only the tip of the iceberg of all her tales. Throughout the highlights, she bestowed me with the souvenirs.

“How did you fly back with all this?” I blinked. “And not pay a ton for luggage.”

She grinned. “Oh, I got creative.” She produced a pair of wooden bowl-like things attached to a string.

“Coconut bra?” I guessed. “For a size negative A?”

She winked. “Flamenco castanets from Spain.” Clapping them, she gave me a solo performance before tapping her breasts. “Snuck them in there.”

I nodded and accepted them. “Right. So close from the heart, Rena.”

“Exactly.” She grabbed another pair out of a bag. “Here, I got a second pair for you to give Todd. For his kid with the broken arm. That’ll preoccupy him.”

And drive Todd insane.

“A Barcelos rooster.” She yanked a massive statue from a bag. Eyeing it critically like she wasn’t sure what to make of it, she frowned. “From Portugal. I thought your mom might like that one.”

So long as it doesn’t come alive. “That’s some big eyes it’s got there.”

“Uh huh. Speaking of eyeballs.” She rummaged into another bag. “This is a mati evil eye.” She slid a large painted glass disc of an eyeball toward me. “From Greece. For good luck, I think.”

“It’s so smooth,” I said as I stroked the glazed surface and admired the artful skill in each brushstroke. “Thanks, Rena.”

“Hey, you could wear it at the wedding.” She winked and giggled.

“Already done there. Remember the glitzy shopping thing with designers where I freaked out?”

“Hmmm.” She sipped her water. “I do. I do. When I know what day and time it is, I shall ask for more details.” Waving at her bags, she added, “I’ve got more. Candies and booze and rice and—Fuck, I don’t remember. I was picking up stuff all over. Whatever caught my eye.”

I arched a brow. “Burning the fancy candles?”

She brightened. “Oh! I did buy you some candles. Some little artisan thing at a vendor mart outside Athens. Said it was a love potion stick.”

I cracked up. “Is it even a candle? That sounds more like a dildo.”

She busted up laughing too, and my heart felt so full to have my dirty-talking, get-real friend back home.

“Well, how are things going with BBD?”

I slanted her a stern look.

She rolled her eyes. “Fine. Kaden.”

“Things are going well with him.”

“So well you wouldn’t need a love potion stick that may or may not be a sex toy?”

I nodded. For the first time, I admitted it out loud. “I’m falling for him.”