Page 132 of Stay With Me

“Yeah, actually, there is. It’s new, but...she’s the one,” I say confidently.

“Really?” Marissa’s whole face lights up. “That’s so great.”

“Happy for you,” William says. “What’s her name?”

“Magnolia.” Saying her name aloud makes me chuckle because of how rarely I do say it. “But I call her Sunny. It’s our little inside nickname.”

“Sutherland?” Marissa asks.

I nod as I add more food to my plate. “Yeah, my sister’s best friend.”

“Oh, she’s lovely. I stop by her coffee shop every Saturday at the farmer’s market.” Marissa smiles. “You picked a good one.”

“Yeah, I did.” I can’t stop grinning as I think about her. We made plans for her to come over tonight, which is much needed after an emotional day. “I think Billy would give me so much shit for finally admitting I liked her after all these years.”

“I’m sure he would, too.” William smirks.

As we continue to eat, we discuss the recent crime sprees intown, share a few memories of Billy that pop up, and, overall, enjoy each other’s company. This has been our tradition for years, long before he died. Every birthday, he’d invite me over for dinner with his parents, and after he passed, I didn’t want his parents to spend it alone. So I continued to show up, bring cake, flowers, and balloons, and for a couple of hours, we sit, eat, and catch up.

Honestly, it’s kind of nice. A day just for Billy. William and Marissa have always welcomed me into their home and treated me like their second son. It’s one of the perks of growing up in a small town and having the same best friend since kindergarten. Your parents become theirs and vice versa.

“How’re your folks?” William asks when we move to dessert.

“Great. Stayin’ busy as usual. Already eager for the next wedding.”

“Noah’s was so beautiful. It was a lovely day.” Marissa grins, but there’s a hint of sadness behind her eyes. She’ll never get to experience that as a mother.

“Yeah, it was. My sister just got home from her honeymoon a couple of days ago.”

“Where’d they go?” she asks.

“Honestly, I’m not even sure. Some remote island where they had to disconnect and just...I dunno, drink and explore? I’m sure she’ll tell us all about it tomorrow at Thanksgiving.”

“Oh, how nice. I’ve always wanted to travel, but well, I can’t go alone.”

William keeps his head down.

“What about takin’ a friend?” I suggest.

“Maybe one day. Right now, my job and takin’ care of the home keeps me plenty busy.”

I don’t want to push it, so I nod and take another bite of my cake.

Once we’re finished eating, Marissa brings out the photo albums like she does every year. Billy was their only child, so there are hundreds of pictures. We flip through every single page, reminisce, and share stories we’ve told dozens of times before, butit never gets old. Keeping his memory alive is what helps us get through the years without him.

“Thanks again for lunch.” I hug Marissa at the door. “Remember there’s an open invitation for y’all to come stay at the retreat anytime. Landen and I will take you horseback riding up the mountain and tell you all the dumb shit we did with Billy up there.”

“Tripp Hollis!”

“We were kids!” I laugh when her jaw drops.

“Well, I’d love that. Maybe in the spring,” she says.

“Sounds great. Just let me know.”

Then I shake William’s hand, give Marissa one more side hug, and walk out to my truck feeling a tad lighter than when I came here.

Every year after I have lunch with his parents, I drive to his gravesite and then tell him all about it. I like to imagine him waiting for me, ready to hear about the new town gossip.