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“He did?” I ask, trying and failing to hide my concern. Tori has always been more of a partier than Jonathan or I ever were. When we were in high school, she would occasionally hang out with a few members of the theater tech crew that were in a rougher crowd, but if Jonathan or I weren’t around, she didn’t usually stay long. We had more fun doing our own thing than trying to fit in with others.
In college things changed. We all got busy doing our own things, and it took a while for Tori to find her place. Then add that she stayed pretty much year round working and going to school, and she made friends with people that I never met. Not that she ever did any hard partying, but she would stay out late and hang out with people that I never felt fully comfortable around. Tori would just tell me I was too sensitive and sheltered. She would invite me to come along, but I was too chicken to see just how right she was about me. I liked my predictable and sheltered bubble. It was safe there. Why rock the boat?
I send a quick text to Jonathan to see if he has any idea what is going on with Tori and make a mental note to pick up some double chocolate brownie fudge ice cream on the way home. I might not be her go-to person to talk to about everything anymore, but I still know the way to get her to open up is through her stomach.
With school starting next week, I know this will be one of the last chances that Jonathan and I will get to spend time together in a long time. Those first weeks of school are super busy for him as he gets all of his choir ensembles organized and gains a feel for what productions would be the best fit for this year’s theater students. As has become our little tradition, the weekend before the new school year, Jonathan and I take a whole day and do all of our favorite things. We go to lunch, get all dressed up, and then go into the city to see a stage production. It isn’t as fancy as it once was when Jonathan lived in New York, but living back in Ridgeview makes it more special. It’s home.
“I’m glad we’re doing this.” Jonathan says as we sit down at our table. “This past week of inservice meetings has been torture.”
I smile at my best friend. “Of course. It’s tradition.”
A tradition that I wouldn’t trade for the world. Back when we were growing up we would go see these productions and dream of one day being up there, but now I’m just glad to be able to enjoy the show. There was a time not that long ago when Jonathan’s dream was still to be on the stage, but after years of living like a nomad, he decided teaching was the life that he wanted, and I’m so glad he did. Those were long years, living in different parts of the country, hardly being able to spend any time together. I guess that’s part of growing up—you don’t get to live near your best friends anymore—but I much prefer this. Ridgeview wouldn’t fully be home if Jonathan wasn’t here with me.
We spend the rest of lunch talking about the upcoming school year and some of the students he’s excited to work with again. Over the last two years he’s put his heart and soul into this program, and it shows. He really does want the best for these students.
“What about you? What have you been working on? Anything exciting?”
Now would be the perfect time to mention that I ran into Mark at work. That he not only works in my building, but that he works for the law office we do a lot or business with. Something holds me back, though, the memory of how Jonathan tensed up when Helen told us the news. Something shifted in Jonathan that night and I haven’t been able to figure it out. I also know my best friend well enough to know not to push it. He’ll talk about it when he’s ready.
“Nothing too exciting. I have a couple authors getting ready for a FanCon coming up.” I like that Jonathan is interested in my work, I know it was hard for him to understand why I walked away from theater, but I’m grateful he’s been so supportive in my choices to go into writing and then into editing. Nothing compares to the support of your best friend, and I’m glad that we’ve been able to keep that after all these years.
Chapter 7
Mark
The rest of Friday went by in a bit of a blur. I tolerated any time I had to spend shadowing Troy as best I could. Since that whole thing with Millie, he had been about as thrilled as I was with the whole situation. But he shouldn’t worry because as soon as I can be let loose on my own, we will spend very little time together. I can tell that he is a decent enough lawyer and does his job well, but I’m better. For better or for worse, my competitive nature has been activated.
Old habits die hard, and I, as usual, am one of the last to leave the office.
“Any plans for the weekend?” Nancy asks me as we make our way to the door.
“Nothing too exciting. Just grocery shopping and watching whatever game is playing.”
“A handsome man like you shouldn’t be stuck at home all weekend. Save that for the old married folks!”
I chuckle. “Not really my thing. And most of my buddies from growing up have either moved away or are all settled down with their own families.” I sigh. “Besides, I’m still getting settled into my place. I still have boxes to unpack. Not everything has found its home yet. I still need some furniture as well, so I’ll probably do that tomorrow. Is that exciting enough for you?”
“No, but it’s a start. And if today is any indication, I don’t think you will be single for long.” She waggles her eyebrows at me.
I have no idea what she is talking about. What about today would make her think I wouldn’t be single for long?
“I’ve known Millie Girl since Quimby opened, and I have never seen her so animated. She was positively glowing when she saw you.”
I try to brush the comment off. “Millie is always animated. I used to call her a live action cartoon character.”
Nancy smiles. “She is definitely a breath of fresh air. It’s such a shame she is single.”
I furrow my brows. “Single?”
I know Troy mentioned a boyfriend in his verbal assault earlier today.
Nancy chuckles. “Oh, she’s single.” She leans in as if to make sure we aren’t overheard even though we are completely alone. “We just tell Troy she has a boyfriend. It’s kind of like how he calls her Amelia.”
“I was wondering about that. She’s always been just Millie.”
“I think we both know there is nothing Just Millie about Millie Jacobson.”
Don’t I know it. And I’m not sure what to do with all of this information that I just got. Millie is single. In all the times we have seen each other over the years, we’ve never both been single. There’s always been a protective barrier. It’s a lot easier to ignore any pull I have felt towards her when there is no way to reciprocate. What is it about her that gets under my skin so much? Is it because she should be the very definition of off-limits? Ben would flip out if I dated his little sister. Jon would probably never talk to me again. Not that he talks to me much as it is.
