to sit on her porch with her sister and talk about the sexy man who had just driven away.
Since Natie was on her way home to Indiana this morning, a phone conversation would have to suffice.
#
“What’s up, Becki? Is everything ok?” Natie answered her phone with panic in her voice.
“Yes. Everything’s fine…just fine,” Becki reassured her. “I wanted to make sure you and Jonah got started back home this morning as planned. The storm wasn’t much of a storm, was it? How were things downtown last night? Did you get much rain? You didn’t lose power at the hotel, did you? What time--”
“Becki!” Natie interrupted her sister mid-sentence. She could always tell when Becki was upset about something because she talked a-mile-aminute.
“What?!” Becki fired back.
“It’s eight o’clock- in the morning,” Natie said as if that explained everything.
“So? Your point?” Becki returned belligerently.
“Well, let me see…most days you are barely coherent at noon. Unless I missed something, I didn’t see anything in the headlines this morning about the end of the World, and I’m pretty sure you didn’t call me at this hour to discuss the weather. Now, what is going on?”
“It’s Royce,” Becki confided in a rush. “He spent the night.”
“Alright! You go girl!” Natie applauded.
“He slept on the couch,” Becki quickly clarified.
“The couch? What the hell--? Are you crazy?”
“Glad I called you for the pep talk,” Becki complained.
“Sorry. I’m--forget it. And--? You were saying?” Natie prompted.
“He fixed breakfast,” Becki continued, “and then-- he asked me out on a date,” she finished in a rush.
“That’s great!” Natie cheered. “He seems like a really nice guy, Becki. I’m happy for you, and he’s hot as hell. I think you should go for it--see where things lead. The flowers were beautiful, by the way. Didn’t you think?”
“I just don’t know if I’m up to going through all the motions only to get hurt again,” Becki confessed. “You know I have a hard time trusting men. I’m not interested in getting all tied in knots over someone who ends up being completely different than the person he seemed to be at the beginning of the relationship.”
“Oh, Becki, just take it slow,” Natie advised. She knew, better than anyone, how badly Becki had been hurt in the past. “Don’t over-think this. Have some fun and see where things go.”
“I guess,” Becki said with little-or-no conviction.
“If you never take a chance on anyone, you will be alone for the rest of your life.” Natie took the gloves off, so to speak. “Is that what you want?” Natie asked softly.
“Of course not,” Becki answered.
“Well, then--”
“I’ll think about it,” Becki agreed. “Did you and Sean go straight home last night?” she asked, changing the subject. “I kind of got the feeling he was interested in spending some ‘alone time’ with you.”
“Jonah and I have been on the road for about an hour,” Natie said quickly.
“O. K…I’ll take that as a no,” Becki said with a smile. The fact that Natie had not immediately answered “yes” gave Becki hope. “You had better call me the minute you get home,” Becki threatened. “I want the gory details.”
“Alright. Well, our exit is just ahead so I need to go. I’ll call you when we get home to let you know we made it safely.”
“I’ll look forward to it,” Becki laughed. “You guys be careful.”
“We will,” Natie agreed. “Just relax, ok? Enjoy the unexpected…and keep me informed!” Natie insisted before she hung up.
Eight fifteen in the morning! Before today, Becki hadn’t even known those particular numbers were on her clock. She might as well get in the shower since she had promised to run downtown and pick up candy for the girls. Clarissa, Leann, and Mandy were planning a sleepover with friends tonight. They didn’t have school tomorrow because it was a “teacher workday”.
Becki yawned. Then again, maybe there was time for a quick nap before venturing downtown. Her shift started at six o’clock this evening, and she didn’t expect to get off until eleven o’clock at the very earliest. Yes, definitely time for a quick nap.
#
“Sean, where are we supposed to meet Kurt and Landon this morning?” Royce asked as he crested the top of the Cooper River Bridge. He had not called back immediately. After leaving Becki this morning, he needed a few minutes to let his mind clear before talking with Sean. Holding her while she slept had felt like coming home after a long journey: comfortable, natural, wonderful.
“Hi boss, I’ve been calling you for the last hour.