A thought seeps through my mind. Opening my text messages, I pull up Colton’s name.
Wanna hang out tonight?
Colton
I can’t
Why not?
I’m seeing a girl
What?
…
I went on one date with her last night, and I really like her. I think she might be the one. So I don’t want to ruin it.
What the actual…?
She just said yes to another date next Monday, all day.
WTF
I’m taking it slow with her, like I said. But I don’t want to ruin it by hanging out with a friend.
Very funny
Yeah, I’m funny like that.
Seriously, I’ll make beignets. They’re like churros.
Seriously, no. I don’t want to fuck it up.
See, I knew it. Friendship is gone already.
…
Friendship is being put respectfully to the side while I explore a more meaningful connection
You’re very confusing. Why can’t you take me on a date
Typing these words make me all sort of hot and bothered. I pause, thinking this through, then resume my typing.
while still hanging out casually with me?
I don’t cheat on sweetness with grasshopper. That’s a rule.
I’m the same person
It’s not really the same thing, though
Also, you never had a problem hanging out with me when you were dating other girls. This is bullshit.
This is true, with the notable exception of Valerie. There was no hanging out with Colton (or the both of them) when she had moved in with him.
I wasn’t dating any of them.
You think if I ever got serious with another girl I’d be hanging out with you over pizza and video games in the middle of the night?