15. ¡Olé!
CHAPTER 15
?OLé!
T hat night, Addison was ready to question Tim the second he walked through her door. She had left work at an uncharacteristic 5:00 p.m. to wait, primed to pounce like a blonde tiger.
“You saw Lexi?” she demanded, arms crossed.
“Whoa. What?” Tim asked, looking thoroughly confused as he set his bag down.
“You heard me. You saw Lexi. And you didn’t tell me.”
Tim sighed, glancing at the ceiling before meeting her gaze. “I didn’t say anything because it was such an insignificant encounter. I saw her at the zoning office, said hi from across the room, and that was it. We didn’t even talk.”
“But you didn’t tell me. You didn’t tell me!” Addison repeated, her voice rising. Okay, maybe yelling at him three times was overkill. She clenched her jaw, fighting the tears that threatened to spill out of sheer frustration.
“Addie... what’s going on? Would you have told me if you saw Jake in passing?”
Probably not. Would I? The fire in her fizzled out. “You’re right. I’m being silly.”
“The silliest,” Tim said, leaning in for a quick kiss.
This is getting exhausting. I can’t keep this up. I won’t be able to hide for much longer. But when Lexi finds out... it’s going to be ugly.
“You know I’m just worried about her getting hurt,” Addison said quietly.
“I know you are.” Tim sat down on the sofa and motioned for her to join him. “I’ve been thinking... what if we do a practice run for the big reveal?”
Practice run? That sounds ominous. Addison raised an eyebrow, but Tim just smiled.
“Put your skeptical face away and hear me out,” Tim said, patting the cushion next to him. “This could be a compromise—something to help us ease into telling her.”
“I’ll listen, but I reserve the right to say no,” Addison replied, flopping down beside him and resting her legs across his lap.
“Fair enough.” Tim rubbed her calves absentmindedly. “What if we meet up with Jake and Laura? Someplace public but comfortable.”
No.
“I see you’re about to shoot me down,” he continued, smiling despite her expression. “But seriously, it’s safe. Jake is focused on Laura. He’s not going to be bothered by us. Surprised? Definitely. But bothered? No way.”
“What if you’re wrong? What if it hurts your friendship?”
Tim shrugged. “I’m secure in our friendship. Of all the things that could have ended it, dating you years after him isn’t going to be one of them.”
“We were engaged,” she reminded him.
“I was there,” Tim replied, a hint of exasperation slipping into his tone.
What if he’s right? Addison chewed her lip. It probably won’t go sideways...
“Addie?” Tim tilted her chin toward him with his finger.
“Okay,” she said softly.
“Okay?” Tim’s face brightened.
Not really. Maybe. Ugh. “Okay,” Addison repeated with a tentative smile.
Tim immediately pulled out his phone.
“Whoa,” Addison said, panicking. “You mean now?”
“I’m not suggesting we see them right this second. I’m just texting to set something up,” he said, his thumbs moving across the screen.
“What are you saying?” she asked, clamoring over him to see the screen.
“Sheesh. I’m saying I want to go on a double date.”
“You know he’s going to have a million questions,” she muttered.
“That’s a trait you two have always had in common,” Tim teased. “I’m prepared for it.”
How can he be so calm?
“What’s he writing?” she asked, bobbing and weaving to see Tim’s phone.
“Would you prefer to text him?” he asked playfully, holding the phone to his chest.
“I hear it vibrating. He’s responding,” Addison said breathlessly.
“He wants to know who I’m bringing,” Tim sing-songed.
“Did you tell him?”
“And ruin the surprise?” Tim grinned.
I’m going to have a heart attack before we even get to the big reveal. No, worse—a stroke, and I won’t be able to say anything. I’ll be trapped in my body, and Tim will tell everyone we’re together, and I’ll just have to listen to the freak-out from my mental prison.
“Come on, Addie,” Tim said, standing outside the car. “Are you three? Should I have put you in a car seat?”
Addison sighed dramatically, then unbuckled her seatbelt and stepped out.
He took her hand and led her toward the restaurant. Addison silently thanked the traffic gods for the long light at the intersection, giving her a few extra seconds before crossing the street.
Tim, on the other hand, looked like it was Christmas morning and his birthday all rolled into one. I wish I had his excitement right now.
She tried not to drag her feet as they crossed the street and walked the few short blocks to the restaurant.
“Pick up the pace,” Tim encouraged. “I know you love Jaleo, so focus on what you’re going to order instead of making up worst-case scenarios in your head.”
“Can I get anything I want?”
“Yes.”
“So, chips, a quesadilla, sangría, croquetas, and gazpacho?”
Tim chuckled. “Are you trying to explode your stomach just to get out of the situation?”
I hate that he gets me.
Her stomach rumbled in response as the restaurant came into view. She felt the blast of air conditioning as they stepped inside. I’m okay.
