Page 38 of Reeling in Love

He sends a really sexy gif of a woman. I feel my face blushing. Is that what he thinks of me, or is he only trying to boost my confidence?

“Ooh. Okay, Mr handsome. Have fun after drinks with the ‘one girl’.”

“You too. Feel free to invite him to the condo if you like. Try the no-strings-attached sex. It’s super fun. Condoms will be in my room if needed – the right drawer next to the bed.” He follows it with a ‘be safe’ gif and a winky emoji.

“I’m on birth control. Don’t need them.”

“Ooh. Clark’s a lucky guy. But be careful. He’s a dentist. What if he bites?”

“Then we’ll set him up with Paula.”

I’m still chuckling when I hear Clark’s voice.

“What’s so funny?”

I almost jump up, wondering if he got a peek into my screen. I hope not.

“Nothing. Just a friend,” I say, putting my phone to the side.

He takes his seat opposite me, and we finally begin eating. More than half the meal is done and we’re yet to find any area of common interest. One of us asks a question, and the other gives a monosyllabic answer.

Finally, almost toward the end, he asks, “So, Nora. You have a lot of friends here?”

“Kinda. I mean a few close ones. One is married. She’s about to have a kid now. The other is engaged. And one is single.”

“The entire spectrum. Good. I have just one good friend and he’s a surgeon, so we don’t really get to meet very often now. Both are too busy with work and finding common free time is difficult.”

“True. To be honest, both my friends who’re into relationships seem to have a different life now. So, last few days I’ve been feeling pretty lonely. I don’t know who to talk to anymore.”

“What about the one who’s single?”

I put the last bite in my mouth and swallow it before answering. “Yeah, he’s there. But it’s him I wanted to talk about with someone. Usually, I’d go to him for such a talk, but I can’t. Because it’s about him. So….”

“Ah! Was it the one who was with you the other night at the bar?”

I nod. We’re waiting for the cheque. The conversation has veered into uncomfortable territory and I want nothing more than to leave since I can’t think of anything else to talk about.

“What about him? You can tell me if you like. I swear I won’t tell anyone.”

“We kissed,” I blurt and regret it right after.

Now he’s shocked. “Oh! Was that, y’know, after we met? Or before?”

I lower my head. Why am I feeling guilty? Talking to him didn’t put me in any relationship with him.

“After.”

Thankfully, the waiter arrives. I offer to pay. I don’t usually like other people paying my share, but he insists and doesn’t let me.

As we walk outside, he turns to me and says. “So you kissed after I left that night?”

“We were drunk, and… well, it doesn’t matter, because he’s my best friend. And I’m staying with him and can’t complicate it.”

“But… isn’t it already complicated?”

“Nah. I told him I remembered nothing from that night. So, yeah.”

“But you do remember. This doesn’t seem healthy. Hiding it, I mean.”

---