Page 6 of Undone, Love Times Three

Thank God she’s loosening up. I can see this going beyond one date. I want it to. Sometimes, you just get a feeling about someone and I’m getting that now.

This is a woman I want to know more about.

Three

Sylvie

A laugh bursts out of me, and Ryan grins back. He told me about how the firefighters hose each other on their birthday. It’s always when you don’t expect it, even when you’re looking out for it because it’s tradition.

The last birthday at the firehouse was for his cousin, who was on the toilet when they snaked a hose over the top and doused him. Obviously, it wasn’t a proper fire hose, he added.

We’ve finished up our sandwiches and shared a muffin because I was too stuffed to get one just for me. Ryan was gracious about it, even though I’m sure he would have eaten the whole muffin by himself in two or three bites.

He is so fit. When he got up to use the bathroom earlier, his thigh muscles were well defined beneath his jeans. And his ass. I’d stared at it as he walked away.

I’ve dug myself into a massive hole here. Once he knows I lied about who I am, he won’t want to talk to me again. Typical, given he seems like the perfect man. He’s the full package, handsome, funny, courteous. Of course, that’s a first impression and to get to know him better would take a few more dates.

A glum feeling comes over me. The first man I’ve enjoyed spending time with in years and I’ve already driven him away. He just doesn’t know it yet.

We’ve talked and laughed and talked more. We had to order some cokes to hold on to the table. It’s been two hours. Neither one of us expected the date to last this long.

Neither Henry nor Alison showed up. That is one good thing to come out of this, I guess. If I’d have said I wasn’t Alison, but I was there on a blind date too, we maybe still could have sat together. We could have commiserated over been stood up.

As we get closer to winding down the date, my panic rises. I won’t be able to agree to another date. Not without telling him who I am. But I’ve had such a good time.

“Alison, are you okay?”

My heart feels as if another stake has driven through it, hearing that concern, punctuated by her name. Not mine. Not Sylvie.

“Yes, I’m sorry, but I have to run. I have a huge order to get ready in the next couple of days and it is going to be a lot of work.”

“Time has kind of run away with us, hasn’t it?”

I nod.

“It’s because it’s been such a nice time,” he says, sitting forward.

He reaches over the table and takes my hand. It’s warm and oddly makes me feel safe, which is insane given I’ve only just met the man. Followed swiftly by a wave of guilt.

“I think they need the table back,” I say, pretending that someone has signaled.

Ryan looks over his shoulder, then back at me. “Right, we have kind of hogged it.”

There aren’t any people looking for tables. What is he thinking? That I can’t wait to get out of here? He’d be right, but also wrong. Oh crap.

We gather our things and head outside. I’m still trying to figure out what I’m going to say as he pulls the door closed. Do I tell him I can never see him again? The truth just seems like a terrible idea. We haven’t exchanged numbers. Or… Oh, he must have Alison’s number.

I can just leave saying we’ll call, but he won’t have my number. Yes. No. That thought leaves me sad. I don’t want him to be ghosted.

Or worse, have Alison respond and say she never went on a date with him.

It’s truth time, Sylvie. Just do it. Turning to face him, he has this earnest, cute smile on his face, like he is about to arrange another date. I can’t bear to put any other look on his face.

His phone rings. He frowns, but looks like he is about to ignore it.

“You should get that,” I blurt.

“Uh, sure. But hang on a sec, okay? I’ll get rid of whoever it is.”

---