She spotted Jake waving at them, but his jaw dropped when he saw Tim and Addison walk in together. Laura’s eyes widened too.
Abort mission! Abort! Addison turned abruptly, but Tim was too fast, grabbing her arm before she could escape.
“Oh no you don’t. They already saw us. The hard part is over.”
You have no idea.
Addison, practically being dragged to the table, held her breath as they approached.
“Tim and Addie? Hang on,” Jake sputtered. “Wait. No. Hang on.”
“What I think he’s trying to say is, ‘Hi, guys,’” Laura said with a smile, getting up to give them both a hug.
“Hi, guys,” Jake echoed, still looking shell-shocked.
“Um... olé ?” Addison said awkwardly. What?
“I think she meant, ‘surprise?’” Tim added, shooting her a side-eye.
“That’s putting it lightly. Sit, explain, tell me everything,” Laura said, pulling Addison down next to her and wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “I’m glad it’s you,” she whispered in Addison’s ear.
Addison believed her. Laura had a calming presence, and despite the weirdness of the situation, she felt at ease.
Jake cleared his throat. “Well, you both surprised me—so, well done. Let’s order some drinks and appetizers, and then I’m going to need you to catch me up.”
Addison couldn’t tell if Jake was upset. That’s always been one of his superpowers—hiding his negative feelings. It’s great in the courtroom, but not here.
Tim looked like he had just won the lottery.
“Look at that smile,” Laura said after they had ordered. “How long have you been keeping this little secret?”
“Months? Maybe a year? Depends,” Tim answered.
Jake nearly choked on his drink. “A year?”
“I think we need to let them tell the story, Jake,” Laura said gently. “Addison, do you want to tell us, or should we make Tim do the work?”
Addison opened her mouth, but no words came out. She gestured to Tim to take over.
For once, Addison didn’t have any answers—just a cascade of questions. What will Jake think about me dating his best friend? What if this hurts their friendship? But the one solid thought that rose above the rest was that telling Jake was one step closer to telling Lexi—and that was definitely not going to go well.
“Addie and I have been friends for years,” Tim began, “as you know, Jake. And you probably do too, Laura.”
They both nodded.
“Well, we reconnected while plotting to help Jake get you back,” Tim continued, looking at Laura. “And working together reminded us how much fun we had as friends.”
Addison took a deep breath and picked up where Tim left off. “After you two got back together, Tim and I were in touch sporadically for about six months. We hung out one night, and it just... turned into a date. We’ve been together ever since.”
Laura’s eyes were huge and filled with empathy. “That’s so perfect. You two have known each other forever. I’m proud to say Jake and I had a hand in bringing you together.”
Jake finally looked calm. Everyone turned to him, waiting for his reaction.
“You two being together makes a lot of sense,” he said, nodding. “You’ve always had a special connection. Now that I think about it, you’re a great match. Congrats, you guys.”
Addison let out a long breath, relief washing over her.
“I was afraid you’d be upset,” she admitted.
Jake raised an eyebrow. “Upset? Why? Two people I care about are happy.”
I underestimated him.
“I told her you’d be fine with it,” Tim said, smiling. “But Addie’s been stressing. It’s an unusual situation, but not that far-fetched.”
“Not at all,” Jake agreed. “In fact, imagine the trouble we’d have avoided if you two had gotten together in the first place.” He grinned. “I’m just glad everything worked out for all of us. Dude, we did it—we found relationships that work.”
“Well, it’s not all smooth sailing yet. Lexi doesn’t know,” Tim said.
“Why not?” Laura asked, frowning.
“Yeah, why wouldn’t your best friend know?” Jake asked, looking at Addison.
“Let’s just say she won’t be as happy for us as you are,” Addison said sadly.
“I don’t get it,” Jake pressed. “Wouldn’t Lexi want her best friend to be happy and in love? She’s such a sweetheart. Don’t you think she’ll be more upset you didn’t tell her sooner?”
She’ll be upset about both— and now I can’t do anything without hurting her.
“See? There was nothing bad about that. Don’t you feel relieved that Jake knows now?” Tim asked as he started the car.
They had spent over two hours at lunch with Jake and Laura, and Addison had a great time. Laura was so sweet, especially considering their rough start. If I’d known that, I never would have made her feel so small the first time I saw them together. I’m a monster.
“You were right.”
“I was what ?” Tim taunted.
“You were right,” Addison admitted, giving him a small smile.
Tim smiled triumphantly as he pulled from the curb into the dense traffic.
“Would it be weird if I got Laura’s number and asked her to hang out?” Addison asked, her voice hesitant.
“It would be awesome. In fact, it would be ideal. I’d love for us to hang out with the two of them regularly and for you to become good friends with her.”
Is that disloyal to Lexi? Addison wondered. We used to be a foursome, and now it’s me and Tim with Jake and Laura. It feels like we’re getting the gang back together without her.