But still, even if it was a bit creepy, even if it wasn’t exactly what normal people did, should I call him? I wasn’t sure. I stared at the card that I placed on the table while I got some water for the flowers. I briefly considered checking the flowers to make sure there wasn’t a hidden camera in them or something, then scolded myself for being so paranoid and simply put them on the table.
I knew I was a very private person, but was I being too private? I wasn’t sure. I tried to give Lisa a call, tried to get her advice, then remembered that she and Rob always went out for a romantic dinner on Friday nights. She would rave about how nice it was on Monday, like she always did. I smiled to myself as I thought about it.
I eventually caught up on those CSI episodes I was meaning to watch, but my brain was elsewhere. I spent the weekend wondering if I should call Mark. A couple of times I even picked up the phone and started dialing the number, but stopped myself. Why was I calling him? He was a one night stand with stalkerish tendencies that lived like six states away. There was no way this could be a relationship. And yet, a part of me kept trying. My body kept trying to get me to contact him. Was I that sex starved, did I really enjoy that night with him so much that I was willing to do it again?
Sunday afternoon I finally got my answer. With a sudden energy I didn’t know I had, I got up, grabbed my phone and punched the numbers in with the ferocity of someone who knew that if they stopped they would never start again. Before I had the chance to think about it, before my brain had a chance to say no, the phone was ringing. Mark picked up on the third ring.
“Hello, Mark speaking.”
“Hey, Mark, it’s Caroline,” I answered, not really knowing what else to say. Was that what I should have said?
“Oh! Hey Caroline, it’s nice to hear from you.”
“Yeah, you too. Even though I called you. I guess. Well, seeing as I kicked you out the other night...”
JUST STOP TALKING my brain begged, realizing this sentence was going nowhere but downhill, fast.
“Sorry. That came out wrong.”
“No, no. You were right about that. I crossed a line, I shouldn’t have done it, and I need to apologize for it. I’m sorry, Caroline.”
“It’s alright.”
“Can I make it up to you by taking you out to dinner? I’m leaving first thing tomorrow morning, but we can grab a bite to eat before then if you’re up for it.”
“That sounds nice, where do you want to meet?”
“Well, you’re the local, where do you recommend?”
An hour later I was sitting in a booth at a local restaurant, made up to be a 50s diner style, that served hands down the best milkshakes in town. I stared at my hands, my mind wandering as all those dark corner of my brain that still filled with self doubt came to the forefront.
What if he isn’t coming? What if he decided you were too bitchy at your apartment? What if he decided he actually doesn’t want to see you again?
Suddenly, all my fears were eased as Mark slipped into the booth across from me. As I looked up and saw those gorgeous cheekbones, that stubble that looked to be a day or two old, I could feel electricity pounding through my body, my heart beat rising, my chest pressing against my shirt. Memories of that night in Hawaii came flooding back. I wanted to feel those same feelings, experience the ecstasy I’d gotten from that night.
“Hey,” he greeted casually. “Sorry I’m a couple minutes late, had a bit of trouble finding the place.”
“That’s alright, I just got here myself,” I replied. It wasn’t entirely true, but it wasn’t like I’d been waiting more than ten minutes.
“I wanted to say sorry in person for showing up unexpectedly at your door the other night.”
“Thanks. It’s ok though, I’m a little bit more paranoid than most people, I should probably get all the crazy out of the way on our first date.”
Mark laughed. “Well, I’m pretty sure my crazy can top yours. After all, I’m the one who acted like a creepy stalker.”
“And I’m the one who acted like you showed up to murder me. Who brings flowers to a murder scene?”
“Don’t forget the business card, so the police would know who did it!” Mark joked back, and I laughed, just as the waitress came by to take our drink orders.
“Why don’t we move away from a topic that makes me look like an idiot?” Mark asked. “How are you finding adjusting to life after Hawaii?”
“It’s tough, let me tell you. When I stare out of the view of my office onto the parking lot, it’s definitely not Waikiki Beach. But hey, I’m usually working and not staring out of windows, so it’s not too bad. Crunching numbers keeps my mind active, and I actually do enjoy my job.”
“Well, you’re pretty much the first person I’ve ever heard who works with numbers admit that.”
“We all just pretend we have the worst jobs on the planet so no one will come and take them from us.”
“I think there’s a whole generation of high schoolers behind you that want nothing to do with math the instant they graduate, I don’t think you need to worry.”
“Maybe, but just to be safe. In this economy, you never know!”