Sarah was sentenced to ten months in a rehabilitation center. It specializes in traumatic brain injuries, but they will also be working with her through her grief over Manda’s death. Honestly, this is the best thing that could have ever happened to her. I freaked out when Caleb sent the text to tell me.
Hunter tried to convince me to stay in Savannah while Sarah is away in rehab, but I refused. I need to get up to Chicago and start a new photography business. I have a few leads on companies that are looking for photographers, but I’m determined to start my own business again. Plus, I’ll be close enough to visit Sarah on the weekends. This decision has nothing to do with Caleb.
Okay, I’m totally lying. It has a lot to do with Caleb. I love every minute of our nightly conversations. I can’t wait to get to know him in person.
“Yep. Two days and you get to take me to dinner. Seriously, you are a freaking lucky man.”
“I am.” He laughs at my sarcasm.
“I’m so excited to see you,” I breathe.
“You should be. I am pretty amazing. Seriously, you are a freaking lucky lady.” He throws my sarcasm right back at me.
I love the banter I have with Caleb. He’s sharp and can keep up with even the most sarcastic of conversations. Don’t get me wrong. He is sexy as fuck, and I’ve had many of dreams about him without his clothes on. But there is nothing sexier than a man with a sense of humor and a quick wit.
“I get in at noon. You think you could pick me up?”
“Of course! I’ll take the day off. I’ll make Brett cover for me or something.”
“Speaking of Brett… Have you told him that we…talk?”
“No. Have you?” he asks with a shocked curiosity.
“No, but I’ve only talked to him a few times since I got back. Mainly just stuff about neighborhoods and stuff in Chicago. I was thinking about calling Jesse and seeing if she wanted to go out for drinks when I got back though.”
“Jesse? Really? Won’t that be weird?”
“Why? Oh God, do you think she will think it’s weird?” I ask, embarrassed. I just assumed, but now that he mentions it, I can definitely see how Jesse might feel weird about hanging out with Brett’s ex-sister-in-law.
“No. Knowing Jesse, she is already baking muffins for your ‘Welcome to Chicago’ basket.”
“Ohhhhh, I get a welcome basket! Even more reason not to miss my flight on Thursday.”
“Hey, am I not enough to keep you from missing your flight?”
“Caleb, are you searching for reassurance? Wait, do you have a secret welcome present of your own for me?”
“Actually, I do.” He starts laughing, and I realize I walked right into that one.
“But the real question is, can it compete with Jesse’s muffins?” I say with a huge grin, knowing this will only making him laugh harder.
“Oh shit, Emma. I have laughed more in the last three weeks than I have in years.” He pauses for a second before finally responding to my earlier comment. “I can’t wait to see you, too.”
“Good,” I breathe.
“So Thursday at noon?” he asks.
“Yes, Thursday, but don’t think you are getting out of talking tomorrow night.”
“I would never dream of it. Goodnight, Emmy.”
“Night, Caleb.”
I TOSSED and turned in bed for hours thinking about Emma. Usually when I can’t sleep, I head to the box locked away in the closet, but that didn’t even feel right tonight. I’m excited to see her on Thursday, but at the same time, I’m terrified. Emma and I have been getting along really well. I’ve loved every second of our nightly conversations. She’s smart, funny, and witty. And as much as I want to see her and fuck her senseless, I’m not looking forward to the shitstorm that will surely follow her arrival. She is Sarah’s little sister. Of all people for me to decide to start dating, it had to be her.
I know that there is only one place that will bring me any peace tonight.
“Hey, love.” I walk up to Manda’s grave and settle into my usual position next to her headstone.
I take the small black velvet box out of my jacket pocket and rest it on the ground next to me. My fingers glide over the indention of her name. I hate this fucking headstone, and not just because it has the date signifying the end of her life. I hate it because it says ‘Manda Baker.’ No matter how many times I see it, it always burns.
Manda and I had a very tumultuous relationship. She was feisty as hell, always giving me shit about something. For the first year of our relationship, I swear we broke up biweekly. She’d storm out of my house and go back to her place. We wouldn’t speak for a full day, but one of us always gave in. We couldn’t stay away from each other. I showed up at her apartment more times than I care to admit with an apology, a.k.a. sushi and wine. When it was her turn to apologize, she always brought burgers and beer. The food was usually always cold and the alcohol always warm because the minute the door opened we couldn’t keep our hands off each other.