Page 9 of Falling for Mr. Bossy Pants

I look over at her and say, “You know, I’m not feeling that great. If you would please excuse me, I think I’m going to go home.”

She stares at me with wide eyes. I know leaving a date is completely callous, but I can’t be here a minute longer. I stand, pull out my wallet and drop three-hundred dollars on the middle of table to cover our dinner and tip. I turn and head to the door grateful she doesn’t say a word, though she’s probably in shock now and I fully anticipate an angry text later.

As I wait for the valet I text Shane.

Me: Meet me at Paddy’s in fifteen minutes.

My phone vibrates.

Shane: Aren’t you on a date?

Me: I was. Just meet me there.

Shane: This can’t be good. I’ll be there as soon as I can.

I enter the local hangout spot scanning the room for Shane. Not seeing him, I head up to the bar and order a beer. The place is busy with its regulars and university students. The two main bars are almost completely full and all the high tables are taken. I glance back at the entrance and spot Shane. I raise my hand to get his attention. He nods at me and heads my way.

He shrugs at me. “Well, it’s only eight forty-five so I am assuming this date didn’t go so well.”

I take a sip of my beer while flagging down the bartender. “You assume correctly.”

“What happened man? It couldn’t have been that bad.”

The bartender comes my way and I order two more beers for Shane and myself. “It started off okay, then she wanted to know how much money I make.”

Shane purses his lips and nods. “Ugh. That’s not cool.”

I shake my head. “I don’t need someone interested in my money. I hate the feeling it gives me. I think everyone thinks I had my money given to me on a silver plate. If they only knew how you and I were almost bankrupt more than once.”

Shane leads me over to the wall with a long drink shelf and a few empty stools. “Look I get it Jared. I do. I’m sorry it turned out that way. But don’t let this ruin your dating life. Did you get to ask her any personal questions? You know about her family, friends, anything?”

I glance down at my beer rubbing my finger over the label sticker on the bottle. “Not really. I talked about the company mainly.”

Shane hits the side of my arm. “Jared, I’m not condoning her behavior, but if you don’t try to get know someone and all you talk about is business, they’re going to ask you questions about business assuming you don’t want to talk about anything else in your life.”

I stand leaning against the wall when my eyes catch movement in the corner of the pub and I see a woman with long wavy brown hair playing pool with another woman. She looks vaguely familiar, but I can’t place her. Her smile beams bright as she laughs with the other woman. I catch my mouth open and close it to swallow. I have half a thought to go over to her and see if I can salvage my evening. I stop my thought. It would probably go worse than dinner with Melanie.

“Earth to Jared,” I hear Shane say.

I look over to see him eyeing me. “Sorry, just distracted.”

“Look Jared. Just shake this night off. Don’t let it ruin dating. We all have bad dates. You can move past it.”

“Right,” I say. I glance back over at the woman with wavy brown hair. She’s taking a shot at the pool table and the ball goes in the pocket. She raises her hands in victory, smiling, doing a little dance. My heart beats a bit faster. What is happening? I look down at the ground and turn my attention to Shane. “Thanks for meeting me here, but I’m getting tired. I’m gonna call it a night and head home.”

“Yeah. Sure.” I can hear the disappointment in Shane’s voice. I pat him on the arm telling him we’ll have a guys’ night out soon and make my way to the exit.

I drive home in silence. Tonight, has been mentally tedious but also strange. After Melanie’s money questions and then the woman distracting me at the bar it’s hard to even know what feelings I have. I’m annoyed that Melanie found it appropriate to ask me about money, but Shane’s point leaves me more frustrated. I didn’t think I talked that much about work and even if I did, I’m not sure that is an invitation for someone to voice their assumptions about how much I make. Then at the bar I was completely distracted by the woman playing pool. Something about her intrigued me, but none of that matters seeing as I probably will never see her again.

I close the front door behind me and head to the kitchen. Just as I place my phone down on the counter my phone buzzes incessantly. My parents are trying to Facetime me. I throw my head back and sigh. I love them, but tonight is just not the time but I know if I don’t answer it, they’ll just try calling me until I pick up or text them.

I click. “Hey mom. Dad. It’s ten-thirty. Seems a bit late for a call. Is everything okay?”

I see my mom look over to my dad. Their faces are taking up the entire screen and all I can see is a small sliver of the sofa they’re sitting on.

“Jared, we haven’t heard from you in a while. The only time we can talk is at this ungodly hour because you’re always in the office.”

I smile. “Right mom. So how are things?”

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