Page 3 of SEAL Mates

There’s Tina who was her forever young friend, who claimed that she had Pete Pan syndrome and would be forever young. She’d never been married, nor had kids and no one knew her true age, apart from us who went to school with her. She was forty-seven like us.

Then, there was Rose, she was Steph’s other best friend. She was previously divorced like me, but now on her second marriage and I would say she’s happy. She has two kids from her previous marriage and has none with her new beau. She said that she thought her second marriage was a lot better and stronger than her first. Like Steph, she was a lawyer too, and I must admit fun to be with.

Then, last but certainly not least, there’s Charlie. Her real name is Charlotte, but she prefers us calling her Charlie. She was here with her boyfriend Carl. They met at high school, they went to same med school and have one kid. They’re cute, like Steph and her hubby, childhood sweethearts and so laid back and perfect for each other.

Tina shoved me in front of this guy. He was balding, had a sweet smile and green eyes. I was a sucker for guys with green eyes. “Paula, this is my dentist Hank. Hank this is Paula, I was telling you about. She’s single too.”

Fuck!

I turned a bright red as Hank looked me up and down and smiled with his perfect teeth. I didn’t know if he wanted to eat me or date me? Either way, I was so embarrassed as I felt as if there was a bright light on me. And Hank was shining it on me.

“Hey, Paula, you look good.”

Carl said as he took me in his arms and gave me a kiss. He was rescuing me. Then he kissed me on the cheek and whispered in my ear.

“Tina brought the other guy for you too. I’m just warning you!”

I backed away, as I realized that this was a set-up. I hated the idea of it. I stayed, as my anxiety started to take over and as quick as I was in here, I turned to leave.

I couldn’t stay even if I wanted to. This was too much for me. I was going to officially spend more time getting ready to come here tonight, then I would spend here.

When did I get so anxious?

It was as if being in this circle, one I’d been in too many times, was too much to bear. Everyone looked perfect, beautiful and nice. Everyone was enjoying themselves, I’d been here no more than five minutes and I wanted to hide and crawl.

My bed was screaming my name, so were my damn heels, my feet were like, Where’s your slippers woman? You shouldn’t be out here, it’s way past your bedtime. Sleeping on the sofa is your routine on a Saturday night, why change it?

As I ran out of the door, well, I didn’t exactly run, but more stuttered and speed walked as good as I could, then I ignored the people calling my name. I needed to get out of here. Like now!

---