Page 35 of Road Trip to Forever
“I found a nonprofit that increases literacy in adults and children,” Lola says. “They offer resources like tutoring and learning specialists. I thought it was important to raise awareness about the cause for people outside the education sphere. For them to see learning disabilities are real and prevalent and not something to be ashamed of, you know? Hell, even you needed extra time testing in school, and now you’ve won Teacher of the YearandPrincipal of the Year.”
I look up and I blink twice. Lola fidgets under my gaze. She twists her hands together, and a flash of nervousness crosses her face.
“Lola.”
“Shoot,” she breathes out. “You hate it. I overstepped. I’m sorry.”
“No.No,” I say firmly. “I don’t hate it. It’s the best thing I’ve ever heard. Can you look at me? Please.” She lifts her chin. Her eyes meet mine, and I smile. Warmth washes over me, a tropical heat wave on my skin. “It’s a brilliant idea, and I’m honored you chose a charity with me in mind. You’re so wonderful.”
“I’m not the one working with kids,” she says. “You’re the one making a difference day in and day out without taking a lick of credit. That makesyouwonderful. A selfless person. I only care about myself. The epitome of selfish.”
“You are far from selfish, Lola. Just yesterday you let me have the last of the Oreos.”
“It’s hardly the same thing.”
“To me it is. Kind is kind.”
I stand and walk around the table. I pull her from her chair and into a hug, smiling when I hear her let out a sigh.
With Lola in my arms, everything is right in the world.
I’m content. Happy, honored, proud.
A million different adjectives and a million different feelings, each as important as the last. They all bubble down to the same five words.
I’m in love with you,I think into the field of hair that tickles my nose.I’m in love with you,I think when Lola sighs and relaxes her body into mine.I'm in love with you,I think as she buries her face in my shirt, and I wonder if maybe,maybe, there’s a tiny chance she could love me, too.
TEN
LOLA
The Boston Public Libraryis one of my favorite buildings in the city.
It stretches a full block, the architecture grand with a barrel-vaulted ceiling and large windows. Light from the setting sun streams in and reflects across the main reading room as prisms of color illuminate the interior. It’s magical, the perfect place for Henry and Emma’s pre-wedding soiree and a spot holding as much history as their relationship.
The happy couple decided against a traditional rehearsal dinner, opting for a celebration a few days before the ceremony with their closest friends and family members instead. Nearly a hundred people are here, the gathering pushing the limits of intimate and cozy to crowded and overwhelming.
I move through the masses of guests after a welcome toast from the groom and bride-to-be. The deeper I get into the room, the more the edges of my smile slip. I’m tired, exhausted from wedding festivities and packing for our trip. Double and triple checking garment bags and wondering if I have space to bring one more dress.
I started it at midnight last night like most of my projects, a random burst of creativity finally coming to me after days of stagnant artistic thinking. It’s nearly finished, thrown across my sewing desk in two pieces of fabric, and I’m itching to get home to see if I can work some magic and complete it before we leave in a few days.
I spot the empty open bar at the back of the room and sigh in relief. The bartender glances up from the napkins he’s organizing and offers me a dimpled smile.
“Hey.” He gestures to the line of stools at the counter. I slide onto one in the middle, the leather cool under my thighs.
“Hi.” My head swivels around, and I look back at him. “Either your drinks suck, or you’re telling terrible jokes to ward off the crowd.”
“A mixture of both,” he says.
“So I need to take one for the team and try out your beverages to give you some feedback?”
He shrugs and grabs a clean glass. “Probably for the best. My ego appreciates your kindness. What can I get you?”
“A whiskey and ginger ale if you have it, please.”
“For a beautiful woman, I’ll track down the ingredients.”
I blush at the compliment. “I have to be at least ten years older than you.”
