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We both placed our orders and thanked the server.
“But you want her to feel needed,” James pointed out.
“True. So, maybe sound a little needy?”
“No, you don’t want to sound needy. You want her to feel needed. Dude, you are a mess.”
“I know. It’s like my instinct on how to navigate this relationship went out the window the moment it counts.”
“Well, just maybe plan a time to go back there when you next talk to her.”
“This probably sounds crazy, but I totally assumed we’d be talking multiple times a day. I mean, maybe for just a few minutes, but you know…”
James nodded. “Yeah, but she’s only been there a day.”
“Okay. I have to confess something that’s been eating at me the moment it happened.”
James looked concerned. “Go on.”
“Well, when I was waiting for Emily to come outside so I could drive her to work, her grandpa came to the car and tapped on the window.”
“Okay.” He lifted a brow and took another sip of coffee.
“And he said she was a flight risk.”
My cousin’s brows knitted together. “A flight risk? Like she’s a runner?”
I nodded. “I didn’t give it much credence because she loves Marigold Island, and why would she have reason to leave?”
“And then this.” James nodded. “Well, now I understand why you’re such a jumpy little fella now.”
“Hardee-har-har.” I sat back in the booth. “So, this wouldn’t worry you?”
“I mean, I’d file it away, but I’d make sure she remembers how amazing you are.”
I scratched my chin and grinned. “So, you think I’m amazing?”
My cousin laughed as my phone rang. I glanced down to see Clara again.
“You’re not going to believe this.”
“What?” James asked, leaning over to see my phone.
“It’s Clara. She’s already left a message this morning about wanting to do coffee. I don’t know how else to get the message across to her that it’s not happening.”
James nodded in agreement. “How about you invite her out now? I’m here. We’re in public. I can surely help to get the point across.”
“You think that’s a good idea?”
“I think if we don’t do something, she’ll just keep bothering you.’
I nodded in agreement and picked up the phone, hoping I wasn’t making a mistake.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Emily
To say I was exhausted was putting it mildly. It wasn’t just about attending writing workshops, listening to lecturers, trying to come up with my own lecture to give, and then beginning to work on a project to present at the end of my stay… no, it was also that I was expected to socialize with these people.
