In a new relationship, the appearance of an ex-partner is never a good omen, as was made most apparent to me between Anna and Rob this week. Today, however, I had the good fortune of seeing how a mature person handles this situation.
Freya and Elliott were at Freya’s favorite bar an hour after work, having a snack and a drink and just enjoying one another’s company. I like the easy relationship that is building between them—neither of them is in any hurry, and they are becoming good friends at the same time that they strengthen the romance between them.
Then George came into the bar. I was dismayed to see him, with Rob still fresh on my mind, and I tried to keep him from noticing Freya, but she is hard to hide, my fire woman. She happened to spot him, too, and her wave encouraged him to come over to say hello.
“Day drinking, Cobb?” he teased as he came up to the table.
“Oh, please, it’s well after five,” she scoffed. “And if I’m day drinking, then you are too.”
“True enough.” He glanced at Elliott with a smile. “Hi, I’m George.”
“Elliott.” They shook hands. “How do you know Freya?”
I tensed, but I was the only one.
“Oh, I was lucky enough to get a couple dates in the beginning of the year. Clearly she’s upgraded.” George gave Freya a mournful frown. “Now, admit it, you dumped me because I’m not ginger.”
“You got me,” Freya said, spreading her hands. “What can I say? Your soul was getting in my way.”
Elliott was grinning now. “That, or she just got sick of the temptation to eat it.”
I was horrified by this, but evidently it was a joke, for both Freya and George laughed.
Catching her breath, Freya set her hand on George’s shoulder. “George was very cool about me letting him down easy, so I let him hang around still,” she explained to Elliott.
Elliott nodded and pantomimed writing in a notebook. “Got it. Maturity—good.”
“Doesn’t that go without saying?” Freya said.
“One would think.” Elliott clapped George on the shoulder. “Well, George, grab a drink and pull up a chair if you want. Let me pick your brain about this woman.”
“While I’m in arm’s reach? Nothing doing,” George said, and dodged out of the way of Freya’s attack.
But he did get a drink, and he did pull up a chair, where he seemed totally welcome by both Freya and Elliott. I examined all three of them, looking for any sign of reservation, but there was only the faintest uncertainty in Elliott, which faded after half an hour of George’s company. He was glad to see that there seemed to be no lingering desire between Freya and George, and once he had determined this, he was pleased to meet someone who could give him a new perspective on Freya.
Of course, it was not quite true that there was no desire left. George did feel a pang of envy for Elliott, but he pushed it down and away where it could not hurt anyone. He went out of his way to be friendly to Elliott, all the while keeping an eye on Freya and enjoying her evident contentment. He truly cares about her.
I wonder that I did not think of George when I was looking for friends for Freya. He is already someone who knows her well, and he wants her to be happy. I should see if I can introduce him to Kara.
As for Freya, she was deeply relieved that George was so friendly, and equally proud of Elliott for his lack of jealousy. Even as the two men revisited some of the more dramatic arguments she and George had had early on, even as they ganged up against her and laughed at her replies, her heart was warm, filled with affection for both of them.
Just before they parted ways—Elliott and Freya were going out to dinner together—Freya excused herself to visit the bathroom. A little silence fell between George and Elliott in her absence. Then George looked at him. “Hey, man, I really hope I wasn’t crashing in on you,” he said. “I know it can be awkward when the ex is around.”
“Nah, it’s cool,” Elliott said, though he appreciated the consideration. “You and Freya seem to be in a really good place. Anyway, I think it would be a terrible idea to try and get jealous over that woman.”
George laughed at that. “Yeah, hold on to your balls, buddy. You’re in for a ride.”
Elliott raised his brows. “Are you jealous?” he asked.
George studied him, knowing that however lightly it was phrased, the question was genuine. “Little bit,” he admitted. But he grinned. “But I’m out of the hot seat now. She’s going to eat you for lunch.”
Elliott glanced off after Freya, a small smile on his face. “Challenge accepted,” he said.
Satisfied that they were truly on good terms, I went to find Freya. She looked up in the middle of washing her hands, catching her own eye in the mirror. She winked at herself, though I imagined that she was winking at me. “I love my boys,” she murmured. Then, smiling, she headed back out to meet them.