“I’ll take you to your room first.” She dropped a bag off in the bedroom I was giving her then we made our way through the rest of the house. At each room we talked paint colors and design schemes.
Later we made our way back to the kitchen and found Silas making margaritas.
“It’s a proper girls’ night already,” Drew said as Silas poured the frothy drink into glasses. “Thanks for letting Gavin come, Georgia. I know it’s weird since you haven’t met him, but he’s great. You’ll love him.”
“Can’t wait to meet him.” I sipped the cold drink.
“Tristan’s great too, and off the charts hot.” She rested her hip against the counter and took a drink.
“Who’s Tristan?” I asked.
“Is he single? How old?” Silas asked.
“Twenty-seven, single, and straight.” Drew shot Silas a warning look.
“Perfect and not a problem,” Silas winked at her.
“Tristan is Gavin's best friend. They’re in business together and working on a project they need to log hours on this summer. Plus he’s going through this thing―so I told him that you wouldn’t mind if he tagged along.”
“Drew.” I frowned.
“What kind of thing?” Silas cocked an eyebrow.
“Lady trouble. He just needs to get away for a while, put his past in the past kind of thing. You’re not mad are you, Georgia?” Drew pouted.
“Kind of weird that I don’t even know him...”
“Do you think I would invite a lunatic? Gavin's known him since they were kids.”
“Technically I don't even know Gavin.” I reminded her. She only rolled her eye in response.
“He's great. They both are, plus the more muscle we have here this summer the less we’ll have to do.” She shrugged. I heaved an exasperated sigh. That was Drew... living in the moment and getting us into situations we probably shouldn't be in. Maybe it had been a good thing she was ten hours away in Jacksonville the last few years.
“When are they coming?”
“Hopefully soon,” Silas said flirtatiously. Drew shot him another dirty look.
“This weekend. Gavin’s driving and Tristan’s sailing up the coast.” She wiggled her eyebrows at me.
“He has a boat?” I asked.
“Oh, that could make for an interesting evening,” Silas said.
“Straight, Silas.”
“I know, I know. Has never stopped me in the past though.” He winked at her.
SOON WE FOUND ourselves seated on the porch sipping margaritas, catching up. It felt good to laugh and reminisce about old times. I'd missed having Drew in my everyday life. While we talked often on the phone, it was a poor substitute for being together in person. Silas was my best friend, and I loved him just like a brother, but it was so good to have girl time. I hadn’t realized how much I’d missed that too. Apparently a lot of things had fallen out of my life over time and I hadn't realized it.
“Shopping tomorrow?” Drew asked.
“Sounds great. There are some antique stores in town I'd like to hit first.” Drew and I had talked about the overall design of the house and how to maintain the cottage feel with modern updates. First we needed to start with the living room since this is where we'd be all summer. A couch was at the top of my list, as well as overstuffed chairs and end tables and an entertainment center where we could tuck a TV that would still blend with the decor. I also needed to stop at the hardware store for sandpaper and paint to refinish the beautiful wicker set that was left here.
We continued to drink while the giggling increased as the pitcher of margaritas dwindled.
“So when will be graced with the presence of Kyle?” Drew rolled her eyes.
“I know, right?” Silas huffed.
“Hey.” I shot them a glare.
“Kyle's a douche, love.” Silas shrugged and took another drink. I whipped my head around to him and narrowed my eyes before a giggle escaped my throat.
“Total douche.” Drew laughed. “So is he coming down this summer?” She watched me intently.
“Sure, probably. Don't call my boyfriend a douche.” I stumbled over the last words as a giggle erupted again.
“Is he mad that you bought this place?” Drew raised an eyebrow at me.
“Oh yeah.” Silas’ eyes grew wide. “He's pissed. They hardly talk.”
“Silas.” I whipped a throw pillow at him, causing his drink to splash in his lap.
“Is he that mad?” Drew asked softly. I chewed on my bottom lip and avoided her gaze.
“No, he's not mad, he's just not happy.” I shrugged thoughtfully.
“Do you think he’ll come around?” Drew asked.
“I don't know,” I said softly.
“Douche,” Silas mumbled under his breath. All the drinks caught up to me and my mood was suddenly crashing.
“I don't want to talk about it. I'm going to bed. Be ready bright and early sunshine.” I pointed at Drew.
I BRUSHED MY teeth before stripping off my jeans and crawled into bed in my tank top and underwear. I nestled into the pillow as my thoughts drifted over the past few years of my life. A few minutes later I heard my door creak open and Drew's form was bathed in the light from the hallway. She closed the door behind her and silently curled up in the bed behind me.
“Are you okay?” Her voice was heartbreakingly sad.
“Yes,” I whispered.
“Doesn't sound like it,” she said.
“I am.” I hugged my pillow tighter.
“Do you want to talk about it?”
“No.”
“Okay.” She nuzzled deeper into the pillow we were sharing.
“I'm sorry I haven’t been around, Georgia.”
I sucked in a sharp breath and closed my eyes as tears stung behind my eyelids. “I know.” I took another deep breath and tried to swallow the painful lump in my throat.
***