28
Tiff
“Ok.Who are you and what have you done with my friend?”Audrey said with a yawn as soon as she opened her door.We had been spending Saturday mornings together for the last few years, but usually, it was Audrey standing at my door with two coffees in hand, and not (to our mutual surprise) the other way around.
Until today.
What could I say?That I’d been having such incredible sex lately that I found myself waking up excited to start every day?
Yeah, even I thought it was ridiculous.
“It’s too early in the morning for jokes.Now, is pretty boy decent, or do I need to walk in blindfolded?”
“Jackson has a shoot this weekend, so he’s already gone.”She ushered me inside with another long yawn.It didn’t take a genius to guess what had kept her up last night.Strange, I was sleeping better than ever lately.
“Damn.Remind me never to become an actor.”
“What are you doing here anyway?I thought I was coming to yours?Not that you’re not welcome, but …” She took a sip of the coffee I offered her.“You’re right; it’s too early.”
“Late night with the fiancé?”
As expected, she blushed.“Something like that.”
“Yeah, okay, let’s get going before I fall asleep.”
I already regretted this.
By our third florist, I was so over hearing the words “floral journey” and “special day” that I was about ready to scream, but I wasn’t here for me (thank fuck), and Auds really did deserve the best, so I bit my tongue and didn’t throw the very perky girl speaking to us into her display of peonies, even if I really, really, wanted to.
“Please tell me that was our last stop,” I asked Audrey as we walked out.
“You’re lucky.I have at least three more to see this afternoon, but Sarah’s going to meet me there.”
I said a silent thank you.Sarah, Audrey’s future sister-in-law, just got bumped up to lifesaver status in my eyes.I’d met her a handful of times in the last year and a bit that Audrey and Jackson had been together, and I was glad we got along, seeing as we were Audrey’s two bridesmaids.
Luckily for me, Sarah also loved weddings and had gladly wanted to share planning duties with me.
“Sorry, Auds.I just don’t know how you do it.”Just because I didn’t get over-excited about this stuff didn’t mean I wanted to ruin the experience for my best friend.
She made a face at me.“Are you kidding?I love having you at these appointments.Just because I’m getting married again doesn’t mean I love all things wedding all of a sudden.”She let out a laugh.“Oh, God, the look on your face when she said ‘authentically organic’!I almost laughed in her face.”
“Fuck, don’t remind me.I mean, what’s the alternative?Falsely organic?I wanted to stuff those damn ranunculus’ down her throat.”
It had been a long morning, and we were now hungry and (in my case) a little hangry, so we treated ourselves and ordered pizza while we settled back at my apartment.
“So, now that you’ve quit, have you started looking for another job, or are you too busy getting busy?”
“Getting busy, Auds?You sound like my mama.”I chuckled before taking a bite.“Actually,” I swallowed, “I was thinking of contacting my friend at The Tribune.”
“Diego, your ex?”Ex was probably a strong term for someone I’d slept with a handful of times a year ago.He was a great guy, and we’d stayed in touch, mostly texting each other gifs and memes every once in a while.
“One and the same.He’s mentioned before that they could use a guest writer for insider tips on where to drink, the industry, at-home recipes, all that.Said I should capitalize on the whole ‘four time bartender of the year’ thing.Figured I could at least do that while I worked out what was next.”
“Do you think he’d still be able to help?”
I devoured another piece, wondering why we hadn’t gotten more than one.I adored leftover pizza, probably more than the fresh stuff.Maybe Sam did have a point about my eating habits.“I can’t see why not.It’s not like we ended badly, and he’s always been a sweetheart.”
“That’s great news, Tiff.And how’s the bar going?”
