Page 41 of Stay With Me

Cool air blasts my face when I open the freezer in search of what to heat for dinner. Unfortunately, none of the frozen meals in the neat stack appeal to me right now. Maybe I’ll just have cereal. I shut the freezer door and move toward the cupboard to get a box of cereal down when a loud knocking echoes from the front of the house.

What the hell? Who would be at my door on a Friday night?

It’s not Trina’s classic knock, plus she’s working today. I glance down at what I’m wearing—a white undershirt and gray sweatpants. Oh, well. I didn’t expect anyone, so I opted for comfortable. Someone shows up unannounced, this is what they get.

When I reach the door and pull it open, my jaw drops when I find Emily on my doorstep. She has a large reusable grocery bag in one hand and her other hand is raised, ready to knock again. I’m speechless. Emily has never been to my house in the years I’ve owned it, so I’m not sure how she even knows where I live.

“It’s freezing out here. Aren’t you going to invite me in?”

“Shit, yeah. Sorry about that. Come on in.” I step back so she can enter the small room that serves as a mudroom in my home, still confused as to why she’s here.

She extends the bag to me, and I take it from her. It’s heavier than I expected. “Go put that in the kitchen, please, while I get my coat and boots off.”

I listen without question, walking to the kitchen and setting the bag on the island then I return across the open floor plan to find her. When I get to the doorway of the mudroom, she’s running her hand along the wood of the built-in storage.

She must hear me because she looks over her shoulder and smiles at me. “Charlie, I love this. Did you build it?”

“I did. It’s no big deal, though. C’mon, let’s get you by the fire and warmed up.”

I turn and walk into the main part of the house and head toward the fireplace, but still at her gasp. When I turn around, Emily’s bright blue eyes are wide, her mouth hanging open in the shape of anO, and she’s slowly revolving in a circle, taking in my home.

“Charlie,” she whispers. “This is amazing. Absolutely stunning. You did all this?”

I simply shrug, uncomfortable with the compliment. I guess growing up with my dad repeatedly telling me I couldn’t do anything right has made it awkward for me to hear praise.

“It’s not a big deal. I have a lot of time on my hands, and you can learn almost anything on the internet.”

“Not this, you can’t. Sure, the techniques can be learned, and skills can be honed. But the way you’ve put it all together to make it so beautiful is innate. You’ll have to give me a full tour, but we need to eat first so the food doesn’t get cold.”

“Eat? Huh?” I ask.

Emily laughs and it’s a beautiful sound. “Oh, yeah. Sorry, I forgot to explain why I’m here. I brought dinner and some wine. I figured we could watch a movie or something after. Hang out. It’s Friday night, after all.”

“Oh, um?—”

Her eyebrows rise midway up her forehead, and her cheeks fill in with a bright red flush. “Oh, shit. I’m so sorry. You probably have plans. I should have called first. I can leave.”

I quickly close the distance between us, putting my hands on her shoulders.

“Sunshine, it’s okay. I don’t have plans. I’m just surprised is all. I didn’t even know you knew where I live.”

“Oh, well I didn’t. But I just searched the internet and found it.”

Now it’s my turn to laugh. “You could have just asked me for my address.” I realize I still have my hands on her shoulders, so I drop them down to my sides.

She looks downward, breaking our eye contact, and rubs her hands down her thighs in a nervous gesture.

“I was afraid you’d say no. And I haven’t seen you in the two weeks since New Year’s Eve. I-I wanted to hang out with you.”

Before I can think better of it, I place my thumb under her chin and lift her head until her gaze meets mine.

“Hey. I’m glad you’re here. You never have to worry that I’m gonna say no if you want to hang out. Unless I’m working or have plans I can’t cancel, which would be rare, I’ll always choose to hang out with you. I went a long time missing our friendship, so we’ve got time to make up for. Okay?”

“Okay,” she whispers. “And I missed you, too, Charlie.”

Her smile is back, and relief fills me. I hate seeing this woman sad or embarrassed or doubting herself.

“Let’s go eat, shall we?” I ask. She nods and I point her toward the kitchen and dining area, which is partially hidden by the two-sided fireplace.

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