Part III
16
I’ve been back in the swing of things for three weeks now. Jacob hasn't contacted me. I miss him but I’m happy he’s moving on. I’m browsing college programs on the Internet when my phone rings. I expect it to be either Kayla or Gabbie, since they’re the only ones who call me these days. Even my mother ignores me most of the time, has since I moved hours away when I was eighteen.
I’m shocked to hear Jacob’s voice.
“Hi, Corrie.”
“Hi, Jacob. What’s up?” I ask, trying to sound casual, despite the fact that my heart is hammering against my ribcage.
“Uh… I just called to let you know that I’m setting up a meeting to go over some papers. Just wanted to see when you’d be free this week.”
My heart is bleeding but I know we need to do this. “Well, you know me… I’m pretty open. No life. But come September, I might be in school.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, I’m looking at college programs right now. I’m thinking Publishing. You know how I’ve always loved books.”
“That’s great, Corrie,” he says, and he sounds sincere.
“Thanks.”
“Listen,” he goes on, pausing for a beat. “I also wanted you to know that I’ve joined Match.com. Going on my fist date tonight, actually.”
His words sting but I’m happy for him. He’s finally moving on.
“That’s great,” I say. “Actually, Gabbie’s been talking about setting me up with a friend of Eli’s. You think I should go for it?”
“Why not?” he says, and there’s enthusiasm in his voice. “You’ll never know if you don’t try.”
“True.”
“Okay… well, I’ll set something up and text you the info,” he says. “You let me know if you need to reschedule.”
“Yes, thanks, Jacob.”
“Have a great day.”
“You too,” I reply, and as soon as I end the call, I fall into sobs.
* * *
I can’t believeI’m doing this. I can’t believe I’ve let Gabbie talk me into this. A date with a complete stranger — I’ve never done this before. It feels weird as hell as I sit by the hostess desk, waiting for this mysterious man. I have to admit that the restaurant he’s picked out is very nice. The ceiling is glittery and the black chandeliers are gorgeous. I’m staring up at them when I’m startled by a voice, a ‘nails scratching down a blackboard’ kind of voice.
“You must be Corrie,” he says.
I stand to greet him. He’s tall. Too tall. Despite the fact that I’m short, I like tall men. Heck, Jacob is tall. But this guy is too slim to pull off his six foot two-ish frame. I can see how some women would find him attractive, but he’s not my type. One eye is covered by a blond fringe, and the other one assesses me unapologetically, from head to toe, and back up again. I wonder if he likes what he sees. He’s probably judging me too: too short, tits and ass too small.
Whatever.
We exchange quick pleasantries, and he approaches the hostess. “Table for two, under Richard Gladman.”
She smiles and consults her digital tablet. “Yes, come with me.”
We follow the curvy hostess to our table. He doesn’t pull the chair for me, but that’s okay. I don’t think anyone does that anymore. Except for Jacob. Chivalry is dead.
“Your server will be right over with menus and water,” she tells us, and as she turns to leave, I catch him stealing a glance of her ass. Actually,glanceis not the right word, because he stares at it until she’s out of sight.
