“So what non-vegan place do you want to go to?”
Was he truly incapable of planning something, anything, for her?
“How about that Italian place that just opened up on Highland Ave.?”
“Nah, I’ve read some bad reviews on it.”
“Okay, how about sushi? There’s that fancy place in Collingswood? Not too far.”
“I’m not feeling sushi. Pick something else.”
And he called her picky. Was he serious?
“Oh, how about Mexican? We can go to Don Pablo’s! I love their ice cream tacos!”
“I always leave there smelling like a taco. Why don’t we just go to our favorite place, the steakhouse on Third Ave.?”
“We go there all the time. Don’t you want to go somewhere special for our one-year anniversary?”
“I’d rather go to a place I know is good instead oftaking a chance on some shit food.”
“Okay, the steakhouse works. Hey, Gage, I’m pulling into the gym parking lot now. Want me to call you on my way home?”
“Nah, I’ll be out with the boys tonight at Miller’s, probably won’t hear my phone.”
Sure, he can be inaccessible all night but God forbid she didn’t take his calls because of work. She didn’t even care anymore. Cool, now she was lying to herself.
“Okay, I’ll see you tomorrow then.”
“Okay, love y—”
The line cut out before she could say a proper goodbye. His finger must have slipped, right?
She pulled into a pretty decent spot for this time of night. The lot was usually full by then. Was there anything better than finding a great parking spot? The joys of life.
“At least something went right today,” she said aloud to herself as she got out of her car to make her way inside.
The gym was one of the most popular rock climbing gyms in the area and she was lucky to get a job here thanks to her best friend, Bridget, being engaged to the general manager. Because you know what comes with a job at a gym? A free membership. And apparently she needed to work out more, according to her super attentive and loving boyfriend. He probably just caredabout her health because of her mental health issues.
People crossed paths in front of her as she made her way to the front desk, saying hi to her desk buddies, Bridget and Chase. The other benefit of a rock climbing gym? The people were actually really cool. She thought about how she’d never felt uncomfortable in this place. This was the real judgment-free zone.
“Hey guys, looks like we got the regular crowd?” she asked.
“Yup! Is it ever not crowded here?” Bridget responded.
“Sure, there’s that ten-minute window every morning when we first open that we’re empty.”
“Not sure that counts,” added Chase. “I wish it was a little more quiet so I could finish this book.”
He held it up so Hailey could see, “Climbing for the Topby F.A. Ray? I haven’t heard of that one. What’s it about?”
“It’s the greatest thing ever. It’s about gay rock climbers that fall in love and climb rocks and are awesome! Can you believe there’s a whole romance series about gay rock climbers?” Chase was ecstatic. Hailey would have to check out this series for herself. “But now that you’re here, I get to go! Big date tonight, wish me luck!”
“Good luck!” Bridget and her said at the same time before she added, “Hope he actually looks like hispicture in real life!”
“Ugh, he better!”
Chase ran out the front doors with such enthusiasm. Is that how people acted when they were excited about a date? She must have felt that way at some point. She shook off the thought and turned to Bridget who was rocking some loud rainbow tights and a crop top with the gym’s logo on it.
