by Bella Emy
Please take this little token as a sign of our appreciation and a little something to help get you started on your exciting journey.
Sincerely,
Edward Elmers
Well, that was incredibly sweet, and oh my God, five grand? I don’t even know if I can accept this much money from him.
I put the card down and turn my head around to look about the parking lot. Shit. I don’t see Joanna’s car parked in her spot anymore. She must have already left.
I grab my iPhone out of my pocket and hit the button on her number to call her.
“Damn, you miss me already?” She picks up on the first ring, chuckling.
I laugh lightly. “Jo, you took off already?”
“Girl, yeah! You think I want to stay around any later than I need to? Plus, it’s Friday, I’m ready to get my party on.”
I giggle at her comment. I know she’s not going anywhere but home. It’s Friday, and every Friday after work, she goes home to relax in front of the TV, while her husband plays on the computer. Saturdays are her days for going out. I know her schedule inside and out, much like she knows mine.
I clear my throat. “Yeah, where you going?” I pull her chain.
She scoffs. “You know damn well I’ll be parking my ass right in front of my TV and pigging out on lo mein and wonton while Michael plays his online games.”
I knew it…
After a moment, she asks, “So, what’s up? Want to come over and join me?”
It would be nice. But with my flight leaving in the morning, I need to make sure I’ve got everything packed and ready to go.
I buckle up my seat belt and get ready to make the drive home. Thankfully, I only live fifteen minutes from here. “I would. But I still gotta finish packing for tomorrow morning. Flight leaves at six.”
“Ick. That’s too early for my liking on a Saturday morning.”
I frown. “I know. But I’m excited. I haven’t been back home or seen Erin and Kennedy in so long.”
“Hell yeah, girl. Enjoy yourself.”
Remembering why I had called her in the first place, I say, “So, I opened the card you guys got me and it had a nice little message from Elmers…”
“Yeah? Why am I sensing a but somewhere?” she asks, then honks her horn. “Watch it, douche bag. Sorry, I’ve got road rage and very little patience for fuckers who like to cut me off at the last minute. You were saying?”
I chuckle. Jo’s always been known to act on impulse, having very little filter, and I love it. “Anyway, yeah… there was a check in there… for five grand.”
“Five thousand dollars?!” she shouts.
“Uh- huh.”
“Shiiit. Maybe I should quit, too.” She laughs.
“Jo! I didn’t quit… I left… ugh, it’s no better. But that’s beside the point. Do you think I should bring it back to him?”
“What?! Hell no! That’s a gift, and if anyone deserves that little bonus, it’s you,” she answers. “Why would you even ask that?”
I shrug even though I know she can’t see me and pull out of the parking lot. “Because it’s so much money. I feel wrong taking it. But would it be like a slap in the face to give it back? I mean, I’m not unappreciative or anything like that. Quite the contrary; I’m very thankful, but still. I guess I just wanted your opinion.”
She sucks her teeth. “No way, Lexi. You can call and thank him or even send Elmers a thank you note, but you keep that money. What did he write in the card to you?”
“He said it was for all my years of dedication and a little something to get me started on my new adventure.” I take a deep breath. “I don’t know. It still feels somewhat wrong to me. It’s a lot of money.”
“It’s not like he’s going to miss it. Elmers has enough money coming out of his ass. Trust me, it’s fine.”
I ponder her words. Maybe she’s right. I mean, I know he’s got plenty of money. The company brings in millions every year. This is just chump change to someone like him. I remember that’s what it was like for us growing up. My family was loaded until my parents divorced and Mom and I moved out east.
“Lexi, do you hear me?” she asks after a few moments of me not saying anything.
“Yes, I’m sorry, Jo. Okay.”
“Okay, what?”
“Okay, I’ll keep it,” I say.
“Good. Now go take your ass home, finish packing, and then enjoy your mini vacation before your new life begins. Lexi, you’re going to be amazing and everything is going to be great. You’ll see. I’m so freaking proud of you.”
