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“And will be back on Thursday. You get married Saturday, so it looks like we will talk on Saturday. Until then?”
“You wait.”
I inhaled and dropped my arms to the counter. “I wait.”
“Are you going to respond?”
I furrowed my brow and shifted in the seat, an uneasiness coming over me. I wanted to. I desperately wanted to, but a little nag in my brain told me to leave it be. Let her focus on her store, on her future, and I would be waiting for her.
I shook my head. “I don’t think so,” I mumbled.
“You know.” Milo moved, pushing himself off the counter and twisting his body toward the coffee maker. He grabbed two mugs and filled them, turning back and handing me a drink. “Those three days where I thought I was going to have to move to Seattle, I didn't talk to Madeline at all. I didn’t even text her, even when I wanted to.”
“This is a bit different, don't you think?” I asked, grabbing the handle and scooting the black liquid to me.
Milo frowned and shook his head. “Not really. Not talking to her was the hardest thing for me at that time. You remember how down I was.” I nodded. “She was mad at me, but even if I had gotten a text from her, it would have eased my mind a little bit. Maybe just one text, saying you’ll talk to her soon, maybe throw in a ‘show me the store when you get there.’ It may helphermind calm down.”
He left his kitchen, his mug in hand as he walked around the peninsula, slapping my shoulder as he passed and went into his room.
“Do you want to come with Maddy and me to Depoe Bay today? Map out the wedding site?”
I gave a small chuckle. “Sure. I still can’t believe you’re getting married on a cliff.”
“That’s where I knew I loved her for sure, so. . . a cliff it is.” He disappeared into his bedroom, leaving the door open as he meandered into his ensuite bathroom.
I turned and looked around the apartment. The last couple of weeks, things had changed without me even realizing. Boxes began to pile up as he prepared for his move into Madeline’s, essential items still left out for when Hannah was here with Holly. Time was moving too fast.
And yet, still not fast enough.
I slid my phone to me, using my thumb to bring it to life, still seeing Ophelia’s text thread open. She sent it early this morning, most likely right before Madeline had dropped her off at the airport. I closed my eyes and breathed, taking in a few deep breaths before listening to Milo.
Maybe just one text would help her mind calm down.
Clay: I’ll be waiting. Always. Enjoy your time, take it all in. You did it.
It was windy and cold on the coast of Depoe Bay. Madeline’s hair was whipping all around as she and Milo walked with the owner, mapping out exactly where everything was going to go. Milo would turn and laugh as her hair hit her in the face, finally reaching into his pocket for a hair tie.
I kept back, giving them the space they needed while trying to see what was around. The wedding party would get ready at the hotel and then travel to the site. The chairs and archway would be just off to the side of the tent where the reception would be and once everything was over, the bride and groom would go back to the hotel whereas the wedding party would help take down the chairs and tables and travel to our own homes.
Or in my case, Madeline’s home.
I had dog babysitting duty.
I remember that Ophelia said she would get a hotel, not wanting to stay in the same house as me. But now I wondered if that had changed.
My phone buzzed in my pocket, breaking my short walk away from Milo and Madeline. I shoved my hand in my back pocket, pulling out my phone only to see an unknown number. Curiosity got the best of me, and I answered.
“Clay Nolan,” I said loudly, the wind picking up.
“Mr. Nolan, this is Regina Krass.”
I could barely hear her, the wind making it near impossible for her to hear me.
“Mrs. Krass, yes, hello. I do apologize, I’m at the coast, and it’s windy. Can you give me a moment to head into a shop so you can hear me?”
“Oh yes, of course I’ll wait. I can hear the wind better than I can hear—”
I lowered the phone and ran. Milo called my name, but I was already on the boardwalk. I flung open the door to the first shop I reached, and as soon as I was inside, I hid in a small corner, surrounded by tourist shot glasses.
