“Grow up, pretty boy. Let’s make coffee, and then I have to get to work.” I whacked him with my pillow.
He slid out from under the afghan, taking care to fold it, and carried it with him into the kitchen where he set it gently on the table. I smiled, thinking of him saying my name in the night. What I wouldn’t give to know what was running through his mind.
We moved about the kitchen with quiet economy, grinding beans, measuring coffee, pouring water. I put the sugar and cream on the counter while he peeled and sliced a banana. I poured granola, he milked and banana-ed the bowls for us. Within a few minutes we were seated next to each other on barstools, eating breakfast as though we’d been doing so for years. Our simple ease intrigued me. And worried me.
“Plans for the day?” I asked, digging into my bowl.
“I need to stop by the Chronicle office.”
“Are you working on something for the paper?” I asked, surprised at the level of interest even I could hear in my voice. Would he be in town for a while? Why did I care? Oh boy.
“I’m spending a few days on a piece about quick getaways in the Bay Area—weekend drives kind of thing,” he answered through a mouthful of banana.
“When are you going to do that?” I asked, examining the raisins in my bowl and trying not to look too interested in his answer.
“Next week. I leave on Tuesday,” he replied and my stomach was instantly queasy. Next week we were supposed to go to Tahoe. Why the hell did my stomach care so much that he wouldn’t be going?
“I see,” I added, again fascinated by the raisins.
“But I’ll be back before Tahoe. I was planning on just driving straight there when I finish my shoot,” he said, looking at me over the rim of his coffee mug.
“Oh, well, that’s good,” I answered quietly, my stomach now bouncing all around.
“When are you headed up, anyway?” he asked, seeming to now be studying his own bowl.
“The girls are driving up with Neil and Ryan on Thursday, but I have to stay in the city to work until at least noon on Friday. I’m gonna rent a car and drive up that afternoon.”
“Don’t rent a car. I’ll swing through to pick you up,” he offered, and I nodded without a word.
That settled, we finished our breakfast and watched Clive chase a stray piece of fluff around the table over and over again. We didn’t talk much, but whenever we met each other’s eyes, we both grinned.
Text between Mimi and Sophia:
Did you know Caroline is working with James?
James who?
James Brown, obviously. Who else?
NO! What the hell?
Remember she mentioned she had a new client? She neglected to mention who he was.
I’m gonna kick her ass when I see her next. She better not cancel on Tahoe. Did Ryan tell you he was bringing his guitar?
Yep, he told me you wanted to have some kind of fucked-up singalong.
He did? Haha. I just thought it would be fun.
Text between Neil and Mimi:
Hey, Tiny, are we still bowling with Sophia and Ryan tonight?
Yep, and you better bring your A game. Sophia and I are pretty severe.
Sophia knows how to bowl? Wow.
Why is that wow?
I just wouldn’t have expected her to bowl is all. See you tonight.
Text between Neil and Simon:
You still planning on heading up with us this weekend?
Yep, but I’m coming a little late, have a shoot
When are you coming up?
Fri night sometime, stopping thru the city on my way
Why the hell are you going back into the city? You’re doing that shoot in Carmel, right?
I just need to pick up some shit for the weekend.
Dude, pack your shit and get your ass to Tahoe.
I will, but I’m picking up Caroline.
I see.
You see nothing.
I see everything.
You sure about that, Big Boy? What about Sophia?
Sophia? Why is everyone asking me about Sophia?
See you in Tahoe.
Text between Mimi and Caroline:
You have some splainin’ to do, Lucy…
Oh no, I hate it when you go Ricardo on me.
What the hell did I do?
Explain to me why you didn’t tell me about your new client.
Caroline, don’t ignore my text! CAROLINE!!
Oh, settle down. This is exactly why I did NOT tell you.
Caroline Reynolds, this is news that obviously
I should have known about!
Look, I can handle it okay?? He’s my client, nothing more. He’s going to spend an obscene amount of money
on this project.
I frankly don’t care how much he’s spending.
I don’t want you working with him.
Listen to yourself! I will take on whatever new client
I damn well please! I have this under control.
We’ll see…Did I hear a rumor that you’re driving
up to Tahoe with Wallbanger?
Wow, subject change. Yes, I am.
Good. Take the long way.
What the hell is that supposed to mean?
Mimi?? You there??
Damn you, Mimi…HELLO??
Text between Caroline and Simon:
Wallbanger…come in Wallbanger
Wallbanger isn’t here, only the exorcist
Not even a little bit funny.
What’s up?
What time are you picking me up tom?
I should be back in the city by noon.
If you can knock off work we can beat rush hour.
Already told Jillian I’m taking a half day.
Where are you right now?
In Carmel, on a cliff overlooking the ocean
Boy, are you a closet romantic…
I’m a photographer. We go where the money shot is.
Oh man, we’re not discussing money shots.
Besides, I thought you were the romantic one
I told you, I’m a practical romantic.
Well then practically speaking, even you would appreciate this sight—waves crashing, sun setting, it’s nice
Are you alone?
Yep
Bet you wish you weren’t.
You have no idea
Pfft…you old softie
There’s nothing soft about me, Caroline.
He stopped midway up the walk and looked at me fiercely. “Is that an invitation? Cuz I’m a hell of a bartender,” he stated, the eyes glowing in the darkness.
“I’ve no doubt,” I breathed, the space between us now crackling with tension that was becoming ridiculously hard to ignore. I took a deep breath, and noticed he did as well.
“Come on, let’s get sauced and start this weekend.” He chuckled, nudging me with his shoulder and breaking the spell.
“Sauce away,” I muttered, walking up the path behind him.
Finding the front door open, Simon stashed our bags, and we made our way through the house to the back deck. There the lake spread out before us, just barely lit by the tiki torches dotting the dock and pathways that led to the shore. The entire back of the house was flanked with brick patios and decks, and that’s where we found our friends.