“I’m not making excuses. You’re right, okay? Six days is long, fine. But it’s not really about Abram, is it? It’s about me. What I’m saying is, I am heavy with unfamiliar feelings. All this crying, it’s not because of Abram, not really. I’ve slowed time to an eternal crawl, and I’m overwhelmed. Therefore, me and my heavy, unfamiliar feelings are the problem. Not Abram.”
I reasoned that, perhaps once I adjusted to this new time—Abram-less Agony Time—I’d stop being such a mess. Unfortunately, the only cure for Abram-less Agony Time was more time, and time was the problem in the first place, and time didn’t even really exist! AH!
I need a nap. And a cookie would be nice.
Lisa gathered a deep breath, looking like she’d run out of patience and maybe needed a nap too. “Mona, I love you. But you are making me crazy. You can’t accept responsibility for other people being assholes. I know you really like Abram, I know he said he loved you, but there’s a reason people say, ‘Actions speak louder than words.’ I totally get it. He’s hot. Talented. Charismatic. Something special. But if he doesn’t treat you like a goddamn queen, then it doesn’t matter how special he is, he’s not worthy of you! And one more thing—”
The buzzer to the apartment cut her rant short and she frowned, looking mildly surprised. “Whoa, that was fast.”
“Is that Gabby?”
“It must be.” She seemed frustrated by the interruption. Lisa stood, walking to the button in her small foyer. “This conversation is on pause, but it’s not over, okay?”
I nodded, frowning, feeling increasingly muddled.
Meanwhile, Lisa pressed the button, unlatching the main door at street level. She then unlocked and propped open her front door before shuffling to the kitchen and calling over her shoulder, “Prepare yourself for some serious day drinking. This is an emergency and the wine will help you relax enough to tell us the real story of what went down with you and Abram in Aspen. Think of it as medicinal.”
“I thought you didn’t drink anymore?” I straightened from the couch and stretched, walking aimlessly back and forth in front of the coffee table. Slowly, I turned toward the entryway. My brain was scrambled, but I figured I might as well be useful and help Gabby carry up her provisions.
“I don’t drink anymore.” Lisa appeared at the entrance to her kitchen holding two wine glasses. “But Gabby does, and she’s a frequent visitor. She bought me these as a housewarming gift.”
Despite the brain scramble, this data made me chuckle. It sounded so much like Gabby, buying someone a gift for their apartment because she would use it. Reluctantly, I admired how good Gabby was at looking after herself, knowing what she wanted, making it happen, and being unapologetic.
However, Gabby was also generous in completely unselfish ways too, like the wine and the ice cream.
“Here.” I shuffled toward the door. “I’ll go help her carry everything up. Be right back.”
“You’re still in your pajamas.”
I glanced down at myself, at my plain white T-shirt, and black and blue pajama pants. “Yeah?”
Lisa twisted her lips to the side, considering. “I guess, nothing. Go ahead. But if you see the cute guy in the apartment below mine, make it clear you’re my twin sister.”
“Oh. I see what’s going on.” I nodded, managing a small smirk, and backing up toward her front door. “You want me to say I’m Lisa and ask him if I smell. Do I have that right?”
A rueful grin pulled her lips to one side, and she opened her mouth as though to respond to my teasing. Her eyes then moved beyond me, her mouth snapped shut, and she flinched. “What the hell?”
I glanced over my shoulder and did a double take. My heart jumped to my throat. My hand flew to my chest. I stumbled back. Behind me, standing in the doorway, was Tyler.