The family’s seated around the table, prayer said, forks hitting plates.

Paula starts, “so anything new with you guys? Spence?”

And the idle chatter begins…

-----

Monday

Blah

Tuesday

Work

Wednesday

More blah

Thursday

Busy, busy, busy

Friday

“It's the weekend. Hoping we can chill again, sorta like we use to do cuz you know it’s overdue. Maybe we can if you ain’t got other plans. I know something we could do. Girl you know its overdue.”

All morning Spencer has been singing this song over and over.

Bags packed, sitting in the trunk of her car

She’s been debating with herself to call or not to call the number on the card she’s been flipping through her fingers all week but been too nervous to.

Sliding the card back into her front blazer pocket she continues typing her work until it’s an endless run of lines that make absolutely no sense. ‘I definitely need a break’

A quick glance at the clock in her office

4:00 PM

PEACE OUT BITCHES!!!

Just as if a school bell rang after the last class of the day, Spencer shot out of her office saying her goodbyes to all the degrading men and took off across the state line.

*Ring*

*Ring*

“What you been up to? Are you still single? Doin’ the friend thin? I’d like to know. I wanna see you so why won't you stop by. I miss your touch. Girl I miss your smile.”

“Hey, you’ve reached Ashley Davies. Leave a message after the beep if you expect a call back. Oh and if your name is Dr. S I’ve been waiting for your call because Addison sorta kinda ate your business card.”

*BEEP*

“Well that was interesting,” she laughs into the receiver. “I was just calling to say I’ll be in town in an hour or so if you and the kids want to have dinner or hangout maybe. Okay. Call me. Bye. Oh wait…This is Spencer by the way.”

Hanging up the phone Spencer throws it into the small compartment and bangs her head on the steering wheel. ‘I’m sucha dork!’

A few minutes later a ping sound comes from her cell phone and she reaches it to read a new text.

“Sorry I’m running into a meeting but I would love to meet with you later. I should be leaving here about 6ish. Call you soon. XOX - Ash”

A little part of Spencer is jumping for joy on the inside until she runs over the ‘XOX – Ash’ part.

Now the other part of her that’s crushing on the brunette mom is in a frenzy wondering if they were purposely put there or just her messaging signature.

“I guess I’ll find out in a few hours”

-----

Ashley ends up calling as soon as Spencer pulls up to her condo saying she’s done for the day.

“So what’s the plan? Grab the kids then a little dinner, maybe or do you have something else in mind?”

“Uhh no mommy’s tired. I think my rugrats can handle a little extra playing time at the center. How about we grab a little something to eat and I can scoop them up after on my way home. I need some adult time that doesn’t involve my co-workers.”

“Sounds good to me. Where are you coming from, I can meet you somewhere.”

“I’m near 5th and Shoreline Ave. It’s not far from the beach we were at.”