“I figured, but when you didn’t come home…” he trailed off.
“How do you know where I live?”
“Marco,” he stated.
“Ah. Well, what did you want to tell me about Jacob? He’s a doofus, that much I know.”
“Well, since you’re not really with him, my job here is much easier. I came to persuade you to dump him and go out with me,” he said, taking a step towards me.
I shook my head to make sure my hearing was right. “I’m sorry, repeat that.”
“I want you to go on a date with me,” he said. “But not to that restaurant. It’s a surprise. Tomorrow, for lunch.” My jaw must have dropped to the floor. Never did I imagine Harvey would stop by my apartment to ask me out on a date.
“Um, OK,” I said cautiously, unsure of how the night had taken such a strange turn.
“I’m leaving before you change your mind. I’ll pick you up at noon. Be ready with sneakers and workout clothes,” he said and closed the door behind him.
A date with sneakers and workout clothes? So much confusion. I threw myself on the bed. He’d been in love with me and now asked me out on a date? Excitement over the next day gave me butterflies, but I tried to tone it down. No point getting my hopes up for nothing.
At twelve on the dot the next day I heard a knock at my door. Checking myself in the mirror one last time, I decided I looked decent enough with my hair in a ponytail and tinted chapstick on my lips.
“Hi,” I said, feeling the same giddiness building I always did around Harvey. He wore a fitted t-shirt, basketball shorts, and sneakers.
“Hi, darlin’. You ready?” he said, looking me up and down. My insides tingled, and I told them to stop. I sported tight lycra shorts and a workout tank top.
“One question. Do I need sunscreen?” I asked. He laughed and told me I did not. We went downstairs, and he opened the car door for me. Driving away from the downtown area, I wondered where we were going. His silence on our destination was amusing, and I looked over at him to ask him again. Suddenly, I was in disbelief. Why was I sitting here with these feelings again? Last time they had caused me so much heartache I had to drown it out with partying and teaching myself to feel numb.
“Well fine, if we can’t discuss where we’re going, then I guess you’ll have to tell me about your new job,” I said, trying to forget all of my concerns.
“That was an upgrade I made when the owner of the other restaurant bought this one too. So now I’m between both places. Keeps me pretty busy.”
“I’ll bet the waitresses keep you busy.”
“Ha! Not so much. But one can get lonely when you’re waiting for the right person to come along,” he said.
“I’m not working at the same place anymore,” I blurted, changing the subject as my pulse quickened.
“Yeah, Marco told me you’re at an event planning company. That’s great. I’m glad you’re doing something you enjoy.”
“You asked Marco about me?” I teased.
“Don’t look so pleased with yourself. I simply asked how you’ve been, though obviously, you hadn’t done the same since you looked very surprised to see me last night,” he accused me.
“No, I haven’t. Honestly, Harvey, I’ve avoided speaking about you altogether,” I said, the emotions returning so quickly that my throat dried up.
“Darlin’, I’m real sorry about that last day at your house. I didn’t want to cause a scene in front of your family. I felt like such a jerk the entire flight over here. Then I had to get you off my mind, but I wanted to apologize, and I didn’t think you’d want to hear from me. I’m just— I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine. I was just upset because you said that to Greg after you had just told me we weren’t having revenge sex.”
“Listen, I’m not gonna lie. It felt good throwing that in his face— better than punching him even. But I wasn’t lying about it not being revenge or rebound sex or whatever. I was in love with you, Audrey. Look, here we are,” he said. There he went, using that L-word again.
“We’re going rock climbing?” I asked looking at the large building in front of us, giggling.
“Indoor rock climbing,” he corrected me.
“Let’s go,” I said.
“You’re not even gonna fight me on it, saying you’re too scared or some crap like that?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.
