“It is what it is. We both got busy with our lives and businesses and things just fizzled out.”
“You ever thought about asking her out again?”
“Why? Does she ask about me at work?”
“At work? You talk with her enough to know she works with me now?” I asked.
“No. It’s been a while.”
“Then how do you know she works at the foundation now?” I asked.
“Just answer the question, man.”
“Well, I’ve only been back in town a couple of weeks. I’ve stopped off at the foundation to check in on things, but I don’t go back full-time until tomorrow. But from what Hailey’s told me, she does ask a bit about you. I’m serious. You should give her a call now. Things have settled down on her end a bit now that she’s set up at the foundation, and you look like you’re running steady hours now instead of that twenty-four seven bullshit that’s required to get a business going.”
“I’m busier than ever. Open at noon and closed at eleven.”
“You run eleven-hour days out of this place? Are your inkers part-time?” I asked.
“Nope. All full-time staff. We’re just that busy.”
“That’s awesome, Drew. It really is. But back to Anna.”
“Dude, come on,” he said.
“It’s embarrassing at this point. Everyone knows the two of you are still into each other. People drift apart, but that doesn’t mean emotions fall by the wayside. You two were an item before, and then life got in the way. It happens to everyone. But you guys are settled a bit more now.”
“I don’t know if we can get back together, man,” he said.
“Why not?” I asked.
“I just don’t know, okay? Things are busy, and I hardly have time for myself right now. Just leave it for now. I’m fine, I promise. I know that’s why you came here, to check up on me and shit.”
“Yeah, well. Sue me for caring,” I said.
“So, you go back to work tomorrow?” he asked.
“Yep. I’ll pop my head in for a meeting with Ellen this afternoon, but that’s about it.”
“How’s Hailey doing with the baby? And how’s the art gallery?”
“Hailey and the baby are wonderful. You should come over one morning and have breakfast with us. She’d love to see you.”
“Even after failing to date her sister?” he asked.
“You two didn’t fail. You just drifted apart. Get it straight. And yes, she’d still love to see you. Your tattoo stuff is still up in her art gallery, which is going well. She’s having to look into hiring a new person full-time for when the baby comes, but that’s about it.”
“What’s wrong with the girl who’s there?” he asked.
“Graduating and moving away.”
“Sounds like a decent reason for leaving a place of work. I approve.”
“Not that you had any say in it to begin with,” I said, grinning.
“What time’s your meeting?” he asked.
“In about an hour. I’m going to run down food before I head that way.”