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“Erin.”I can almost hear her rolling her eyes.“The stalker thing happened more than five years ago, and you know that Dad took care of it.I understand that you don’t want to have a huge social media presence, but just make up a fake profile so you can lurk and comment on our stuff.You’re too far away to be alienated from all of us.”
I sigh and rub my hand over my eyes.I get that Zoey thinks she understands, but she’s not the one who had a psycho following her every move.“I know.I’m not really homesick much, and I know that I made the right decision when I decided to stay, but I do miss all of you guys a lot.I miss getting together all the time and being able to find out what everyone is up to.Cousin parties are the best.”
“We hosted one that waswildlast weekend,” Zoey says with a chuckle.“Yeah, get on the ‘gram, okay?Just text the group text so we all know it’s you.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“Erin—”
“I know you think I’m being silly, but what happened was really scary, and I don’t want to chance going through it again, okay?”
“I get it.I do.Just think about it because I want you to be privy to all the fun things happening around here.I mean, you’ll be here for the important stuff, but the day-to-day is still important, too.Oh, did you hear that Haley is going to go to school for sound healing and Reiki?”
“Is that, like, energy work?”
“Yep,” Zoey confirms.
“No, I hadn’t heard, but that sounds right up her alley.I have to say, though, isn’t the herbalism taking up all her time?”Our cousin has been into all things crystals and herbs for as long as I can remember.
“Yeah, for sure, but she wants to do this stuff, too.It’s fun to be her guinea pig.The next time you’re home, you need to have her make you her special teas.They’re delicious.”
“I’ll remember that.”
It’s not lost on me that she called Seattlehome, but I think of Bitterroot Valley as home now.
Not that I’ll say that to Zoey because it’ll just hurt her feelings.
We spend about an hour talking about all the cousins, which is alotof them, and what they’re up to.When I finally hang up with her, I’m freakingstarving.
“I don’t want to cook,” I mutter as I stare inside my small refrigerator.I’m so tired, and every muscle in my body is just…sore.
I want to curl up on my small but cozy sofa and watch a true crime show.With pizza.
So, I pick up my cell and call Old Town Pizza.
“OTP, this is Heather.”
I smile at the sound of the owner’s voice.“Hi, Heather.I’d like to place an order for delivery, please.”
“You betcha.Hold on; let me grab a pen.Is this Erin?”
I blink in surprise.“Yes, how did you know that?”
“I have a knack for names, but it also came up on the caller ID.”
I laugh in response.“You had me really impressed there for a minute.Okay, I’d like a medium pepperoni and pineapple on hand-tossed crust, and let’s also do some hot wings.With ranch.”
“Got it,” she says slowly.“What about any breadsticks?”
“I’m tempted, but no thanks.This will do me.I’m above Roger’s garage.”
“Okay, honey, this will be on its way to you in about thirty minutes.”
“Perfect.I’ll just pay with cash when it gets here, if that’s okay.”
“Fine by me.Thanks, Erin.I’ll see you at the coffee shop soon.”
She clicks off, and I smile as I set my phone down.There are so many places in Seattle that I order from or eat at all the time, but they don’t know me by name like this.And it’s not just Heather.It happens all over town.
