One To Watch (4 page)
Authors: Kate Stayman-London
It doesn’t matter,
she told herself.
He’s here now. After all this time, he’s here.
He was on top of her, kissing her gently, and a smile lit up her whole face.
“What is it?” he asked, smiling too.
“Nothing.” Her heart swelled, the joy of the moment so expansive it was almost painful. “I’m just really, really happy.”
“Me too.” He kissed her again, and she breathed in his reassurance. “Bea, you’re all I’ve wanted.”
BEA SCHUMACHER & RAY MORETTI
Ray
[7:23am]
: Hey
Ray
[7:23am]
: Are you up?
Ray
[7:24am]
: Sorry I didn’t wake you before I left
Ray
[7:26am]
: On my train now, should be in San Diego around 10, and then it’s a lot of brunches and things with Sarah’s folks
Ray
[7:27am]
: But I’ll call you later?
Bea
[1:31pm]
: Ok
Bea
[9:25am]
: Hi
Ray
[9:28am]
: Hey
Bea
[9:29am]
: You never called the other night
Bea
[9:29am]
: I really think we should talk
Ray
[9:31am]
: Oh yeah
Ray
[9:31am]
: Things got really busy
Ray
[9:32am]
: This week is crazy, let me get back to you
BEA SCHUMACHER & MARIN MENDOZA
Marin
[9:33am]
: “Let me get back to you”?!?!?!?!?!
Marin
[9:33am]
: No
Marin
[9:34am]
: No
Marin
[9:34am]
: I’m sorry
Marin
[9:34am]
: No
Marin
[9:34am]
: He did not say that to you!!!!
Bea
[9:36am]
: He … did
Marin
[9:36am]
: What did you say?
Bea
[9:37am]
: Nothing. I didn’t say anything
Bea
[9:37am]
: I don’t know what to say to him
Marin
[9:38am]
: What do you want to say?
Bea
[9:41am]
: I don’t know, hi Ray, I think we’ve loved each other for almost a decade, even though it was always some new excuse for why you had to live in some new city, be with some new girl, and now you’re engaged, but when we slept together it felt like my whole life suddenly clicked into place, like maybe my story was finally ending, or starting, or something, and then you just left like you always do, because you’re a coward, but I love you anyway. And I wish I didn’t. And I wish you’d just come back.
Marin
[9:42am]
: I don’t think you should say that.
Bea
[9:43am]
: I hate my life
Marin
[9:43am]
: Stay right there. I’m coming over.
ACCOUNT HOLDER—BEATRICE SCHUMACHER
DELIVER TO:
Beatrice Schumacher
1841 Avalon Way
Los Angeles, CA 90026
Stouffer’s frozen meals: Macaroni and cheese (25 units)
LaCroix Sparkling Water (Pamplemousse flavor) (6 cases)
Doritos Corn Chips (Cooler Ranch flavor) (10 bags)
Doritos Corn Chips (Nacho Cheesier flavor) (10 bags)
Skinny Cow Ice Cream Sandwiches (original flavor) (6 boxes)
JIF Extra Creamy Peanut Butter (5 jars)
Original Saltine Crackers (5 boxes)
Diet Coke (12 cases)
Z-quil Sleep Aid Medication (2 boxes)
Cottonelle Rippled Toilet Paper (18-roll pack)
NOTE:
Do not ring bell. Client waives signature requirement. Leave groceries at front door.
BEA SCHUMACHER & MARIN MENDOZA
Marin
[2:28pm]
: Hey, have you left yet? Sharon made this white peach sangria and it’s VERY GOOD you should def get a car instead of driving
Bea
[2:30pm]
: I think I might just stay home? I’m so behind on work stuff
Marin
[2:31pm]
: Bea, NO! You didn’t come to Sneha’s thing yesterday either, she was pissed!! Did you go on your date last night?
Bea
[2:35pm]
: I couldn’t
Marin
[2:36pm]
: Okay
Marin
[2:37pm]
: But babe, you’re not going to get over him if you never meet anyone new
Bea
[2:38pm]
: I know. I’m just not ready.
Marin
[2:38pm]
: I wish you’d come to Sharon’s. We’d all really love to see you.
BEA SCHUMACHER & RAY MORETTI
Bea
[7:48pm]
: So are you really never going to respond to any of my emails? Not one of them?
Bea
[7:48pm]
: I’m not trying to ruin your life. I just want to talk.
Bea
[7:49pm]
: I hate this, Ray. I miss you.
Jim:
Yo!!!!!!!!!!!
Bea:
Hey there:)
Jim:
GIVE. ME. THOSE. CURVES.
Bea:
I … what?
Jim:
GIMME EM BEA GIMME THOSE CURVES
***user unmatched and blocked***
Todd:
sup b
Bea:
nm, T. how are you?
Todd:
can I come over
Todd:
address?
Bea:
do you think we maybe skipped a couple of steps there?
Todd:
wut
Bea:
Hey, Alex! Love that Paris pic. My fav city. :)
Alex:
Sorry, I don’t think this is going to work.
Bea:
Excuse me?
Alex:
You need to show your body in your top photo. A headshot is dishonest.
Kip:
Hello, Bea. How’s your week going?
Bea:
Hi, Kip! It’s pretty average, a little work, a nice hike now that it’s actually starting to feel like fall.
Bea:
(Oh god, am I the boring girl who talks about the weather? Sigh.)
Bea:
How’s your week?
Kip:
Ha! As residents of Los Angeles, I think we’re legally obligated to mark the seasonal transition from high of 84 to high of 78.
Kip:
My week’s alright. Would you like to meet for a drink?
Bea:
Sure, I could do that. Thursday?