Third Date

by Kylie Keene

  “He’s totally the guy,” Kayla says, her eyes following me as I walk to my workstation. “Look how she’s avoiding us. And her face is bright red.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me this, Morgan!” Paige stomps over to me. “My friend, Cassie, really likes him.”

  “Yeah? So? What’s the problem? I’m not dating him.”

  Kayla saunters over. “Paige’s love meter, or sixth sense, or whatever it is, had her convinced you were falling in love with Boston Guy. And now that she knows it’s Brad, she thinks her friend has no chance in hell with him.”

  “That’s ridiculous, Paige. I told you. I barely know the guy. I never even spoke to him in high school. And I’m dating Grant. You know that.”

  Paige sighs. “You don’t even like Grant. Everyone can see it. There’s no chemistry there.”

  “Even I can see that,” Kayla remarks. “And I’m no love witch.”

  “We have chemistry,” I insist. “Grant and I just spent the night together. Saturday night. The whole entire night.”

  “And did what?” Kayla asks. “Played board games? Because I know you two virgins didn’t have sex.”

  Paige paces the floor. “I wondered why you acted so weird around Brad. It makes total sense now.” She stops right in front of me. “You’ve got to break it off with Grant. It’s not fair to him, Morgan, to keep leading him on like this. Have you been to your desk yet? Because he sent you flowers today. Long-stem red roses.”

  “You’re blowing this way out of proportion, Paige. Yes, I admit I had a small crush on Brad back in Boston, but now we’re just friends. Nothing more.”

  “Why didn’t you tell us Brad was the guy in Boston?” she asks.

  “Because it doesn’t matter. I’ve moved on and so has he. Listen, I have a ton of work to do and I really need some coffee.” I hurry out of there before they can hound me with more questions. I go in my cubicle to drop my purse off and notice the roses. A note is attached that reads, ‘Just thinking of you. Hope you have a great day! Grant.’

  I send him an email, thanking him. He sends one right back asking me to dinner tonight. I accept the invite, but Paige is right. Even if Brad wasn’t in the picture, I can’t keep leading Grant on if I don’t see us going anywhere. I can’t avoid this any longer. I have to end this and I have to do it tonight.

  ***

  Grant picks me up at 7 looking hotter than normal. It’s like he knows I’m breaking up with him so he shows up looking extra hot to try to make me change my mind.

  We go to dinner at an Indian restaurant. His pick. Indian food is my least favorite ethnic cuisine. Actually, I don’t like it at all. I never thought I was a picky eater until I started dating Grant. I always thought I had a broad palate, but I guess not.

  I’m quiet during dinner, letting Grant do most of the talking. When we get back to his place, we sit on the couch and he starts kissing me.

  “Grant, wait.” I push him away. “We need to talk.” I blurt it out, realizing too late that I just said the absolute worst thing you can say to the person you’re dating. Everyone knows what those words mean.

  He leans back on the couch. “I knew this was coming.”

  “Knew what was coming?” Another stupid thing to say. I’m doing this all wrong.

  “I knew you were breaking up with me. Ever since we had that fight you’ve been acting different. So I’ve been putting in extra effort. Not working as much. I got you the flowers. Asked you out during the week. But it wasn’t enough.”

  “It’s not you, Grant.” Another cliché. Why do I keep doing this? “I mean, it’s just that we’re so different. I know you get frustrated with me because I don’t like doing the things you like to do. And I don’t like keeping you from doing those things. It just isn’t working.”

  He sighs. “I know. I feel the same way. I was just hoping we could work on it some more. Give it some more time.”

  “I don’t think anything will change. Grant, on paper you’re my perfect match. You have all the criteria on my checklist. But in real life, something isn’t working.”

  He nods. “Yeah, I know what you’re saying. I really like you, but there’s something missing. As hard as we try, this just isn’t going anywhere and I feel like we’re trying to force something that isn’t there.” He gets up. “I guess I should take you home.”

