Page 6 of Christmas Crisis
“Yeah. Is it urgent? I can grab her if it is. Or you can call back and leave a voicemail if it’s private.”
I hated it when Stone was considerate. He’d been cool with me ever since I stumbled onto his and Miranda’s relationship, trusting me to keep their secret. And to the best of my knowledge, he was respectful of our friendship. It annoyed me sometimes to realize he wasn’t a bad guy. Just a thoughtless one. But I’d never apologize for wanting better than thoughtless for Miranda.
His presence in Miranda’s apartment—with her in the shower—hit me like a bitter dose of reality. After everything I’d said, she’d gone to him.
“No. No message. I’ll shoot her a text later.”
I hadn’t texted.
And neither had she.
Now it looked like I had no choice but to break the stalemate. I thought about my coworkers unknowingly calling my best friend a ho. I couldn’t sit idly by while Miranda became a target of internet trolls.
Even though I lived in Tacoma and she lived in Los Angeles, we’d been good at making that distance disappear. I wanted her to know that no matter what was going on between us right now, I would always be in her corner. Especially since I knew her sisters were currently out of reach, at a cabin in the middle of nowhere.
I cradled my phone in my palm. If it was awkward, so be it. She needed me.
But before I could press the dial button, it buzzed.
MIRANDA:Hey Leo. I know things are weird with us ATM. But can I call you in a sec?
ME:Of course. Weirdness can take a back seat for now. I saw what happened. Are you ok?
MIRANDA:Glad you saw. I didn’t want to have to explain. And honestly, dude, I could be having a better day *winky side-eye emoji*
At least she seemed to have a sense of humor about it.
ME:I’m really sorry. Anything I can do?
MIRANDA:That’s why I want to talk. I think I might have come up with a way to do damage control and clean this up. But I’m gonna need your help. And I want to ask in person. If it’s okay with you, I’d like to fly up for a couple days.
She needed to come here? To have a conversation? It wasn’t unlike her to travel spontaneously, but still.
ME:I’m supposed to work but I can see about getting a sub.
MIRANDA:Working Thanksgiving weekend? Shoot. I thought it would be okay.
ME:Special job. But let me check. You’re more important.
MIRANDA:Thanks L. I needed to hear that.
ME:Anytime
MIRANDA:I’ll call you in a few minutes. I’m still waiting to hear back from Stone’s PA on some things.
I took a deep breath. Just seeing his name on my screen irritated me.
ME:Is Stone with you?
MIRANDA:In Vancouver on a shoot. Closer to you than me *smiley emoji* But he and I talked this morning.
ME:Okay. Well I’m done working for the day. Just call me when you can.
MIRANDA:Thank you again. And Happy Thanksgiving.
ME:You too
The phone stayed warm in my hand as I watched the three dots appear and disappear for long minutes. I wondered what other things she’d written and erased before a message finally came through.
