“How have you’ve been? Is everything okay?” It’s the first time I’ve seen him not give me a smile.
“The truth is, my girlfriend broke up with me. She’s tired of my hours and how I get called in at odd times.”
“Wow, she had to know that going into the relationship.”
He purses his lips. “She did. Says she thought she could handle it.”
“I’m sorry. Did it happen today?”
He shakes his head. “No, a few weeks ago. I guess it’s really hitting me today. I’ve been so busy with work, I haven’t had time to think about it.”
We’ve become so comfortable with each other, I don’t think twice when I ask him my next question. “Did you love her?”
He glances up thoughtfully. “I wouldn’t say love. But she won’t be the only woman who can’t put up with my profession. It kind of sucks to think that my job will be a turn off.”
“Somehow I think she’s in the minority.” Jenna’s words come back to me. “Anyway, I have a friend,” I begin and map out my plan for setting up a blind date.
Two days later, Jenna completely blows me off.
“No way. That’s your doctor. I saw how he looked at you at your yard sale. His eyes narrowed anytime a guy came up to ask you the price of something.”
“We’re just friends,” I say for the millionth time.
“I’m still not going out with him,” she says adamantly.
“But you said you would date him and I set it all up because of that.”
Jenna won’t change her mind. Therefore, I find myself walking into the bar and lounge to find him surprised to see me.
“I’m sorry,” I say sheepishly.
He seems resigned. “She doesn’t want to date a doctor.”
“No, it’s not that.” I don’t want to lie to him. “She has this crazy idea about you and me.”
His eyes go wide and it stings just a little. I’m not even sure why. I like him as a friend, but I guess knowing he wouldn’t be interested in me at all hits the old ego like a wrecking ball.
“Why don’t you stay? We can make the best of it. I don’t get many nights like these that often.”
Feeling guilty I set up this date without talking to Jenna first, I agree. It isn’t a hardship. I enjoy spending time with him. We never seem to have trouble coming up with conversation topics.
“Dance with me,” he says later.
I meet his eyes. “Are you serious?”
“Yeah, why not? You’ve been moving in your chair for the past half an hour,” he teases.
“Fine, why not?” I accept more just because he said it so much like a dare.
I take his hand and we dance. The fast moving songs have my heart racing like I’m running. For that time, my mind is free and clear, and I see the man before me for the first time. He’s good looking if not gorgeous, just like Jenna said. Somehow, I think I’ve known that. I’ve only ignored it until now. His girlfriend is a fool. He’s a great guy and will make someone a good husband one day.
When the night is over, he walks me to my car.
“I had fun.”
“Me too,” I say.
After I click the lock on my car, he opens the door so I can get inside. For the craziest of moments, I wonder if he will kiss me. The moment passes and he doesn’t. So I drive away and get back to my daily life.
~A year and four months after Drew~
“You’re finally going out with him tonight?” Jenna asks, genuinely surprised.
“It was last minute. His date canceled. He asked if I could go with him.” Then I add, “as friends,” before Jenna can get any ideas.
“Friends my ass.”
“Jenna, we are just friends.”
“But you like him.”
It’s the first time I hesitate in my response. “I don’t think I’m ready. Drew—”
Jenna cuts me off. “This is going to sound harsh, but Drew is gone and he’s never coming back. And we are all sorry that’s the case. But you promised him you would live. I’m sorry I have to pull that card, but it’s been long enough. No one is going to fault you for moving on.”
Her words still bounce in my head as I drink my glass of wine. When he turns his back, I down the rest and give the empty glass to the waiter.
When he turns back to me, I feel the need to fill the space. “You know everyone,” I say, nervous for the first time.
“My parents know everyone and thus they know me.”
“Your family and Jenna’s.”
Jenna would probably get stopped every few steps. This benefit has all the old families in attendance.
“It’s tough sometimes, like tonight when I would rather be talking to you than some stuffed shirt who knows my dad or mom.”
I find myself staring at his lips while he talks. I wave a hand at my face suddenly feeling flushed.
“Are you hot? Do you want to want to walk out on the terrace?”
I nod frantically because I can’t stop staring and it’s stupid.
He takes my hand and leads me outside. The night is cool and we stand by the marble railing staring out into the night. We start to talk at the same time.
“No, you go ahead,” I say.
He seems to take a breath. “Cate, I’ll be honest with you. I’m glad you’re here with me and not someone else.”
“Really?”
“I like you, Cate. I think I like you more than you’re ready to hear. And I’ve tried to be patient and not push, but Cate—”
It might be the wine, but I move in and silence him with my lips. I press them to his and savor the moment for a second. His hand snakes behind my back and I start to feel warm all over. It has to be the wine. Three glasses might have been the courage I needed.
When I pull back his eyes are heavy on mine. “Cate—”
I shake my head. “I want this. I want you, if you’ll have me.” I take his hand. I’ve known him for almost a year and a half. This isn’t rushed, my subconscious tells me. We’ve taken time to get to know each other. And I need to know. I need to know if I can move on. “Let’s see if they have a room.”
He stops and holds my hand so I can’t move toward the doors.
“Are you sure? I can wait.” He scrubs a hand through his hair. “Hell, I have been waiting.”