Page 119 of Here & There

She’s right. The older women are sparring, but there’s a smirk on each of their faces.

“Reminds me of Clientzilla,” Shelby says to Deanie. “The woman loves to pick a fight.”

“Speaking of which,” Deanie says to me, “she’s at practically death-threat levels of trying to get Shelby back to the office.”

Shelby’s smile falters.

Deanie immediately backpedals. “I just mean, she really wants to see you face-to-face ahead of her event. But it’s totally fine. I told her she had to wait until next month.”

“No, you should see her,” I say to Shelby.

“What?” Shelby asks.

“I mean, let’s take a trip to the city. To celebrate CP3O.”

“I’m sorry, what?” Deanie asks.

Shelby covers her mouth to hide a laugh. “I think he means C3PO. But it’s R2D2, sweetie. And we’re only at the first stage.”

I scowl, even though her calling me sweetie makes me feel like I’m wrapped in a fuzzy blanket. “Yeah. That.”

“Are you serious about Vancouver, though?” she asks.

“Of course. You can show me all those restaurants you’re always talking about, and you can have a meeting with your client. Stave her off for a bit.”

“Oh my God,” Deanie says. “Honestly, even just twenty minutes of face time with her would be extremely helpful.”

“I can take Nate,” says a voice. I turn around to see Cal. How long has he been standing there? “I’ve been promising to take him surfing over in Tofino, and I don’t have anything going on this weekend.”

Deanie’s staring openly at Cal, who gives her his stupid woman-magnet grin, introducing herself.

Lana and I roll our eyes.

Shelby’s face is filled with hope. But she bites her lip. “That okay with you?”

“I’d have to ask Nate,” I say.

“Like he’d say no,” Cal says. “I’m like the cool uncle.”

I roll my eyes. But really, I’m grateful for his offer. I’d fully prepared for it to be a family weekend, but it’ll be easier to have the conversation we need to have on our own.

“I guess we’re going on a trip together, then,” Shelby says, finally relaxing. She makes a littleeeksound, and I chuckle, despite the nerves still rattling through me. “I guess so,” I say, pulling her in for a kiss. Everyone around us cheers.

The ferry ride over is almost as beautiful as the woman next to me peering over the railing.

Shelby’s ponytail flies in the breeze, and she laughs as she points out to the ocean where, in the distance, the unmistakable shape of a dorsal fin emerges from the water.

“Did you see it?” she cries.

The captain made an announcement about a pod of orcas on the starboard side of the boat, and Shelby insisted we race out to see them. I knew there’d be a rush of tourists crowding the deck and reminded her that we can see them from the deck of my place.

But she gaped, already pulling on her jacket. “I willnevermiss an opportunity to see an orca whale,” Shelby admonished. “They’re my second favorite animal after my beloved goofy camel.”

I laughed and reluctantly followed her out onto the deck.

We found a spot with relatively few people, and I have to say, I’m glad now. Seeing her like this only cements what I know I need to do this weekend.

When we finally arrive in the city a few hours later, Shelby’s still got a skip in her step. Our first stop is her place. It’s in a downtown neighborhood away from the office district, with older buildings, leafy-treed streets, and a busy street nearby lined with restaurants and shops.

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