“No, I sell makeup. Door to door. That’s actually how we met,” she giggled. I smiled warmly, but I was not interested in listening to her story. Thankfully Thomas interrupted us. He came into the kitchen and looked from her to me.
“The crowd is getting rowdy, we need beer. You two coming?” He said. I nodded and left the room first. Plopping back down I continued playing Stacie’s game and let someone else get the next round of drinks. By the time Jackie-O shoots Marty we were all falling over each other in laughter and tears. Someone turned the lights on and suggested another movie.
“I’ve actually got to go,” Cassandra said first. She looked like she wanted to run. I noticed that she hadn’t been drinking when the rest of us did. Thomas laughed and stood up but stumbled.
“I can call us a tab, I mean a cab,” he laughed. His date didn’t look amused.
“That’s okay, I got it.” She pulled out her cell phone and quickly made a phone call. I swung my head over to Stacie. I leaned against her.
“I gotta go too. Hopefully Mark is done working.” I sat up and texted him. He said he’d be there in half an hour. He was already on the road. Thomas told us he was going to see Cassandra out.
“I’m gonna wait with her outside for her ride. I’ll be back, go ahead and start whatever without me.” They left quickly and I sat back and relaxed with everyone else.
About twenty minutes later Mark called me and told me he was less than ten minutes away. I said goodbye to everyone, grabbed my jacket and left the house. I stopped short when I saw that Thomas was still standing outside, but he was now alone.
“Cassandra already leave?” I asked. He turned his head towards me. Guilt covered his face.
“Yeah, I have a feeling there won’t be a fourth date,” he murmured. “Your ride on the way?”
I nodded. “Yeah, my husband got off early.” There was a long silence afterwards. I crossed my arms over my chest. “You should have just taken her dancing.”
He snorted.
“I realize that now. I really didn’t think it’d be a big deal. I thought she’d like to meet my friends. I guess not.”
“I don’t think it was that. It was probably because she was all dressed up and she felt out of place. You know you most likely missed your chance of getting laid, right?” I teased. He rolled his eyes.
“When’s your hubby getting here again? You can take your sass somewhere else. Lord knows I'm going to be getting enough of it over the next six weeks.”
I looked up from the ground.
“Did she really already pick the cast?”
Thomas gave me a bored look.
“No, but you saw who I was up against. I’m going to get it. So are you.” Before I could comment I saw Mark’s car in the distance. I stood up straighter and took a few steps forward. Thomas saw and took a few steps back.
“I’ll see you tomorrow. Don’t leave me hanging Jackie-O,” he winked right as Mark pulled up. I laughed and waved goodbye.
“Anything for you Marty dear,” I said as I opened my door. Mark kissed me as soon as I was buckled in.
“Hey you, long time no see,” he joked.
“Ugh, let’s go home. I want to get into my pajamas,” I sighed. Today had been exhausting.
“Is that pink nightie an option? It looked pretty comfy to me.”
I only half laughed at his joke. I was too busy looking at the side mirror. Thomas stood there for a moment as we drove off before heading back into the party. I knew his date didn’t go well, but why did he look that sad? It was only their third date. But more importantly, why did I feel so guilty?