I smile. “Thanks, Jo. You’re the greatest. I love you.”
“Love you, too, bitch. Now go!”
I giggle and turn onto the main road. “Yes, ma’am!”
Chapter Two
I can’t wait to get off this fucking plane. Between the turbulence making me feel like I’m about to toss my cookies all over the place and the anxiety and nervousness of seeing my friends and my hometown again, I need to get off this damn thing. Unfortunately for me though, there’s still another two hours to go. Thank God it’s not a super long flight. I’ve been on flights longer than this, but it’s long enough to make me wish I had taken a bus or my own damn car and driven out to Cali.
I reach down into my bag sitting on the floor to find my romance novel, Destined, and try to pick up from the last chapter I had read. Maybe if I read and try to get my mind off how I’m feeling, it will make the remainder of this flight better.
Snores erupt from the heavyweight passenger sitting in my row. I’m thankful that the middle seat is empty. At least that gives us some space between us.
“Can I offer you something to drink? Tea? Coffee?” The flight attendant comes around yet again. The time before, she had been carrying our lunch trays—a disgusting version of ziti with beef. I pushed the food around with a fork until they came back around again to clean up the trays. I’d rather starve than eat whatever that was and let my stomach feel even sicker.
“Just some water, please,” I respond.
The blonde stewardess smiles and fills a see-through plastic cup with the liquid then hands it over to me. “Here you are.”
As I take the cup from her grasp, she makes her way to the next aisle, not bothering to wake the sleeping giant in my row.
I take a sip from the cup and the cool liquid coats the back of my throat. Damn, I hadn’t realized how thirsty I really was.
I take another sip, longer this time, and once I swallow, I unclasp the table attached to the back of the seat in front of me. I then place the cup on it and go back to reading my book.
Or at least I try to. The up and down motion as we hit another wave of turbulence makes my stomach feel like I’m on a roller coaster, and I know I won’t be able to freaking concentrate.
“Great,” I whisper to myself as the seat belt sign lights up and dings from above my head.
Rolling my eyes, I buckle up and wait until this God-forsaken plane ride from hell is finally over.
“Lexi! Over here!” The sound of my best friend’s voice catches my attention as I walk with my suitcase in hand through the gate.
A smile spreads across my face as I take in the image of her flailing her arms from left to right, even after we’ve already made eye contact.
“Oh my God, it’s been so long!” Erin shouts as she wraps her arms around me. “Welcome back to Tranquility Creek!”
“I know, girl. For real,” I reply, inhaling deeply. Instantly, the aroma of freshly baked cinnamon rolls from our favorite local bakery growing up find their way into my nostrils. We used to go there all the time after school and order some. It was pure heaven. Since I’ve been away from home for so many years, she’s brought me some, and immediately I remember why I love this girl so much.
“Mmm, that’s pure bliss. Pull it out!” I say as I step back and motion with my hand for her to give me the goodies.
Erin smirks, tilting her head and places her hands on her hips. “I don’t kno
w what you’re talking about.”
I smirk right back at her. I know she’s just trying to throw me off. There’s no mistaking the smell of cinnamon rolls from Tranquility Creek Bakery. “Right. I know what I smelled. You can’t fool me, hand them over.”
She rolls her eyes. “Okay, okay. Here!” She fishes inside her purse and pulls out a white paper bag holding our favorite treat from so long ago hostage.
After the six-hour plane ride—and my body refusing the airplane food that was waved around in front of my face by the stewardess—I’m aching for some good bad food.
My eyes widen as she pulls out the box containing the dessert and my mouth waters.
“Damn, Lex. I can never trick you.”
I smirk, gripping the box into my greedy little hands. “Not when it comes to these little babies.”
Erin laughs. “They didn’t feed you on the plane?”
I pretend to gag. “Girl, they tried to force some weird looking ziti and beef my way, but I wasn’t having it. I tried to see if it was edible, but the smell and the way it looked just threw me off. Plus, when you’ve been away from home as long as I have,” I begin and then wave the box back in front of us, “these are the little things that count, and I absolutely adore you for feeding my inner fat ass.”
