6. Abby
Abby
I look out at the water while drinking my coffee, and I feel at home.
Although I didn’t have much to unpack compared to most, it still felt like I took forever to get things out of boxes.
Time has flown and I’ve now been here nearly six weeks.
The moment I stepped foot on Boston soil, I felt like my heart was home.
As I was boarding my plane the night of my flight, I was nervous.
Marissa had to talk me down off the ledge multiple times, making sure I made it on the plane when I was at the airport.
I remember at one point; she even had me FaceTime to ensure I truly sat in my seat.
But when I looked out my window as we made the descent into Boston, it felt like all the nerves dwindled, and my heart was beating for my beautiful city again.
My phone rings, and I smile the moment I hear the ringtone. “Hey Lover” by LL Cool J ricochets off the walls of my new apartment. Without looking down at my phone I know Marissa’s voice will grace me the second I hit accept.
“How’s my little Bostonian doing now that she’s back in her neck of the woods?” Marissa starts without a hello.
I laugh because she always gets me to smile.
“I’m well. You know you don’t have to ask me that each time you call.
I’ve been back a while now. How are you?
” I’ve settled in nicely now that all the boxes are finally unpacked, and I know where everything is.
It took me a while to remember where I stashed all my things after throwing the final few items in any spare space I could find.
I got antsy when I kept putting off the last boxes in the corner and gave in to simply throwing items into the cabinets where I had space.
I’ll admit I haven’t ventured out much aside from a few strolls outside and getting groceries at some nearby markets.
Luckily, I haven’t run into anyone I know yet, but I know it’s only a matter of time.
I didn’t tell any of my friends out here that I moved back to the city.
I’m walking through the hallway, taking note of the ugly-ass picture Marissa painted on that last night we went out.
“This painting of yours is an eyesore, by the way. But it somehow brings the whole apartment together, I’ll have you know.” I chuckle into the phone.
“Oh, I bet you miss me each time you pass it.” She laughs.
“You know I do. It’s the best housewarming gift you could have given me.” I make my way to the kitchen to retrieve my second cup of coffee for the day.
“Well, you know me, I always like to be a little different with my housewarming gifts,” she says. “But that’s not my housewarming gift this time around.”
I think back to one of the gifts she sent us in the past. She mailed Clay and me a large pillow with a picture of herself on it for us to put in our first apartment together before we got married.
It was the ugliest selfie, displaying a clay mask and alien headband.
It legit made us jump anytime we moved it throughout the house.
Clay got a kick moving that pillow all over the place just to see me lose it each time I’d walk into a room.
“Oh, I can’t wait to see what amazing item you’re adding to my new place.” Maybe it’s a life-size cutout of Matt Damon or something.
“Here’s the thing. It’s not quite an item but an experience,” she says hesitantly.
“I will not go skydiving, Marissa. Absolutely not!” She tried to get me to do it once, and I swear, as much as I love her, I refuse to do it.
“No, not that. You think I’d miss watching you jump out of a plane and not be there to witness that?
Come on! No, this one you have to agree to before I tell you what it is, but remember, life is short, and we have to live life to the fullest. Also, remember how awesome your best friend is and that you moved back to your favorite city because I convinced you to. ”
“Oh yes, you are the best, oh wise one,” I tell her, laughing between sips of coffee.
“So, you agree to my gift?” The way she sounds, I know she’s up to something, but my curiosity is piqued.
“Yeah, sure, why not?” I mean, really, how bad could it be ?
“Great! You’re all settled, right?” she asks.
“Yep. Finally, no more boxes now. Free as a bird. No plans this weekend either. What’s up?” Oh, I hope it’s one of those ice cream deliveries or something.
“Perfect! Well, be ready at five p.m. tomorrow in your best dress. Wear makeup and heels! Because you’re going on a date, my friend!”
What. The. Actual. Fuck?
“NO! Marissa. Absolutely. Not. Fuck no! I’m sick.” I begin coughing to play it off.
“Nope. Too late. It’s happening. I already set off the bat signal. Love you so much. I have to go. There will be consequences, and it will involve a plane and you jumping out of one if I hear you aren’t ready when said date shows up at your door. So I highly recommend you do option A. Toodles.”
I’m about to argue when she hangs up. Fucking ass.
First line of business: Find a new best friend. In Boston.
