“See you.”
I watch him go before I reach for my own phone.
Emerson texted, asking if I want to meet for breakfast.
I text her back ‘yes.’
* * *
“So you and Jared are dating.” Haley raises her hand for a high five as I sit across from her and Emerson at the small-town diner. We’ve ordered breakfast and are partway through eating already. The two of them have been peppering me with questions since I arrived.
I avoided saying much for a while, but eventually, I caved.
“We’re casual,” I say quickly. “This is a cute place.”
I’m not just deflecting. The Rodeo Diner has a great vibe. Cowboy hats and photos of rodeo events line the walls. The servers wear simple red and blue striped shirts with a picture of a steer on their left sleeve. Haley tells me she comes here every Saturday morning.
“Will you make it social media official?” Haley teases me.
“No!” When I don’t meet her high-five offer, she slowly lowers her hand back to her cup of coffee. “I don’t think you heard me correctly. Jared and I are engaged in a casual and mutually beneficial sexual arrangement. That’s all.”
Emerson and Haley are both smiling widely.
“What?” I stab at my hash browns with my fork and eat a mouthful.
“So you’re saying that he doesn’t want serious?” Haley asks me.
Yes, that’s exactly what I’m saying.
“Did you ask him?” Emerson asks me.
“No, I didn’t ask him exactly.”
More like I told him what we should do. And he readily agreed.
“Maybe you should be blunter,” Haley suggests. “Guys can be so bad at expressing themselves. We have to show them the way.”
Emerson’s watching me. “Did something else happen?”
I exhale. “It’s not a big deal.”
“Share with us,” Haley says.
“Okay, but I’m trying to take everything in stride. The thing is, Jared got a text when we were in bed together, and then he ran out. I know he wouldn’t be with anyone else while we’re together, but he certainly seemed intrigued by whoever texted him.”
“Business call,” Haley says confidently. “Hockey related.”
Doubtful, but I don’t argue her.
Jaredisguarded, but I’m just as bad really.
“It’s just better this way.” I point at my breakfast plate. “Wow, these eggs are delicious.”
“You’re deflecting,” Haley says. “I deflect with the best of them. But in your case, I really don’t think you need to.”
“That’s right,” Emerson says. “Enjoy your time with Jared. See where it leads.”
“For sure,” Haley says. “He’s hot, you’re hot. What’s not to like?”
