Lucky 33 (Love in the District #2)

29. The Handsomest Man in Town

CHAPTER 29

THE HANDSOMEST MAN IN TOWN

E verywhere Amy turned, she saw the number 33. It was cute when it meant magical things were afoot and life would be exciting, but now it felt like she was being taunted.

Drew’s silence in the eight days since she was in his office was deafening. She tried to be patient, but everything in her wanted to visit him again or text to find out if he forgave her and if they had a chance again. She would have done it, but she kept replaying his words. He'd said, “I’ve never stopped loving you. But that doesn’t mean we should be together.” Amy was confused and she panicked.

Amy sat in Laura’s big armchair, distractedly stroking Meatball’s fur. He meowed at her and brought her back to the present moment where Laura was staring at her, waiting for her to answer some question Amy hadn’t heard.

“Sorry, what?”

“It doesn’t matter now. Look, I get that you’re upset about Drew’s reaction to your apology, but you’re just going to have to chill and wait. “Remember, it took time when this happened to me. Jake needed space, and then once I thought he’d had enough space, he wanted more. You need to let him process,” Laura advised .

“I can’t stop thinking about him and wondering what’s going through his mind. It’s driving me crazy.”

“That’s not helpful. Worrying about it isn’t going to speed up Drew’s forgiveness or make him more willing to try again. Tell me again how you left it?”

“After he told me the story of the arrest, which was horrible, Laur, he said he had never stopped loving me. So why isn’t that enough?” Amy was hyperventilating now, and Laura rubbed her back to calm her down.

“He didn’t say it wasn’t enough, did he? Did he ever clearly tell you that it was over?”

“No. Well, I don’t know. He said, ‘I’ve never stopped loving you. But that doesn’t mean we should be together.’”

Laura winced.

“What? What are you thinking?” Amy demanded.

“I’m thinking that he might be right. Your breakup was bad. It wasn’t just a misunderstanding; it was you coming out of nowhere from his point of view, attacking him over one of the most painful times in his life.”

That doesn’t make me sound good at all. Could I forgive someone for that? Even if so, would I want to be with them again if they were so capable of hurting me? I don’t know.

“Then what do you think will happen?” Amy was desperate for her sister to predict the future, but Laura was a journalist, not a psychic.

“I have no idea.”

“Well, what do you think, then?”

“God, you’re so insistent. I’m afraid to say anything since you’re ready to take it as gospel. I don’t want to say he’ll come back because it might lead you to overwhelm him and push him into making a decision. That’s unlikely to work out in your favor. I also don’t want to say it’s over because I was lucky, and things worked out for me with Jake.” Spit it out, Laura. “The only thing I feel comfortable telling you is to be patient. This isn’t something you can force. ”

I should talk to Mystic Natasha.

“Amy, I know you’re thinking about going to that psychic. Leave the woman alone. She’s already told you everything she knows. Stop badgering her.”

Stupid sisterly bond giving me away.

“Hey, you’re thinking about bothering Brit and Katie now, aren’t you? You’ve exhausted your allowance for advice. You didn’t take anyone’s before and got yourself into this mess. You need to wait it out,” Laura said, closing her eyes and rubbing her temples.

Natasha said everything would be okay eventually. Did she mean okay as in we’ll get back together and be happy, or okay as in I’ll eventually move on?

Amy jolted to attention when Laura snapped her fingers in her face.

“Hey. Focus. What can you do that will take your mind off things?”

“Last time, I got my mind off Drew by listening to podcasts while working. But what about outside of work? I can’t just listen to podcasts 24/7.”

Laura wrinkled her brow and thought for a moment. “What if you went over to hang out with Mom and Dad? They know not to bring Drew up.”

“Meh. Feels pathetic to go hang around them and expect them to entertain me.”

Laura sighed. “Oh-kay, how about asking if you can babysit Ollie? I’d bet Belinda could use some time to herself.”

That’s a good idea. Ollie is pure joy; if anyone could cheer me up, it’s that little guy.

“Not bad. I’ll try that.” Amy felt satisfied with her plan to spend time with a happy toddler. There was all sorts of fun stuff they could do together.

“You talk to Belinda. I have to get going. Send me Ollie pics,” Laura said, rushing out.

“Will do. ”

The next day, Amy arrived at Belinda’s house to find Ollie dressed in denim overalls and the tiniest Nats cap.

“He’s very ready for Sunday Funday with you,” Belinda said, wiping chocolate off Ollie's face with a wet washcloth and checking for stray chocolate on his clothes. “Okay,” she said, satisfied, patting him on the butt.

