AllFreeNovel
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I shake my head, laughing. I came out to grab a few essentials and quick meals, but if Ashley wants coffee, I know the perfect place to grab it. I finish up at the store and check out before loading my car up and maneuvering around town to Second Chance Café. I’m worried it might be awkward since Phoebe turned down my offer, but now that I know why, I do feel a bit better about the whole situation. I won’t press the issue, though. I don’t want to make her more uncomfortable. She’s recently divorced and might not be ready to date, and that’s her prerogative. We can be friends.
The place is busy as hell, per usual, but most of the patrons are already holding drinks. As I ease through the crowd to the counter, Phoebe pops up from the minifridge, her hair up in a messy ponytail. As she grinds beans and steams milk, I can’t take my eyes off her. The way she moves with ease, fast as lightning while always getting the drinks right—it’s like an art, and damn, she’s quite the artist. She spots me when she hands another guy his drink, and her cheeks flush as she smiles at me and comes over.
“Hey, you.” I flash a smile at her. “How’s it going?”
“Busy.” She nods with a grin. “How are you? How’s dad life treating you?”
“Well, so far so good. She’s already got all of us wrapped around her finger.”
“That doesn’t surprise me in the least. Babies are good at that.”
We stare at each other for a moment, and it’s as if a million words pass between us, but neither of us is brave enough to put them out there.
“So, what can I get for you?”
“An iced dirty chai. Biggest cup you have, light ice.”
“Oh, that’s a new one.” She grabs a cup and gets to work.
“Not for me. Ashley’s in need of caffeine, apparently.”
“I’m sure she is.” Phoebe shudders. “Postpartum life is rough.”
“So since you know that I’m not a philandering piece of shit, could I take you out to dinner tomorrow night?” I blurt out, and I could practically kick myself. I had every intention of being a gentleman and not pushing her.
“Oh, Isaac.” She sighs, her face falling.
“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have—”
“No, it’s not that. I…” She shakes her head, closing her eyes as if she’s frustrated. “I’ve been on this dating app, and I matched with someone. I already agreed to go out with him tomorrow.”
“Oh.” I clear my throat, taking Ashley’s drink as Phoebe hands it to me. “Okay, great. That’s fantastic.” My enthusiasm is obviously fake and overdone, but I don’t know how else to respond. And I shouldn’t be surprised someone else asked her out, or that she’s been on apps. I have no right to care anyway. We had no arrangement.
I’m just a little disappointed that I wasn’t clearer about my situation in the first place. That could have made all the difference in the world.
NINE
“I look absolutely ridiculous.” I examine my reflection, wrinkling my nose at the way Amber’s clothes fit me. I glance over my shoulder at Amber sprawled across my bed, leaving barely any space for our friend Rachel. “Won’t you scoot over so Rachel doesn’t have to hang her ass halfway off the bed?”
Amber groans as she moves, and Rachel props up on my pillows.
“I warned you that you’d hate my clothes,” Amber comments. “I don’t know why you didn’t listen.”
“Everything is just…” I blow a raspberry, smoothing the clothes over my hips again. “I guess I’m too old.”
“Phoebe, you’re only like, five years older than me,” Amber replies pointedly. “Now, tell us about the guy again.”
“Um, well…I really don’t remember much.” I cringe at my admission.
“You’ve talked some, right?” Rachel glances up from her word search app. It’s her new hobby. She and her grandfather play against each other, and it’s a fierce rivalry.
“I know, but listen, okay? I keep thinking about…other stuff,” I say, Isaac’s blue eyes and tousled hair appearing in my mind.
I strip off the dress before throwing myself across the foot of my bed. “I’ll just go in my bra and panties. That’s what he’s probably wanting to see anyway.”
My voice is muffled by the comforter, but they still must understand me, because both of my friends start laughing. Their giggles are contagious, and the mirth fills my chest as well, until I can’t hold back my chuckles. “This is ridiculous, right? I shouldn’t be fretting like some teenager. Throw me a pillow.”
Rachel tosses me one, and I bundle it up until it’s the perfect shape, then rest my head on it, facing the girls.
