AllFreeNovel
Share Us
They’re talking?
The phone beeps, letting her know she has a voicemail. Now she seems even sadder than ever. “I took Outlaw to the groomer,” she says.
It’s code.
Code for:I don’t want to talk about us anymore.
But I’m not ready to let go. “Maddison, just let me say one thing. Maybe it was reckless of me to kiss you last night. It was hard to think straight. I know you’re going through tough stuff right now. I’m doing my best to respect that. I care about you.”
“I know you care,” she whispers. “I know that.”
“I value our friendship.”
“Thanks.” She reaches out for my hand and squeezes it. “That means a lot to me right now. I don’t have many people in my life. Moving across the country does that to a person, I guess.”
“How is the battle for your script rights going?”
“It’s… it’s going.” She checks her phone and frowns. “I have to check in with Hana at some point today, actually. She contacted Sylvester Thursday afternoon, and I do not think it went well. But we’ll see.”
“I hope it works out.”
“Yeah, thanks. That makes two of us. Hey, maybe if it does make it to the big screen, you could come out to LA for the premiere. I could show you around the city, take you sightseeing. There’s the iconic hike up to the big Hollywood letters… amazing restaurants. I think you’d like it.”
I hate the thought of her moving back to California. It’s hard work to fake a smile. “That’d be cool.”
I know she sees straight through my smile and lies.
She grabs her purse. “Shoot, I better run. I have to meet a woman from this charity organization. You know the thrift store down on Lily Pad Loop?” She stands up and whisks the remains of our brunch onto her cafeteria tray.
I follow her toward the exit. “Sure, the one with the animal shelter attached. I got Mittens there.”
“Yeah, well, they’ve graciously agreed to accept my odd donation.” She deposits the tray and heads for the hallway.
“What sort of odd donation?” I ask, once we’re in the hall. Past Maddison, I can see the revolving doors and the sunlight of the beautiful summer day beyond.
It’s hard to believe that on a day so clear, my head can feel this cloudy with confusion.
“My Jetta,” she says.
I wait for her to say she’s kidding, that she’s bringing them old sweaters or something.
But that doesn’t come.
“You’re seriously donating your car? That’s absurd. You need a vehicle.”
“Yeah, well, I also need to know I’m the kind of person who keeps her word. A person with integrity. I’m sure you get that.”
Integrity.
Yeah, it’s a value I have. I want to be the type of person to do the right thing in every single situation.
As I watch Maddison head for the revolving doors, then get swallowed up in a curtain of bright sunlight, I wonder what the right move is in this situation.
Emotions are tricky.
Especially love.
I’ve known that for a long time.
