laugh through my tears. She has an uncanny way of making me smile when the entire world feels like it’s collapsing on me.
“All I’m saying is this is a once in a lifetime opportunity and if Reagan isn't a total jerk, then you might have a good time with him. Maybe you’ll become best friends and you can bring him home to me so I can have him if you decide you don't want him.”
“I can’t want him. I’m engaged, remember?”
“Yeah let’s see what your doting fianc é is doing while you are away and then we’ll see if you can’t want him, ” she mumbles.
“Francesca! ” I scold.
“What?”
“Goodbye, Francesca, ” I say before she can suggest any more absurdities.
Wiping the tears from my eyes, I storm into the house before I change my mind. My dad sits in his chair by the TV, glancing briefly at my shadow as I march into the kitchen. I pick up the rolodex next to the landline, because, you know, they're old school like that and find the number for the Lewis household. It feels like I’m fourteen again with butterflies forming in my stomach as the phone rings.
“Hello? ” a tired voice says from the other line. I glance at the microwave clock and realize it’s ten o’clock.
“Shoot, I’m sorry Mr. Lewis. Did I wake you?”
“Josie, is that you? ” he asks, his voice perking up.
“Yes, it’s me. I wanted to talk to Reagan if he is awake.”
“Hold on one-second and I’ll check. ” There is some rustling in the background before I hear faint mumbling.
“Josie? ” His tired voice sounds like heaven through the phone. Every time he speaks it sounds like a song and to hear my name in the words is a whole other experience.
“Hi, ” I squeak. I cannot believe how nervous I feel.
“How are you? ” he asks and the butterflies amplify.
“Fine, how are you? ” I smile.
“Sleepy, ” he says and I giggle. There is a silence between us and I bite my thumb as I listen to the static. “You called? ” he eventually asks. Right, I called. What was it about? Oh yes, to accept his invitation. The thought occurs to me that he might have changed his mind. If I say yes now and he tells me he doesn't want me to come anymore then I’ll look like a total idiot.
“Josie?”
“If your offer is still on the table, my answer is yes. ” The words stumble out before I can take them back.
“Really? ” he sounds surprised.
“If you still want me to, ” I say.
“Of course, ” he answers and my heart flutters. This trip probably isn't a good idea.
“Great, ” I smile and hug myself.
“What about the fiancé?”
“I talked to him. We fought a bit but he said he didn't care so…yeah.”
“Ah, ” he says, skepticism clear in his voice.
“What time should I be ready?”
“I’ll come by tomorrow afternoon and we’ll head out. It’s probably best if I drive. ” I can hear the amusement in his voice and roll my eyes dramatically even though he can’t see me. So I guess we are really doing this. I had no idea, even three days ago, that this is where I would be. I left Simon and my responsibilities in New York to live spontaneously for a while and I find myself in the company of a rock star who wants to road trip with me. A guy who actually wants to spend time with me. I know I shouldn't compare the two but when Reagan is being so sweet and Simon is being so not, it’s hard not to.
Chapter Thirteen
“You keep my baby safe, ” my dad warns as I step out onto the porch.
“She couldn’t be in better hands, sir, ” Reagan assures.
I give Holly a big hug and she gives me a sad smile. I hate to leave them so soon but I’m excited for the adventures ahead. What those adventures are, I have no idea. I turn to my dad and give him a big squeeze, missing him already. Finally, I turn to Reagan, offering a curt nod and walk toward the RV. In a gentlemanly fashion, he lifts my suitcase inside, securing it so it won’t slide around and opens my door. I hop into the passenger
“All I’m saying is this is a once in a lifetime opportunity and if Reagan isn't a total jerk, then you might have a good time with him. Maybe you’ll become best friends and you can bring him home to me so I can have him if you decide you don't want him.”
“I can’t want him. I’m engaged, remember?”
“Yeah let’s see what your doting fianc é is doing while you are away and then we’ll see if you can’t want him, ” she mumbles.
“Francesca! ” I scold.
“What?”
“Goodbye, Francesca, ” I say before she can suggest any more absurdities.
Wiping the tears from my eyes, I storm into the house before I change my mind. My dad sits in his chair by the TV, glancing briefly at my shadow as I march into the kitchen. I pick up the rolodex next to the landline, because, you know, they're old school like that and find the number for the Lewis household. It feels like I’m fourteen again with butterflies forming in my stomach as the phone rings.
“Hello? ” a tired voice says from the other line. I glance at the microwave clock and realize it’s ten o’clock.
“Shoot, I’m sorry Mr. Lewis. Did I wake you?”
“Josie, is that you? ” he asks, his voice perking up.
“Yes, it’s me. I wanted to talk to Reagan if he is awake.”
“Hold on one-second and I’ll check. ” There is some rustling in the background before I hear faint mumbling.
“Josie? ” His tired voice sounds like heaven through the phone. Every time he speaks it sounds like a song and to hear my name in the words is a whole other experience.
“Hi, ” I squeak. I cannot believe how nervous I feel.
“How are you? ” he asks and the butterflies amplify.
“Fine, how are you? ” I smile.
“Sleepy, ” he says and I giggle. There is a silence between us and I bite my thumb as I listen to the static. “You called? ” he eventually asks. Right, I called. What was it about? Oh yes, to accept his invitation. The thought occurs to me that he might have changed his mind. If I say yes now and he tells me he doesn't want me to come anymore then I’ll look like a total idiot.
“Josie?”
“If your offer is still on the table, my answer is yes. ” The words stumble out before I can take them back.
“Really? ” he sounds surprised.
“If you still want me to, ” I say.
“Of course, ” he answers and my heart flutters. This trip probably isn't a good idea.
“Great, ” I smile and hug myself.
“What about the fiancé?”
“I talked to him. We fought a bit but he said he didn't care so…yeah.”
“Ah, ” he says, skepticism clear in his voice.
“What time should I be ready?”
“I’ll come by tomorrow afternoon and we’ll head out. It’s probably best if I drive. ” I can hear the amusement in his voice and roll my eyes dramatically even though he can’t see me. So I guess we are really doing this. I had no idea, even three days ago, that this is where I would be. I left Simon and my responsibilities in New York to live spontaneously for a while and I find myself in the company of a rock star who wants to road trip with me. A guy who actually wants to spend time with me. I know I shouldn't compare the two but when Reagan is being so sweet and Simon is being so not, it’s hard not to.
Chapter Thirteen
“You keep my baby safe, ” my dad warns as I step out onto the porch.
“She couldn’t be in better hands, sir, ” Reagan assures.
I give Holly a big hug and she gives me a sad smile. I hate to leave them so soon but I’m excited for the adventures ahead. What those adventures are, I have no idea. I turn to my dad and give him a big squeeze, missing him already. Finally, I turn to Reagan, offering a curt nod and walk toward the RV. In a gentlemanly fashion, he lifts my suitcase inside, securing it so it won’t slide around and opens my door. I hop into the passenger
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