Page 6 of Under the Weatherman
Lizzy broke in. “Chelsea took a truth serum earlier tonight, and it hasn’t worn off yet.”
The irreverent comment took me so off-guard, I gasped a laugh at the inappropriate comic relief. “You were always so funny, Lizzy.”
She shot me a playful wince. “Yeah, class clown. That was me.”
Shehadbeen. Funny and smart and low-key pretty. Looking at her now, it was clear she’d had a major league glow up. If I hadn’t chased after popularity in high school, ego-driven and shallow, how different would my life be now? Why had I thrown away good friendships to try to impress a bunch of vultures?
I’d taken a wrong turn at Albuquerque, and here was my second chance. “If we’re being candid, I want to get something off my chest.”
She bit her lower lip. “What?”
I stepped a little closer, nervous, like we were those fifteen-year-old kids still, dangling our feet off the picnic tables, looking down on this very spot. “I had a crush on you, too. I’ve always regretted how we grew apart. It was my own fault. Can you ever forgive me?”
She ran her tongue across her teeth, and I braced for it. This was where she’d tell me off, remind me that we could’ve been friends if I hadn’t blown her off. But she dipped her head, then looked back up, her eyes sparkling. “Aw, Evan. I’ve often thought about what might’ve been. But the years passed, and here we are. I figured you’d forgotten about me. You’re probably married now.”
I breathed a sigh of relief and waggled my fingers to prove the absence of a ring. “Not even a girlfriend.”
She twisted her mouth to one side. “Sure.”
“It’s true.” I scratched my chin, feeling guilty all over again for betraying her friendship. “What about you? Are you seeing anyone?”
She held up her ring-less hand, mimicking me, then shot a glance at Chelsea. “Just a girlfriend.”
I huffed a laugh. “How serious are you two?”
“Well, we’re verging on common law marriage.”
She was cracking me up. I’d forgotten how easy she’d always been to talk to. We’d gotten so close, our hands holding our drinks nearly brushed, and I caught her pinkie in mine. I licked my lips, daring myself to take a risk. “I wish I was staying in town longer.”
She coughed, like maybe we’d gotten way too serious too fast. That truth serum must’ve been airborne.
The bar lights flickered, warning us of imminent closing time.
“You’re leaving tomorrow, right?”
I sighed. “Tomorrow afternoon, right.”
This was where we would promise to follow each other on social media and call it a night. But I overheard Chelsea offering to drive Bas home, and Lizzy said, “But you’re here tonight.”
What was she offering?
It was crazy. We didn’t even know each other anymore. But there was something so genuine about her, and I knew if I missed this opportunity, it would never come around again.
“I’m here tonight,” I echoed.
Chapter Three
Elizabeth
“Many a true word hath been spoken in jest.”
King Lear
Chelsea and I ducked into the restroom, immediately falling onto each other in laughter.
“I am going to murder you,” I said, as I checked off that black diamond challenge. “That was a total shit show.”
“Did you manage to get through it without telling him a single truth?”