Erin chuckles as we walk over to the waiting area of the airport. I plop my ass down onto the first seat and open the box of fresh cinnamon rolls. Inside, six golden rolls laced with oozing icing on top call out to me, and I pull the first one from the rest and take a bite.
I close my eyes and enjoy the taste of my childhood. “Mmm, they don’t make them like this in Jersey,” I say through a mouthful.
It’s true. Sure we have plenty of amazing bakeries in Willington and the rest of New Jersey, but nothing compares to the original recipe Tranquility Creek Bakery uses. It’s impeccable.
The sweet taste fills my mouth and although it’s been years since I’ve been back home, sitting right beside her makes me feel like I haven’t been gone very long at all.
But it’s been ages.
Moving from California to New Jersey when I was just sixteen kind of sucked. It was right before I was set to start my senior year of high school. I had so many friends and loved my school. But thanks to Mom and Dad who couldn’t, or maybe wouldn’t—to this day, I still don’t know which is accurate—work their shit out, I got the short end of the stick. I was forced to leave all my friends behind, including the one boy who held my heart for so long… but that’s another story.
Sure, I visit every so often. But it’s just not the same.
Erin pulls out her cell phone as she reads a text message on it. She laughs. “Your neighbor, New York, has the best pizza though. I know. I’ve been there.”
I giggle as I take another bite of the cinnamon roll. The flavor bursts into my mouth and I could die happy right now.
Erin has come to visit me with her sister, Kennedy, a few times. Each time is never long enough though and I miss them as soon as they’re gone.
The thought of Kennedy instantly reminds me why I’m able to be here in the first place. “So, how’s Kennedy? Is she ready for her big day?”
Erin puts her phone away after typing a response back just moments ago. “She would have been here if she didn’t have to be at the final dress fitting, but she’s going to meet us for dinner as soon as she’s done. And, girl, oh, my God. She’s so nervous, but so excited at the same time. That was actually her who texted me. She wanted to know if you landed yet.”
I nod, closing the box and placing it back inside the white paper bag. “Yeah, I can’t imagine how she must be feeling right now. I can’t believe she’ll be a married woman in just three days.”
“Tell me about it. She’s always been my little sister. Now when I have to think of her as married and starting her new life, it’s like what? When the hell did Kennedy grow up?”
We both chuckle. When we were younger, we never thought she’d be the first one to get married. Now, after dating her fiancé for just over four years, she’s getting ready to tie the knot.
I dab the corner of my lips with a napkin. “I know what you mean. I always pictured you getting married first.”
Erin furrows her brows. “Me?”
I nod. “Yeah, you. You always had steady boyfriends.”
“Steady, yes. But never trustworthy enough once their true colors shone through. Sean and Malcom turned out to be scum.”
I chuckle. Her exes were definitely that and more. “I’m sorry, girl.”
She shrugs. “Hey, it’s fine. I’m not looking for love right now, and especially not this weekend. I plan for us to have a great time in Starling Paradise… it’s going to be the best!”
My eyes light up. “Yes, I can’t wait!”
She adjusts her bag on her shoulder. “Ready to get the show on the road? Kennedy is anxious to see you.”
I smile. “I’m excited to see her, too.”
“All right, let’s get going then. We’ve got so much to do to get ready for this weekend.”
We both rise from our seats and make our way out of the airport. It feels so good to be home and see my girls once again.
As soon as we step outside and I take in the image of palm trees lining the strip of the sidewalks, the afternoon sun shines on my face. I close my eyes, letting the warm sensation embrace my skin. As it does, a million memories from way back when come bursting into the front of my mind and lazy summer days spent wrapped up in his arms cloud my brain.
Damn, it’s been eight years and I still can’t forget the one boy who so long ago stole my heart.
