Holding it back, she said,“No, then he’ll feel bad that I spent money on a new dress. It’s not his fault one of his patients is having a problem. I hope they’ll be fine.” She still recalled how devastated he’d been when he’d lost that patient last month. It couldn’t be easy, even if it was part of the job.
Carli sent him a quick text, saying she’d gotten the message and not to worry. She hoped the patient would be all right. Seconds later, her phone vibrated, and she got a text back.
—Thanks for understanding. I’d much rather be with you.—
Yeah, she felt the same way. This was the second time he’d canceled plans, and they’d only gone out a few times. Still, that day at his place had been incredible. They hadn’t done anything big or exciting, only spent the afternoon talking. Some of the time in ASL, because in order to truly learn the language, you had to use it. And often. They’d also snuggled and kissed a few times. Maybe more than a few times. He claimed he was addicted, after all. Could be she was becoming addicted too.
“I’ve got the Uber coming in twenty minutes. Will you be ready?” Mercedes poked her head into Carli’s room, then fiddled with her dangling earrings that matched her necklace. Mercedes was always so put together and on trend. You’d think Carli would have caught some of her style by now after living together for a few years. Usually, she had her roommate pick out her jewelry or clothes for her. Matching things together wasn’t her strength.
“I guess I’ll have to be. Since I won’t be with Blake, it doesn’t really matter.”
“Of course it does, but you look stunning. You’ll have guys drooling all over you.”
Carli snorted. “Just what I want. Drool.”
Mercedes shuffled off, and Carli finished getting ready. She went easier on the eye makeup than she’d originally planned, but it was still more than she used for work.
The Uber was on time, and she loved that they could chat in ASL in the back seat without the driver hearing their personal conversation. One advantage to being deaf or both people knowing sign language.
The other advantage was being able to turn her CIs’ volume down once they got inside.
The friends Mercedes was meeting had already grabbed a few high tops near the wall and commandeered some extra stools. Most of them she knew from previous gatherings, but there were a few new faces. Her roommate made sure to introduce her to everyone.
“Isn’t it weird how Mercedes talks in sign language, even though she isn’t deaf?” one of the guys seated next to Carli said.
“Yeah, weird.” Okay, so this guy didn’t know she was deaf. Not that Carli would tell him now. She liked to see how much she could get away with before she let people in on her secret. Tonight would be a cinch, because the music was loud and it was easy to misunderstand or not hear others. This was where she had an advantage, though. Lip reading.
The guy tipped his chin up. “I think her roommate or something is Deaf. Do you know her?”
Grinning, Carli said, “Very well.”
“And do you know that,” he waved his hands in the air, “sign stuff?”
A laugh escaped her mouth as his fingers twitched spasmodically. It didn’t resemble anything near any kind of sign. “A bit.”
“Well, glad the sign lady isn’t here. It would make me nervous.”
Before she could ask why, he leaned in closer. “What do you do for work?”
What had Mercedes said his name was? Ted? She’d go with that until she was told otherwise.
“I work at Boston General.” That started a conversation that was pleasant, and a few of the other people at the table joined in, mostly chatting about their jobs and griping about their families.
As the night wore on, the music seemed to get louder or perhaps her ears were merely getting tired. While she was in the ladies’ room, she adjusted her CI volume. Most people were having a hard time hearing, so she didn’t need to have them on high.
When she got back to the table, Mercedes was on the small square of space some of the patrons had decided was a dance floor. Ted had gotten her another drink. That wasn’t necessarily a good thing as she’d already had a few, and she was typically a lightweight.
“Thanks.” She picked it up and took a tiny sip. Whoa. It definitely had a kick to it. Better milk that one for the rest of the night.
Ted returned to the conversation they’d been having about a boat he was refurbishing. He’d even invited her out on it when he was done.
“It might be a bit chilly on it right now.”
He let out a big laugh like she’d said something hilarious. “It’s not ready yet. I’ll need a few more months. By this summer for sure.”
“Sounds great.” She wasn’t going, but it sounded great. Unless, of course, she and Blake didn’t work out. And why did that thought suddenly enter her mind? He hadn’t canceled their date because he didn’t want to be with her. Pulling out her phone, she glanced at his text that said he’d rather be with her. See? Nothing to worry about.
Several others at the table suddenly grabbed her and Ted and pulled them on the dance floor. A rowdy song was playing, and they all started to groove to the music. Carli liked dancing, especially now that she could hear more of what she was dancing to.
