Chapter Ten
Addison spent a good hour getting ready for the Bay Beach block party, trying her best to look beachy casual rather than like she had tried her best. It worked. She looked beautiful in a silky lavender slip dress that she had never worn before and strappy sandals. You Again had definitely stirred something in her, and she daydreamed of their next flirtation more than she cared to admit. She snapped a selfie and sent it to the group chat.
Hot date tonight?Lisa asked.
Wear nice undies, Pru urged.
Stop! I’m just going to a party!she responded, before switching to her slinky floral thong, just in case.
The Bay Beach, a community gathering spot with a playground, basketball court, and cradle for swimming, sat at the end of her block, but as Addison reached it, she wished it were a bit farther. It was a gorgeous night—the kind that made her think she should truly consider putting down roots there. The island seemed to provide such balance to living and working in the city.
While not the kind of person to need a plus-one, she did feel awkward walking into a party where everyone knew one another—and she knew no one. Nan, the real estate agent, waved to her as she entered. Well, almost no one, she thought. She waved back at her and smiled as she scanned the crowd for You Again.
They saw each other at the same time from across the playground. She caught him doing a double take, his eyes turning from the blonde that had his attention to her. He held that gaze for a few seconds more than customary. It wasn’t as obvious as Jack watching his soulmate Rose descend the stairs of the Titanic, but it was undeniably reminiscent of a Hollywood first look, and it filled Addison with confidence. Her breath got caught in her throat as she watched him approach.
The bar was behind her, and he motioned to it and asked, “What’s your poison?” in lieu of a greeting. Even though he looked close to her age, he had a funny way with words that reminded her of the older men who wrote copy at the agency. She resisted asking him how old he was, which was hard because she was curious. Maybe she should learn his name first.
“Just about anything,” she responded, anticipating the liquid courage her first few sips would supply.
They walked over to the makeshift bar and poured themselves a drink from what looked like a pitcher of mojitos. Her first sip was a bit tart, but it hit the spot. She took another, to fill the awkward silence. She was eager to lift the veil of secrecy. The You Again bit had run its course. Normally she would have totally vetted someone before letting loose as she had, spilling her guts to a guy she had just met. Her friends teased that she was the kind of girl who could find out everything about anyone in under an hour, yet here she was, falling for a complete stranger. She was eager to learn more about him, especially since she couldn’t remember the last time someone’s touch had made her stomach turn somersaults. She was about to put an end to the mystery with a proper introduction, when she noticed Shep, the old guy from her block, coming toward her. She spun around, quite obviously, to avoid him.
“What’s up?” asked You Again.
“Nothing, nothing. This old guy from my block is coming this way. The real estate agent said he lost his mind after his wife died and I should avoid him at all costs. That he’s a little…” She tilted her head and twirled her finger beside her ear, demonstrating the international sign for cuckoo.
She thought this would get a laugh, but his expression was anything but amused. The old man showed up from behind and slapped the now agitated younger man on the back. Addison refocused her attention on her new favorite habit and gnawed on the side of her nail.
“What ya drinking?” Shep asked, while peeking into their cups. “Oooh. That fruity stuff gives me gas.”
“Pleasure to see you again, Addie,” he added, wiping off his hands on his shorts and reaching out for a shake. The wipe really freaked her out. She couldn’t stop thinking about what might have precipitated it.
“It’s Addison,” she quietly corrected, “and the pleasure is all mine.” She followed their shake by casually wiping off her own hand on her dress.
“You two know each other?” You Again asked.
“We’ve met,” Addison responded, adding with a smirk, “He is the lovely neighbor who wants to steal my house, I believe.”
It was the first time she had said my house, and as the words left her lips, she felt like a fraud.
“I don’t want your house—that would be your neighbor Ben here,” Shep insisted.
She took it in, reflected on Nan’s warning about bulldozing and sweet-talking, and felt irrationally betrayed. Maybe it wasn’t irrational. What a phony! Was the You Again flirtation all a manipulation? Her chest burned, and she could feel the heat traveling to her cheeks.
“You’re Gicky’s niece? You never told me that,” Ben barked, as if he had been wronged. Her cheeks burned brighter.
“Wait, you’re the guy who wants to steal my house?”
“Not steal,” Shep butted in. “Gicky sort of kind of promised him first dibs. Did you bring the clamshell contract with you?” Shep asked Ben with a laugh.
“A clamshell contract?” Addison protested. “She left a will, you know, a legal document that coordinates the distribution of your assets.”
“We know what a will is, Addie,” Ben mumbled.
“It’s Addison.”
“Sorry,” he said, “I only know you as You Again.” He smiled, thinking himself funny. It was obvious that she didn’t.
“How convenient for you,” she snapped in reply.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
Her hands began to shake, a common occurrence for Addison when anticipating a showdown. She was now feeling certain that this You Again thing was a scam to butter her up. He must have known who she was the entire time. She felt like such a fool, and there was little she liked less than feeling foolish. The notion fueled her response, justified or not.
“I heard about you from my real estate agent. Very swift with this whole ‘let’s not exchange names,’ You Again thing. Well done, trying to get on my good side before introducing yourself. But guess what?”
You Again was completely taken aback. Shep stepped up.
“What?”
“It didn’t work.”
As Addison turned to flee the scene, Ben grabbed her arm.
“Hey, wait, I swear I didn’t know it was you, really. I didn’t know.” He let go of her arm and held out his hand for a proper introduction.
“Let’s try again. Hi. I’m Ben. Nice to meet you.”
She didn’t return the greeting. She decided right then and there that she wanted out. She would take the money and put it toward her dream apartment in the city.
“I hope you don’t mind if I don’t say, ‘Nice to meet you too.’?” And with that, she turned her back to them and marched directly to Nan.
The effects of Addison’s unfortunate interaction were still visible on her face, as the satisfaction she felt from her dramatic exit had quickly morphed into sadness. Things had soured so quickly. Even the standoffish agent took notice.
“Hey, you OK?” Nan asked. “I saw you talking to Ben and Shep. Remember what I said—don’t let those two get under your skin. They can be quite charismatic, in an off kind of way.”
“They got under my skin all right, like ringworm.”
Nan laughed. “Want to mingle with me? I’m happy to introduce you to a few good people.”
“No thanks. I’ve decided to sell.” When she heard the words come out of her mouth, she quickly backpedaled. “Well, I’m leaning that way. So there’s really no point. Maybe we can sit down sometime soon and discuss it.”
“Absolutely. I’m available all week.”