The Good Wife (COMPLETE)

Thirteen

Whether it was out of guilt, or maybe he did have some sort of feelings left for me, Mark deposited $100,000 into my bank account. There was also always the possibility that my sister had threatened to remove his male anatomy if he didn't give me at least something. I used the money to rent a small apartment on the river and buy some furniture. He even paid off and signed my car over to me, no questions asked.

I woke up to the sun shining brightly in the window. Yawning and stretching, my hands ran over the empty bed beside me.  My fingers curled slightly. It was something I was still getting used to. I got up and made myself a cup of tea and sat out in the warm sun on the small patio. I only had to work the afternoon shift today, so I sat outside and read for a little. After having lunch and getting ready, I made my way over to the shop. I walked in to find one of the other girls, Rachel, finishing up with a customer.

"Busy day today?" I asked, coming around the counter and putting my bag in the cubby.

"No, not really. Once nine o'clock hit, it's been pretty dead."

I nodded and went to Jerry's office to grab my register bag. "Hey, Jerry."

"Hey, sunshine," he said, handing me the bag from his desk. "How ya doin'?"

"Good," I said, smiling. "How about you? Are you feeling any better?"

"Oh yeah, good as new," he said flashing me his cheesy grin. "Thanks again for closing up the other night."

"No problem, glad you're doing better," I smiled again as I headed to the front. Rachel was just switching out her register bag and I placed my bills and coins in the drawer.

"Bye, Abby. Have a good day," Rachel waved as she left out the back.

"Bye, Rachel, you too." I clicked the register closed and began wiping the counters. I went around to the stock the tables and sugar rack until the next customer came in.

A familiar blonde head was sitting at a high top table by the window. I smiled and headed over that way. "Hi," I said to Brendan. He was sipping his coffee, looking down at his phone.

"Hey, Abby," he said, not looking up.

"How was work this week?" I asked, taking some garbage off his table.

"Fine," he clicked a few more keys. I sighed, heading back to the counter. Mark's face flashed through my mind and my heart clenched.

"Wait, Abby," I turned to find Brendan behind me. "I'm sorry," he said, holding up his phone. "I don't want you to think I was ignoring you. My Gran isn't doing too well."

"Oh, I'm so sorry."

"Thanks. She had a little fall, but she's a tough cookie. I'm really sorry, I'd love to stay and talk to you and see how you've been, but I really need to go pick up my sister. Rain check?"

"Rain check. I hope she's okay," I said, giving him a small hug.

"Thank you." He grabbed his coffee and bag and waved, heading out the door.

I waved and sent up a little prayer for his gram as I finished wiping tables.

A few weeks went by and slowly, I was falling into my own routine. I started running again and was doing lots of reading and even started volunteering at the animal shelter down the street. I also picked up some more shifts at the coffee shop as some of the girls had started school back up.

I went into work and flew through the busy Monday morning rush. Things began to slow down and my favorite customer came rushing in as it started to pour outside. He shook out his hair and stepped up to the counter with a grin on his face.

"Abby," he nodded.

I laughed and smiled as well. "Hi, Brendan. Something to warm you up?"

"Yes, please. Maybe a hot chocolate?"

"You got it." I pour him a cup of our delicious hot chocolate, threw in some mini marshmallows, and put some whipped cream on top. I put on a lid and passed it off to him as he handed me some cash. I counted his change and handed it back to him.

He headed back to the back of the shop, setting up with his laptop. I served a few more customers that trickled in. I went to the back to grab some more cups and other supplies. I hummed as I restocked behind the counter. I wiped the counters as Brendan stepped up to the register again.

I flashed him a smile. "Hey,"

"Hey," he said. He looked very nervous, which was unlike him. My curiosity had peeked and I put down my rag.

"Did you want something to go?"

"Do you maybe wanna go get some coffee sometime? Or, um, maybe not coffee since you live, smell, and breathe coffee. How about dinner?"

I paused for a moment. Was I really ready for this? It had been a few months, but was I ready to give my heart to someone again?

Brendan took my hesitation as a no. "It's okay," he said, stepping back from the counter and putting a hand on his bag. "I shouldn't have asked. It was stupid of me. Forget I said anything." He turned to go and started walking towards the door.

"Yes," I called out after him. He stopped in his tracks and turned back around. "Yes, I'll go on a date with you."

He fist pumped the air and a smile grew on his face. He walked back over to me. "I promise you will not be disappointed."