“Me-Me,” Ollie cried, slamming into Amy’s legs to hug her.

“What are you two doing today?” Greg asked, coming into the kitchen.

“We’re off for a day of fun at the National Children’s Museum.”

“Awesome, he’s going to love that,” Greg replied.

“Here is his diaper bag. You’ll find water, juice, and emergency snack puffs if he gets hungry or you just want to bribe him and his doggy. I have his stroller out front. You sure about this?” Belinda asked, looking a little nervous.

“Very sure. I can’t wait to go on a date with the handsomest man in town,” Amy said, tickling Ollie’s tummy. He rewarded her with a loud belly laugh.

Amy was excited to show Ollie the Little Dreamers section of the museum. It was designed especially for toddlers, and she bet he’d have the time of his life playing there. After seeing their squishy cloud pit on Instagram, Amy knew Ollie needed a trip there.

Fortunately, Belinda lived within walking distance of the museum, and it was a beautiful early October day. This was Amy’s favorite time of the year. Even though the temperature could be anywhere from 60 to 85 degrees the first week of October, it was always low humidity and sunny. This day, it was an ideal 75 degrees, and she and Ollie had on their coolest shades to block the sun.

By the time they got to the museum and Ollie was giggling in the cloud pit, Amy noticed that she hadn’t thought about Drew for the last hour. That’s a new record. Too bad I now have to reset the clock on not thinking about him. Focus on something else. Come on .

Ollie wobbled over to her after getting his fill of flopping on the cloud-shaped pillows. “Where to next, Ollie-Wollie?”

The little boy considered his options with a serious expression. He pointed at a bright yellow wooden biplane where other toddlers were climbing.

“Let’s go,” she cheered, picking him up and flying him over like an airplane.

I’ll never get tired of that laugh.

I wonder if Drew wants kids. No, stop. It doesn’t matter.

Amy took photos of Ollie pretending to fly the plane and sent them to Belinda and Laura. He’s so cute. Amy loved how little kids smiled for photos, especially when they were too young to grasp the concept of a staged smile and just showed all their teeth in a full-mouth grimace.

The two of them took a break for cereal puffs and water. Amy wasn’t experienced with children, so she hoped she was giving him enough and doing things right. She especially hoped that he wouldn’t need a diaper change before they got back to his house, but that would probably not happen.

While Ollie started to yawn and Amy could tell he was on the verge of getting cranky, she loaded him up in the stroller and headed home. Halfway there, Ollie fell asleep. Without his chatter to keep her entertained, Amy noticed the smiles from people around her. They must think he’s mine .

I wonder what having a little Ollie with Drew would be like. I bet he’d have Drew’s blonde hair and smile. I hope he’d have something from me, but I’d be happy with a mini-Drew.

Amy stopped that train of thought. She knew that the only thing worse than trying to will Drew to talk to her and want to get back together was imagining their theoretical family.

But we’d be so cute.

“He’s the sweetest. Harrison is always looking for ways to help around the house and be a good husband,” Brit sighed. “We’ve been having such a good time remodeling and decorating the house. Harrison is so handy, and it’s helpful that he works from home so he can manage all the contractors coming in and out. It’s a total construction zone. It’s completely different to be married than it is to be dating. The whole relationship is on a new level. It’s actually fun to go to Lowe’s and to the garden center. But it feels like this house will never be finished. It’s also weird living in Virginia now. We’re these married people who are out in the suburbs now and have, like, an HOA.”

You’re one mile over the DC/Virginia line.

“What are you going to do about the kitchen? Did you decide to put in the wine fridge?” Katie asked.

“I think we will. We’ve gone over the plans with the architect a few times and she says there’s room. There’s also the question of the types of built-ins we want, how to configure the island, and whether we should get quartz or granite countertops, you know.”

Amy tuned out right around the time Brit started talking about the merits of Lowe’s versus The Home Depot. It wasn’t that she didn’t care about Brit’s wedded bliss. It was more that she had been talking about it non-stop since they arrived at dinner, and they were not almost finished with dessert. I’m being a jerk. Pay attention, Amy.

“When do you think everything will be finished,” Amy asked.

“Who knows,” Brit huffed. “The estimate is three months, but you know that won’t happen. Probably six months by the time we are painted, decorated, and have everything put away. It’s tough, though. We want to start trying for a baby, but life is so stressful.”

It’s not enough to get married and have your dream home? You need a baby now? Whoa, that’s mean. Amy attempted another smile and nodded along with Brit’s chatter.

“You girls just can’t possibly understand how hard life is right now. We’re dealing with a million things at once, and I’m so afraid to mess anything up. It could be tragic, you know? ”

Oh no. Not the wrong paint color or grout selection.

