“Hi, Cori.”
“Hello, Morgan. I just wanted to thank you again for organizing yesterday’s lunch. It was so lovely to meet your new family.”
“Oh, you’re welcome. The girls loved meeting you. In fact, they were a little surprised how easy it was to talk to you. Logan’s so reserved, so we’re all curious how you got him to open up.”
“We clicked from the start.” She truly hated lying, but she was already in so deep, what was another lie? “I have some spare time today, so I wondered if Shaun is still out of town, would you like to go shopping with me today? I want to pick up something... romantic for Logan, and I have no idea what to get.” Oh, please don’t let lightning strike me down. This is so wrong.
“Oh, I wish I could, but I have homework to do with Tyler. Ziva loves to do stuff like that and has an eye for such things. She actually helped me shop for Shaun for Valentine’s Day. I’m so boring I probably would’ve gotten him a fun pair of underwear. You know, like the kind you write about.”
Cori rolled her eyes. That was the problem with those stories. Everyone seemed to think she related to each and every one of them. If that is the case, why am I the only one not getting any?
“I don’t really know Ziva.” Actually, I don’t really know any of you, but here goes nothing.
“She’s a peach. And I think she would love to find another friend here. It’s been quite an adjustment moving to the States. You would never think that she’s had the type of life that she had. I mean growing up in—Well, not as fortunate as we have had it. I really shouldn’t have mentioned it. Ziva is very private about her past. I guess we all have things we wish to keep to ourselves.”
Cori almost burst out laughing. Morgan was the one who had spilled it about her writing career. “That we do.”
“Why don’t I put her on the line, and we can all chat about it. If she’s free, I’m sure she would take you. Can you hold for a second please?”
Morgan didn’t give Cori a chance to decline. Instead, she was waiting for their calls to merge.
“Hi, Cori. How are you? Morgan told me you’re looking for something... fun for your guy. I’d love to go with you if you like?” Ziva asked.
She couldn’t believe how easy this was. Then again, they were all still under the impression she was sweet and Logan’s girlfriend. Why wouldn’t they be kind? That didn’t mean she was going to pass this by. She would shop for Logan. And goodness knows I’ll need her help. If Cori happened to learn anything more about Ziva than she already knew, it would be a bonus. She wasn’t going to push or pry. One thing she didn’t want to do was bring up anything so painful that it triggered things Ziva wanted to forget. Cori had her own struggles. Like me not being able to let go of Grandpa.
It wasn’t long before Ziva arrived, and they were on their way. Cori had thought long and hard how to present these questions. She started off as anyone else would. “I love your accent. Where are you from?”
She didn’t miss the twitch in Ziva’s eye before she evaded answering. “A little island. So any idea what you’re looking for?”
Cori shook her head. “Must be a change living in Boston then.”
“Life is full of changes. Depending on how romantic you want to get, I know a place that sells sexy underwear.”
Cori laughed, “Maybe not quiet that romantic.” Yet.
“In time. But I also know a shop that sells unusual trinkets. They are not new. Each piece is old, and I’m sure has a tale to tell. Do you want to check it out?
She smiled at Ziva and said, “I’d love to.”
Cori knew right away that she wasn’t going to get anything about Tabiq from Ziva. She’d have better luck with Morgan. The only thing this outing was going to accomplish was some bonding time.
What started off as a short shopping adventure, turned out to include a late dinner. What Ziva lacked in talking about herself, she made up for in overall personality. She had Cori almost rolling on the floor in stitches. She spoke about Alex and what he really did for a living. It was funny because, in all her research, Cori never had been able to put him in any position. An author sure wasn’t what she pictured him to be. Guess that’s two Hendersons I’ve had pegged wrong so far. Four more to go.
She was glad to get home and back in bed. Cori thought for sure she’d have heard from Logan sometime during the day. Yes, she’d declined his offer to see him today, but that didn’t mean he should’ve given up so easily.
Really? This is what I’ve become? A woman who wants a man to pursue her? Heck, he’s not even really my man.Cori laid back and buried her face in her pillow. She was getting so entwined in her own lie she wasn’t sure what was true anymore. All she knew was, she missed him. And I wish he’d call.