The Ahern Brothers Collection - Claudia Burgoa Page 0,61
music, their food, as well as the hospitality, that makes us want to stay there. She wants to buy a house either in Mallorca or Tuscany.
“We should plan a new adventure,” she suggests.
“You know, I miss this. Being able to hang out with you without any worries.”
She huffs, slumping a little in her chair. “Well, except we have to go back soon, don’t we?”
Our place. It sounds strange, but defines Tahoe perfectly. Ever since she moved out of my parent's house, we’ve been traveling buddies. We’ve visited this place more often than any other. I recall her face from earlier when Sterling offered to buy the house. When I said that the house was Abby’s, I wasn’t lying. Maybe the deed is under my name, but I’ve always thought of the house here as hers. Her comment from yesterday that we should move to Tahoe replays in my head. I never stopped and asked her about her long-term plans or ambitions. Would she have told me if I hadn’t begged her to go back to Denver?
Our relationship is based on lengthy phone conversations and a few trips a year. I feel like I know her well, at least more than anyone else. But, these past weeks have shown me that there are many layers to her that I haven’t yet peeled away.
The server brings the bottle of merlot I ordered, a platter with sliced meats and a variety of bread, chips, and veggies. Once he pours the wine, I raise my glass.
“To all our future trips,” I propose a toast.
“To our future,” she says raising her glass.
“To us,” I add.
Abby and I reminisce about our trips. All of them have been fun, but some are more memorable because of a few incidents. Like the time I broke my ankle hiking in Peru. The day my brother hooked up with a married woman, and her husband was chasing him around with a loaded gun in Belize. The time we went to Australia and a kangaroo kicked me in the ass when I bent over to pick up my backpack.
It’s been so long since the last time we took a trip and just sat down without worrying about finals, work, or being interrupted by my brother. Our friendship is just like this conversation. Smooth, flowing freely without any restraints. I hope that our romantic relationship flows just as well.
“Are you feeling better?” I dare to ask. “Yesterday I was tempted to take you to the ER.”
I grab her hand and caress the inside of her wrist with my thumb.
“Sorry. It’s been a strange couple of weeks,” she apologizes while also dismissing the subject.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen her so distraught in the past, and she was extremely upset six years ago. I wish there were something I could do for her to make her life easier. That’s all I’ve ever wanted, to make her more comfortable. Her happiness is my mission in life.
“If you hadn’t come home to work for Ahern, what would you be doing?”
She shuffles around the chair, straightens her back and smiles. “Are you interviewing me, Mr. Ahern?” Abby drinks some of her wine and smiles. “Well, for starters it’s a bit late. You already gave me a job.”
When the waiter strolls by to pick up the empty platter, Abby requests the dessert menu. Poor thing, her heart is going to break if there’s nothing sweet to satisfy her craving. Thankfully, I have a few pints of ice cream at home waiting for her.
“What would you be doing if you weren’t in charge of your Dad’s company?” she asks once the server walks away.
I’m entirely caught off guard by her question. Once upon a time, I had other plans, but I let them go, and I never shared them. Not even with her. Moving close to her and starting my own company was a surprise. I didn’t want to tell her until it was all in place.
“Finish at least one of my software projects, open a company …” I shrug. “It doesn’t matter.”
“Then why are you asking about me?”
“Well, it’s never too late to learn about your dreams.” I omit that now I feel like an asshole for imposing mine on her. “I had no idea that you wanted to live here, in Tahoe.”
“The thought’s crossed my mind,” she shrugs.
“What did you want to do?”
She takes a sip of her drink, sets down her glass and smiles at the waiter who gives her the menu.