“You owe me nothing,” I say, looking out the window now. Kelsey has been working with Cane Enterprises for several months now, and she’s proven herself to Huxley, Breaker, and me. She works hard and she’s knowledgeable, not a lofty plant hugger without specific and wise goals. Cane Enterprises has a reputation—is respected for quality—and there’s no way in hell we’d align ourselves with anything or anyone we didn’t believe saw our vision. Today wasn’t about simply “saving” Kelsey, but ensuring we have a team that works cohesively. Surely, she knows that by now.
“If it was Huxley or Breaker, they would’ve done the same exact thing. We protect our company, you’re a part of that, therefore, I protected you today. Don’t think anything of it.”
“Okay, well, for what it’s worth, thank you.”
Quietly, I say, “You’re welcome.”
Chapter Eleven
KELSEY
Meant to Be Podcast
Arlo and Greer
Kelsey: Welcome, listener, to the Meant to Be Podcast, where we talk to madly-in-love couples about the way they met. Arlo and Greer, thank you so much for joining me today. Please, tell us how you met.
Greer: Do you want to tell the story, or do you want me to?
Arlo: I don’t think you want me to tell the story.
Greer: Probably not. You’ll most likely include details that I don’t want everyone to know.
Arlo: Details like . . . the kitchen Island?
Greer: Okay, okay, keep your mouth shut, mister.
Arlo: Why don’t you tell her about the stink smell . . . or the chipmunk voice . . . or the blue pee?
Greer: I assure you, Kelsey, all three of those items aren’t related in any way to the kitchen island or anything sexual, for that matter. He’s referring to the pranks I pulled on him.
Kelsey: Pranks? Oh, please, tell me more.
Greer: It all started when I was hired to teach English at the school Arlo was teaching at. He didn’t want to hire me because he thought my way of teaching was too progressive for his stuffy, old-school mentality.
Arlo: She used CliffsNotes and movies to portray the written word.
Greer: Oh my God, do we need to get into this now?
Kelsey: So, I can see you guys hit it off really well at first.
Greer: Not even close. He was a hot prick in a cardigan. We hated each other. That’s where the blue pee comes in. Sort of pranked him a bit to get back at him.
Arlo: I seriously thought something was wrong with me. Blue pee isn’t something a guy should ever see in the urinal.
Greer: But then, he made this gesture—he dressed up like Jay Gatsby on my ‘Dress like a literary character’ day and . . . well, it was the first step in the direction of falling for each other.
Arlo: It was hard not to try to impress her or to keep away from her, for that matter. And when she went out on a date with someone else, I knew I was being a complete fool and, if I didn’t snatch her up right then and there, I’d regret it forever.
Greer: I’m glad he did, because I’ve never been more madly in love.
Mom: How is San Francisco, honey? I haven’t been in years. I’m quite jealous.
I read my mom’s text message and smile as I lie on my stomach on my bed and text her back.
Kelsey: It’s beautiful. I haven’t been able to explore yet, but soon. Just walking around, though, smelling the ocean, feeling the breeze. Makes me want to move up here.
Mom: Oh no, you don’t. No daughter of mine is moving away from me.
Kelsey: Funny you say that after you were begging Lottie to move out.
Mom: Move out, yes. Move away, no.
Kelsey: Ahh, I see.
Mom: And how is living with JP?
Kelsey: Can you not fish for information? I promise you, nothing is happening between us. Which reminds me, I left my food in the microwave. I need to get it.
Mom: But he’s so handsome.
Kelsey: Bye, Mother.
I set my phone down on my bed and head toward the kitchen, but pause. I look at myself in the mirror and scan my outfit. Joggers and a white tank top with no bra. Semi revealing, but not revealing enough, plus JP isn’t home. He went out somewhere. Nothing to worry about.
I’m not going to change clothes to retrieve my food from the microwave.
I head out of my room and down the hall to the kitchen, debating if I should start a new show, such a commitment, or find a movie that appeals to me, also a commitment. If I choose a show, that means I have something to watch for— “Errrrrrrrm.”
I pause.
What was that?
I don’t move.
I hold my breath, waiting to hear the noise again.