“And to Charity, may she find someone just like her…or worse.”
Marci met my glass with hers and laughed. “We’re gonna
have to quit toasting, or I may have to take a cab home.”
“Ah, I see you’re as wimpy as I am when it comes to alcohol.” I
wasn’t tipsy, but I was pretty sure my next drink would be water.
“We could ask for a table and get something to eat and absorb
all that we’ve been drinking if you’d like,” Marci offered.
We ended up having a late dinner and joked that Friday night
would have to be considered a second date since we’d shared
a meal. After we ate, Marci gave me a ride to my car that was
parked a block away. “I had a great time, and I’m really looking
forward to Friday,” I told her as she pulled up to the curb. And
since it was a night for jumping out there, I leaned over and gave
her a quick kiss, which she returned.
On the way home, I thought about that kiss. It was sweet, and
her lips were soft and willing, but there was no spark. I chastised
myself, thinking we’d only just met. It was silly to expect
fireworks, but I wanted them.
Robin Alexander
Chapter 9
Revelations…the truth is a bitch.
“Have a good time?” Hailey asked as I entered the
courtyard.
I jumped, surprised to find her sitting in the dark. The
chimenea had burned down to embers, and Fuzzy was nowhere
in sight.
“What are you doing out here in the dark alone?” I took a seat
next to her.
“I was waiting for you. I wanted to see how your date went.”
She wasn’t her perky self and didn’t look at me when she
spoke.
“It went fine. She’s a nice girl. We’re gonna go out again
Friday.”
Hailey stared off into the darkness. “That’s great,” she said,
but she didn’t sound like she meant it.
“What’s going on? Please don’t tell me it’s just work.”
Hailey blew out a breath as she crossed her arms. “It’s not
you. I’m angry at myself.”
“For what?”
“Have you ever been taken by someone you’ve only just met?”
She leaned her head against the bench and stared up at the sky.
“Yes, unfortunately, I have.”
Hailey turned and looked at me. “Was it the girl you met
tonight?”
“No, she’s sweet and attractive, and I actually enjoyed her
Pitifully Ugly
company.” I shook my head as I thought about Marci and the kiss.
“Even still, we just didn’t have that click I was hoping for.”
“Then why are you going out with her again?” Hailey asked
with a tone that put me on the defensive. If she was angry with
herself, she was sure directing it at me.
“Because I’ve only seen her once. Maybe I’ll feel that
connection, that spark when we get to know each other better.
Did the guy you’re interested in lead you on or something?”
Hailey didn’t reply. She swallowed hard and looked back up
at the night sky.
“I’m not an expert on conversing, but I think in order to do it,
we both have to talk.”
“I just think I’ve read too much into the conversations we’ve
been having. My interest is obviously one-sided.” Hailey stood.
“I’m sorry that I’ve dropped all of this on you. It’s probably the
last thing you wanted to hear after a pleasant evening.”
I stood and followed behind her as she walked toward the
door with her shoulders slumped. “Hey.” I tugged on her arm.
“I’m not full of dating advice, but I’m a pretty good listener.”
Hailey turned and looked at me. The pain in her eyes was
obvious even in the dim light. “I appreciate that, but right now, a
good night’s sleep is what I need.”
“Whomever this chowder head is, he’s missing out on a good
thing,” I said with a smile.
She shrugged. “I think I may be the one who’s missed out.”
We walked up the steps and into the building. “Good night,”
Hailey called over her shoulder as she bypassed the elevator and
took the stairs.
I awoke early the next morning to the patter of rain against
my window. It was one of those days that made me thankful that
I worked from home. After I made myself a cup of coffee, I stood
in front of my huge living room window and watched as a sea of
umbrellas moved up and down the sidewalks. One moved around
the courtyard behind a fluffy yellow dog in search of the perfect
spot to do her business.
I thought back on my conversation with Kalen, mainly the
Robin Alexander
part when she asked me if I had a crush on Hailey. I did. There
was no sense in denying it to myself. When Hailey asked me if
I’d ever been taken by someone I just met, I understood too well
what that felt like. It bothered me to think that she felt the same
way about someone else.
And then I thought about Marci. She was everything I was
looking for, but she wasn’t the one I wanted. Was I leading her on
by going out on a second date? My inner thoughts were interrupted
by the ringing of my phone. I answered as I watched Hailey and
Fuzzy wander the courtyard.
“I’m not going in to work today.” Kalen sounded miserable.
“Still queasy?” I asked.
“Downright nauseated.”
“Want me to take you to the doctor?” I wrinkled my nose.
Just walking into one of those places made me feel like flypaper
for germs.
“No, it’s probably just a virus that will pass in a few days. Are
you feeling okay? You sound kind of down or distracted.”
“I’m fine. Matter of fact, I went out on a date last night.”
“No shit?” Kalen said, sounding perkier. “With who?”
“Her name is Marci, and it went okay.”
“Where did you meet her?”
I should’ve known that question was coming, but I was too
busy bragging that I hadn’t considered having to explain the
Rainbow Room. “We…umm…met online.”
“Oh, my God, you did it anyway. Didn’t you listen when
I warned you about those things? What if she’s some sort of
psychopath or something? Those are the only kind of people that
join those things.”
“Thanks,” I said with a frown.
“Well, I didn’t mean you.”
“If I’m decent, doesn’t it stand to reason that there might just
be someone like me out there, too? And while we’re talking about
psychopaths, remember Jackie, Candace’s crazy cousin that you
set me up with?”
“Touché, touché, damn it.” Kalen took a deep breath and let it
out slowly. “You met her in a public place, I presume.”
0
Pitifully Ugly
“No, I invited her over. She’s loading up my computer and
DVD player right now,” I said as I watched Hailey and Fuzzy
climb the steps to the back door.
“You’re really a pistol this early in the morning,” Kalen said
just as sarcastically. “Truce. Now tell me about this woman.”
I plopped down on the sofa. “She’s cute, sweet, and seems
like a really nice person.”
“But?”
“I dunno, maybe I’m judging her too quickly, but there’s no
spark. I might as well have been out with you.”