Brit continued, “So, yeah, you’re both lucky you’re single and don’t have to deal with all this married people stuff. Sometimes, I’d love to go back to that simple life where you only have to worry about work and hanging out.” She sighed, looking like she was longing for the good old days.

Katie and Amy exchanged a loaded look.

“You have it great, Brit. Stay strong. The construction will be over before you know it, and you'll be hanging out in your gorgeous home with your big pregnant belly,” Katie said with a tiny hint of sarcasm that Brit didn’t seem to pick up on.

“You’re right. I need to focus on that. It’s hard, but Harrison and I will get through it.”

Thank goodness. We were all worried.

“Ugh, I’ve talked way too much tonight. I’m sorry. Tell me all about what’s going on with you two.”

“Well –” Katie began before getting cut off by Brit’s phone ringing loudly.

Is that thing set to stun?

“Hi, honey,” Brit said into the phone. “I missed you, too. Okay, I’ll see you outside in a few.” She hung up and sighed dramatically. “Harrison is going to be outside soon to pick me up.”

It’s 5:45 p.m. He couldn’t hold out any longer?

“Okay, we can catch up another time,” Katie said.

“Go on. Be with your man,” Amy added.

Brit gave them both big hugs and speed walked out of the restaurant.

“So, that was fun,” Amy said, laughing with Katie.

“Do you think the suburban demon with a death grip on our friend can be exorcized?”

“Unlikely. I think we’ll have to learn to live with it,” Amy replied.

Uh oh, why does Katie look so serious?

“I can tell that it’s hard for you to be around her, all happy and settled like that,” Katie said. She gave Amy a weak smile .

“It’s not that at all. I want her to be happy, and I’m not just saying that because it would be horrible not to. It’s that I feel my unhappiness a lot more when I’m around other people living out what I could have had if I had listened to my friends and not attacked Drew.”

Katie looked a little ashamed.

What’s that look about?

“I haven’t wanted to admit this to anyone, especially myself, but I know how you feel. It’s like everyone around us is in a loving relationship and moving on to their adult lives with partners and families. Yet, I’m all alone.”

How have I been so self-absorbed? “Katie, I had no idea. You’re always so cheerful and present yourself. You’re living life to the fullest.”

“Thanks, but that’s only most of the story. I love my life, but I’d rather have my life with a partner. I would love to have a Harrison or Drew look my way. I think I come across as flighty and unserious.”

Amy felt terrible for not knowing better and looking past her friend’s exterior. Considering she thought of me as the “Don’t need a man” type back before May, it happens to the best of us.

“Should we go guy hunting together?” Amy asked conspiratorially, only half joking.

“Can you imagine? I’d have no idea where to start. Is there a hangout for early-30s women who want to find someone good but don’t want to stay out too late or make too much effort?”

“I know I’m biased, but you’d have no trouble finding someone if you tried. You’re pretty great, Katie.”

“Thanks, Ames. Same with you. Also, don’t take this statement and do something stupid, but I don’t think things with Drew are over. A connection like that isn’t easily broken.”

“I wish I could get my mind off of him so I could be patient and hold out hope without going into anxiety overload,” Amy sighed.

“Have you tried meditating?” Katie asked .

Yeah, no. Not for me.

“Judging by the look on your face, that’s a no. Hear me out. I’m not as open about this as you are about your anxiety, but I have depression. It’s bad sometimes, and it breaks through my medication. I’ve found that quieting my brain when I’m feeling down can sometimes give me a different perspective. In those quiet moments, I’m better able to be objective and get to the truth through my negative thinking. Just a suggestion, though.”

The last time she ignored Katie’s advice, Amy got herself into her current situation, where she hurt Drew and ruined everything. This time, she would listen.

Back at home, Amy lay on her floor and tried to relax. She closed her eyes and attempted to tune out her neighbor’s oboe, the traffic, and all her unhelpful thoughts.

Think of nothing. Nothing. N-o-t-h-i-n-g. No. Thing. Hey, I never realized that the word is no thing, which makes a lot of sense.

Oh. Right. Nothing. I am thinking of nothing and no thing.

Amy squeezed her eyes closed even more tightly. I can do this. She took a slow, deep breath and exhaled loudly through her mouth. Phew, garlic breath. I should do something about that.

No. Focus.

Amy growled, irritated with herself and the idea of meditation as a whole. “What do you want from me?” she shouted to the Universe. Amy reached for a throw pillow and screamed into it. That’s a little better. Still garlicky, though.

“Come on, Universe. Show me a sign. Please?”