Page 58 of Four Weddings to Fall in Love
Max:Hey
Me:Can’t talk right now.At the gym.
Max:That’s OK.Just wanted to tell you to meet me at Christie Station at 5:30 tomorrow.
I can’t help a silly smile from coming to my face.Then, embarrassed by my reaction over a mere man, I push myself harder.This podcast is forty minutes, but maybe I’ll work out a bit longer today.After all, it’s not like I have any plans tonight, other than eating sushi and watching a movie.
For a split second, I wonder if I should call off the date, but every cell in my body protests.
No, I can’t do that.
Eventually, reality starts to recede.It’s just my body…and this machine…and the words in my ear.I focus on my breathing.
Forty-five minutes later, drenched in sweat, I head back to my apartment and jump in the shower.Then I order my sushi, and while I’m waiting for it to arrive, I pick up my phone and look at Max’s texts again.He’s sent me a link to the restaurant.After my workout, I feel calmer about the whole thing.
Thank you, endorphins.
Everything with him is going to be okay, isn’t it?It won’t destroy my self-esteem and ruin my life.No reason to freak out.
I start typing a response.
Me:Sounds good!Looking forward to it.
Me:What are you doing tonight?Ironing your underwear again?
Max:Yes.It’s part of my Friday night routine.
Me:What else is part of your Friday routine?Polishing your silverware?
Max:Naturally.
Me:How positively hedonistic of you.
Max:I believe you need to look that word up in the dictionary.
Max:Also, you seem to be strangely obsessed with my underwear.
I laugh.This conversation might not bethatfunny, but it’s delightful talking to him like this.I imagine him studiously typing on his phone, the tiniest of smiles playing on his lips.
When I get a message that my sushi is ready, I head down to collect it in the lobby.I text as I eat, sitting at my kitchen table.
Me:What do you do for fun on Fridays, once you’ve finished with your silverware?
Max:Reading, usually.
Me:What are you reading now?
Max:A non-fiction book about linguistics and the internet.
Me:lol
Max:It’s quite interesting.
Me:I’m sure it is.
Me:I don’t mean that in a snarky way, but at this time of week, reading non-fiction is the last thing on my mind.My brain is barely capable of intelligent thought, though I can manage podcasts.
Me:It’s especially bad this week
