“I wasn’t even hungry,” I continue. “I’d made sure to eat something at home so I don’t spend a lot on a meal out. But he gave me no choice. I also ordered dessert.”
“Oh my God!” I can picture her rolling on the floor in laughter. “This is amazing! That guy not showing up did you a favor!”
Her words stop me in my tracks, making me realize that she is right. That is the attitude I need to have about this. It’s the universe showing me that things happen for a reason, and Julian not coming to meet with me helped me get some petty revenge on Alex.
“I was so full that I let out this huge burp in the middle of the restaurant.” I might as well give her all the gory details. “I tried to make it to the bathroom, but I seriously thought I was going to pass out from how stuffed I was.”
Elizabeth laughs for so long, I have time to drink half a whole glass of water as I wait for her to calm down.
“What kind of dessert did you get? Something fancy I hope,” she says.
“Ugh!” I slam the now empty glass onto the kitchen table. “It was chocolate cake and I didn’t even get to taste it. I had to rush to the bathroom, and when I came out, Alex had the leftover food in a bag.”
“Oh, don’t let it sit for long,” Elizabeth advises. “Good stuff goes bad really fast.”
“He took it all home!” I pout like that is the worst thing ever.
“He took the chocolate cake home?” My friend can’t believe it either. “Like, he bought it for you, but then he took it home?”
“Yes, and yes.”
She gasps. “That bastard! He is worse than I thought!”
“I really hope he got major indigestion while eating it,” I huff. “Or that at least the restaurant bill gave him diarrhea.”
“Too bad there’s no way for us to find out,” she giggles.
Now that I told her the whole story, I feel even more deflated than before. I got nothing to show for that night, no actual date with the man who told me he’d be there, and no chocolate cake either. I am left with a hilarious story of me eating out of spite and then burping my feelings out.
As if she can read my thoughts, Elizabeth sighs. “I’m really sorry the date didn’t work out. There are other guys out there, I’m sure of it. You’ll meet the perfect one, and not just to make Alex jealous, but to also have a partner who makes you happy.”
I nod at the phone like she can see me, but I don’t say anything else. The idea of being in a relationship with someone else is sickening. I don’t want anyone to kiss me or touch me, ever. At this point, I wouldn’t even let Alex touch me anymore. I need a complete break from any physical activity with anyone, period.
A quick flash of memories invades my brain, reminding me how good Alex used to make me feel. I see him licking down my body, telling me how beautiful I am…
Shaking my head furiously, I make an effort to stop thinking about it, especially when I remember our encounter at the restaurant. As we were standing outside, he said that to me again.
You’ve always been beautiful…
Angry tears gather in my eyes. I don’t know why he couldn’t be my forever person. I will always hate him for that.
Suddenly, I don’t want to talk anymore. I want to be alone with my feelings. Luckily, Elizabeth saves me from me having to tell her that I want to cut our conversation short.
“Oh, Logan is home. Can I call you back?”
“Of course,” I rush to say, knowing she won’t call me back anytime soon. “Tell him I said hi and to behave, unless he wants me to kick his ass.” That’s something I always say to her, and she always finds it funny.
We hang up, and a restless feeling takes over my entire body. I stand up and start pacing despite the very small apartment I live in. I go back and forth so many times, I lose count, and I feel dizzy.
I am so into my own head that I don’t hear the knock at the door. But when it finally registers, I stop, a hand pressed hard to my chest. I don’t get surprise visitors very often unless the neighbor’s kids two floors down decide to run around the building and knock on everyone’s doors before taking off laughing.
Marching to the door, I yank it open, ready to give them a piece of my mind. I am in no mood to play games today.
“Hi, Mona.”
I freeze, my hand still on the doorknob, staring at the tall figure darkening my doorway. My mouth goes dry and my voice is gone. I swallow a few times as I try to focus.
“Alex. What are you doing here?”
