Free Winter Jacket: Finding Home by Eliza Lentzski

sizzling over the open flames, and my stomach nearly growled in response.
    “She hates that kind of stuff,” Troian noted. “She might look like an angel, but it’s all a front. That girl can only wear a fake smile for so long before she starts knocking heads together.”
    Nikole smiled and shrugged because Troian spoke the truth. She’d always been better with plants than with people. She had tolerance for weeds and misplaced flowers, but not so much for stupid people.
    “So you expect me to not only make small talk with strangers, but to do that in my bikini?” I deadpanned.
    “I said nothing about bikinis,” Troian retorted. “You’re the one so eager to take off your clothes. Geez, Bookie,” she said with mock disapproval. “What would Hunter stay?”
    “Speaking of Hunter,” I said, ignoring Troian’s attempt to be funny, “I should probably call her and check in before she goes to work.”
    Troian made a noise like a whip cracking, but I was used to her antics. I excused myself and went back inside for privacy. I didn’t venture far though and called Hunter from the kitchen. When she answered the phone, I could hear the sounds of traffic in the background.
    “Hey, babe,” she answered cheerfully. “How was your first day at work?”
    “Overwhelming,” I admitted, “but I’ll get the hang of it in time.”
    “That’s a good attitude,” she remarked.
    “I don’t think I have a choice in that.” I leaned against the kitchen countertop. “It’s either sink or swim out here.”
    “Do you really think Troian would fire you if you don’t do a good job?”
    “Her neck is on the line, too. She’s on a talent contract with the studio, so if this show tanks, she’ll still have a job. But nobody likes to fail even if they have a safety net.”
    I was in the same boat; if script writing didn’t work out for me, my job at the university was waiting for me, along with my girlfriend and my unaffectionate cat. But I wanted to return to my old life knowing I had succeeded at something else, not go back because of failure and necessity. 
    “That’s true,” Hunter mused. “Listen, babe, I really wish I could talk more, but I’m just driving up to work right now.”
    “I figured that,” I frowned.
    It was two hours later in Minnesota, but because of her unorthodox hours at the hospital she was usually on her way to work just as my day was ending. It hadn’t been a challenge to see each other over the summer because of the flexibility of my schedule, but with me in California, we would have to make a concerted effort to find time to talk if she continued to work second or third shift.
    “I’ll call you when I get a break though,” she promised. “I want to hear all about your exciting first day. Every boring detail.”
    “Sounds like a plan. I’ll be sure to be extra boring.”
    “I can’t wait.” I heard her car turn off and the chime of keys still in the ignition. “I’m glad to hear it went well though. I’m proud of you.”
    When I returned out to the balcony, Nikole continued to tend to dinner on the grill and Troian was at the patio table, with her phone inches from her nose. I handed Nikole a bottle of beer that I’d found in the refrigerator.
    “You’re an angel,” she smiled. We clicked bottles together.
    “How’s Hunter?” Troian asked. “Still wanting to punch me?”
    I wrinkled my nose and took a pull from my beer. “You’re not going to let that drop, are you?”
    “Nope,” she said, not looking away from her phone.
    Ignored by Troian, I returned my attention to Nikole. “How is wedding planning going? I got the save the date right before I left Minnesota.”
    “Slow,” she frowned. “It would be easier if we were having the wedding back in Minnesota because I’d be more familiar with the vendors. But I’ve been informed that we have to have a California wedding because Troi can’t take the time off.”
    “Well, if you need help with anything, let me