“I’ve never been to Argentina, but I’ve always wanted to go,” Ellis said.
James gasped. “We should go!”
“You should,” Freddie said, nodding. “I’m a big proponent of travel. It helps you figure out who you are and what you want.”
And become everything you promised you never wanted to be, too, she thought.
He didn’t owe her anything. He could do whatever he wanted with his life. That’s what the rational side of her brain said, anyway. But in her chest, the frustration and disappointment couldn’t let her forget how he used to rail against conformity, how he swore over and over again that he would never put on a suit or show up to a nine-to-five job. She suddenly wanted to shed her meticulousexterior just to remind him, to let everyone know exactly what she thought of this new version of Freddie Wentworth.
Instead, she just took a deep sip of her soda water and started looking for the bartender again.
Cricket leaned into Freddie’s side. “And did you figure out what you want?”
Freddie smiled again. “Well, I got to watch my dreams become a reality on a scale I never thought possible, so I think that’s pretty close.”
You’re welcome, Anne thought. Yes, it was petty—he still didn’t know she broke up with him so he wouldn’t lose that opportunity to begin with—but after eight years and a blocked number, she was allowed a moment of petty.
Cricket exchanged a blatant look with James, and they both smiled.
“Okay, why don’t we give Freddie a break,” Ellis interrupted, giving his sister a critical glare like he knew exactly what she was up to.
“Fine,” James said, and exhaled a long sigh. “Cricks, tell everyone about this fabulous costume. How did you get that body paint all over you?”
There was another coy smile on her lips as she responded, her body angled to favor Freddie’s. Anne forced a smile, trying to listen as her friend launched into the detailed history of her silver body glitter, and how she brought her character into the modern world.
Other actors came by and there was more small talk about the play, and Anne did her best to listen and be present. But she couldn’t stop counting down the minutes until she could politely excuse herself and go home.
“Another round?” James announced a half hour later, waving at the bartender.
“Absolutely not,” Ellis said, pulling James’s arm down. “Some of us have to get up early for work. And you had that Pilates class you wanted to try tomorrow. Remember?”
“Oh, right,” James acquiesced with a loud sigh. “Pilates.”
“I should head home, too,” Anne said, already reaching for her coat and bag. She was surprised when she heard Freddie’s voice.
“Me, too,” he said.
“But the theater never sleeps!” Cricket exclaimed with a giggle, holding her arms out wide and almost spilling her drink over two castmates standing nearby.
“Yeah!” James exclaimed, looking around like he expected the rest of the bar to join in his enthusiasm.
Freddie chuckled to himself. “But unfortunately, I need to. I have a work meeting tomorrow.”
James’s expression fell. “Well, that’s fucking boring.”
“Okay. Time to go,” Ellis said, taking the drink from his husband’s hand and putting it on the bar.
The cold night air felt good against Anne’s flushed cheeks as they stepped out onto the sidewalk. She inhaled deeply, letting the others continue their conversation.
You’re almost there, she thought to herself.Just remember: In less than twenty minutes, you’ll be in bed watching season three ofGilmore Girls.
“I’ll get us a couple of cars,” Freddie said, pulling his phone from his coat pocket.
“No way.” Cricket scoffed, looping her arm with his as she turned toward the Avenue. “We’re New Yorkers! We should take the subway! It isn’t that far, come on!”
She was already marching forward with Freddie in tow before anyone could argue.
“Oh God, please tell me we’re not going to Penn Station. Lasttime I was there I had night terrors for a week,” James moaned, falling in step behind them.
