Is that so?
I pat myself on the back for that one. I’d never be caught dead saying something like this when Andrew and I were dating. He would’ve thought it was inappropriate. It amazes me that I spent three years with someone who was so mind numbingly dull. Flirting with Ford is fun and carefree. All I’ve wanted since moving here was to regain the pieces of me that were chipped away in that relationship. My spark went out when I was with Andrew and in just a few interactions, Ford has helped me feel like I’m slowly getting it back.
* * *
As I’m walking out for the day, there’s a text from Summer saying she’s here, I guess Chase let her in while he was home. Once I get to the apartment and call out her name, she comes running from my bedroom and jumps into my arms.
“Oh my gosh, it feels like it’s been forever!” she squeals as she wraps me in the biggest hug. Inhaling her beachy scent makes me feel right at home. She’s been my best friend since we were five. Literally, in kindergarten we picked each other as friends and just never stopped. We’ve been inseparable ever since. My eyes water a little at the thought of getting to spend time with her this weekend.
“I’m so happy you’re here!”
She sees my eyes and points a finger at me. “None of that.” She laughs as hers start to water too. “Tell me everything! I made margaritas and obviously there are chips and salsa. I also stopped for some queso and things for you to make your famous guacamole. When I showed up with groceries, Chase probably thought he was getting another roommate.”
We can eat our weight in chips with salsa, queso and guacamole. It’s like our comfort snack, no girls’ night is complete without it and that’s exactly what we’re having tonight.
I change into an oversized t-shirt and throw on some bike shorts to get comfortable. Summer and I have been planning this weekend for the last two days and we decided tonight is a comfy night in, with junk food, margaritas and reruns of New Girl. We both sit at the island in the kitchen eating and talking, while I’m telling her about the last couple weeks of school and how I’m loving my students and all of the staff. It’s so different from teaching in Miami, but in the best way.
“I’m so glad. As much as it sucks not having you so close, you needed this. Selfishly, I want to throw you in my car and take you back to South Beach with me though.” Summer laughs as she takes a sip from her strawberry margarita.
“Did you ever end up going on that date last weekend?” Summer goes on more dates than anyone I’ve ever met, but not much ever comes from them. She’s so picky it’s ridiculous, but also admirable. Girl knows what she wants.
“Yeah, it was fine. He was nice, but that was it. I’m waiting for someone who gives me a little more fire,” she says with a little eyebrow wiggle.
“Okay, whatever that means.” I get up and refill my glass from the pitcher we made earlier and shove some chips in my mouth.
Summer looks over at me from the living room. “You know, I just need tofeelsomething. I want butterflies, the intense heat. I want to feel that connection. I’m going to need more than just a nice guy. You know, like Mary Kate and Ashley said…”
“That can’t eat, can’t sleep, reach for the stars, over the fence, world series kind of stuff,” we both say in unison. Our love for the Olsen twins runs deep.
She deserves all of that and more. Any man would be lucky to have Summer Kincaid on their arm. I’ve always admired the way Summer doesn’t settle, and not just with men, but in life in general. She knows what she deserves and she doesn’t let anyone tell her otherwise.
“I get it.” I sigh, making my way back into the living room and placing my drink and a fresh bowl of chips on the coffee table. Somehow my mind goes to Ford. “Speaking of men, it turns out Chase does have some hot teammates after all…” I trail off shyly.
“Abigail, do tell!” Summer sits up on her knees and sips her drink while she eyes me, waiting for more information.
“I don’t even know what happened. When Chase had that poker night a while ago, his friends came over, one of them is Ford Anderson. I knew he was on the same team as him, but it didn’t dawn on me that they would actually be friends, good friends who hang out.” I flick my hand in the air and get more comfortable on the floor.
“Anderson. Okay. number eighty-seven. He’s hot,” Summer says. She actually does know a lot about football surprisingly. Most likely it’s because her dad wished she was a boy for the longest time and made her play every sport known to man before he finally realized she was more into ballet and barbies.
“Yeah, that’s an understatement. The first night we met, Sum, I felt all the butterflies, we couldn’t stop stealing glances at one another.” Summer’s eyes widen and she presses her lips together waiting for more. “Then we bumped into each other a few weeks later while we were both out for a run and the next thing I knew, we were grabbing coffee together and walking around downtown, literally all afternoon. Oh, and he works with kids at this youth center here too,” I say, throwing my head back on the couch behind me.
“Oh my God, that makes him ten times hotter.”
“Obviously,” I groan. “But then…” Before I’m able to continue I hear the front door start to open. I look at Summer and quickly say, “Between us. Chase knows nothing.” She nods and we both stand up and walk into the kitchen.
Like two little girls with a secret, Summer and I walk into the kitchen with our lips pressed in a line, hiding the smirks on our faces. Chase looks tired, actually he looks more annoyed than anything else. Summer notices too.
“Have a margarita, Chase, it’ll take the edge off.” Summer tries to pour him one before he holds his hand up.
“No, thanks. I’m going to Nate’s actually. So, I’ll be there for a bit tonight if you need me.” My thoughts go to Ford. I’m sure he’ll be there too then, right? Chase walks into his room and closes the door behind him.
“Does that meanhe’llbe there too?” Summer questions as if she just read my thoughts. I laugh and roll my eyes at that.
Part of me wants to text Ford again, but there’s no real reason to. Other than the fact that I actually liked talking to him and flirting with him. This is what happens. When I meet a guy and we hit it off, I become utterly engrossed in everything aboutthemand ignore everything aboutme. Tonight is about me and my best friend and that’s the way it’s staying.
“Alright, I’m heading out,” Chase says from the kitchen. Summer and I are laying on either end of the couch with our feet meeting in the middle eating empanadas and tortilla chips.
“Don’t make a mess on my couch, you two,” he scolds us like kids while we stuff our faces. Summer puts her food on the coffee table and gets up to go into the kitchen where Chase is.
