Page 21 of Pictures in Blue
She hums. “I like her.”
I groan. “She’s diabolical.”
“Andthat’swhy I like her,” she states. “So, what’s the issue? Just go hiking.”
“I barely know him!” Sure,shedoesn’t care if I go into the woods with a complete stranger, in a remote location where I’ll probably get mauled by a bear. For all we know, he’s luring me into the woods because he’s an ax murderer. A lumberjack with another use for his ax. I run my hand through my hair, frustrated and confused.
“Okay and? You were dying to hike when you left. What changed?”
“He’sapparently going to accompany me.”
“Honey, I’m going to need more words here. He who?”
“HIM!The guy. The one you so proudly call the lumberjack.” I prefer Mountain Man. Or asshole. I’m flexible.
“You’rekidding!”
“No. I’m not. Clearly, you’re not the only one that decided I needed companionship. I just don’t understand,” I say, rubbing a hand down my face in frustration. “How can he be so UGH one minute and then basically offering to spend the day with me the next? It’s clear that he doesn’t like me, so why would he do it?”
Charlotte sighs and rolls her eyes.
“What?” I ask.
“You are the most oblivious person I know. And I haven’t even known youthatlong.”
“What do you mean?”
“He likes you, Avery.”
“HAH!” I burst out. “No, he doesn’t.”
“Yes….hedoes. Why else would he keep texting you instead of giving you his sister’s number right away? He could have sent you the number and ended the conversation. Instead, he continued messaging you. He even offered to take you hiking, knowing you’d spend the day together.”
“That doesn’t mean he likes me,” I try denying.
“Whatever you say, Ave. That man has a crush. Andyouneed a drink.”
“Oh, that’s the other thing,” I remember, and tell her about Sky inviting me to the town hangout on Tuesday.
The next thing I know, she’s almost forcing me to go out with Sky and her friends, which are even more strangers. She’s determined to get me killed this week. Has she ever heard the phraseStranger Danger?
“Fiiiine,” I draw out. “I’ll think about it, okay?. But only because it’ll distract me and there’s alcohol involved.” I don’t drink often, but a light buzz sounds like just the thing I need right now. “Okay, enough about me. How’s work been?”
She goes on to tell me about the last few days since I’ve been gone. James was furious I left without preparing him and the staff beforehand, and only let it slide because Charlotte was taking over for me. As long as Charlotte kept up with her job too, he didn’t care. He just wanted articles, and Charlotte was a warm body willing to provide them.
Part of me wishes I missed my job. I used to love writing and the fast-paced environment of the newsroom, but it didn’t last long for me. A year into it, I realized it wasn’t something I wanted to do for the rest of my life, but I saw no way out at the time. I had a job, an apartment and too many bills to pay. As much as I wanted to get out, life got in the way as it always does.
My phone starts buzzing and I cover my face with a pillow when I see who is calling. “Charlotte, I’ll call you with an update tomorrow. My mother is calling.”
“Yikes. Good luck with that. And have a blast with the lumberjack!”
I roll my eyes and switch calls, my heart thundering in my chest. It has been weeks since I’ve talked to her. She doesn’t call often and I usually never call her. Lack of communication is something she’s going to complain about.
I put her on speaker and toss the phone next to me, staring at the ceiling. Deep breath.
Inhale. Exhale.
My heart doesn’t slow down and I can feel my anxiety start to rise.