  “We can still be friends.” And one more cliché for the road. Why not? What is wrong with me?! I should’ve rehearsed this before coming over.

  “That never works.” He gets my coat and hands it to me.

  “I’m really sorry.”

  “It’s okay.” He leans over and kisses my cheek. “It just wasn’t meant to be.”

  I thought maybe he’d want to talk about it or try harder to convince me to stay, but he doesn’t. It just confirms that we never really had anything together. We both liked the idea of each other and there was some initial attraction but it didn’t last.

  Grant drives me home, not saying a word until we reach my parking lot. “I’ll see you at work.”

  And that’s it. Our relationship is over. I know it needed to end but I still feel really bad. I hate breaking up with people.

  It’s only 8 and I don’t want to sit in my apartment alone so I stop at Brad’s place. He takes forever to answer, then finally, the door opens.

  Except it’s not Brad at the door. It’s that girl he showed me a photo of. Paige’s friend, Cassie. Brad’s new girlfriend. Just what I need to end an already depressing night.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  23

  Cassie is even prettier than her photo. And she seems really dressed up for a Monday night. She’s wearing a tight black skirt and high heels. Her beige blouse has a plunging neckline that shows off some cleavage.

  “Are you looking for Brad?” she asks.

  Of course I’m here to see Brad. Why else would I be standing at his door? It certainly wasn’t to see you! I don’t say this, of course.

  Instead I politely say, “Yes. Is he here?”

  “He stepped out for a few minutes. Do you want to wait for him?”

  “No, that’s okay.” I turn and head down the hall.

  “I can tell him you stopped by,” she calls after me. “What’s your name?’

  I pretend I don’t hear her as I race upstairs to my apartment. I go inside and collapse on the couch.

  In the romantic fantasy I had running through my head, I imagined Brad standing at his apartment door, waiting for me with open arms. I’d tell him the news about Grant and he’d console me for a few minutes. Then he’d kiss me and we’d finally give in to our attraction to each other. The night would be magical. Just like in the movies.

  But instead, I’m sitting in my apartment thinking about Brad and Cassie and all the possible things they could be doing right downstairs at this very moment. They already had their third date so I’m sure they’ve had sex. I know Brad said he doesn’t follow the third-date rule but he might make an exception with Cassie. She’s gorgeous. They’ve probably had sex at least once, if not multiple times, which means they’re probably doing it right now. I go to bed and try not to think about it.

  ***

  On Tuesday morning I tell Paige and Kayla my news about Grant.

  Paige is relieved. “I’m sorry you broke up, but it’s best not to keep dragging it out.”

  “I think you’re crazy,” Kayla says to me. “Where are you going to find another born-again virgin? I mean, I’ve only met two in all my years of dating. You may never find another. Now you’re back to dating guys who are gonna want sex, which means you’ll have to start your de-virginate project again. Or you could try again with Brad.”

  “She can’t do that,” Paige says. “He’s dating Cassie. And I think it’s going well. I guess my love detector was off with you, Morgan. Looks like Brad and Cassie are a couple.”

  “I met her last night. She was at his place.”

  “Oooh. Really?” Paige’s face lights up. “They must
be getting serious. I’m so good at this matchmaking thing.”

  I get back to work, not wanting to talk anymore about Brad.

  At lunch, I get a text from him saying we can’t have dinner tonight to talk about the picnic. He says something came up and he has other plans, which I’m assuming is code for more sex with Cassie.

  In the afternoon, I’m supposed to have a mentor status update with Grant but he cancels our meeting because he said he accidentally scheduled another meeting at the same time. I think he’s just avoiding me. Things will be awkward between us now, at least until some time has passed.

  As I’m getting ready to leave at 5, Chase comes into my cubicle.

  “Is Kayla around?” He whispers it.

  “No, she’s in the lab. Why are you whispering?”

  “Because I don’t want her to hear me.” He raises his voice back to normal. “It’s her birthday in a couple weeks and I want to surprise her. I need some ideas.”

  “Wait. Are you two going out?”

  “Hasn’t she told you? We’ve been going out for months.”