“Oh, that one is super cute. I love it!” Hilary compliments me through FaceTime. My brother’s wife is one of the sweetest people I’ve met, and I’m currently putting her at the top of my list as a contender for the best friend position after Marissa gets fired.
“This is a horrible idea. I mean, what was Marissa thinking?” I’m going to break out in hives with how nervous I am, and my date is supposed to be here in ten minutes. Also, I have no idea who he is, what he looks like, or what his name is.
Marissa gave me explicit instructions that she would give me his name right when he’s about to ring the doorbell because she’s trying to keep the element of surprise. I swear she’s driving me nuts.
“I think this is so romantic. What if this is the most amazing meet-cute you’ve ever seen? Right, honey?” She looks past me on the screen to who I assume is my brother. “I mean, this could be a rom-com, don’t you think, Frank?”
I swear she has hearts in her eyes. My brother met his wife on a flight while traveling for work. Talk about a meet-cute of epic proportions. I still can’t believe it. She got transferred to New York for work, and they’ve been there ever since.
Well, romantic or not, I’m going to get an ulcer before the night is over, and I’m going to lose my mind.
“This is awful, Hilary. What if I throw up on his shoes? What if he’s the worst? What if he’s boring? What if?—”
“Oh my gosh, Abby, stop! There are so many what-ifs you could list, but you will never know if you don’t try. Just go have fun. Either way, you get a free meal. Enjoy that aspect,” my brother chimes in.
Both Hilary and I roll our eyes. Men don’t get it. There’s an emotional component to all this he just doesn’t understand, but at the same time, I know he doesn’t mean anything by it, so I’m going to let it slide for now. I think he’s just bitter that I’m going on a date, and it’s not with Clay.
Right then, the pieces start to fall into place. Oh shit. What if this is all a ruse, and this date is with Clay? Fuck! What if Marissa set this up with Clay, and she’s playing a trick on me? Now I’m really going to be ill.
A knock on my door sounds, and my eyes nearly bug out of my head. I whip my head toward my phone to look at Hilary, and she starts laughing. Is he early?
“It’s going to be okay. You’re either going to have the best time or the best story. Promise me you’ll call. Either way, you look hot!” she whispers as she blows kisses to me while my brother whisper-yells in the background to be safe and she hangs up.
I smooth my hand down my dress and look back at my phone. The text from Marissa says the person I’m going on a date with is named Tucker.
The moment I read the name, I can’t help but recognize it. Why does that name sound familiar? And in the same instance, a pang of disappointment hits me that the name she mentions isn’t Clay.
I hear another knock on my door, so I move quickly to answer it. I swing it open and find a large, burly man with a thick red beard and forest-green eyes. Now I know why the name looks familiar because I’ve met him before. Shit! He’s a fucking firefighter.
Damnit, Marissa! She set me up with someone from one of the firehouses in Boston.
He doesn’t work in Clay’s firehouse, but these guys all know of one another, and there is no way Clay won’t find out about this through the grapevine.
This is already a disaster, and we haven’t even spoken one word to each other.
“Hey. Abby, right? I’m Tucker. But everyone calls me Malloy.” He smiles and extends his hand toward me.
I’m standing in my doorway, stunned in place. I can’t even pretend I’m not shocked by what’s transpiring right now.
“Hi. Yes, hello. So, you know who I am?” If he remembers me, he must know I was married to Clay.
“Yeah, I mean, Rios… uh, Daniel Rios reminded me when he set this up. I know your ex.”
Rios set this up? How did someone in Clay’s company set us up and not feel like he was betraying the brotherhood? I’m so confused. I will have words for Marissa, but I have no time for this. A text will suffice. Also, Rios’s first name is Daniel? I had no idea.
“It’s nice to see you again, Malloy. Am I too dressed up?” I look down at my dress and then look at his cargo shorts and T-shirt. I feel extremely overdressed.
“Absolutely not. I don’t mind having a beautiful woman on my arm tonight.
You might be a little cold being outside for part of tonight’s dinner though.
” He rubs the back of his neck, seeming uncomfortable as he looks me up and down.
He’s still standing quite a distance away from me as if he stands too close, he’ll catch cooties or something. This is off to a stellar start.
“Let me grab a sweater.” I hold the door open for him as he walks in, and I run to my room to grab a cardigan. I use this time to send a text to whom I am now feeling confident is my ex-best friend:
What in the world, Marissa!