She stepped inside, smiling at me through the glass and I smiled back. When I’d first moved off campus and into our shared house, I’d thought that she and the rest of the girls would become some of my closest friends, but that never came to be. They were all majoring in medical studies, and since their schedules were practically the same, they tended to keep to themselves for the most part. With the exception of our early morning conversations around the coffee maker on the weekends, we always saw each other in passing.
“Me and the girls of the house wanted to give you this,” she said, handing me a pink gift box. “It’s a farewell present since you’re the only one who’s not staying in town after the summer.”
“But I’m not going anywhere for another two months…”
“Yeah, but everyone is always all over the place now that we’re working our residencies, and we can never all be here at the same time, so I didn’t want to forget.” She pulled a tiny blue box from her back pocket. “This one is for Carter.”
“Why does Carter get a gift? He’s not a roommate.”
“No, but we see him just as much as we see you.” She shrugged. “My boyfriend is downstairs now. I just wanted to give you that before we start watching our movie.”
“Thank you.” I was truly flattered. “I really appreciate this.”
“You’re welcome.” She gave me a quick hug and left as quickly as she had come in.
I untied the box’s bow and started to unwrap the gift, but Chris called me as I was tearing the first flap.
“Hello?” I answered.
“Are you ready or do you still need a little time?”
“I’m ready.”
“In that case, I’m at your door.”
“Be right down.” I grabbed my clutch and headed downstairs, checking myself in the hallway mirror one last time.
I opened the door and saw Chris standing there with a huge bouquet of yellow flowers.
“You look beautiful…” He pulled me close for a kiss, gently slipping his tongue against mine and whispering against my mouth; I only felt a small tingle. Nothing groundbreaking.
Slipping his arm around my waist, he led me to his car and held the door open—smiling as I slipped inside.
“I never took you for a guy who likes pop music,” I said as he turned on the radio.
“I don’t…I just remembered that you do, and that I’m supposed to do whatever’s necessary to get you to sleep with me later.”
I laughed at his dry humor and hummed along to the music as he drove. Tonight was in fact our third date, and even though he was joking, I knew the three-date-sex rule was playing in his mind.
We pulled up to the pier half an hour later and walked hand in hand to Emilia’s, an Italian restaurant that everyone at the beach loved. Since he’d made a reservation, we were immediately seated near the window, and the waiter came over with a complimentary house wine and asked to take our orders.
As he was writing down what I wanted, I spotted Carter sitting at a corner table. With Tina. He was dressed in a white shirt that was unbuttoned at the top with black slacks, and she was wearing a dark green dress that left little to the imagination.
Although Carter looked somewhat detached, he was holding her hand on top of the table.
I took out my phone and shot him a quick text.
You decided to try the relationship thing with Tina instead of just sex? When did that happen?
It didn’t. What would ever make you think that?
The fact that you’re holding hands at Emilia’s and she’s wearing a dress that looks like she wants to give you the ride of your life later tonight…
You really need to get better at sexting…
He tossed back a shot as he looked around the room until he found me. His lips slightly parted as his eyes met mine, and it looked like he was about to get up and walk over, but he stayed back and texted me instead.
She called and said she wanted to go out to dinner...I didn’t have anything else to do so I agreed…And if her dress says she wants to give me the ride of her life tonight, what the hell does yours say?
It says, ‘I know you want me right here, right now…’
More like, ‘I want to be fucked right here, right now…
I laughed and looked up to see him smiling at me.
“What’s so funny?” Chris asked.
“Nothing, just a text from a friend.” I put my phone away and gave him my attention. “Thank you for being nice enough to reschedule our date for tonight.”
“Nice enough? It wasn’t that big of a deal. I would’ve waited until next week if you wanted.” He picked up my hand and held it. “Don’t take this the crazy way or anything, but I really like you. There’s something about you I can’t quite put my finger on, but I like you a lot.”
“Is this the part where you’re going to tell me that I complete you?”
“It is.” He laughed, letting my hand go. “How did you know?”
“Instincts.” I sipped my wine and the two of us steered the conversation toward the simple and safe things: Plans after college, the bullshit of grad school programs, and the dwindling days of summer.
When the waiter returned to refill our wine a second time, I pressed a napkin against my mouth. “Will you excuse me for a minute, Chris? I need to go to the restroom.”