"Em, I feel terrible being the one to tell you this, but he said ... he said it was fun, but he's not looking for anything serious."
The world slides to a stop around us, and I try to breathe through the sudden tightness in my chest. "What? No, that doesn't … we were just together this morning. He didn't say anything like that."
Selena takes my hand, her grip cold. "I know this is hard to hear. But he was pretty clear. He said the card made it obvious what this was, which is just physical. He's not looking for a relationship. He's basically just taking what you were offering."
I pull my hand back, nausea rolling through me. "He said that? Those exact words?"
"I'm paraphrasing, but yeah. He seemed ... I don't know, kind of relieved to have an excuse to end it before it got complicated."
I stand, unable to sit still with this information churning inside me. This morning, Alex was so tender. The way he looked at me in the shower. How carefully he dried me off afterward. How he walked me to my door.
But also, he never actually said anything about a relationship. What if it was just sex to him? What if I've been building this up in my head?
"I don't understand. This morning was ... it seemed like more than just?—"
"Em, I hate to say this, but the card was pretty explicit. You basically offered him no-strings sex. What did you think would happen?"
The words land squarely on my deepest fear—that I'm too much, too eager, too desperate. "I mean, yeah, but we've been talking, getting to know each other?—"
"Have you?" Selena tilts her head. "Or has it mostly been ... physical? It's been just a few days after all."
I think back over the past two days. The Valentine's date, yes, but then it escalated quickly. The kiss at my door. Him going down on me that night. This morning in the shower.
Has there been much talking beyond that?
"I'm not trying to be mean, Em, but you have to see this from his perspective. You're the one who propositioned him. He's a guy. Of course he's going to take what's offered. But that doesn't mean he wants more."
I sink back onto the couch, the room spinning slightly. "But he … I thought?—"
"I know you did." She puts her arm around me. "And I feel horrible for not warning you sooner. But Em, guys like Alex? They don't usually go for ... I mean, you're great, but you're not exactly his type."
"W-what do you mean?"
"You know. He probably saw you as an easy hookup because you were so available." She winces. "I'm sorry, that sounds harsh, but I'm trying to be honest."
"So this whole time, he was just ... using me?" My voice cracks on the last word.
"I wouldn't say using. But yeah, he got what he wanted. And now he's done." She squeezes my shoulder. "I'm so sorry, Em. I know you really liked him."
Tears well up, hot and humiliating. "I feel so stupid."
"You're not stupid." Selena pulls me closer. "You're just trusting. Too trusting, maybe. You always see the best in people, even when they don't deserve it."
I start crying in earnest now, and Selena holds me, making soothing noises.
"You deserve so much better than some guy who's just looking for a quick fuck," she says. "You're worth more than that."
"I just ... we vibed. I really thought he liked me."
"I know. But at least you found out now before you got in too deep. Can you imagine if you'd actually fallen for him?"
A knock on the door makes me jump. I freeze, wiping my eyes.
"Emily? You in there?"
It's Alex.
Selena's grip on my arm tightens. "Don't answer. You don't need to deal with him right now."
