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“Yeah, part of it,” I confess. “I do enjoy my job. It just isn’t…what I love.”
“And what do you love?”
Rueben.
“I don’t know,” I say instead.
“Let’s not do that, Cricket. We’re way past lying. Be honest. What do you love?”
I sit back down on the couch and close my eyes. “I love the thrill of taking something raw and making it complete. Of working on a project and putting my own spin on it. I love mountain views and bear warnings. But most of all, I love the way it feels to wake up in his arms and fall asleep against his chest.”
I realize I’m crying again, which I hate, because I’ve never been this big of a cry baby before.
“Then let me ask you this again. Why are you in California? Why are you there when he’s in Tennessee?”
Exhaling, the emotion of the past twenty-four—hell, forty-eight—hours starts to weigh me down. “Because I’m stupid.”
“Because you’re scared. What happened to the girl who called me up, chewed my ass up one side and down the other, and then loaded up a rental and drove to California the next day? Was she scared?”
“She was terrified,” I tell him honestly.
“She was brave, even if a little afraid on the inside.” Now it’s Danny’s turn to exhale. “I gotta tell ya, Cricket, when I saw you and Rueben together at Slim’s two things crossed my mind. How dare my old friend date my girl,” he says, and I’m already opening my mouth to argue. “And,” he starts, disrupting my almost-interruption, “do you know what the second thing I thought was?”
“No.”
“I thought if anyone was perfect for you, it was Rueben. He’s probably the best guy I’ve ever known, honestly. He was a good friend in school, and that’s one thing I’ve always regretted about leaving. I never really kept in touch with him.
“Cricket, I don’t know what’s going on with you two, but I do want to tell you this: if Rueben makes you happy, then go for it. Whatever the hang-up is you two have, figure it out. Because I truly believe he’s the best guy for the best girl I’ve ever known.”
I close my eyes and absorb his words. They’re kind and reassuring, two things I’d never associate with Danny Ohara anymore. But he’s shown a little piece of his decency today, and for that, I am grateful.
“Be happy, Cricket. That’s all anyone can ask for in this life.”
I’m still quiet for a few seconds, recalling those last few minutes with Rueben in the airport. It doesn’t seem possible to feel the way I do for him after only a week, but here I am, falling in love with my friend.
“So, what do you say about the offer? You know you can just stay with me if you choose to come to LA, right? My bed is nice and warm, Cricket, and doesn’t squeak like the one we had back at Carbondale.” I can practically hear him wagging his eyebrows.
I snort, a mix of disgust and laughter. “Gross. Not happening, Daniel.”
He laughs in return. “I kinda already figured that, Cricket. I was just kidding. Well, unless you’re really interested in another ride.”
I laugh hard. “Thanks for the offer, but I think I’ll pass.”
“Suit yourself. I guess I’ll go ahead and tell my boss to keep looking for a new co-host,” he says with a smile.
“Yeah, that’s probably for the best. You know, if you’d stop sleeping with them, they wouldn’t get pissed off when you break it off with them and quit.”
“But what fun is that?” he asks, a relaxed and familiar chuckle fills the phone line. “I guess I’ll let you go. Oh, and Cricket? If you ever need anything, call, okay?”
“Okay,” I reply. Honestly, I don’t know if I ever will, but it’s nice to know he would be there if I needed him.
“Oh, and tell Rueben I said he’s a lucky man.” The sincerity is evident in his voice.
“Bye, Danny.”
“Bye, Cricket. Take care and be happy.”
“You too.”
