Behind the Scenes by Karelia Stetz-Waters

Author:Karelia Stetz-Waters
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: None
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Published: 2023-01-30T00:00:00+00:00

It didn’t seem like a terrible idea as Rose left Portland, maybe a little emotional, but not terrible. Even as she drove through Vancouver, the sun setting on her left, or when she stopped at Starbucks for a twenty-four-ounce coffee to calm her nerves, it seemed okay. It seemed like an almost good idea as she pulled off the freeway into the parking lot of the McMenamins, a large, red-roofed building with outside walkways and white railings that made it look like something from New Orleans. Behind it the Columbia River stretched out like a starless sky. There wasn’t anything else around. Absolutely no reason why she might be in the area coincidentally. She parked at the far end of the lot and checked her phone.

Ash had texted. The tow had come. The tire center said she’d blown one tire and bent her axle. It’d take a day to get the parts to fix it. The lodge had sent a friendly busboy who drove Uber on the side and was happy to make two hundred dollars on his break. Ash was safe, working on her laptop at the hotel. She’d even sent a selfie with the caption proof of life.

Rose had to go home. When Ty said the grand gesture was a little extra, it was really extra.

Rose was going to turn around right now…except twenty-four ounces of coffee had caught up with her. She’d use the bathroom at the hotel and be on the road in six minutes.

Rose slipped into the hotel restaurant. It was a nice place. The restaurant took up the length of the building, a long stretch of windows looking out on the Columbia. Maybe Ash could relax a little while she was here. Enjoy the view. Get some sleep.

Rose peed and washed her hands quickly. She’d told Ash it was okay that Ash was still upset about everything that had happened to her in California. Rose had baggage, too. Like Ty said. That was nothing to be ashamed of, but it was not a reason to quasi-stalk Ash, either. Rose would forgive herself for overreacting. Maybe she’d think about seeing a therapist again. Ty wouldn’t tease her about it. Rose would be back in Portland before midnight. Ash would never know.

Rose pushed the bathroom door open with a paper towel and tossed it in the trash can.

And there was Ash, looking relaxed in baggy cargo pants and a turtleneck sweater. Her hair was loose. Rose covered her mouth as though that might conceal her. Ash looked around like she might be hallucinating.

“What are you doing here?”

Dropping my baggage at your front door.

The world was full of infinite possibilities but none that could explain why Rose was there except the truth.

“I came to check on you.”

“I texted you. I’m fine.”

“I know.”

Ash put two fingers to her forehead, then to her lips, then looked behind her. “You came all the way up here to see if I was all right?”

Rose stared up at the ceiling. “I want to tell you I was in Centralia anyway.

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