  “Months?” I almost yell it, then lower my voice. “Are you serious?”

  “Of course I’m serious. I know she doesn’t want our relationship to be public knowledge here at work but I thought she would’ve at least told you and Paige.”

  “She hasn’t said anything.”

  Kayla never even mentions Chase, other than to say they’re on that HR project together.

  “She’s crazy that way. She always thinks she needs to hide everything.” He peeks over the cubicle wall. “Hey, before she gets back, give me some ideas. I wanted to take her somewhere for her birthday weekend but I didn’t know if that would be too big of a surprise.”

  “I don’t know. She doesn’t seem like someone who likes surprises. I have to give it some thought. I’m not really sure what she’d like. If you’ve been dating her for months, then you’d know better than I would. She hardly tells me anything.”

  We hear Kayla’s voice in the hall.

  Chase checks to see where she is, then turns back to me. “Don’t say anything about this, okay? And call me if you think of anything. But not tonight. Kayla and I are going out.”

  He darts away down the hall. Moments later Paige and Kayla come into the cubicle.

  “I have to get going,” Kayla says, grabbing her purse. “I’m meeting someone for drinks.” She grins. “And whatever happens after that.”

  “Who are you meeting?” I ask, trying not to laugh. “Anyone I know?”

  She gives me a strange look. “Why would you know him?”

  I shrug. “I don’t know. I just thought maybe I would. So who is he?”

  “Just some guy I met at a bar last weekend. He’s in a band. Lead guitarist.”

  “Really? I’d like to see him play sometime. What’s the name of the band?”

  My question flusters her. “I can’t remember. It doesn’t matter. You wouldn’t like their music. I’ll see you guys tomorrow.” She races off, her coat still hanging off one arm.

  Paige doesn’t notice Kayla’s odd behavior. She obviously doesn’t know about Chase.

  “Do you have plans tonight, Morgan? If you don’t, we could do something. Maybe go for dinner.” The way she says it, I can tell Paige is worried I’ll sit at home, alone and depressed.

  “I just want to relax and watch TV tonight.”

  “Okay, well, call me if you want to talk. I know some other guys you could go out with. I bet I could set something up for this weekend.”

  “Thanks, but I think I’ll take a break from guys for a while. What’s the rush, right? I’m only 23.”

  ***

  The rest of the week drags on and part of me thinks I should’ve stuck it out with Grant. But I know I’d only be staying with him to avoid being alone and that’s a horrible reason to date someone.

  Brad hasn’t talked to me all week. He sent me an email saying he wouldn’t be able to meet about the picnic, but other than that, I haven’t heard from him. His new girlfriend probably banned him from talking to the girl who showed up at his door the other night. Now he probably won’t even go to my dad’s wedding with me. There’s nothing worse than being dateless at a wedding. Okay, maybe there are worse things, but at this very moment, it seems really bad.

  On Friday morning, Brad stops by my office.

  “Hey, Brad. I haven’t seen you for a while.” I try to act like I don’t care that he’s there, but just seeing him again gets my stomach all fluttery.

  “Sorry we haven’t been able to meet, but I had to help my mom with some stuff over at her house. She had a pipe burst and there was water damage. Anyway, it was kind of a mess.”

  So I guess he wasn’t spending all those nights having sex with Cassie. Then again, she could’ve gone to his place after he got back from his mom’s house.

  I need to stop thinking about this. He has a girlfriend and whatever they do together is none of my business.

  Brad’s talking again. “Anyway, this weekend I’m going to Chicago to see some friends so we won’t be able to work on the picnic plans until next week. Have you had time to do anything for it?”

  “No. It’s been kind of a bad week. Grant and I broke up.”

  I wait for Brad’s reaction but he doesn’t react at all. Once again, the scene in my head is quite different. I picture him giving me a gentle embrace to comfort me, followed by a passionate kiss that is not at all appropriate for the workplace. I know he has a girlfriend, but that doesn’t stop these little fantasies from running in my head.

