Page 94 of Let's Kiss and Tell

“Doesn’t look like there’s going to be any traffic. Actually, wemight be early.” Marsh glances at the navigation system. He then reaches over across the console and squeezes my hand in my lap. “If I haven’t said it yet, Lucy, thank you for coming.”

“Of course.” I move my fingers to interlace with his but suddenly it’s cold and bare. Marsh’s hand is back on the steering wheel. “So, uh, Julia…” I say carefully. I don’t want to dampen the mood, but she’s a big piece to all of this. “She’s still coming?”

“It sounds like it,” Marsh says. “Her and her fiancé.”

“Have you met him?” I ask.

“I met him once when Julia came to pick up the last of her mail,” Marsh says casually. “He’s a neurosurgeon, he comes from a wealthy family…seems like a good guy.”

I turn to Marsh, my arm leaning on the console in between us and my mouth agape. “Are you serious right now?”

“What?” He looks over at me, and I see my reflection through his sunglasses.

“This is the fiancé of your ex-girlfriend of nine years and all you have to say isseems like a good guy?”

“What am I supposed to say? He’s a prick?”

“I mean, yeah,” I laugh.

“But he’s not,” he says.

“Well, I’ll see for myself.” I adjust myself back in the seat and watch the road ahead of us.

Marsh turns on the radio, and we drive in silence, only the sound of music filling the car. In the distance, a subtle view of the California mountains rises on the horizon with the sun as a red-tailed hawk spins in lazy circles. I put on my sunglasses and stare out the window. As I watch the beauty of the West Coast in the distance, I allow myself tofeel.I rarely do in the company of someone else. For a brief moment, I close my eyes in pure bliss and enjoy how easy this feels.

“Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” comes on the SiriusXMradio, and I open my eyes. Marsh is tapping the steering wheel within the first few notes. His hair is messy from the open window, and his forearm is being kissed by the sun. His jaw is scruffy, and there’s a glint in his eyes beneath his shades.

His gaze flashes to mine, and we’re both fully aware this feels like a scene from a movie. He sings Marvin Gaye’s part to me immediately, and I break out into the biggest smile and return the sentiment singing Tammi Terrell’s lines. We’re both off-key, singing our hearts out.

Marsh lowers his glasses like he’s a sixties crooner and plays it off perfectly. Meanwhile, I sway in my seat laughing, and I don’t think whatever’s happening can ever be replicated—something so spontaneous and perfect. I’m not even sure if it’s something you could fake.

As the song ends and the next one begins, I wonder if this is what Marsh and Julia shared…even my parents. If this is what most people who fall out of love ever shared. If so, how did they get to the point of letting it go?

My phone buzzes, and when I see Jonah’s name, I immediately open the message.

Jonah:

Are you in the bay area??

Lucy:

Not yet! Still 2 hours away

Jonah:

Still can’t believe you’re doing this. Send pics.

Lucy:

What?? It’s a child’s birthday party

Jonah:

Aren’t you going to SF after? Overnight?

Lucy:

Yeah, so?