There mightbesomeone I can text.
I open my phone and start typing as a new feeling seeps in.
Me: Hey, Ruth, I was thinking about you and wanted to make sure you weren’t suffering from post-closet trauma.I stare at the screen. It’s only been a couple of hourssince I saw her. Maybe this makes me look desperate, but I’m hoping it comes off as more considerate.
I’m being a gentleman.
This has nothing to do with the way I keep seeing her smile every time I zone out. My heart slams against my rib cage when a text comes back.
Ruth: I’m fine. Thank you for checking.
Oof.That’s a short reply if I ever saw one, and it feels a bit like a brush-off. The thing is though, that’s almost her pattern. She takes a while to warm up, and my gut tells me to give it one more chance.Me: I’m glad to hear it. I’m impressed by how well you handled the emergency. I think if you hadn’t been there, I might have pounded down the door with impatience.
Holding my breath, I stare at the three dots and wait for a reply. It takes a minute, and my nerves build in my gut so much I start to pace in a small circle. I let out a breath as soon as the text appears on my screen.
Ruth:Well, I would have yelled for help had you not been there too. It wasn’t that scary since we had each other to talk to. It also helped there were tons of snacks, and I didn’t have to worry about starvation.
I’m smiling as I construct another text and send it off right away.
Me: Right, the snacks were quite useful. If you must be locked in anywhere, I’d pick a pantry any day.
She doesn’t respond right away, and I stare at my phone for a good couple of minutes, waiting for the dots to appear, but nothing. I drop my phone to my side, and gaze around the darkened arena one more time, before turning on my heel and walking out. My heartbeat slows, not in relaxation, but more of a conservation sensation, where I put up a guard and hope to not get disappointed. It doesn’t look like she’s texting back.
I stride back to Victory Hall and make my way through the lobby. I’m not thinking about anything in particular, except maybe how nice it would be to have someone special to share this moment with, but I guess life is funny like that. You can’t have all your dreams come true. I’m not one to complain. I make it through the exit and all the way to my SUV, where I start my engine. I’m about to pull out when my phone vibrates with another text. My heart slams in my throat.
Ruth: Yeah, it was a weird night but glad it’s over. Thanks again for checking.
My smile drops as I lower my phone to my lap and reread it. It certainly sounds like she wants to be left alone. I get that.
It was a long day, and I’m sure she is tired, but I can’t help but remember the way she looked at me in that closet.
That wasn’t a leave-me-alone expression.
Those werekiss-me-nowlips if I ever saw them.
I don’t think she’s playing hard to get either. I truly believe she thinks I’ll judge Noah on her behavior, and that couldn’t be farther from the truth. I’m not ready to drop it, and I grab my phone and fire off another text.
Me: Yeah. It was a crazy night, but I’m glad it happened because I enjoyed our conversation. I was hoping you’d let me take you out for a real snack sometime…sort of to make up for it.Her reply hits my phone almost instantly.
Ruth: I’m flattered, but I can’t go out with you. You’re my son’s boss. I just can’t risk it. He’s worked too hard for this. Sorry.
Exhaling, I read her text and feel no surprise. She never gave me the vibe that she dates much, but . . . I always enjoy a challenge.
Me: That’s fair.
I set my phone down on the passenger seat and pull out of the parking lot, all the while thinking of things I could have said to her.However, I conclude, it doesn’t really matter what I say, because she seems to have made up her mind about this “no dating.” That doesn’t mean I’m giving up. I’m just going to have to take a different approach. I get to the stop sign and grab my phone again.Me: Okay, we won’t call it a date.
Her reply is lightning fast.
Ruth: Right, because it won’t happen.
I exhale again and type the first thing that comes to mind:
Me: How about a human encounter with someone who owes you an apology for getting you stuck in a closet?
I hold my breath for three blocks and my phone lights up.
Ruth: Wow, you seriously don’t take no for an answer, do you? Promise not to say anything even remotely flirtatious, or the human encounter ends immediately.
