Awkward Meet Normal

Chapter Three

Annabelle:

What emergency had Carrie told him I had?

I would have to get that information from her before I responded to his email, but she would be out until the later afternoon.

The next day I had a lunch meeting with Ryan, one of my clients, and of course, one of my guy friends. My best friend.

"Anna," He stood when I got to his table. "How cool is this place?" He said as he looked around the bar restaurant.

It was an Irish pub, making me feel like I was back at my grandparent's home.

My mother's parents lived in Ireland, and I visited them as often as possible. Or whenever they paid for airline tickets to see them.

"I love it. It was very thoughtful of you to meet me here." I said to Ryan.

I had met Ryan during College, and he had moved to the city shortly after I had, and then he was married two years later. I was, of course, a groomsman at his wedding. Ryan's wedding was the first one I was a part of. I was his best man. Ryan was how I knew Kyle.

"That was something this weekend," he laughed at me, and I punched him in the arm.

"Not funny. I have PTSD thinking about it right now."

He must feel sorry for me and gets down to work.

"So my bosses saw the numbers coming in from your advertising, and they are pleased. The social media posts are doing their job." Ryan looked at me and smiled, letting me know how excited he was.

It had taken a year of me constantly asking for a chance with his company, and he had finally talked his bosses into it. I'm glad it was working out.

"That is awesome to hear." I had a feeling that this was how the meeting was going to go.

"Let's have a drink to celebrate." He ordered us two Guinnesses.

We were having our second round delivered when a group of men walked through the door off of the bar. The sun was shining, making it hard to see who was walking in.

The pub was small and homey; Ryan had picked a booth off of the front door.

"Annie and Ryan?" I turned to see Kyle standing next to my booth. Kyle sometimes called me Annie to annoy me; I never let him show that it bothered me. I was hoping he would give up on the nickname, but no such luck.

I looked up, and fake smiled. I was hoping not to have to see Kyle for a while. Shouldn't he be on a honeymoon right now?

"Scoot over," He said, looking over at our beers. "Guys, this is Anna and Ryan."

There were three guys behind him, Dash Brennan being one of them. Kyle scooted next to Ryan, and one of the guys I didn't know followed him. Dash scooted in on my side, with the last guy following him.

I was essentially stuck in the middle with no escape. Thus was my life.

"How is married life going?" Ryan asked. I gave him daggers, wishing he wouldn't have brought up anything about marriage or weddings.

"It's going," Kyle said, rubbing the back of his neck. His usual tell that he was stressed out.

"Statistically speaking, the first year of marriage is the hardest," I said, not thinking, just reacting to his reaction. Shove foot into the mouth; I gulp my Guinness in front of me instead.

"Ok," Kyle said as if I was losing it. I may have been losing it. Why did Dash have to sit so close to me?

Ryan laughed. "I believe Anna owes you a round after what she did."