I nudge her arm. “Hey,” I say softly.
Her head turns to me and her eyes feel serious. “Hey.”
“Come on, let’s get some fresh air,” I suggest and already slide my body her way, so she has no choice but to slide out of the booth. Everyone seems to be looking between each other, but we keep moving. I follow Abby out to the outside terrace that has heaters, so we don’t need our coats.
Finding a spot at one of the lounge sets, we take a seat. She’s studying me, that’s for sure.
“Help me out here, what have I done? I thought we had a good time the other night.”
She looks away then back at me and a knowing smile forms. “Lucas, we did have a good time, and I hope there is another time. I just didn’t think the next time that I saw you was going to be at the celebration of your divorce being finalized. You know? I don’t think I should be enjoying the celebration that you ended a relationship with someone else. Trust me, I hate that I’m being over-the-top wholesome. It just feels kind of… weird since you will hopefully blow my mind with a kiss soon.”
Ah, I get it. It’s logical. How did I not connect those dots?
But I get side-tracked. “I’ll blow your mind?” I have a cocky grin now.
She laughs slightly. “Maybe.”
I begin to lean in to prove a point. “Let me see if I can.”
Her hand goes up between us. “Not tonight, Lucas. Tonight, you should celebrate with the guys or close one chapter with them. It’s called full closure. I’ve been in your shoes, and tomorrow it will make sense. But for the record, I’m rain checking that kiss,” she assures me with her mouth slanting.
“I’m curious. If my divorce was already finalized the other day… would you have invited me in after dinner?”
Her brows arch. “Whoa, someone is blunt tonight. Uhm, I didn’t think about it. Who said I would have invited you in?” She gives me a quick furrowed look. “But I guess yes. Even though you were separated, I guess that legal finalization is even better to my ears.” Her look is coy.
“It was a hypothetical, and I get what you’re saying.”
“I don’t know what we’re doing. I’m not sure if we are the potential rebounds we both may need or if it’s something else. But I do like whatever it is.” She’s candid, and I admire that a lot. Most women I know struggle to be open and honest without needing encouragement.
I tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “I don’t know either. But I’m hoping I haven’t ruined my chances for date number two.”
She touches my arm. “You haven’t. But for tonight, I am going to go. You should head back in there and have another round with the guys. Then go home and revel in the fact that you are no longer officially someone’s husband. Tomorrow you officially have that new chapter you’ve been waiting for.”
This woman is something magical. The way she explains it.
“Tomorrow night, Abby. I want to see you tomorrow night,” I confirm and warn her.
She smiles and nods. “Looking forward to it, Lucas.”
10
ABBY
Icradle my phone, video calling with my cousin Avery as I sit on my sofa with knees tucked under me. We’d gone on vacation together a few weeks ago, and we catch up as much as we can via text. She is busy in California working in marketing.
“So, is tonight the big date?” Avery flashes her eyes as she stirs a bowl with a wooden spoon.
“It is. Now he is officially divorced.” I almost beam, and I’m questioning if that’s wrong.
“What do you think will happen? First base, or are you going full World Series?” Avery looks at the screen with a grin.
I laugh. “Uhm, probably not World Series. I mean, I want to, but don’t want to rush it. Plus, I wouldn’t want to disappoint him. I mean, it’s not like I have skill.”
“Stop that! You may not have had sexual chemistry with your ex, that’s all. And I kind of assumed that Lucas was just some fun anyways. Thought maybe you would pounce him like a rabbit in spring.” Avery seems almost surprised.
My shoulders shrug. “I don’t know what this is. But I can’t see myself having just a one-night stand with him, plus that isn’t my style. And I run into Lucas all the time. His friends are my friends, small town, the list goes on. I can’t do something to screw that up. No matter what happens, we need to be okay around each other.”
Romeo comes to lay on the sofa, and he rests his head in my lap. I stroke his furry ears as I listen to my cousin.
