EventhoughitwasMarch, winter had given way to an early spring.It appeared for once that the groundhog not seeing his shadow was right.
Abby couldn’t say she was disappointed.By this point, she was over the snow and the ice.It was time for sunshine and warm weather.
It felt like months since she’d last seen Brad, but in reality, it had been less than three weeks.She remembered how he let her win the inner tube race so he could buy her lunch.She couldn’t even remember what she’d ordered to eat.
She just remembered staring across the table at him while they’d talked about their childhoods.There wasn’t anything too serious about the conversation.It was just tidbits of their pasts.They compared and contrasted their youths.
And now they were back to texting each other.Only now they were messaging each other daily.There were good morning, how’s your day going, and goodnight messages.She found herself smiling each time she heard from him.
As she sat in her office, she opened the desk drawer and saw the airline gift card Brad had given her.She was so tempted to use it.
Ding.
She picked up her phone and looked at the message.
Brad:Happy St.Patrick’s Day!
Abby:Are you wearing green?
Brad:I’m not Irish.
Abby:Are you sure?You might have an Irish ancestor.
Brad:You have a point.Should I go home and change clothes?
Abby smiled:Just get a green drink at lunchtime.
It was when they were communicating like this that she missed him most.She realized that was silly because there was no way this relationship was going to go anywhere.His work was in Chicago, and her entire life was in Bayberry.
She pushed aside those worries.They were friends.Then she recalled the kisses.Okay.Maybe a little more than friends, but she didn’t want to be hemmed in by titles.
Brad:Any chance you want to come visit?
Abby:I was just thinking about it.
Brad:You were?Great.When?Tomorrow?
Abby:*laughing emoji* I don’t even have a ticket yet.
She’d given it a lot of thought, and she had enough points on her credit card for a couple free nights at a hotel.She should have booked the trip by now except every time she thought about it, she thought of her ex.
The last time she went to visit Dave, she’d decided to surprise him.It turned out the surprise was on her when she found him with his other girlfriend.
But this was different.Brad was actively trying to get her to visit whereas Dave never showed any interest in her visiting.In fact, he actually discouraged her from visiting.She hadn’t thought much of it at the time, but now she realized Dave was worried about her messing up his setup—a woman waiting for him in both towns.She had been such a fool.
Brad:Abby, are you still there?
Abby:Yes.Sorry.
Brad:Why don’t you come next weekend?
She liked the idea.She really did.But it seemed so soon, and she still had arrangements to make for the coffeeshop and stuff.
Brad:I can hear your mind clicking with all the reasons to turn down my offer.
She smiled.It seemed he knew her better than she’d imagined.Maybe this trip was a good idea.She could use a little down time.
Abby:Okay.I’ll see what I can work out.
