Page 163 of When In Doubt

“I look forward to it.”

“They’re gonna be a nightmare.”

I smirk. “You’ll fit right in.”

“I hope so.”

There’s a tinge of vulnerability in her voice. I lean forward, all joking aside. “Hey, you’ll be great.”

“You think?” She looks down at her hands, twisted in her lap.

“Of course, you are.”

“What if I’m the worst one there?”

“That’s not going to happen. I’ve read your stuff, you’re amazing.”

She nods, still unsure. “There will probably be some loser man writing fan fiction about his ex-girlfriend.”

“Luci, there’s going to be at least ten loser men. Loser men as far as the eye can see.”

“There’d better be,” she grumbles.

“And you wouldn’t have gotten in if you were a bad writer.”

“Maybe they felt bad for me.”

“Oh, shut up.” I chuckle. “Do you hear yourself?”

She sighs, scratching at her temple. “I’m just freaked out, it’s a lot of change.”

I scoot towards her and take hold of her hand. “But it’s good change. It’s you finally living your dream.”

“I guess…”

“Don’t guess, you know I’m right.” I give her arm a little shake. “I love you and I’m so proud of you.”

“I love you too,” she mumbles.

“What was that?”

“I love you too,” she says louder, rolling her eyes.

“That’s better.”

The waiter shows us to a table in the back of the restaurant. It’s small, lit by warm sconces dotted around the walls. Luci slides into the booth across from me, leaving space for Oscar to sit by my side.

I check my phone, hoping for a message from him. I still can’t shake the image of his face last night. He looked so broken, and I have no idea how to even begin to put him back together.

I heard from one of the customers that there was a barn fire outside of town yesterday. Was that what he responded to? I don’t think he’s been to another major fire since he took over, at least nothing that he’s mentioned. It must have been difficult, leading the crew without Mack.

I check my phone again. It’s five past seven.

“Anything?” Luci asks, nodding down at my screen.

“Not yet.” I lock it and look back up at her with a strained smile.

He probably just got held up at the station, but things are intense right now.