***
Monday was Callie’s least favorite day of the week, always had been. Sitting in her classroom, getting ready for the day ahead, the classic Bangles song “Manic Monday” kept running through her head, especially the line about wishing it was Sunday.
Man, did she ever.
“I want to know all the details,” Lauren said, bursting into the classroom through the side door.
Pausing next to a student’s desk, Callie asked, “What details?”
“Don’t even try to go there.” Lauren wagged a finger in Callie’s direction. “I saw you on television Saturday night looking rather cozy with Dylan Talbot.” Lauren paused for a moment. “Not that I blame you. I wouldn’t mind getting cozy with him myself.”
“What are you talking about?”
“At the Red Sox game,” Lauren answered. “The cameras showed you guys more than once. Hard not to. You were right behind the batter’s box.”
“Oh,” Callie replied just as the bell rang.
Saved by the bell.
“Darn it.” Lauren moved toward the door that connected their classrooms. “I want to know everything later. And I mean everything.”
Callie placed morning work on a student’s desk. “We can talk after school.”
Even as she said the words, Callie wasn’t sure how much she would tell Lauren. Yes, Lauren was her oldest and closest friend. Still, she didn’t know how much she wanted to share just yet. Everything with Dylan seemed to be happening so fast.
And not just with Dylan. Her whole life had turned into one giant roller coaster ride since the day Helen Lee told her the truth. Callie wondered if her mom had known how much her letter to Warren would change her life.
Probably, Ruth Taylor hadn’t been a dumb woman.
“Morning, Miss Taylor,” one of her students said as he entered the classroom.
Pushing all thoughts of her parents and Dylan from her mind, Callie smiled. “Good morning, Andrew. How was your weekend?”
The students that day were unusually difficult. Callie didn’t know if it was because they were down to the last two weeks of school or because it was so warm in her classroom. Whatever the reason, she was actually grateful. They kept her so engaged she didn’t once think about her own mixed up life. Or the fact that she’d told Dylan she would not only go to the fundraiser with him, but stay with him as well. Was she ready for that?
Later that afternoon, the side door in her classroom opened, letting Callie know Lauren was back from bus duty ready to pick up their conversation from the morning whether she wanted to or not.
“Okay, Callie, I want all the details.” Lauren pulled a chair over to Callie’s desk. “What is going on between you and that Greek god?”
Callie laughed at her friend’s comparison. She definitely agreed with it. “He was actually born in England, so that would make him an English god.”
Not appreciating her humor, Lauren threw her a dirty look. “Minor technicality.”
“I met him through my father. Dylan’s mother is married to him,” Callie explained, trying to quickly decide how much to share.
“I know that. But that’s not what I asked.” Lauren shook her head, causing her large smiley-faced earrings to move back and forth. Leaning forward, Lauren continued, “What’s up between you two? I want all the juicy details. Don’t leave anything out.”
“We’re... friends,” Callie answered, not looking Lauren in the eye.
Lauren snorted. “Friends? You looked like more than friends to me.”
She wasn’t sure how to answer that. Despite their wonderful weekend together, Callie had no idea where she stood with Dylan. “We spent most of the weekend together,” she explained, carefully choosing her words.
Her friend smiled. “And?”
“And what?”
“Are you two a couple?”
Callie thought about their time together. Last weekend it felt as if they were. Then there was Saturday night and Sunday morning to consider. She could feel herself blushing as memories bombarded her.
Sighing, Callie shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“So when are you seeing him again?” Lauren asked, practically bouncing up and down.
Should I tell her everything?
Callie thought about it for a second. It would be nice to see what someone else thought, and there wasn’t anyone she trusted more than Lauren.
“Remember the fundraiser in New York I told you about?”
“You weren’t sure you wanted to go.”
“Well, I am. Dylan is picking me up at the train station.” She paused, wondering how Lauren would react if she told her the rest.
“And?”
Callie tried to look as if she didn’t know what her friend was implying. “And what?”
Lauren rolled her eyes. “Give it a rest, Callie. This is me. I can tell when you are leaving something out. So you might as well spit it out now. I’ll hound you until you tell me. You know that.”
Picking up a pencil, Callie rolled it between her fingers. “He asked me to stay with him.” The words came out in a rush. “I said yes.”
A low whistle escaped Lauren. “I don’t think you need to wonder if he’s interested. And why wouldn’t he be? You’re beautiful, smart, and kind. Hell, if I was a guy, I’d be attracted to you.”
Callie shrugged. She wanted to believe what Lauren said. If it was anyone other than Dylan, she would. Dylan Talbot, though, wasn’t just anyone.
“Do you really think—”
“Can I borrow that evening gown you bought for your cruise last year?” Callie asked, cutting Lauren off. “I don’t have anything for the fundraiser.”
Lauren gave her an ‘I know what you are doing look.’ “Sure, either come over this week and get it, or I can bring it in.”
“Great. Thanks.” Callie pulled out the materials she would need the following day.
“I think he’s interested, Callie. Why else would he want you to stay with him?”
Callie shrugged again and continued to get things ready for the following day. “To help me save money. Hotels in New York are expensive.”
“Please. Your father’s family owns a whole chain of hotels. Dylan could have gotten you a room for free if saving you money was his reason.”
Lauren had her there.
“Other than the game Saturday night, what else did you guys do this weekend?”
Maybe if she kept the answer short and sweet Lauren would get the hint she didn’t want to talk anymore about Dylan. “Just hung out in Boston.”
“Did you sleep with him?”
Callie knew the question was coming. After all, this was Lauren. So she should have been able to contain her reaction.
She couldn’t.
Immediately, her hands stilled and her face burned.
“You did! You go girl!” Lauren said before Callie could even open her mouth.
Moving back to her desk, Callie refused to look at her friend. “Could you bring the dress tomorrow? I think it’ll be fine, but I want to try it just in case it doesn’t fit.”
“Sure. If you want to talk later, call me,” Lauren said, finally getting the hint that Callie didn’t want to talk right now. “I’m only teaching two dance classes tonight, so I’ll be home early.”