Page 58 of Two Guys, a Girl, and a Tripod

“That’s what I thought you said.” Miles nods with a sigh. “Have you considered therapy?” He studies me with a gaze that I know penetrates far deeper than I want it to at this moment.

“Well, that’s not what I expected you to say.” A breath of laughter forces its way through my nose.

“It would probably help.” Miles shrugs. “But if you don’t want to talk to a stranger about it, you know I’m here.”

“I know, man, I know.”

Do I even try with Sophie?

She deserves better than to have someone run out on her.

“Peace offering,” Miles says again, pointing at me with the knife he’s using to cut onions.

“Fine,” I sigh, holding my phone up to type out a message I hope she’ll read.

It takes me several seconds to get started. What do I say?Sorry, Sophie. I flipped my lid, but I’m good now. Can we go out again? I promise I won’t freak out.

“Yeah, that’ll work,” I mutter sarcastically.

“What’ll work?” Miles asks.

“I don’t even know what to say.” Before Miles can open his mouth to offer assistance, I add, “I’ll figure it out.”

“Will you, though?” The skepticism is evident on his face.

“I don’t need any lip from you, Mr. Falls In Love With a Co-Star.”

“I’m not in love,” is all I hear him mutter under his breath.

Returning to my phone screen, I take a deep breath and begin to type.

Hitting send is the most nerve-wracking thing I’ve done, second maybe to meeting her in the first place.

She responds almost immediately with her phone number and two words:Call me.

I nearly jump from the bar stool to go to my bedroom, leaving a rather surprised roommate and my uneaten salad in the kitchen. I quickly dial the number as I close the door and wait with bated breath, my heartbeat racing faster with each ring.

“Hello?”

Just hearing her voice creates goosebumps on the back of my neck.

“Sophie, I’m so sorry.” The words tumble from my mouth so quickly I’m not sure she can catch them. “I just-”

“You’re the first person I’ve been on a date with since moving here,” she interrupts me. “I wondered if I should wait to say something about my job, mycareerbecause I know how hard it can be to accept.”

“Sophie, that’s not it.”

“I’m talking.”

My mouth snaps shut.

“You ran away.” She pauses and I’m not sure if she’s waiting for me to apologize again or if she’s trying to think of what to say next. “My roommate told me to move on because I deserve better than someone who bolts at the first thing that doesn’t fit into a perfect, picket-fence life. You’re going to have to have a pretty solid excuse for me.”

I take a deep breath, letting it out away from the receiver. What do I even say to that?

“Did I do something wrong?” The hurt in her voice is like a dagger to the heart.

“God, no.” My voice is too loud. “I swear, you’re… you’re perfect.”

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