“Rest and relaxation? And some poor shmuck who can’t look at you without getting a hard on?”
I giggle. “Fine. I’ll come.”
Landon grins. “Good. Now we’d better go before I give in to my baser instincts and do what’s on my mind.”
“What?” I ask, getting up.
His lips lift in a small smile. “Something that’ll result in neither of us leaving for work anytime soon.”
Ah.
“DON’T forget lingerie,” Laurie advises.
What?” I look from the overnight bag on my bed to where she’s sitting at my desk, holding a Pringles tube.
“Lingerie. Something sexy.” She shakes her head at my cluelessness.
I look at the deep blue bikini I’ve already packed, there’s also shorts and a t-shirt, a summer dress, an
d my favorite LBD. Landon didn’t ask me to pack anything, but I’m covering all my bases.
“Okay.” I go over to my dresser and retrieve a set of sheer lingerie. I imagine Landon’s face when he sees me in it and the thought makes me smile.
“You’re glowing,” Laurie observes. Since that last text message where she asked if I was sure of what I was doing, she hasn’t questioned my decision to be with Landon. In fact, she seems happy about it.
I look up and meet her eyes. I feel like I’m glowing. The excitement, the happiness I feel even though nothing has really changed… It’s almost embarrassing.
“I know, right,” I sigh. “It’s pathetic.
Laurie frowns. “No, it’s not. Rach, you’re happy. That’s what matters. Sometimes you just have to enjoy stuff while it lasts instead of overthinking and ending things before they begin.”
I nod. “You’re right,”
“Aren’t I always?”
“No!” I narrow my eyes threateningly. “I still haven’t forgiven you for leaving me alone with Landon the other day. Seriously. That was a betrayal of trust.”
She’s unapologetic. “If it has anything to do with how happy you are right now, then I’m not sorry.”
I give up. “Have you spoken with Brett yet?”
She is silent.
“You know you can’t give him the silent treatment forever.”
“What if he was right and we do need some time apart?” She sighs. “I’m tired of always being mad about the same thing, Rach. He’s not going to change and neither am I.”
“Laurie…” I sit on the bed facing her. “You’re not seriously thinking about… walking away, are you?”
“I don’t know.” She frowns and looks down at her hands. “Forget about me, I’m just confused.”
“What will you do while I’m gone?” I ask. “Will you go home?” She’d mentioned going to visit her parents upstate.
“I’m just going to study,” she says. “Thankfully I won’t have my annoying cousin around to distract me.”
I stick out my tongue. “We both know who the annoying one is.”
We both laugh. “It’s going to be fine,” I tell her softly, after the moment of mirth has passed. “No matter what happens, we’re going to be fine.”