offered me the remote, and I blinked at the screen, realizing the show was over. Rather than sit in front of the TV and not watch another episode, I kissed my dad on the cheek and went up to my room. Which was completely pointless because I just ended up lying awake in bed, hoping for the thoughts of Carson to stall.
They did. Hours later when sleep finally came.
The doorbell rang, and Franklin danced around my feet, barking loudly.
“Can you get the door?” Mom asked me Friday afternoon. I was making a test round of cookies for the bake-off with Mom’s supervision. She had just shown me how to roll out the cold dough, and she had grease and flour on her hands.
All week, I’d found ways to occupy my mind—to avoid my friends. I couldn’t handle the thoughts of Carson that always plagued me, especially with his absence so palpable. His name always used to top the messages in my phone, but now it wasn’t even on the opening screen. His spot on the couch had remained empty. And my heart? Still broken.
I wiped my hands on my apron and walked to the door with Franklin on my heels. I tried to shush him as I swung it open, but there was no need once he saw Rory and the other girls.
He gave a final yap before running to Rory and jumping on her legs.
Me on the other hand? I was less than thrilled. “What are you guys doing here? I told you I was cooking with my mom.”
Jordan narrowed her eyes. “Callie, how long do you think you can avoid us?”
My cheeks heated as I bent to gather Franklin. “I’m not avoiding you. I’m just busy.”
Zara pursed her lips together. “So your schedule just happened to get slammed the week after your broke up with your boyfriend.”
“That’s right.” I began stepping backward and closing the door. “Sorry, don’t want my cookies to burn.”
From behind me, my mom called, “I’ve got them!” at the same time Ginger’s hand stopped the door.
I closed my eyes and sighed.
“You can’t ignore us forever,” Ginger said softly. “Or your feelings.”
“Come inside,” I finally said.
Rory stepped forward and took me in a hug that almost had me falling apart. I’d only really dated Carson for an afternoon, but every time I closed my eyes, I could see him. Carson hurting his dad. Carson kissing me so tenderly. Carson laughing. Carson running away. How did the same person hold so many emotions in my heart?
Franklin yapped at us, and we broke apart, Rory smiling gently and me wiping at my eyes.
Franklin jumped into her arms, and I turned back toward the kitchen, where my mom was watching it all unfold. Before I had a chance to speak, she said, “Why don’t you girls go upstairs? I’ll teach you another time, Cal.”
I nodded thanked her before heading to my room with my girls. But now that we were all spaced around with Franklin happily dancing between us for extra pets and cuddles, I had no idea what to do.
I told them as much, and Zara said, “That’s fine. We’re here for you, whatever you need.”
I looked toward the ceiling, fighting tears. “Tell me about your jobs? Life? Anything?”
Jordan jumped in first, telling me she signed up for CNA classes to get hands-on experience in patient care. She would start in the next couple of weeks. Rory had met her college roommate online, and they’d been video chatting to get to know each other. Ginger was hard at work, creating marketing videos for Ray’s family’s ranch, and Zara had already handled difficult actors on the set of her film.
The summer was halfway over, and they’d already accomplished so much. Meanwhile, I had a heartbreak under my belt and nothing to show for it.
A soft knock sounded on my door, and Franklin ran to it, yapping.
“It’s just me,” Mom said, poking her head in. She swung the door open wider, revealing a full platter of cookies. “Thought you girls might like a snack.” Mom set the platter on my desk, along with a stack of napkins.
Ginger stood from her spot on my bed and went to the desk. “These are adorable, Anne.”
Mom smiled so wide her face almost looked like it could split in two. “You think so?”
Ginger took a bite and through a mouthful of crumbs said, “Yeah, and so delicious.”
Jordan picked a cookie from the platter and added, “You're definitely winning the cookie competition.”
“I'm not entering,”