“Why? Are some of them ‘beneath them’?” I teased.
“You joke, but I think that’s really the reason. Abby picks some trashy bars sometimes, and those are usually the events they skip out on. I know, they sound pretentious, but like, seriously, most of them are sweet.”
“Don’t worry, I can handle myself,” I told her. “Lord knows I met many snobs when dating Julia.”
She looked at me curiously. “Really? Why?”
“Uh, dating an accountant who worked for a major corporation?” I reminded her. “There was not one of Julia’s work friends who didn’t look down at me for not having a degree. They were constantly judgmental.”
“That’s so rude.” She frowned. “What would Julia do?”
“Keep her mouth shut.” I rolled my eyes. “Pretend they hadn’t just insulted me. Tell me when we got home that I was imagining things.”
“God… that sounds awful.”
“It was. Honestly, when I was with her, I’d thought I was so in love with her, but now that I’m out of that relationship, it’s hard to remember why I cared so deeply about her.”
I looked over at her to see her awkwardly smiling, unsure of what to say, like she always was when I brought up Julia. I probably needed to stop bringing her up altogether.
“But with you, I don’t even wonder anymore.” I smiled at her. “I can’t believe I’ve already found someone I care so deeply about.”
She smiled, this time not so awkwardly. “Good. Because I’ve been waiting for you to come into my life for a long, long time.”
Now was my turn to smile. “And now that I finally have, what are you going to do with me?”
“Absolutely everything that I can.”
10
Emily
I kept staring at my watch, waiting impatiently for Kaitlyn to arrive. She wasn’t late, not yet, but she only had a few minutes to get here. Abby was getting a ride with me, since she obviously didn’t have a car, and I didn’t want to make her late.
Not that she was even ready to head out to the party herself. She was still in the bathroom, straightening her hair and doing her make up. Hopefully she still was when Kaitlyn arrived, so it wouldn’t be her making us late.
Of course, I couldn’t give a shit about being late. I just didn't want to be late because of Kaitlyn. I wanted her to make a good impression with Abby, as well as everyone else tonight. Though mostly Abby, as it was really only her opinion that mattered.
I heard a knock at the door and jumped up to find Kaitlyn waiting for me, a bottle of wine in her hand.
I raised an eyebrow. “A bottle of wine? You realize we’re going to a bar, right?”
“I thought Abby might want to pre-game with me,” she said casually. “If you guys aren’t heading out right away.”
Ah, yes, that was actually perfect! Abby would love her for the offer, and she was still getting ready, so she had time to start drinking. Of course I couldn't, I had to drive, but them both getting drunk would be good. It’d take away any tension from meeting someone new.
That was probably just me projecting my own feelings onto them. I hated meeting new people, but neither Kaitl
yn nor Abby seemed to. They were both extroverted, social butterflies. They were probably going to have no problem tonight.
“Where is she?” Kaitlyn asked.
“In the bathroom, doing her make up.”
“Hey, Abby!” she called out into the hall. “I have some wine, do you want some?” she asked, as if they’d been friends forever. See, no problem at all.
“Oh, yes! Bring me a glass!”
She got two out of the kitchen cabinet and poured them both ample amounts of wine before heading back to the bathroom. I didn’t follow her. I didn’t want to hover over both of them all night, feeling like I was facilitating their conversation. I wanted them to get to know each other without me.