Page 41 of In Your Wildest Dreams
“No. And if I was, it wouldn’t be any of your business.”
“You’re wrong, Bridget,” he says, holding the door open for me. “You’ll always be my business.”
* * *
I wake up from my late afternoon nap to a voicemail from work that says I’m not needed and should stay home. Whittaker closed campus tomorrow, too, so I have nothing to do for the next twenty-four hours.
Earlier I overheard Everly and Grace talking about watching movies tonight, so I throw on some sweats and a big T-shirt and head out to the living room. After seeing Gabe today, I don’t feel like being alone with my thoughts.
“Hey,” Everly says. She sits in the middle of the couch with a big bowl of popcorn next to her. “I thought you had work?”
“They called me off.”
“You don’t have to go in at all?” Grace asks.
“Nope.” I shake my head and absently tug on the hem of my T-shirt.
“You have to join us for a movie marathon,” Everly says, putting the bowl on her lap and scooting over.
“We just started Dirty Dancing,” Grace adds. “I’ve never seen it and Everly thinks that’s a travesty.”
“Me neither,” I admit. “Well, I’ve seen clips.”
“It is a travesty!” Everly exclaims and pats the couch. “Both of you need to watch it. Classes are canceled tomorrow because of the snow, so it’s the perfect night to stay up late and binge-watch old movies.”
“I love a snow day,” Grace says with a smile. “My psychology test was pushed back to next week.”
“Lucky.” Everly groans. “My philosophy professor sent extra homework by email. I swear the man is evil.”
“Do you want the chair?” Grace asks, looking at me.
I still haven’t moved from where I stand in the space between the hallway and living room. Are they asking me to join them because they feel obligated or do they really want me to join? I decide not to overthink it. They asked. If it sucks or I feel like a third wheel, I’ll duck out after the first movie.
“No, the couch is good.” I take a seat on the opposite side of the blue sectional from Everly. She offers me the popcorn bowl and I take a handful.
“All you’ve missed is Baby’s family driving to the resort for vacation,” Grace says, filling me in as she goes to the kitchen. “Soda, wine, water, or coffee?”
“Coffee with a splash of Bailey’s,” Everly yells, then they both look to me.
“Same.”
“Oh, and grab the leftover muffins.”
A few minutes later, the three of us have mugs of spiked coffee, popcorn, and muffins, and are fully engrossed in the movie.
I forget to feel uncomfortable with these two girls I don’t really know that well. Grace likes to provide commentary on scenes, and Ev shushes her or tosses a pillow when she doesn’t agree. And I smile as I truly relax for the first time with them.
At the end of Dirty Dancing, we’re a little tipsy and highly caffeinated. The three of us open the front door and look out. The snow is still coming down, but not as fast. The roads haven’t been plowed yet and it’s all so still and quiet out.
“Hey, I forgot to tell you. Your brother stopped by this morning to give you a ride,” I say to Everly as we close the front door and retreat back inside our warm house.
“I know. He told me. I wish I had still been here. My feet were so cold by the time I got to class and my jeans were basically soaked.”
“You have to dress for the Minnesota winter,” Grace tells her.
“I know. I know.” Ev smiles. “But my leather boots are so much cuter than the winter ones.”
“It’s your toes.”
