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“I’ll behave myself,” he said and nodded a hello to Dr. Van Sant who, at that moment, was packing up his belongings.
Simone worried her bottom lip. “I can come back…”
He waved his hand before standing. “We were just finishing up.”
I looked at the clock and saw that our session only started twenty minutes ago. Which begged the question:
What was wrong with Dr. Van Sant?
I was wondering if it was the fact that our sessions had been interrupted, but I had no idea Simone was coming over. Did I do something wrong? I wondered as he was getting ready to leave. His brow was furrowed as though he was contemplating something, and the nosy part of me wanted to ask him what it was. I liked to think that I had a good relationship with my doctor, but as he left with a swift goodbye, I began to doubt myself.
Too bad I didn’t have time to think too much about it because Simone was calling my name and asking if I’d help peel the potatoes.
I wasn’t stupid, it was obvious that something was brewing between Robbie and Simone. Sly looks and small gestures couldn’t hide the fact that something was going on and neither of them wanted me to know.
I wasn’t angry. I actually thought it was sweet that they were being so considerate in not wanting to hurt me. But I was hoping one of them would bring it up so that I didn’t have to. I’d move out eventually and I hated the thought of Robbie being alone again. He was one of the best people I knew and he deserved to share a life with someone, and I didn’t mind if that someone was Simone. Hell, I’d be happy if that someone was Simone. They were two of my favorite people and if they got together my heart would actually probably definitely explode.
“So,” I started as I sidled up next to Simone at the kitchen counter. She handed over the bag of potatoes and pe
eler before turning her attention to the stove.
“You going to finish that sentence, babe?” she laughed.
I nodded my head even though she couldn’t see me, chewing my bottom lip before clearing my throat. “You and Robbie seem to be hanging out a lot. How’s that going?”
If I wasn’t paying close attention, I never would have seen the slight pause in her movements. But I did see it and it gave me the answer I knew to be true.
“Fine. He’s a good friend,” she finally responded.
We worked together in silence for a few minutes with her humming a tune and me peeling potatoes. I was trying to figure out how to approach her, which angle to play. I truthfully thought that my best friend and brother would be a great match, and I definitely didn’t want them to feel like they needed to keep it from me. I was more than supportive of the idea, but I didn’t want them to tiptoe around me.
“You guys are a thing, right?” I finally asked, unable to take the silence any longer.
“I really have no idea what you’re talking about.”
I rolled my eyes. “Simone.”
“Abby, come on. Don’t be ridiculous. We’re… friends. That’s it. Friends.”
After three failed attempts at trying to get my best friend to open up, I gave up and left her alone in the kitchen to finish making mashed potatoes.
Frustrated that they were both denying whatever was going on, I put my hands on my hips and stomped towards the back door, the squeaky hinges alerting Robbie that he was no longer alone.
“You know I wouldn’t care, right?” I asked as I walked over to him while he stood at the grill and poked at steaks that looked so good my mouth was watering.
“Wouldn’t care about what?” he asked and closed the top on the grill and ran his fingers through his thick hair before piling it all up on his head.
I plopped down into one of the chairs and handed him a beer as he came to stand in front of me. “About you and Simone.”
Something clanged loudly in the kitchen and we both jumped, startled. But it was only me who took the hint that she was listening to the conversation. Simone may be a hippy, but she was nosy to boot.
“There’s nothing going on between me and Simone,” he said sternly.
“Yes, there is,” I responded easily before laughing softly and leaning back in the chair, closing my eyes and letting the rest of the afternoon warm me from the outside in. “I just don’t know why you won’t admit it to me. You’re both about as subtle as a gun and I’ve seen the way you look at her,”
“Abbigail,” he was speaking through gritted teeth. “She’s your best friend. Drop it.”
I opened one eye and frowned. “That’s what’s keeping you two from dating? Seriously? Jesus. Robbie, I’m all for you dating someone, especially my best friend. You guys would be perfect together and-”
