“It’s gorgeous,” she said.
We were standing outside on the master suite balcony of the house I was about to purchase. I had returned to Seattle to sign the contract eight days after I’d left. Addie had insisted on meeting me there so I’d asked for an evening appointment to allow us to leave from the house straight to dinner and drinks to celebrate.
The house was stunning, with the same cozy feeling my brownstone in NY had, but airier and with a paler color palette and views across the water.
“You’re gonna need a car,” Addie said as she peeked in the master suite walk-in closet.
“Oh yeah,” I said, wrinkling my nose. I rarely drove these days. Didn’t have much opportunity to do so. In New York I took the subway or cabs, and when I traveled, it was normally for work and a car was provided. “That’s scary to imagine.”
“When was the last time you drove?”
I narrowed my eyes, trying to remember.
“Welp,” she said, laughing. “That’s terrifying. I’ll get you a bus schedule.”
After showing her the house, I sat down with the realtor and signed all the things. An hour later I had my own set of keys. I immediately removed one and handed it to Addie.
“Shall we go celebrate?” she asked.
“Absolutely.”
We walked down the hill to the main drag and wandered up the road to Cactus, a local favorite with fun salads and interesting cocktails.
“How do you feel?” Addie asked, taking a sip of her drink. “Excited? Nervous? Ready to take on Seattle?”
She looked prettier than ever, even with the red scar across her cheek where she’d been stitched up after her accident. Her hair was longer than it normally was, and instead of her usual ponytail, it was loose and flowing over her shoulders.
“I don’t know,” I said, peering at her. “Why do you look so good? Have you been having sex without telling me?”
She laughed and tossed her hair back over her shoulder.
“I think it’s just the scar. It makes me look like a badass. Adds to my mystique.”
“Your veterinarian cat lady mystique?”
“Exactly.”
“You still verbally sparring with Mr. Vet?” I asked, referring to the veterinarian who had helped out with her practice while she was recovering.
She rolled her eyes. “Oh my god. He’s so obnoxious. He’s set up a run/walk along Alki Avenue for people to come with or without dogs, and at the end there’s going to be an mobile adoption bus.”
“And that’s bad why?”
“He just wants to run around shirtless and show off his abs.”
“Again I ask… that’s bad why?”
She glared at me. “It’s gross, that’s why.”
“But if it gets pets adopted.”
“Who are you and what have you done with my friend?”
“I think you like him,” I said. “You never get like this with the guys you actually date, who are certified losers by the way. But men who challenge you… Remember Tom Williams?”
“I’m not listening to you,” she said, lifting her menu up to block my view of her. “And you’re wrong. I think he’s a chauvinistic pig.”
“Mmhmm…”
