AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“It’s okay, bestie,” Lina said patting my free hand. “It’ll all be over soon.”
Yes, because I’d be going home to hide under my comforter. “Right.”
For some reason, I glanced at Aaron, and I found him smiling, too. I did a double take, taking them in for a moment. “Are you two…okay?”
Their twin smiles widened, making me wonder if they were high. Because Aaron had never ever grinned like this, like a… maniac, except for the day they got married, and because Lina kept saying weird stuff, looking at me funny. And it was all freaking me out.
Unless… unless they were just high on life and love and whatever this stupid night represented.
“I’m happy you’re… happy.” I checked my phone again. Ten minutes to go. “Can I get more champagne?”
“How’s Olly doing, by the way?” Lina asked through her psycho grin as she refilled my glass. Again.
I knew what she was doing—entertaining me, distracting me, because she had been going at it the whole evening—but I humored her. At least Olly was a topic that brought me some solace. “He’s good. Happy to be home.”
“Joe finally wrapped his head around what happened?”
“Took some time, but yes. Mostly, because no matter what happened, it doesn’t change the fact that Olly’s back.”
Lina nodded her head, her gaze warming. “He’s one big piece of bread, your dad.”
Aaron snickered. “That doesn’t translate literally, baby. You mean Joe is a teddy bear.”
My best friend rolled her eyes. “Yes, and Rosie got it anyway. You guys understand what I mean just fine.”
That made the corners of my mouth tip up because contrary to what she believed, I actually had no idea what she had meant. All I knew was that it had been something good because Lina adored my dad.
“And look”—Lina pointed a finger at my face—“I even got a teeny-tiny smile out of her. It’s the first one in weeks!”
That teeny-tiny smile fell off my face. “Anyway.” I shrugged. “I got Olly an interview with the contractor that took care of my apartment.”
I had been talking to Aiden on the phone after Mr. Allen had passed on his contact, when he’d told me he needed more manpower and was considering taking apprentices. So I’d asked him if he might be open to hiring someone without experience. He’d said yes, and when I brought it up with Olly, he not only seemed interested, but excited about the idea.
“That’s amazing, Rosie,” Lina said with a little clap. “Let’s hope for the best. And if he needs any tips, we can send Aaron to prep him for the interview. If Olly survives that, he’ll get any job he wants. You know how scary Aaron can be and—”
“Funny.” Aaron cut her off with a quick kiss on her temple, leaving my best friend a little dazzled. Then, he turned to me. “But if you think it will help, send him to me.”
“Thanks, Aaron,” I told him honestly. I knew Aaron had plenty experience conducting interviews, and while InTech and Aiden’s business were completely different beasts, any help would be welcome. “I think it’s a good idea, but I’ll let Olly decide how he wants to prepare for it.”
Without any kind of warning, the lights dimmed, and a single beam illuminated a screen that had been installed high on one of the walls.
Cheers erupted around us, signaling the moment everyone had been waiting for.
Everyone except for me, of course.
Lina clapped her hands under her chin, her grin growing impossibly wider, and I made myself smile at her with something thatwasn’t sadness. I didn’t think I was very successful at it, but her expression didn’t fall, so I guessed it didn’t completely suck. Then, she grabbed my hand and dragged us away from the table and into the agitated throng of people.
“Do we really have to?” I asked.
She patted my hand. “Yes.”
Two golden numbers flashed bright on the big screen, a one and a zero; and I could taste on my tongue the anticipation of everyone around me.
Okay, just a few more seconds to go and I’ll be free.
My best friend situated herself between her husband and me, people moving past us, around us, probably between us if we had let them, wanting to get closer to the screen, or looking for those they wanted by their side when those numbers started making their way back to zero.
Lina turned her head and met my gaze. There was something in her gaze, something I couldn’t decipher. She looked at me like she never had before, like… like she’d walk through fire for me. Like she was holding herself from hugging me. Her eyes watered, and exactly a second before the countdown started and chaos ensued, she said, “Make a wish, Rosie. It might come true.”
