I call back. The phone rings for several seconds and goes straight to voicemail.
And turned his phone off.
I debate going up to his apartment and knocking on his door, but I decide not to.
I look at Lily.
“What have we gotten ourselves into?”
Her response is a snort.
12
I’m downstairs, checking my mail when Stuart surprises me, holding two chai lattes.
“Is that for me?” I ask, pointing to a cup.
“Well, it’s not for the mailman.” He laughs. It’s been a while since we’ve caught up. “How’s it been going? I’ve noticed you’ve been out a lot lately.”
“Yeah, I’ve been….going on some dates, I guess. Going out to eat. You know, the usual.” I say, tossing a coupon booklet into my bag.
“I see you and Jae leaving every morning.” Stuart gives me a sly smile. “Where do you two go?”
“His restaurant,” I say. “I’m painting a mural there.”
“Have you gone out with him yet?” He gives me a wink.
“Um,” I say.
“Explain.”
“We’ve gone on…fake, practice dates…but nothing real…” I say. “But they feel real. And that terrifies me. He lashed out at his friend he set me up with the other night. ”
“Maybe they feel real to him, too,” Stuart suggests.
“Maybe,” I think about it. It’s obvious to me now. “But I worry dating him for real is a bad idea.”
“Why? You don’t like him?” Stuart asks, sipping on his latte.
“No, I do,” I laugh. “But I’m trying to focus on fostering my relationship with this other guy, Rishi,”
“If you like Jae, who cares about Rishi?”
“Jae has become a good friend to me now, I don’t want to lose that. What if it doesn’t work out and he disappears?” I confide in Stuart.
“Have a little faith that he won’t do that.” Stuart says. “Besides, his lease is two years.”
“Oh, great, so if it doesn’t work out, I’m definitely fucked!” I laugh.
“Do you have feelings for him?” Stuart asks. Always the gossip.
“I don’t know,” I say. “We kissed. Once. But I don’t think it meant anything.”
“Look,” Stuart says. “I think it’s worth a shot. Give yourself some credit. I’ve got to file some paperwork for a new tenant, but we should catch up again later. Text me!” Stuart leaves the mail room, and
I rub my temples in classic Riley fashion and try to think of an excuse to text Rishi. It’s Saturday, and I want to invite him out. It’s only natural since we had a good time yesterday. He will expect a text from me anyway.
And if I don’t distract myself with Rishi, I will surely distract myself with Jae.
