This can’t possibly be the only reason Miles dates. Right?
“He’s online. I’ve seen his profile on Matched,” I say, not quite ready to admit how wrong my impression has been.
Julia laughs. “Because Zoey and Ava put him on there.”
I had all the pieces, but I just crammed them together and made the completely wrong picture. Why didn’t Miles correct me?
“Miles doesn’t date for real,” Kendra says.
I knew Miles doesn’t do relationships, but I assumed he was a player. I assumed a lot of things about him, and I’m rethinking every single one.
“Not since Elizabeth,” Julia adds.
Another knowing look and slight nod pass between them.
Elizabeth.
So she has a name. “We probably shouldn’t talk about her.” I lean to the side hoping to catch a glimpse of Miles, but he’s not standing where he was before.
“Why?” Kendra frowns. “She’s not dead.”
“Though shedeservesto be after what she did.” Julia closes her eyes and holds up a hand. “Sorry. Sorry. I crossed a line.” She opens her eyes, puts her hands together, and looks at the ceiling. “Sorry, Jesus.” Then back to us. “I promised God I’d do better. I have a serious catty streak. Especially when it comes to that woman.”
I laugh, but there’s an unsettled feeling inside me.
I want to talk to Miles. I want to know what happened. But also? I want to apologize. No wonder what I said offended him.
His past is not my business, and he already told me he doesn’t talk about it, but it would be so much worse for me to ask his friends to fill me in. I won’t betray him like that.
These people were in his life when it all happened. Maybe he doesn’t tell new people the gritty details because he doesn’t want their pity. Or maybe he doesn’t want what happened to shape anyone’s opinion of him.
I understand that logic better than most people.
I hesitate to tell anyone anything about John. Sharing that kind of rejection is vulnerable. Will admitting it make people wonder if there’s something wrong with me? Will they start looking for reasons to walk away?
But I can’t imagine Miles has these same insecure thoughts...
“I’m going to run to the bathroom before we start back up,” I say.
Julia scoots to the side, and I spot Miles across the bar, standing beside a tall table talking to a few people who aren’t here to play trivia.
I keep my eyes on him as I make my way through the crowd, thankful it’s thinned out a little. Just when I’m about to reachMiles, I hear a man say, “Oh, it’s you!” And for reasons I can’t explain, I sense that he’s talking to me.
I turn in the direction of the voice and see Barry, my horrible improv date, standing in a clump with two other guys. He’s holding a beer and looking slightly unsteady on his feet, but he steps in front of me, blocking my path.
“You’re the chick who didn’t put out!” He says this so loudly, it draws the attention of everyone in the immediate vicinity.
“Excuse me.” I try to maneuver around him, but Barry isn’t done.
He looks at his friends, slaps one on the chest, then points to me. “Don’t let her hotness fool ya. She’s an ice queen.”
They laugh, and I find myself getting impatient. I don’t have time for this.
“A guy spends money on a ticket to a show,plus drinks,and she won’t even give it up.” He leans in so close I can smell the alcohol on his breath. “I didn’t know I was going out with a nun.” He barks out a laugh, then takes another drink.
I try to sidestep him, but he moves with me.
“You can make it up to me now.”
