Can't Let Go(16)

“I left you a message, Ingrid—a friend of mine—”

“This is unacceptable. Absolutely unacceptable. We’re due for publication and you abandon all of your responsibilities—”

“My responsibilities are with my family, Ingrid.”

“Your friend is not your family.” Abby clenched her teeth, trying to control her temper. She didn’t notice that the door had opened and that people were beginning to carry flowers to Logan’s truck. “You have a responsibility to this magazine, Abigail. I expect to have you back in the office tomorrow—”

“That’s not happening, Ingrid.”

“Excuse me?” Abby was, by now, just as angry as Ingrid, if not more so. She had never—in all the time she’d been there—requested emergency personal time.

“Ingrid, I am, at this very moment, standing outside the funeral home that my friends’ bodies are being displayed at. And tomorrow, I’m going to their funeral.”

“Then Sunday.”

“No.” Abby stood firm, shaking her head even though the woman on the other end of the phone couldn’t see her.

“Abigail, if you think you’re such a necessity to this team that you can’t be replaced, I’m afraid you’ve been quite misinformed.” And it was at that moment that Abby felt herself snap.

“You know what, Ingrid?” She was speaking in a very calm tone, though she was anything but. “I think you’re right. So why don’t I just save you the trouble of finding someone else to fire me?” She didn’t even hesitate. “I quit.”

“Excuse me?”

“I quit. Good luck doing your own job for once.” And with that, she stabbed angrily at the touch-screen, a string of obscenities floating from her lips as she struggled not to kick something or throw the tiny piece of technology at the wall.

A small bubble of laughter sounded behind her and she froze, feeling her face turn scarlet. She was grateful it was growing dark enough that he couldn’t see her as she turned around to face him. “Doing okay there, sailor?”

“My boss.”

“If I heard right, that would be your former boss, correct?” Logan had a small smile on his face and Abby rolled her eyes, shrugging her shoulders and nodding. “Told you you’re a strong woman, Abigail Lewis. When the time came…you did what you had to do.”

“Well, a girl can only take so much.” She sighed, running her fingers through her hair. His eyes met hers and she froze for a moment, her heart thumping wildly against her ribs. She felt somewhat vulnerable without her sunglasses and she tried to tell herself to look away, but she couldn’t. Something about him just wouldn’t let her. “What’re you doing out here anyway?”

“Loading up the flowers so I can take them to the restaurant.” They had arranged for the wake to be held at the small restaurant Blake and Hayley had loved so much. “Why don’t you grab up those collages you made? We’ll take them over now. One less thing to worry about in the morning.” It was going to be a hectic morning, Abby thought. He made a good point. She nodded, glad when he finally broke their gaze.

It didn’t take long for her for carry the collages out to the truck, and so she set about helping Logan load up the flowers. As she made her way outside, one of the yellow petals fluttered from the flower, falling to the ground. She hesitated a moment, staring down at it.

And then it occurred to her.

“Would you mind dropping me off back at the motel, Logan? I mean, before the restaurant?”

“Sure—what’s the rush?”

“I just realized—I can’t—I mean, tomorrow. I brought a black dress.”

“That is what people traditionally wear to a funeral, Abby.”

“Yes, I know—but I can’t.” The memory danced through her mind once more. “When I die, Abbs—I don’t want you wearing black. Wear something bright and vibrant. You’ll be the trendiest of all the old ladies there. Black is just so—depressing.” Abby heard her own laughter in her head as she remembered the day. They had been sitting at the bar that the guys worked at and a large group of people arrived from a funeral—every one of them wearing black. Hayley had leaned forward, all seriousness, and told Abby her wishes.

“I need to go—I’ve got to find something else to wear.” How could she have been so stupid? How could she have forgotten such a moment?

She knew, of course. Because at the time, it had seemed like something she wouldn’t have to remember for a very long time. At the time, it had seemed like some trivial little exchange.

“Well why don’t we save time and I’ll just take you?” Abby looked up at him, her eyes wide with surprise.

“You don’t mind?” He shook his head, his expression completely sincere. “I don’t even care where we go—I don’t know if there’s a mall anywhere nearby or…”

“If I remember right, there’s a dress shop on the way to the city. I mean, I doubt they have anything too fancy but—”

“No, no—that’s fine.” She placed the vase of flowers carefully in the bed of the truck, Logan following suit. “I’m just going to run in and thank them—can you get the rest?”

“Not a problem. I’ll meet you back here.”

Abby rushed through the niceties, thanking the directors of the funeral home for being so helpful. As she hurried back out to meet Logan, she glanced at the clock, wondering how late a local dress shop would stay open in an area like this.

He already had the truck running, reaching across the seat and opening her door once he saw her coming. She hopped inside and exhaled loudly. “So Logan, why, exactly, do you know where a dress shop is around here?” His chuckle warmed the interior of the truck.

“I spent some time out this way after I graduated, before I found a job. Got to know the area a little bit.” A few things began to make sense.

“I see—and a dress shop was something you paid a lot of attention to?” Her tone sounded playful, but really, she was almost nervous to hear his explanation.

“I went with Hayley once. She was looking for something to wear for some sort of special night out with Blake.” Abby imagined the scene—Hayley dragging Logan all over the place, talking his ear off, trying to get his opinion. A faint smile came to her lips.

“She liked surprising him like that.” Logan nodded and the two fell quiet once more, each lost in their thoughts. “Does it still seem surreal to you?” She asked finally, not really meaning to speak aloud, but not regretting it.

“I still can’t wrap my head around it, if that’s what you’re asking.” He sighed. “I mean, I’d just talked to him, Abby. He was so excited—they both were. And then this…” He shook his head, not finishing his sentence. Abby had some idea about what it was he was referring to. “Yeah, surreal is the word. I just can’t believe it.”

“I’m glad I’m not the only one.” Not only could she not believe that her friends were gone—snatched away at their happiest moment—but that she was here, with him. She had a feeling he agreed, but neither felt capable of admitting it aloud.

The rest of the drive was made in silence, but it wasn’t an uncomfortable one. Both were struck by how natural it felt, sitting at the side of their former lover. Even during moments of awkward tension—everything still felt right. Abby secretly reveled in the feeling, having thought she’d lost it forever. Hayley had always been the closest she’d come to finding her other half—at least until Logan had come into their lives.

“There it is,” Abby stirred herself from her thoughts, growing aware of the slightly more busy town around them. She was surprised to see so many people out and about at this time of night. Logan was pulling into the parking lot of a small plaza, directing the truck toward a shop with many dresses in the window. As they neared, she took in some of the wild designs and raised her eyebrows.

“You’re sure Hayley brought you here?” He chuckled then, nodding his head as he opened the door and exited the vehicle. Abby followed his lead, letting herself out and approaching hesitantly. As they neared the door, she noticed the hours—they would be closing in about twenty minutes. She bit her lip, knowing the rest of the shops would likely be closing at the same time. This would have to do.

But as soon as they entered, she changed her mind. The small shop was lined with dresses of varying styles—surely she would be able to find something.

She was immediately drawn to the shades that reminded her of spring and lightness—colors Hayley had always insisted Abby was born to wear. Abby thumbed through the selections, waiting for something to catch her eye. “You two lovebirds shopping for a special occasion?” A gentle voice drawled behind her and she turned, her eyes darting between the older woman and Logan.