Chapter Three
“Alexa, it’s so good to have you with us again after so long! How was your trip over, sweetie?” Mrs. Cole takes me into her embrace, welcoming me with a smile.
We have just arrived at Mr. and Mrs. Cole’s home, and we’ll all be going out for dinner soon. Everything is just as I remember it. The same old pictures are hanging in frames on the walls, the same knickknacks lining the fireplace… it’s bringing back so many memories. Even ones that I wish wouldn’t right about now.
I inhale, deeply taking a breath. “Thank you, it was good… only a little bit of turbulence this time. How’s the bride-to-be?” I ask as we part.
“She’s good, aside from the typical freak out session every so often regarding the wedding not going to her standards, but besides that, she’s good and currently just adding some finishing touches to her hair,” Mr. Cole asks, walking into the living room. “How’ve you been, Alexa?”
“Mr. Cole, hi,” I reply as he walks toward me, ever the soldier. That’s one thing I can definitely say about him. He’s always carried himself like a military man, with broad shoulders, standing upright.
He brings me in for a quick embrace, and that’s when I hear Kennedy’s shrill voice coming from the staircase.
“She’s here? Is she here?”
Mr. Cole pulls away and his wife stands beside him, the two of them smiling at me.
“Here she comes,” Mrs. Cole responds.
“Lexi!” Kennedy darts toward me and almost throws us to the ground as her arms wrap around me. “Oh, my God! You’re here! You’re finally here!”
I chuckle to myself. “Hi, Kennedy. It’s so good to see you, too. I’m so happy to be here.” She’s changed so much from the headstrong teenager she used to be back in high school. It’s like she’s an entirely different person. Back then, she was always hanging around with the wrong crowd.
“You guys act like you haven’t seen one another in decades,” Erin walks into the room, finally making her way in from outside.
Everyone shoots her a look as Kennedy loosens her grip on me.
“It’s been at least two or three years, sweetheart,” Mrs. Cole answers, side-eyeing her daughter.
I look back at Kennedy, who still has a hold of my hands in hers and now looks like she’s about to cry tears of joy. “Hey, it’s all good. I’m here, and ready for your big d
ay!” I grip her hands tighter and flash her a dashing smile.
Kennedy’s smile fades. “At least you are.”
She lets go of my hands and spins around, walking toward the couch. As she reaches it, she plops down. I can’t help but look from one person to the next in the room, trying to find some answers.
Mrs. Cole goes to sit next to her daughter while Mr. Cole excuses himself, taking a call in the next room.
Finally, once my eyes land on Erin, she answers my silent concerns. “She’s been freaking out over the wedding for the past two weeks. I think it’s finally dawning on her that she’s going to be a married woman in just a matter of days, and it’s getting to her. No more single and ready to mingle.”
Erin chuckles hard, but her sister doesn’t find her comment the least bit amusing.
“Ugh, it’s not that, Er, and you know it! I love Max!” she says of her fiancé. I’d only met him once before, and he seemed like a great guy.
Kennedy slams her head against her mother’s shoulder, who instantly wraps her arm around her, comforting her. “Shhh, don’t get yourself so upset and worked up, Kennedy.” Mrs. Cole looks up at me and says, “She’s just worried the day she worked so hard for is going to go terribly wrong.”
Kennedy snaps her head up and looks directly at me. “I’m not worried! I’m terrified! There’s a difference. I’ve heard plenty of horror stories from my friends! Everything can go all wrong if one little detail is missing or if something gets mixed up.” Her head goes back down and once again Mrs. Cole resorts to caressing her back.
“Ugh!” Erin roars, stomping across the room and only stopping once she’s standing just inches away from her sister. “Listen, we’ve all sacrificed so much for your wedding so you can have the day of your dreams. Even Lexi put her life on hold to be here for you.” She turns to face me, motioning for me to say something.
Granted, she’s not wrong. If Kennedy’s wedding weren’t going on this weekend, I would have stayed right where I was on the east coast and made sure everything was ready for the grand opening of my bar and lounge in just a few weeks.