“Good, I’ll pass that along if he becomes single.”
She dismissively waves my words away. “You do that. Anyway, why don’t you date someone, anyone? And make them take you to dinner. You’re too skinny.”
I roll my eyes at her. “Look, I have to go.”
“Running this afternoon hoping to ‘run’ into a certain someone.” She makes air quotes with her fingers.
Ignoring her, I rush out the door. Only Dr. Mercer is there. I try not to notice him, but Jenna has me assessing him differently when the run is over and we are all stretching out so our muscles won’t cramp up.
When he tugs off his shirt and begins to towel off and I have to admit he would be a good catch for someone. Just not me.
“You up for dinner?” he asks.
I smile and nod. Outside of Jenna and Ben, I haven’t had many close friends and he’s become one. We sit at a popular deli waiting for our salads and sandwiches.
“How have you’ve been? Is everything okay?” It’s the first time I’ve seen him not give me a smile.
“The truth is, my girlfriend broke up with me. She’s tired of my hours and how I get called in at odd times.”
“Wow, she had to know that going into the relationship.”
He purses his lips. “She did. Says she thought she could handle it.”
“I’m sorry. Did it happen today?”
He shakes his head. “No, a few weeks ago. I guess it’s really hitting me today. I’ve been so busy with work, I haven’t had time to think about it.”
We’ve become so comfortable with each other, I don’t think twice when I ask him my next question. “Did you love her?”
He glances up thoughtfully. “I wouldn’t say love. But she won’t be the only woman who can’t put up with my profession. It kind of sucks to think that my job will be a turn off.”
“Somehow I think she’s in the minority.” Jenna’s words come back to me. “Anyway, I have a friend,” I begin and map out my plan for setting up a blind date.
Two days later, Jenna completely blows me off.
“No way. That’s your doctor. I saw how he looked at you at your yard sale. His eyes narrowed anytime a guy came up to ask you the price of something.”
“We’re just friends,” I say for the millionth time.
“I’m still not going out with him,” she says adamantly.
“But you said you would date him and I set it all up because of that.”
Jenna won’t change her mind. Therefore, I find myself walking into the bar and lounge to find him surprised to see me.
“I’m sorry,” I say sheepishly.
He seems resigned. “She doesn’t want to date a doctor.”
“No, it’s not that.” I don’t want to lie to him. “She has this crazy idea about you and me.”
His eyes go wide and it stings just a little. I’m not even sure why. I like him as a friend, but I guess knowing he wouldn’t be interested in me at all hits the old ego like a wrecking ball.
“Why don’t you stay? We can make the best of it. I don’t get many nights like these that often.”
Feeling guilty I set up this date without talking to Jenna first, I agree. It isn’t a hardship. I enjoy spending time with him. We never seem to have trouble coming up with conversation topics.
“Dance with me,” he says later.
I meet his eyes. “Are you serious?”
“Yeah, why not? You’ve been moving in your chair for the past half an hour,” he teases.
“Fine, why not?” I accept more just because he said it so much like a dare.
I take his hand and we dance. The fast moving songs have my heart racing like I’m running. For that time, my mind is free and clear, and I see the man before me for the first time. He’s good looking if not gorgeous, just like Jenna said. Somehow, I think I’ve known that. I’ve only ignored it until now. His girlfriend is a fool. He’s a great guy and will make someone a good husband one day.
When the night is over, he walks me to my car.
“I had fun.”
“Me too,” I say.
After I click the lock on my car, he opens the door so I can get inside. For the craziest of moments, I wonder if he will kiss me. The moment passes and he doesn’t. So I drive away and get back to my daily life.
A year and four months after Drew
“You’re finally going out with him tonight?” Jenna asks, genuinely surprised.
“It was last minute. His date canceled. He asked if I could go with him.” Then I add, “as friends,” before Jenna can get any ideas.
“Friends my ass.”
“Jenna, we are just friends.”
“But you like him.”
It’s the first time I hesitate in my response. “I don’t think I’m ready. Drew—”
Jenna cuts me off. “This is going to sound harsh, but Drew is gone and he’s never coming back. And we are all sorry that’s the case. But you promised him you would live. I’m sorry I have to pull that card, but it’s been long enough. No one is going to fault you for moving on.”