Page 26 of Dove
Her first text sent a pang straight to my heart.
I think it’s time I came back to visit.
My eyebrows raised in surprise. Reverie couldn’t wait to leave this town behind, so much so that she’d practically walked off the stage at graduation with a packed suitcase.
I decided to reply, even though she wasn’t likely to answer—at least not anytime soon. Rev was always working. She’d left this one-horse town to pursue her dream, and she’d done it. Apprenticing under a seasoned, talented stylist the moment she’d landed in LA, my best friend had learned from the best, becoming an amazing hairdresser in her own right. She was still building up her clientele, or so she’d told me, working with up-and-coming celebrities and social media stars, mostly. It meant her hours were all over the place.
Thanks, Rev. Everything going okay out there? Miss you.
I’d never been much of a texter, but it was the simplest way to communicate with her. Neither one of us were big on phone calls, but we made sure to FaceTime when we could.
The arrival sound of a text message from our open thread had me looking down in surprise.
Meh. It’s complicated out here.
Hm. As far as I knew, she was living it up. The rest of her message was predictable. She hated Haven.
I don’t want you on that farm all alone. It’s like the country version of The Shining out there. Not healthy.
I snorted at her over-the-top worrying. Rev was hilarious, and I missed how easy she could make me laugh. It had been way too long since we last saw each other.
Her next text surprised and excited me at the same time.
I could def use some PA fresh air. Our air quality out here is less than stellar.
She was clearly skirting the subject, but I’d allow it. If she was really coming to visit, she’d tell me all about it. I decided not to pry.
Can’t wait to see you!! & you don’t have to worry, I’m not alone. Josh came back for the funeral.
The minute the text saidreadan ellipsis formed on the bottom of the screen. Stopped. Then started again. Which meant she was typing up a storm. Oh boy.
When no reply came, I frowned.
I startled as my ringtone blared tinnily from my phone’s tiny speakers.
Reverie’s name, along with a silly picture we’d taken at graduation, popped up on my phone.
“Hello?” I answered, my voice wary.
“You didn’t think to lead with that?!” came Reverie’s shrill scolding. “I mean”—her voice quieted—“I’m super sorry to hear about your mom. And Gareth,” she added hastily. “But you didn’t think to text me and tell meJosh was back!?What the hell, Dove? I was over here worrying up a storm!”
I winced. Uh oh, best friend foul.
“It’s just been a lot,” I admitted truthfully. If there was one person I could trust with the truth, it was Reverie. I adjusted my grip on my phone and settled back into the couch to get more comfortable. “With… everything. When he showed up, I figured he’d leave after the funeral, but it’s been a week so far and…”
“So, what? He’s planning on staying?” A rustling sound followed her question as if she was busy doing something. Multitasking, I imagined, since I knew Reverie well enough to know she never could focus on just one thing at a time.
I glanced over my shoulder, straining my hearing. The shower was still running, but Josh could be done any moment. I didn’t want him overhearing me.
“I don’t know,” I lowered my voice. It was a question I wanted answered myself. “He sort of said he was, but he didn’t say how long.”
Her shit-eating grin was practically audible over the phone as she exclaimed, “This is your chance, babe!”
Baffled, I asked, “Chance for what?”
I situated myself on the couch so I could keep the stairs in my line of sight. The last thing I needed was for Josh to creep down and hear any part of this conversation. Even through the phone, Reverie’s voice had the habit of carrying.
“Uh, to reinstate Operation Seduce Josh!” she replied, as if it was the most obvious answer in the world.
