Which reminds me, I need to find a date for lunch, pronto. I glance back over and see Brendan looking this way. Probably wanting me to get a move on and just ask this dude to eat so we can get on with our double date.
This could be the universe handing me a freebie.
“Nah, just a fan,” he says with a shrug. “I like the science and tech geek stuff a lot. And now I’m officially a fan of your show, too.”
“Really? I didn’t think you’d seen any of the episodes.” I hope I’m remembering that right. I’d been a bit distracted at the time, trying to both watch and not watch Brendan’s dancing with that girl.
“Well, I’ve had some time to educate myself.” He smiles. “Your show is hilarious. I’m excited to see what you guys come up with next.The launch of the reboot is tomorrow, right?”
“Thanks! And yeah, tomorrow.” I grin back. It’s always really nice to hear compliments like that, especially right before the launch, when I’m starting to get nervous about whether the fans really will want more of me and my socks.
I sooooo want this to do well. Brendan and I together have made it a better show, and it deserves to have twice the audience the old one did. And part of me is a little afraid to let him down. I promised him that working with me would be this fabulous opportunity, and I want it to be everything I said and more.
I’m about to ask Warren if he wants to join me for lunch when he says, sheepishly, “I have to admit, I may have binged the whole thing. You are really, really talented.”
I feel my face flush. “Thanks,” I say again, more weakly this time.
Uh-oh.
I knew Warren thought I was cute, but I’m starting to get the feeling he’s a bit more into me than that. It’s not that I’m not flattered—I mean, Warren seems really nice. (His nameisWarren, right?) But I’m also not available, at least not for anything more than a pseudo-date to make Brendan feel comfortable in our casualness. And while I don’t have any problem flirting with a cute guy for a random lunch date, I also don’t want to lead anyone on and then hurt them.
So I definitely don’t want to ask him out and encourage him.
“I know you’ve got a lot going on with the launch tomorrow, and I heard there’s a rock climbing thing today?” he says. I nod, and he continues. “But I was wondering if you might want to be my date for the masquerade tomorrow night.”
I feel my palms sweat, and it takes everything in me not to look over at Brendan.
YouCon starts with a prom-type dance and always ends with an even bigger dance.This year, they’re calling it the “masquerade,” but it’s always basically the same thing—a convention cap-off gala where the dress varies from unironic formal to jeans and t-shirts. A huge number of the female attendees treat it like Halloween—a chance to wear lingerie out in public with some cat ears and call it a costume.
Brendan and I hadn’t officially talked yet about whether we would go to tomorrow’s dance together. We’re supposed to hang out (and stay in) tonight, but is that a date?The part of me that is dying to make out with him again (okay, that’s all of me) hopes so, but I would love to walk into the masquerade on Brendan’s arm, as his date.
We can’t do both.Those are the rules.
Shit.
“I, um.” I clear my throat. I am not good at this. “I wasn’t really planning on having an official date for the masquerade.”
He nods. “Okay, yeah, no problem.” But his smile is so sad, like Jason’s.
“But I’d definitely love to dance!” I blurt out, then try not to cringe.
What am I doing?Trying to soften my rejection, obviously. But probably just sending mixed signals.
His expression lightens, confirming that last bit. “All right,” he says, this time with a more genuine smile. “Sounds great. I’ll get my wings ready.”
I smile as he makes a joking chicken flap with his arms, but I’m still cringing inside.
“See you later, Su-Lin,” he says, and grins before he walks off.
Ugghhh. I let out a sigh.
I look back over to Brendan.The girl he’s with is laughing. I wish I was the one over there with him, laughing at his jokes. Just him and me.
I’m not all that hungry anymore, even here with all the amazing food truck smells. I feel kind of sick, and I know I’m letting him down and not keeping up my end of the bargain, but I can’t handle the thought of going over to hang out with Brendan and his date. I don’t want to see close up how much fun they’re having.
I pull out my phone and send a quick text to Brendan:
Hey, sorry, I’m bailing on lunch. But have fun! I’ll see you at the rock climbing!
