Come Together (The Cityscape 3)

“You know you can stay at our apartment as long as you want. Like, forever even. My roommates are hardly there anyway.”

“I don’t know if Bill would appreciate my breaking up our marriage for one long sleepover at your place.”

“Touché. So? What are you gonna do?”

I sighed as the barista handed us our drinks. We left the café and started toward the train. “David and I made plans to spend the weekend together, so we’re starting with breakfast tomorrow. I haven’t really thought beyond that. I guess I should start looking for my own place.” The thought made me grimace.

“Like, your own apartment?” she asked. “What about David?”

“What about him?”

“Have you thought about moving in with him?”

“Um, we should probably date for a while before we get that serious.”

“Um,” she mimicked, “did you not just end your marriage for him? That’s pretty . . . serious.”

“No, I know. But really, Gretch, David helped me see the cracks in my marriage. I’m doing this as much for myself as I am for him. And I don’t want to put too much pressure on him.”

“Pressure?”

“Well, yeah, that’s a lot of pressure. Ending my marriage for him? I don’t want David to feel like he owes me anything.”

She sipped her coffee. “Don’t do that.”

“Do what?” I asked, looking over at her.

“Don’t prep yourself for disaster before things even get started.”

“I’m not,” I said defensively. “I’m just trying to be realistic. David and I have time now. I don’t want to push him.” I paused, chewing on my lip. “I mean, I don’t even know if he’s ever lived with anyone.” I realized then that I was essentially leaving my life behind for a man I didn’t know much about.

Gretchen twisted her lips as she thought. “I don’t know. Dude seems pretty intent on taking things to the next level with you.”

I laughed. “Yeah, but, don’t forget, he’s a bachelor who’s spent his life doing what he wants . . . and who he wants. This may take some getting used to for him. Like I said, we’ve got something we didn’t have before: time. Time to get to know each other.”

“True. All right, girl,” she said, breaking off toward her train. “See you tonight?” I started to answer but she stopped, turned and came back to me. “I’m serious, Liv. Don’t start this relationship with one foot out the door. Believe him when he tells you what he wants.”

I promised her I would and then waved good-bye to my best friend.

~

Gretchen and I had the apartment to ourselves again on Friday night, though this time it was

because Ava and Bethany were out partying. I marveled at their active social life. Since I’d arrived the night before, I hadn’t even seen either of them, but I was glad for it. I wasn’t exactly eager to explain why I was staying at their place. I knew Gretchen was sitting the night out to be with me, and it made me all the more grateful for her.

David had kept in constant contact all day, but I hadn’t heard from him since right before I’d left work. In fact, he’d never answered my last text, but I shrugged it off. I focused on the fact that we’d be meeting in the morning, and I’d be going home with him for an entire weekend. Just me and him, alone. For the weekend. As much as the idea elated me, it also scared me. What if we weren’t as compatible as we’d thought? What if a whole weekend with me was too much for him?

I spent the rest of the night ignoring that thought as Gretchen and I mindlessly watched reality TV.

~

I hadn’t slept well. My nerves were frayed with anticipation, excitement and unfortunately, guilt. Spending a weekend with another man felt wrong, but spending it wrapped up in David felt all kinds of right. Only when I realized David still hadn’t responded to my last text did some anxiety creep into my thoughts.

Gretchen invited herself to breakfast, I figured because she had a habit of being nosy, so we walked arm in arm to the café.

“I started researching apartments yesterday,” I told her once we were seated. “Not looking forward to doing the roommate thing again.”

She shrugged. “It’s not that bad.”

“It is once you’ve gotten used to life without them.”

“Well, maybe you should just ask David if he needs a roommate?” she suggested with a smirk.

I rolled my eyes.

“I really envy what you’re doing, you know,” she said.

“Why?”

“To know so strongly based on a feeling alone that you want to be with him. That’s amazing.”

I let her words sink in as the waiter poured three glasses of water. “I think I knew it the moment I saw him,” I said thoughtfully. “I just couldn’t see through everything else.”

“So that would make it love at first sight.”

“No, no,” I said, waving her off. “I don’t believe in that.” Despite my brushoff, I couldn’t help but smile a little.

“I do. And I know Lucy does. Once she sees you two together, she’ll understand.”

“Gretch, you haven’t even seen us together.”

“I may have spied on you guys a little when he came to my apartment.”

“Gretchen!” I admonished with a laugh.

“We should have a party for you two.”

“Nah. I don’t need to be rubbing Bill’s face in anything.”

“Speaking of, have you heard from Bill?”

I furrowed my brows. “Not a peep. Maybe you could find out how Andrew’s visit went.”

She nodded. “I’ll call later. Anyway, I personally think a party is a great idea. I can’t help but feel a little excited that my best friend is head over heels in love.”

“I’m head over heels in something. I mean, what happens to all my stuff? Our joint bank account? I have some savings, but it’s pitiful compared to the joint. I mean, what happens to all that?”

Gretchen looked sympathetic. “Divorce. That’s what happens.”