You've Found Oliver (You've Reached Sam, #2)(22)

“So you picked up.”

“Yeah. I did.”

We smile at each other. A few weeks ago, I didn’t know someone was on the other end. Now here we are, sitting at the same table. The truth is, I did need someone to talk to. I just never expected it to be him. It sounds like he might have needed someone, too. Ben takes the first bite of his burger. We share some fries and order milkshakes for dessert. Hopefully, we’ll get to come here again one day.



* * *





It’s dark when we leave the diner. Streetlamps illuminate the sidewalk as Ben walks me to the bus stop. I wish we could hang out a little longer, but the last bus leaves at nine fifteen. I told Ben he doesn’t have to wait with me, but he does anyway.

“Thanks again for the invite,” I say.

Ben smiles at me. “I’m glad you came. I had a really good time. Hope the place lived up to your expectations.”

“Yeah, it felt like being on the show. I wish I had taken something as a souvenir.”

“Actually…” Ben pulls out a pen from his pocket. “I accidently grabbed it after we signed the check. But I’m sure they won’t miss it. Here, something to remember the night.”

I turn the pen in my hand. The letters “RR” are written on the side of it, which is the name of the diner from the show. “Thank you. I’ll remember to steal something for you next time.”

“Hopefully, that’s your way of saying you want to see me again.”

I smile. “Of course it is.”

I think about asking him what his plans are next weekend, but headlights appear down the road. The bus has arrived a few minutes early. The doors open, but I don’t want to go yet.

“Thanks for waiting with me,” I say.

“Don’t mention it. Let me know when you make it back, okay?”

We hug each other goodbye. Then I climb inside the bus. Ben doesn’t head back to his car right away. He stands at the corner, hands in his pockets, watching the bus drive off.

The moment he disappears from view, I rest my head against the glass. I know this is the first time we’ve met in person, but I’m starting to miss him already. I close my eyes and replay the night in my head.





Chapter

Seven



Julie calls me first thing in the morning. We’ve been trying to schedule it all week. The time difference has been a challenge. My days start when hers are just ending. It’s almost like time traveling, if you think about it. It’s been a few days since I met Ben in person, and I’ve been waiting to tell Julie over the phone.

“Surprised you answered the phone this early,” she says.

“It’s only ten thirty.”

“Don’t you usually sleep until noon?”

“Did you call to lecture me?”

“One second—” There’s a brief silence, followed by some background noise. “Sorry, had to put in my earbuds. Can you hear me?”

“Yeah, where are you?”

“Walking back to my place,” Julie says. “Just left wine night with some friends from the program. I didn’t drink anything though.”

“How are the people there?”

“Everyone’s been nice,” she says. “At least to my face anyway. You know how they feel about Americans. Someone even asked me if I owned a gun.”

“Well, do you?”

“You’re hilarious. Actually, that reminds me. There’s this guy in my program from Boston who reminds me of you. He has the exact same sense of humor—and he shows up late to everything. We’ve been hanging out almost every day. I was actually just with him.”

“So you’ve replaced me already…”

“Don’t be ridiculous. You would honestly love him. He’s so much fun.”

I lie back on the bed and groan. “That’s not what you’re supposed to tell me. You’re supposed to say you’re having a miserable time and you’re booking the next flight home.”

“We’re supposed be manifesting nice things, Oliver.”

“It would be nice if you came home.”

Julie sighs. “I’m hanging up.”

“Alright, alright. I’m glad you’re making new friends, okay?”

“Was that so hard? Now tell me about you. How’s my mom’s class?”

I think about this. “It’s been…interesting.”

“Doesn’t sound like a glowing review.”

“No, she’s great,” I assure her. “It’s honestly better than my other classes. But it can get a little confusing. She always answers our questions with another question.”

“Sounds like my childhood.”

“I wish I had that growing up.” I switch the phone to my other ear. “Did you know there are no due dates in her class? You can turn in assignments whenever you want.”

“Mom doesn’t believe in deadlines,” Julie explains. “But I wouldn’t take advantage of it. I think a lot of her past students have.”

“Who said I was taking advantage of it?”

“Have you started the first assignment?”

I hesitate. “No…”