Sorry for such a short update here. In hindsight I should have tacked this onto the previous chapter but, well, I just didn't. It makes more sense on it's own than putting it with the following chapter so that's what we have.
Their foray into Denver will follow soon - thanks for reading, reviewing and for the notes!
DAY FIVE – FRISCO (Part 3)
The rest of the day came off without a hitch. After their boat ride Emily, Paige and Bob ate subs at a local restaurant and talked about the girls' trip so far. Neither could believe it had only been five days – it felt strange to be back together and on the same schedule, almost like they'd never been apart…except they had and both realized ignoring their past issues couldn't go on forever. That was a conversation neither was relishing.
Shopping at the outlet mall in Silverthorne was next on the agenda, thanks to Emily. Paige had promised shopping was part of the day and she really tried to play along but she runs out of gas about an hour into the trip. Her bike ride and the bright sun on the boat took what little energy she had left so Emily trudges off on her own promising to call Paige every 15 minutes while she's gone.
Paige buys a Coke at a shop in the mall and takes it outside. She thinks about walking around a bit but knows that defeats the purpose of resting so she finds a nearby bench and takes a seat. Her eyes begin to droop and she doesn't realize she's fallen asleep until her phone starts buzzing. She looks down expecting to see Emily's check-in but another name pops up on the caller ID. Rubbing at her eyes she's able to manage a groggy " 'lo?"
"P-Mac, you rock star! How's it shakin' bay-bee?"
Paige is constantly amazed at her cousin Liam's ability to be chipper at any time, day or night. However, she has never been able to figure out if that or his annoying nicknames bother her more.
"Trying to rest, how 'bout you, Li?"
"My shit is drama, P."
"As always," Paige sighs. "Jobless again?"
"Yeah, I guess you talked to Papa Bob."
"That I did." Paige looks around wondering if Emily has had enough of the outlets but rolls her eyes immediately at herself – this is Emily, she could plant roots in a shopping center.
"Well, he is right. I am way too talented to waste my time with piss ant jobs. I would rather use my time more constructively."
Paige huffs a laugh. "More like you'd rather blow your unemployment check on booze and hot wings."
Liam laughs in return and Paige smiles. "So, P, when are you getting down here to the real world again? You're not going to blow through town and ignore me, are you?"
Clouds have begun to roll in from the west shielding Paige from the sun. She looks up and wonders about the possibility of rain – one more thing to worry about during the drive if they headed down the foothills tonight.
"We'll probably pull in tomorrow morning," she says. "Get a good dinner tonight and head out after breakfast. I'll drop you a text when we're on 25."
Emily approaches Paige with shopping bags filling her grasp. She drops next to her on the bench and spreads out her arms, closing her eyes and yawning dramatically.
"I better go," Paige says. She mouths "Liam" to Emily who smiles and gives Paige the finger. "Oh, Emily says 'Hi'."
"Give her the bird for me too, P-Mac, I can't wait to see your dog face," says Liam.
"God, you're an ass," Paige whines and Liam laughs before hanging up. Paige slips her phone back into her pocket and turns to Emily. "I guess we're hanging out with Liam tomorrow."
Emily giggles like a five-year-old. "Trouble, trouble, trouble! I can't wait!" She claps her hands and reaches for her shopping bags as she rises. Putting the bag handles in her left hand she reaches for Paige with her right. She grasps her hand and pulls her up, leading her to the parking lot.