Page 24 of Unexpected You

But she had asked me for help with a chapter. I mean, she hadn’t begged me or anything, but she had asked. Thinking about one of my ideas actually making it into her book was kind of astonishing. Even if this job didn’t work out, my idea might be in print for who knows how many years. Thousands of copies. The idea of that was kind of intoxicating.

“I’d really like to meet her. I’ve watched some of her interviews, but I’d like to see if that matches up with who she is outside of her public persona,” Hunter said.

I made a face. I didn’t like the idea of my work life and my personal life crossing over. Eloise didn’t need to see my life and my messy apartment and my friends. I was just a person who sorted her emails and made her coffee. She didn’t need to see all the corners of my life.

“Yeah, I don’t think that’s going to happen. I might be able to get you a signed copy of a book though,” I said, reaching for a handful of popcorn.

“I thought you didn’t want to do that?” she asked.

Snuggling into her shoulder, I pulled the bowl of popcorn onto my lap. “Not for random people, but you’re different.”

“Aw, I love you too,” she said, kissing my temple.

* * *

My second week with Eloise ended and finally it was another weekend. Hunter was away at some bullshit event with her parents (charity polo match), so I begged Reid to do something with me. Unfortunately, her idea of “doing something” involved hiking, so I had to get out my boots and backpack and wash my water bottle.

We drove further inland and hit one of the state parks, which had several really nice hikes with mountain views. I agreed to go on the condition that she took me to one of the best diners in the state after. Friendship was all about give and take.

“You good?” Reid asked when we made it to the top.

“Yeah,” I wheezed, both hands on my knees. “I’m good.” I gave her a thumbs up and then kind of collapsed onto the ground. Sweat had dripped down my back and had collected in my ass crack and I was regretting every decision that brought me to this moment. The view was kind of spectacular though.

“Buck up, kid. You did good,” Reid said, fresh as a daisy, barely even winded, as she sat down next to me.

“Show off,” I said with a glare, sucking down some water in hopes that it would revive me.

“Don’t be a hater,” she said, zipping open her pack and handing me a granola bar. Thankfully it was covered in chocolate.

I took a huge bite. “But being a hater is so much fun.”

Reid snorted and then we posed for a few selfies that we shared and posted on our social media pages. Hunter sent us a picture of lounging on a blanket at the polo match with a glass of expensive champagne.

“The least she could have done was invite us,” Reid said when we both saw the picture in our group chat.

“I didn’t know people who weren’t like, royalty, played polo,” I said, asking Hunter to take a video so I could see how the hell they played polo. “I think she’s probably having a better day.”

Reid made a scoffing sound. “No way. She’s not getting this.” She waved at the view just as a bald eagle flew by and we scrambled to take pictures and video.

“You planned that,” I said.

Reid nodded, her face serious. “Yes, me and the eagle coordinated ahead of time. We’re besties.”

I shoved her shoulder and she cackled. The two of us took some more pictures and sat there until I felt like I was ready to move again, which took longer than it should have.

“Oh, shit,” I said when Reid pulled me to my feet. “I should have demanded a massage instead of a meal at the diner.”

My body was going to hate me tomorrow. I really was out of shape.

“It’s all that sitting, I’m telling you. Can’t your boss get you a standing desk with a walking pad?”

We turned and headed back down the trail, waving to a few people who passed us on their way to the summit.

“I don’t think it would work for me. I’m just going to have to take more breaks and start walking more or something. I can’t let my body calcify into a hunched-over husk before I turn thirty.” Although, Eloise had been writing for many years and she wasn’t a husk. Should I try Pilates? Was that the secret?

Reid skipped on ahead of me down the trail. “Or you could just come hiking with me more often.”

I huffed and puffed behind her, going slow so I didn’t twist an ankle. “Let me see how I feel after this one.”