“It’s an Irish pub, so you’ll feel right at home,” I say to Brodie when we start walking again.His laugh draws Drew’s attention, and she grins as she glances between us.
The pub is noisy and crowded, as expected, but the conversation flows easily between the four of us.I learn that Brent and Brodie met last year during Frosh Week, and that Brent is majoring in civil engineering, while Brodie’s focus is business studies.We tell them about the fun we had running around the city this summer, and how it’s been an adjustment going from dorm life to living in a rental house with Fern and an Italian girl named Paola, who keeps mostly to herself.
Brodie is sweet, funny, and smart, and I’m not the only one who seems to notice.Throughout the evening, I catch Drew looking at him with a curious light in her eyes.She even blushes more than once under his attention, and I don’t remembereverseeing my best friend blush before.I also can’t help noticing the way Brodie’s gaze lingers on Drew or the small smile he wears while she’s speaking.
When we’ve finished eating, Brent excuses himself to use the washroom.Drew and Brodie fall into an animated conversation aboutDoctor Whoand how they felt about David Tennant leaving earlier this year and being replaced by Matt Smith.I sit back in my seat and watch in amused silence as I sip my cider.
Neither of them notice when Brent returns to the table.He hovers beside his chair for a moment, looking between them.As he slides into his seat, he meets my eyes and offers me a resigned half smile.
“I think the wrong two people are on a date tonight,” he says without any preamble.
“What do you mean?”Drew asks at the same time as Brodie says, “I have to agree.”
Drew is silent for a few beats before she breaks into delighted laughter.I echo it as I pat Brodie on the shoulder, impressed that he didn’t beat around the bush.I shoot Brent a sympathetic smile, and he gives a one-shouldered shrug as if to say ‘what are you gonna do?’
Brent offers to walk me home so Drew and Brodie can have some time alone, but Drew suggests the four of us get ice cream down the street and hang out for a bit longer.
Despite the noise in the pub, I’m highly attuned to Drew, so I don’t miss her quiet apology to Brent as he helps her into the cardigan she discarded partway through dinner.
“No hard feelings,” Brent says.“Brodie’s the best person I know.”
Brodie shifts at my side, drawing my attention.“I know we were sort of just along for the ride tonight and not on a date, but I hope you don’t think I’m awful.”
Something tells me I could never think of Brodie as awful, but I hesitate to admit that to someone I’ve just met.Especially when that someone is interested in the person I love most in the world.“How about I reserve judgement until we see how things progress between you and Drew?”I suggest, pleased with the way his face relaxes.“Do I need to give you the speech about ‘if you hurt her...’et cetera, et cetera?”
He chuckles.“Let’s say you did, and I promise to bear it in mind.”
When the four of us walk home a while later, our positions from earlier are reversed: Drew and Brodie walk in front, with Brent and me following a few feet behind.The two of them move closer together until their shoulders brush as they walk.If they weren’t both holding cups of ice cream, I have a feeling they’d be holding hands.
Part of me wishes I were attracted to Brent, especially considering he’s quite possibly the most emotionally mature guy I’ve ever met.Despite that, there’s no spark between us.Hopefully we can at least be friends, especially if Drew and Brodie start dating.
When we reach our house, it’s obvious the two lovebirds aren’t ready to say good night, so I invite Brent inside to hang out.He thanks me, but says he’s going to head home since they just live two streets down from us.As he hugs Drew goodbye, they have a murmured conversation I do my best not to eavesdrop on.
Brent surprises me with a hug after Drew and Brodie move off to sit on the porch.“Save me a dance at their wedding, will you?”he asks as he pulls away.“I assume I’ll be the best man and you’ll be the maid of honour.”
“Naturally,” I agree.“How do you feel about a choreographed entrance dance with all the attendants?”
He lets out a long, low laugh.“I’ll start putting together a list of songs to run by you.Good night, Abby.”He kisses my cheek and walks away.
Inside the house, I find Fern stretched out on the couch, surrounded by balls of yarn.Crocheting is her latest hobby in a long line of hobbies.Before that, it was pottery, and beforethat,it was scrapbooking.Despite a rocky start filled with a lot of frustrated, colourful swearing, she’s developed a knack for crocheting and has made a variety of hats, scarves, and even little animals.
“Hey, girly,” she says when she sees me.“How was the group date?”
“Oh, you know, the usual: cute boys, dinner, ice cream.Pretty sure Drew met her soulmate tonight.”
Fern drops the ball of bright blue yarn in her hands, and it rolls across the floor.“Come again?”
I explain what happened, then add, “Drew and Brodie are outside now.They weren’t ready to call it a night.”
“I have to see this!”She jumps off the couch and dashes out of the room.I follow, half expecting her to be at the front door, ready to burst outside, but she’s at the window overlooking the porch.
I peek over her shoulder.It takes my eyes a minute to adjust to the dark.When they do, I see Drew and Brodie crowded into the largest of the three outdoor chairs.He’s got an arm around her shoulders and is playing with her hair, while one of her hands rests on the centre of his chest.I can hear the low hum of Brodie’s deep voice through the old windows, followed by Drew’s laugh.
The scene causes a wistful sigh to escape me.Fern gives me a questioning look, but before she can say anything, I wrap my arm around her and steer her back toward the living room.“Why don’t you show me your latest creation?”