  “Sorry about that,” Brad says. “Did it just happen?”

  “We broke up last Monday. It’s not a big deal. We hadn’t dated that long.”

  “Yeah, but breaking up sucks, no matter how long you’ve dated. Someone always gets hurt.”

  “I hear things are going well with you and Cassie.” An image of her hanging all over Brad pops in my head. I imagine the beautiful blond children they’ll have someday.

  “Cassie and I aren’t going out anymore.”

  “Oh. Sorry. Paige didn’t tell me.”

  “She probably doesn’t know. We broke up last night. Things just weren’t working out. We’d only been on a few dates but I think we both knew it wasn’t going anywhere.”

  I probably shouldn’t smile hearing the news but I feel my lips creeping up just a little. Could this actually be happening? Brad and I are single at the same time? Why isn’t he more excited? Where’s the flirtatious remarks? Has he lost interest in me?

  “I have to get to a meeting,” he says, “but let me know when you want to talk about the picnic. Have a good weekend.” He starts to walk away.

  “Hey, are you still going to the wedding with me?”

  “I was planning on it. Unless you found someone else.”

  “Nope. I just wanted to make sure you could still make it.”

  “I’ll definitely be there,” he says as he takes off.

  Someone else? Why would he ask if I found someone else? Does he think I’m no longer interested in him? Is that why he’s acting this way?

  When he’s gone, I hurry into the lab to see if Paige has any scoop on the break-up.

  Before I can even ask, she says, “Brad broke up with Cassie last night. It’s good he ended it now. Cassie tends to fall in love quickly. If he’d waited a few more weeks, she would’ve been really upset.”

  “Did she say why they broke up?”

  “He told her it wasn’t working. And now that I think about it, they are really different.” She pauses. “So are you going to start dating Brad now?”

  “I don’t think so. I think he lost interest in me.”

  She smiles really wide and races over to where I’m sitting. “He didn’t lose interest. He totally wants you, Morgan.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Cassie told me the reason Brad ended it with her is because he was hung up on someone from his past. He said he couldn’t get this
person out of his head, and that until he did, it wasn’t fair of him to date Cassie or anyone else.”

  “He really said that? Are you sure?”

  “That’s what she said. He’s gotta mean you, right?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe.” I feel a rush of excitement just thinking about it.

  “It has to be you, Morgan!” Paige squeals. “Who else would it be?”

  Paige just made my day. I can’t explain why Brad wasn’t friendlier to me earlier. Maybe he was just tired. When he gets backs from Chicago, I’m sure he’ll be knocking on my door, ready to start our relationship. This is so exciting! I can’t wait!

  Things continue to get better over the weekend. My dad is back in town and he and Sophie are busy getting everything ready for their wedding. Well, Sophie is doing most of the getting-ready part. But that’s good, because it gives Dad and me time to spend together. On Saturday morning, I meet him for brunch.

  “When do I get to meet this new boyfriend of yours?” he asks.

  “We broke up. It wasn’t working.”

  He gets his concerned father face. “Was he the one who ended it? Because if he did, he’s a fool and you’re way too good for him anyway.”

  I roll my eyes. “I’m the one who ended it, Dad. Grant and I are too different. At first I thought it was a good thing that we had different interests. But then we couldn’t find anything to do together that we liked. Grant’s a great guy, just not for me.”

  “So you’re not bringing anyone to the wedding?” He gets his phone out. “I need to tell Sophie. She’s finalizing the guest list.”

  “I’m bringing someone. I thought I told you this already but I guess not. I’m bringing Brad.”

  “Brad who? Do I know him?”

  “Brad from high school. I told you he ended up moving back here. He works at my company, remember?”

  He looks surprised. “Brad Fletcher? Are you two dating now?”

  “No.” I smile. “But we might start dating.”

  “Huh. My daughter with Brad Fletcher.” He ponders this, as if he’s not sure if this is good or bad.

  “Dad, I thought you liked Brad. In fact, I kind of got the feeling you wanted me to date him.”