“I have a date,” I said, hoping that maybe that would strike something in him, maybe some sort of jealousy. I knew it was a long shot. I knew I was playing with fire, but I wanted to affect him. I wanted to hurt him. I wanted him to feel one iota of the jealousy and confusion that I was feeling. How could he not feel it?
“Cool, good for you. Anyone I know?” He tilted his head, his eyes narrowing slightly, the smile still on his face.
“You don’t know him. His name is Luke,” I continued, my heart feeling like it was breaking. How could I be so upset about going on a date with someone? I knew that I wasn’t upset about the date, but more so that Cody wasn’t reacting in the way that I wanted him to. Why was he smiling like it was a good thing? Why didn’t he look pissed or upset? Didn’t he care at all?
“Luke Skywalker?” he said with a laugh, and I shook my head.
“No. Not Luke Skywalker.”
“So, how did you guys meet?” he asked me again. This time his voice was tight and his eyes were a little colder. I gazed back at him and for a second part of me wanted to ask him if he really cared or if he was just asking to ask.
“I actually met him through a girl at work.” I smiled, not knowing why I was lying. Maybe I felt like I was a loser admitting I’d met him online. “He came to a happy hour with her boyfriend and we kinda hit it off.”
“Wow, look at you. Just reeling them in.”
“Oh, yeah, that’s me. I get all the guys—hook, line and sinker.”
“Well, that’s why you pretty girls always have it easier than us men.”
“Ha, yeah, okay.” I laughed, though I was on cloud nine that he’d called me pretty. Why was I so pitiful?
“So what does he do?”
“I can’t really remember. I guess I will find out tonight.” I laughed. “I was a little tipsy when we met, but he seems like a really nice guy. Really friendly, really funny, really sweet.” I knew I was laying it on thick, but I wasn’t sure what else to say.
“Friendly, funny and sweet?” Cody’s facial expression was almost stoic now. “Is that all you girls look for now?”
“Well, you know.” I laughed, feeling suddenly better that he wasn’t looking so happy. “He’s super-hot as well.”
“Because super-hot means a lot, right?” he said with a sneer.
“Oh, yeah, it means everything to me.” I rolled my eyes. “All my boyfriends need to be super-hot.”
“So he’s your boyfriend now?”
“I hardly think so.” I rolled my eyes at him. “This is technically our first date. We’ve only met once before this.”
“So maybe after tonight he’ll be your boyfriend? Or do you need multiple dates for that to happen?”
“For what to happen? What are you going on about, Cody?” I asked him in confusion. “You’re not really making much sense.”
“I’m just helping you think about what you want. The important questions,” he said with a frown. “How long will it take for you guys to be an official couple?”
“I have no idea. I don’t even know if he’s interested.”
“I guess ask him tonight.”
“I’m not going to ask him that. That’s ridiculous. I would look crazy. Who asks someone if they want to be boyfriend/girlfriend after one date?”
“You’re not asking him that specific question, you’re asking him how many dates it will take for him to consider that relationship with you.”
“I’m not asking him either of those questions.”
“Why not?”
“Why are you being so ridiculous, Cody?” I frowned. “I barely know this guy. I’m not going to ask him anything about relationships. I’m not desperate.”
“Okay, sure. If you say so.”
“Yeah, I say so.” I was annoyed.
“I mean, I know you really want to meet someone.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I sat up straight and my tone changed.
“I mean, now that Mila is getting married, I suppose your biological clock is ticking.”
“You’re an asshole.”
“I’m just telling the truth as I see it.”
“You see me as some desperado who is dying to get married? Is that what you’re saying?”
“Would I say that?” He gave me a huge grin. “I mean, would I call you a desperado?”
“Yeah, I think you would.” I didn’t grin back, my feelings super hurt.
“I’m just joking, Sally. I hope your date with Luke goes well and if you guys want to come join us at the concert later, just let me know.”
“Yeah, I’ll see.”
“What are you guys doing, anyway?”
“I think dinner and a movie?”
“Movie?” He made a face. “That’s not a good first date option. What talking can you do there?”
“It’s an art-house movie. I think he said he wanted to grab a coffee afterwards and discuss.”
“Boring.”
“Cody!” I admonished him, but laughed slightly as I did think that the date sounded a bit lame. I mean, I liked movies, but what exactly was an art-house movie and what were we going to be discussing afterwards? I wasn’t sure I even knew what to look for in the movie and I was hoping I didn’t fall asleep.