“I know that probably makes me seem judgmental. I wasn’t attracted to her at all, but I could tell she was into me. It was awkward. And my parents kept trying to find ways to get us alone.”
“I don’t think you’re being judgmental. I’ve always believed that you need to have a physical attraction first. Maybe they noticed your lack of interest and they won’t do it again.”
He scoffed. “That’s highly doubtful. They’re having another get-together this weekend. Which brings me to the question I wanted to ask you.”
I looked at him curiously. “Okay?”
He paused for a moment then cleared his throat.
“Would you like to come to dinner with me Saturday night?”
I fumbled for words as I realized what he’d asked me. Was he asking because he’d honestly wanted me to come as a date, or was it his way of getting his parents off his back? Either way, it didn’t matter. I was with Mason, but I knew of someone who might want to go.
“I’m sorry, Brian. I have to work this weekend, but I do know someone who might be interested. I promise you she’s pretty, single, no gapped front teeth, and she definitely doesn’t snort.” I laughed as the image of Victoria snorting flashed through my mind.
The door to the classroom opened and I was distracted from what I was saying by an older man walking into the room. He placed his briefcase on Mason’s desk then grabbed a marker and wrote ‘Professor Scherf’ on the board.
I turned to Brian who was looking at me with a confused expression.
“Good morning, class. Today, I’ll be stepping in for Professor Cline, who is out for personal reasons. If you have any concerns that you need addressed right away, please see me after class and we will get them taken care of.”
He pulled open a folder on the desk and began to write something down.
“Well, I guess today will be interesting,” Brian stated as he opened his notepad.
Disappointment flowed through me as I watched the sub shuffle papers on Mason’s desk. I’d woken up that morning anticipating being able to see him, but it apparently wasn’t going to happen.
My mind wandered as I thought of the many reasons why he’d miss his classes. He wasn’t the kind of man to do so for no good reason. Maybe he was sick.
I glanced over at Brian who was lost in this computer, obviously forgetting about the conversation we were just having. I leaned down to grab my phone out of my purse, pulled up his number and quickly sent a text.
Me: You’re not in class today. I hope everything is okay. If you’re sick, let me know if there is anything I can do.
I placed my phone on my desk just as the sub started to speak, but nothing he was saying was registering in my brain. My concentration was on my phone as I waited for a reply.
A reply I never received.
The class dragged on, and what started as a happy day turned into a crappy one that couldn’t end fast enough.
It wasn’t only about not being able to see Mason, but the damn sub handed out sheets of paper that we had thirty minutes to review before we had to stand up and give an oral argument.
My mind wasn’t into it, and the day turned into a complete fail. I’d berated myself when I’d walked out of the classroom for letting something so stupid get my mind off what was most important to me. I promised myself I wouldn’t let it happen again.
*
“What’s up with you?” Victoria asked as I sat down on her old floral couch with a glass of wine.
“Nothing,” I said, taking a sip of my wine then staring at the contents.
I was lying, and I knew she knew it. Mason hadn’t arrived to his Wednesday class, either, and he never replied to any of my texts or calls. As much as I told myself not to read into it, I couldn’t help it.
Why have a damn cell phone if you’re never going to use it?
“You’re full of shit, Em.”
“Hello, I’m here!” Becky yelled from across the apartment. “Sorry I’m late. I almost missed the damn train, too.” She laughed as she made her way into the room, eyes pinned on me. “Oh, damn, you already broke out the wine. I better get some,” she stated as she dashed to the kitchen.
“Where’d you just come from? You aren’t dressed like you just got off work,” Victoria asked Becky as she came back into the room, wine in hand.
“I told you I had my V appointment today,” she stated, pointing between her legs.
“Oh, yeah.” Victoria laughed.
“I just took the rest of the day off, so I was already at home.”
“And you were running late?” I added with a smile.
Becky shrugged. “I took a nap. So, what’s been going on?”
“I was just asking Em what was up her butt.”
I raised a brow at Victoria. “And I was just telling Victoria that nothing is up my butt.”
I hate when they did this. Victoria was the most perceptive of the three of us, and she didn’t stop until she got what she wanted.
“You keep staring off in space. Something is up. Is it Mason? Did something happen?”
“Oh, man,” Becky added. “You might as well just give her something. You know she won’t quit until she gets it out of you.