Page 19 of One Drink

“Listen, Linda will be in town Wednesday or Thursday of next week. Let us treat you and Jake to dinner. We’d love to catch up and hear about what you’ve done with the magazine.”

“I’d love to join you. Have Jake let me know when.”

To my surprise, I meant that. Talking with Jake’s father and making plans for dinner felt so natural, like I already belonged to the family.

We said our goodbyes, and I headed to the office. It was late, and by the time I got back, the office would be empty, especially with it being a Friday.

I pulled out my phone and opened Jake’s contact info. I stared at the call button on my phone, trying to build up the courage to press it. I’d hardly talked to him all week, and I missed the sound of his voice. I missed the cool gray of his eyes, and the way he would study me when I spoke. I missed his laugh and the way his smile could cheer me up when I was having a bad day. And I missed how it felt when we sat in the room together in silence. We didn’t always need words to know that the other cared.

For years, Jake had been my go-to friend anytime I needed to complain about work or family. He’d always been there for me, no questions asked.

Shit. How did I miss this?

I’d been so wrapped up in my own career and needs that I missed what everyone else saw. I’d been wrong to push him away, and I needed to fix it.

My finger hovered over the call button. Was I ready to deal with this distance I put between us? I sighed and put my phone away. I wanted to call him, but I didn’t know what to say or how to address my behavior. A week ago I wouldn’t have hesitated for a second to call Jake to talk to him and now I panicked over what I’d say. Why did this have to be so difficult?