Page 69 of Love Off Course

I really, really liked being with Camilo.

Tears spring in my eyes and I quickly blink them away. I’d tried not to bother my friends, but I need them. I use the FaceTime app and call Estefania.

She answers, dressed in full, beautiful makeup. People are spritzing perfume on her, fluffing her hair, and applying more makeup. All at once.

“Oh,” I groan. “I’m so sorry. This is a bad time.”

“Never a bad time to talk to my best friend, Sherrie-dan!” Her smile is broad and happy, making my heart skip a few beats.

“Are you sure?”

“You’re on in five,” someone warns.

“Positive,” she tells me in a fierce tone that makes me so damn proud of her. “They can wait. Family emergency.” She shoos them all from the room and then her eyes soften. “Are you okay?”

“I miss you,” I blurt out.

She smiles. “I miss you too, Sherrie-dan.”

“And Damian,” we both say before laughing.

“Hold on,” she tells me. “I’ll get him on.”

Seconds later, she mashes a button and his face appears. We all squeal and giggle and cry for a good solid minute. I’m thankful Estefania has people to fix her back up because her black makeup is a mess.

“It’s so good to see you two,” I manage to choke out. “Look at you both.”

Damian preens and Estefania grins.

I imagine spending more time with them. Lots of it. It makes my heart sing. After Sheridan has different hopes and dreams than Before Sheridan.

“Uh-oh,” Damian sings. “Princess has that evil villain look in her eye.”

“I don’t have an evil villain look,” I argue.

“You do,” Estefania throws back, giggling. “Right now.”

“I’ll inform you two that it’s my look of determination. It’s my ‘get shit done’ look. I had an idea.”

“Does it involve naked pilots with hot asses and tequila?” Damian demands. “Because, if not, I’m not interested.”

I roll my eyes. “It involves brunch tomorrow with your two besties. Can you handle that?”

“Ehh, I guess,” Damian teases.

“He’s already penciling it in his calendar,” Kyle tattles in the background. “Don’t let him fool you.”

“Bring the handsomest man on the planet with you,” Estefania tells Damian.

“I beg your pardon, missy,” Damian argues. “Iam the handsomest man. Kyle is just okay.”

Kyle peeks his head on the screen. “Hey, babe,” he says to Estefania. “Hey, Sheridan.”

Estefania blows him kisses and I just grin. I missed these people so much. Giving them up wasn’t something I was prepared for. Just like with Momma.

But, unlike with Momma, this time I have a choice.

And just like any business deal I set my sights on, I’m going to fight to have these people in my life. I won’t stop until I win. It’s the Reid way.

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