“Look, man, it’s not that the breakup didn’t hurt, but I also haven’t spent the last six years avoiding relationships because of some tragic heartbreak. When Laura left I focused all my energy on finishing my PhD, then on finding a faculty position while doing adjunct work, and then moving here and starting a new life in Grand River. I didn’t know anyone here and it’s not like I’d have ever gone to a bar without you dragging me there. I’m surrounded by faculty members and young college coeds. When was I supposed to meet someone?”
Leo gives me a WTF look. “You have heard of this new invention called the Internet, yes? Dating apps?”
“I know those apps and whatever else are appealing to you and the other guys, but I dunno. I’m just not into it.” I leave out my surprise that after the plethora of hookups Leo’s had in the last two years, I’m surprised he hasn’t caught an STI from his app women.
“And then there’s Savannah …” Leo wiggles his eyebrows and smiles devilishly as he brings up Savannah Martin, the thirty-five-year-old psychology professor who has wanted to ride my dick since she met me three years ago.
I give Leo an annoyed glare. “You’re fucking kidding me, right?”
“She’s hot, man. She’s single. And she wants you.” Leo’s smirking like I should get on that, stat.
Hell to the no. “And she’s a walking red flag. I’m not touching that with a ten-foot pole.”
“Red flag? What the hell is wrong with you? She’s a dime.” Leo has apparently spent too much time in the Tinderverse. His judgment is skewed and he no longer recognizes the metaphorical red, flashing WARNING sign that hovers above Savannah’s head every time she enters a room.
“You’re joking, right?” I start to count off on my fingers. “She has no concept of personal space — proven by the who-knows-how-many times she’s grazed my dick with her hand or her hip; she has crazy eyes; she’s about as subtle as a pit bull; she thrives off the attention she gets from her tight-ass clothing; we have absolutely nothing in common; and we work together — I don’t shit where I eat.”
“Yet, you want to fuck your grader.” Just when I think he’s lost his marbles, he calls me out on my own blind spots.
“Dammit, Leo. You know what I mean. I knew five minutes after meeting Savannah that she’d be a good time for a few nights but that’s it. I’d tell her from the beginning I didn’t want anything serious and she’d say she wanted the same thing, but whenever I ended our hookups she’d freak the fuck out as if we were in some sort of exclusive relationship. Stage five clinger, that one. No thanks. I wasn’t about to deal with the aftermath of sleeping with a coworker who might be a good lay, but would cause a shit ton of drama when it was over. Not worth it.”
Leo rubs his chin. “Yeah, I guess I see what you mean. But what if you hooked up with your grader, it didn’t go anywhere, and then you had to see her all the time? That doesn’t seem worth the risk either.”
I blow out a breath, shaking my head. “It doesn’t matter if it’s worth the risk or not, because she shut me down, twice.”
“Third time’s a charm?” Leo’s eyes are full of mischief as he smirks at me.
Why again did I choose to confide in him about this? “You do know that you’re giving mixed signals, right?”
“Definitely. That’s what friends are for.”
I shake my head again and stand, gathering up my trash so we can head out. “Right. Friends aren’t meant to help clarify jumbled thoughts, but to stir the pot of confusion even more.”
Leo may not give the best advice, but telling him about Alis at least helped to get some of the thoughts out of my head so I could better sort through them.
I know I haven’t been seriously interested in a woman sinceLaura, until I met Alis. She’s gorgeous, witty, intelligent — but aside from her attributes we just, clicked. I can’t remember the last time I wanted to continue a conversation with a woman or the last time I spent the week after meeting someone thinking about them constantly. Not even half an hour with Alis that night and I wanted more. More of her attention. More of her words. More of her thoughts. More of her lips. More ofher.
However, it seems the connection was one-sided, if her double rejection is anything to go by.
No. I know for a fact she wanted me the night we met. You can’t fake chemistry like ours.
Either way, she said no. I’ve gone six years without pining for a woman, and that’s just what Alis is — a woman.
Surely this sudden infatuation will fade. No need to be concerned. I’ve got this.
NINE
9 years ago
“Waterloo,Couldn't escape if I wanted to. Waterloo, Knowing my fate is to be with you. Wa-Wa-Wa-Wa-Waterloo, Finally facing my Waterloo …”
“Shut up!” I slap blindly at my nightstand, trying to find my ringing phone that I obviously forgot to put on vibrate only before crashing last night.
“Waterloo …”Seriously though, it’s so freaking loud.
My fingers find the phone and I grab it, bringing it close to my face to read the call screen as I push up my sleep mask onto my forehead. It’s Dr. Ryan. Shit.
I swipe to answer before the call goes to voicemail, hoping my voice doesn’t sound too much like a frog. “Dr. Ryan, good morning, sir.”
