“Yeah.”Bryan sighs.“He brought the chili you made to the house.Didn’t know when I’d need it, and said you passed out after your epic date, and the idea of waking up your angelic face to confirm the time I’d need the chili this morning felt like a sin.His words, not mine.”
My mouth lifts.“Sounds like you two had quite the conversation.”
“We did,” he confirms, though it’s as cryptic as the rest of our conversation.“Look, uh, I appreciate the effort you made to donate the chili, and my boys are really excited to taste it, but…I just, I don’t want you to feel obligated to be with me if you’re into Ford or?—”
“Ford?”A squeaky laugh escapes me as I tread to the couch and sit down.Is it hot in here?Maybe my fever’s back.Yeah, that’s definitely a possibility.“No, I’m not into Ford.”
“You sure?”
“Positive.”
“Then why did he mention being around you while you were asleep?”The hesitation in his voice kills me.“That’s kind of…intimate, June.”
He’s right.It is.And if the roles were reversed, I’d be every bit as hesitant.Maybe even more so.Bryan’s a good guy.Or at least, it’s the only side I’ve seen of him.Kind.Genuine.Boyfriend material through and through.So why is last night messing with my head?
Pushing my messy hair away from my face, I explain, “I was sick.We didn’t even go on the date, actually.I made your chili and passed out on the couch.Then, Ford showed up for our date, and after seeing how crappy I was feeling, he got me some medicine, tucked me into bed, then offered to drop off the chili for me in case I wasn’t feeling well today.”I don’t know why I lie.Why I corroborate most of Ford’s story when I most definitely didn’t make whatever chili Ford dropped off at the station.Nope.Mine went right into the trash, thank you very much.
So, why corroborate his story?I can’t help it.Maybe I want it to be true.Maybe the idea of disappointing Bryan by dropping the ball, even if I had a good reason for it, is too much to bear.Or maybe the idea of tattling on Ford after he bent over backward to make me look good to my non-boyfriend is the real issue.I’m not sure which motive is worse.
“Well, shit,” Bryan murmurs.“You feeling any better now?”
“Yeah.”I drop my hand to my lap.“I think it was a twenty-four-hour thing.I’m feeling much better.”
“That’s good.”
“I think so,” I agree.
“So, you up for tonight still?Or…”
Relief settles on my shoulders, and I lie back on the couch, tilting my head up toward the ceiling.Tonight.The chili cook-off.A simple date night with a cute guy I actually like.One who has made his intentions clear, unlike a certain someone else I know.“I’d love to come if it’s on the menu.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”I smile.“Yeah, of course.”
“All right.”He hesitates.“Yeah.Yeah, I’d like that.I’ll see you in a couple of hours.”
“Sounds good.See you in a few, Bryan.”
The call disconnects, and I set my phone on my lap.Okay.Okay, I guess we’re good.He’s not mad.I didn’t drop the ball on the chili.I’m feeling better.And we’re still on for tonight.
Another gentle wave of relief washes over me as I replay the conversation.Bryan likes me.He really likes me.And I…I think I could really like him, too.I tuck my messy hair behind my ear, then check the time again.I should probably shower.But first, I need to clear up one final tidbit from last night.
Picking up my phone again, I pull up my very short message thread with Ford and type up a text before I can talk myself out of it.
Me
Thanks for last night.
I delete the message and try again.
Me
So…I heard I made chili?
I click the backspace.
Me
