She went on and on about how much strength it took him to take the step he did with me and opened my eyes to all the reasons I thought I had to stay in Virginia were “a pile of bullshit,” compared to the love story I could live.
Her and Quinn, called Mark who then called Anna and a full plan was put in place. I had a support system if I wanted to move to New York but I didn’t have to rely on him. I saw it as a win-win. Dan and Anna rented me one of the apartments they own in the city for a ridiculous price. I found a job as an engineer for BMW in Woodcliff Lake, NJ, and train at the racing tracks close by. The commute is a bitch, but I have to do what I have to do. As for my therapy, Dr. Saman is FaceTiming me every week. It isn’t conventional, but I refuse to go see anyone else.
“Oh yeah, you spooked him bad girl,” Naomi says. “Already the kissing emojis were a bad idea, but there you just told him you’re building a life without him, then you tell him your timing was off. Knowing Ol, he’s ready to jump into anyone’s arms so he can forget you. That’s something the Spencers do.” She winks at Anna who laughs. There is certainly a story there I’m not part of yet.
“I just need a little more time,” I tell them, rocking Aito back and forth in my arms.
“For what?” Anna asks. “Do you think I was ready when I jumped on to a plane going to London? I was freaking out, and I hate flying. But the guy I had feelings for needed me so there I went. End of story.”
I turn to Naomi for her to tell me her story with Lars. Isn’t it how these things go? One friend shares something and then the other friend tells you also how it went down for her and how dumb you are? Naomi shakes her head.
“Don’t look at her,” Anna says, “Lars and Naomi were the dumbest people when it came to their love story. They didn’t talk for months because they couldn’t see what everyone else saw… they were in love from the start! So fucking stubborn.” She rolls her eyes and moves her bangs to the side.
“I gave you a nephew, stop being an asshole, Anna!” Naomi shrugs, still holding my phone. They told me they used to work together, Naomi was Anna’s assistant in Montreal, and I can barely believe it. Because of Anna working in Montreal, and Naomi being full time in New York with Lars—mostly because of Oliver being here and Aito’s shared custody—I’ve seen Naomi more than Anna, and I don’t see her being the assistant of someone. She’s like the boss of everyone. The dynamic between the two might have been interesting.
“Of course, I’m the asshole, not you who—” Naomi lunges for Anna and puts her hand on her mouth to prevent her from finishing her sentence.
“We’re done with you saying it Anna Spencer Darling! Done. Your brother is still my best friend and the father of my child. Do not bring it up again!”
Let’s make sure I never piss off Naomi. The girl is badass. She makes me think of this Leo girl I met in Virginia who helped with Oliver’s rescue.
“Ladies, can we go back to Oliver?” I ask. “Did I really fuck it up?”
“Yes,” they both answer in unison, Naomi still holding Anna by the neck.
“Look,” Anna says after freeing herself from Naomi’s hold. ”You wanted a month before telling him you were in town but I don’t think you have the time anymore. Like Naomi said, he’s going to jump back in to old habits and fuck anything with a pulse. Up to you to know if you’re ready to let him go for good. But then it makes that move in the city a little obsolete.”
Anna is good at trying to manipulate me but I can see she’s full of shit. I decide to call her out on it.
“You’re saying that so you can be here for the reunion and not stuck at work in Montreal while we’re all in New York having fun,” I smirk. Naomi bursts out laughing which reminds her son of her existence and makes him fuss a little.
“She knows you so well already,” Naomi tells her friend. “Listen Tessa, he will certainly fuck around a little if he thinks he has no chance with you anymore, but his heart will be loyal, because that’s who Oliver is. The most loyal friend and a pretty skilled lover.”
“Please,” Anna gags, “it’s my brother you’re talking about. For once he met a girl who wasn’t one of my friends, why did I have to befriend her.” She throws her hand on her forehead in a dramatic way.
Naomi and I ignore her. Aito moves around wanting his mother and I gesture to give him back. “No,” she says, “you’d better get used to calming him down and taking care of him, because he’s the extra cuteness that comes with Oliver.”
“You’re the most understanding ex-girlfriend I know,” I tell her. “Not many women would be so helpful with the girl in love with their ex.”
“That’s because I was never his. We aren’t exes. We’re best friends who used to have a lot of benefits but now only have a bundle of love to share. You changed him. You fixed him. And you would be very
