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“Hotel vending machine. Can’t go on a road trip without snacks.” I hand her a Diet Coke. The bottle is still fairly cold and wet with condensation.
“I haven’t had one of these in ages.” She glances down at the bottle suspiciously for a split second before focusing her attention on the highway stretching out in front of us.
“This can’t be true. Fiona Andersen stopped drinking Diet Coke?”
“I did. I try to stick to water and soy lattes these days.” She cracks the bottle open, and the most adorable little sigh escapes her lips after the first sip.
“We’ll call it a road trip exception.” I tear open a bag of mini chocolate chip cookies and pop two of them into my mouth.
“Road trip exception. I like it.” Fiona puts the bottle in the cup holder in front of her and turns the radio on, fiddling with the dial until she finds something she likes.
“Oldies. I like it.” I sing along with the chorus of “The Wheel in the Sky,” earning me a sideways glance. “Oh, c’mon. You can’t listen to this and stay quiet.” I turn up the volume, singing until she joins in.
“This is nice,” Fiona says when there’s a commercial break.
“It is. I haven’t had this much fun in ages.” I forgot how much I missed this carefree feeling.
“I hate to be a buzzkill, but we’re gonna have to stop at the next gas station to fill up, or we won’t make it to Rockville.”
“Works for me. I could stand to stretch my legs. And we could definitely use more snacks.” I point to the small pile of empty wrappers on the floorboard.
“You are such a bad influence, Joe. I’m picking up all my bad teenage habits again.” She shakes her head, and her brown tresses fly all over the place. Her huge smile assures me she’s not actually worried.
“I’ll pump gas. You go find us some healthy snacks. Maybe they’ll have some bananas or something.” I pull out my card and start the pump before Fiona gets a chance to protest.
“Yeah, not gonna happen. This is a road trip. We’re sticking to the junk food diet until we get home.”
“When it will be replaced by whatever your mom and mine cook up to fatten us.” She throws her keys at me.
I catch them in the air. “Because we’re too skinny. And don’t forget our grandmothers. I don’t know about yours, but I’m sure mine is already busy making pies.”
“Your folks know you’re coming?” Fiona asks.
“Of course. You didn’t call yours?” I ask.
She shakes her head. “Better to make it a surprise. Otherwise, they’ll all be there before I get in. I like a few minutes to get settled and unpacked.”
“I guess that would be quite the welcoming committee.” Unlike me, she has a huge family. Spending time at her house was always a little crazy, with six brothers and sisters running around.
“It is. Which is why they are none the wiser. Worst-case scenario, I come home to an empty house.” She turns and jogs off to the door of the store.
“Right, like that’s gonna happen.”
By the time I’m done pumping gas, she comes out, a large slushie in each hand, a plastic bag dangling from one wrist.
“I may have gone a little overboard,” she says, taking a long pull from her slushy before handing me mine.
“Cherry Coke? You’re the best.” The taste brings me back, and it’s all I can do not to pull the woman who looks so much like the girl I used to be crazy about into my arms.
“Glad you still like it. Ready to get back on the road?” She throws the bag into the car and holds her hand out for the keys.
I drop them into her hand. My fingers brush hers. They are ice cold from the drinks but somehow manage to send heat through my entire body. “Let’s get this show on the road,” I say after clearing my throat.
We’re a few miles out of Rockville, and the sugar buzz is wearing off when my phone rings.
“Louise. How are you?”
“Is it true? My book is actually being turned into a movie?” my author friend asks.
