Troy wasn't that guy. If he had any of those inklings, he hadn't acted on them. I could've grabbed him and made a run for it. But I hadn't. I'd waited for him to do it and it wasn't happening now. Nothing was happening now.
I couldn't help but see the lesson embedded in these events. If I wanted something, it was on me to take it. Waiting for a dude to read my mind was getting nowhere fast. I couldn't expect someone to show up for my unspoken needs. I needed to show up for myself.
"I might like that. Coming for dinner," Troy added, his words bashful. "We didn't have routines like this when I lived at home and"—he glanced down, away—"and this was great. Looking back, I realize now that your mom's messages were extremely focused on whether I was eating and sleeping well. I guess I liked that. It felt good." He laughed to himself. "Hell. I just made it sound like I was into your mom."
Wincing, I said, "No, I get what you're saying. I'm also working hard at not thinking about my mom messaging you and pretending to be me. If I think about it, I'll have to burn things down and scrub myself with bleach."
He shook his head. "I should thank her. I've uncovered a whole new segment of mommy issues to deal with."
I wasn't sure how I maintained an easy smile after that comment but I did. I managed to keep a calm, open expression while I sent Troy on his way with a loose hug and no promise of seeing him again.
But I was going to have some words with my mother.
Chapter Seven
Dating App Guy 8: Good morning.
Magnolia: Hi! Happy Monday!
Dating App Guy 8: How was your weekend?
Magnolia: Fine. I'm glad it's a new week. Looking for a fresh start on many things.
Dating App Guy 8: Same. Yeah, I'm in the exact same boat with you.
Magnolia: Awesome.
Dating App Guy 8: Let me be blunt. I just got out of a long relationship and I'm fucked up in the head right now but I'm 6'3, 210, and my dick is a solid 9 inches.
Magnolia: I'm sorry about your breakup.
Dating App Guy 8: Thank you.
Dating App Guy 8: You want to help me fuck away the memories of my ex? No strings, no expectations, no emotional baggage?
Magnolia: I understand what you're going through, I truly do, but I don't see how this could be free of emotional baggage.
Magnolia: And I don't really want expectation-less sex.
Magnolia: I'm into strings and expectations and emotions. I want all of those things.
Dating App Guy 8: I can stay hard for a full 30 minutes. No lie.
Magnolia: How old are you?
Dating App Guy 8: I turned 38 last month.
Magnolia: 30 minutes at 38? Now that's a résumé builder.
Dating App Guy 8: Damn straight.
Magnolia: Not a little to the left?
Dating App Guy 8: I can say I honestly laughed out loud just now.
Magnolia: You're welcome.
Dating App Guy 8: I appreciate it. I needed that laugh.
