Page 16 of Embers in Our Past

“It’s nice to see you again, Malloy. Am I too dressed up?” I look down at my dress and then look at his cargo shorts and T-shirt. I feel extremely overdressed.

“Absolutely not. I don’t mind having a beautiful woman on my arm tonight. You might be a little cold being outside for part of tonight’s dinner though.” He rubs the back of his neck, seeming uncomfortable as he looks me up and down. He’s still standing quite a distance away from me as if he stands too close, he’ll catch cooties or something. This is off to a stellar start.

“Let me grab a sweater.” I hold the door open for him as he walks in, and I run to my room to grab a cardigan. I use this time to send a text to whom I am now feeling confident is my ex-best friend:

What in the world, Marissa!

The dots appear within seconds, but take forever to formulate a response. I take my sweet time to dig up a sweater while I wait to see what she has to say.

Marissa

Oh my gosh! Is he hot? Have the best time. Can’t wait for details!

YOU. ARE. INFURIATING.

Marissa

Yet you still love me.

Debatable.

Marissa

Can’t wait to hear how it goes.

If I call you after this shitshow.

Marissa

Oh you’ll call. You always call, bestie.

I hate you.

Marissa

You love me. That’s what pisses you off even more.

Damn it. She’s right. Even after all this, I love her because she knows that even if this is a disaster, I need to get out—to rip off the Band-Aid and start meeting people again. I really hate that she’s right.

Fine. I’ll call you tomorrow.

Marissa

Gosh. You didn’t even make me sweat. Thank goodness I became the lawyer between the two of us. You’re a shitty litigator.

I’m not a litigator. I’m a web designer! I’m going back out there and getting this disaster over with.

Marissa

That’s the spirit!

Again, I hate you. Bye.

Marissa

Love you too. Bye.

“Okay, I found a sweater.” I hold it up like I caught a fucking trout on a fishing trip. What is wrong with me? I find Malloy looking out at the harbor.

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