Chapter 156 - Ribbon (1/2)

Abby had to explain how she and Blaise had become acquainted in more detail. Originally she had only mentioned that she met him through Hugo, the person who waved her when she came into this world and that they 'got friendly.'

Now that she thought about it, it was odd that he suddenly started showing up where she ate lunch every day since she had never seen him there before. As if he had done it on purpose to be able to see her.

But that wouldn't make sense because he never bothered to talk to her. She was the one who had to initiate contact every time.

Katie reached out to touch her shoulder. ”Abby, a guy wouldn't do that if he didn't like you. Or cross an entire ocean to make sure you were safe without payment. But that isn't the real question, is it? Do you like him back?”

She couldn't imagine someone like Blaise having tender feelings for anyone, let alone being in a relationship with him. Even if he wasn't leaving tomorrow.

”What does it matter?” she cried. ”Isn't it better to nip things in the bud before anybody gets hurt? Even if we do like each other there isn't time to explore those feelings. I can't spend my whole life waiting around for somebody to come back.”

Abby had already lost too many people important to her. She couldn't bear to wait and wonder forever. She had always wondered how military wives were able to survive their husbands' deployments.

As a freshman in college, before she met her first boyfriend, she met a cute guy who wanted to be a policeman. She had liked him but refused to date him because she didn't want to spend every day wondering if it would be the one he wouldn't come home.

Katie's expression grew sympathetic. ”I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said anything. Of course you wouldn't want that after everything with Mom and Dad…and me. Goodness knows I craved normalcy and predictability after coming here too.”

And just like that, the matter was dropped. Abby's heart was heavy but she knew that like all of her other crushes this one would pass. Maybe someday she could find someone who would be willing to stay here and have a normal, safe job.

Not that she really cared about that right now. She had barely found Katie again and needed to focus on building a life for herself here before she thought about any degree of permanency. Even entertaining thoughts of a relationship right now was stupid.

===