“Never,” he promises. “I should figure out how to get in touch with my client though.”
“That would be a wise choice to make. Why did you have to reschedule?”
“Are we getting personal now, Delia?”
“Is that a personal question?”
“Depends on my answer, doesn’t it?”
“I suppose it does.”
“I was needed. Had to help mend the broken heart of my roommate. Tinder date gone bad and all that.” I hear what sounds like a refrigerator door opening in the background, then there’s the soft hiss of a bottle opening. “And you assumed I was your brother, right? Is he upset you missed your date?”
“We usually speak before our lunch dates and he called to reschedule. I thought it was weird he was mentioning it again, but I didn’t think much of it. He’s a strange character so it wasn’t too unusual.”
“And how did he call you if you thoughtthiswas his number?”
“He used his landline.”
“Those still exist?” he says with surprise in his voice.
“Apparently so.”
“Hmm…” I hear him take a drink of whatever it is he’s drinking. “Quite the coincidence, huh?”
“The biggest of big,” I agree.
“So I’m the only one on the outs here.”
“It seems that way.”
“Unfortunate.”
“For you.”
“There’s that sass again, Delia.”
“There it is,” I deadpan.
We’re quiet, and I check to see if he’s still on the line.
“Well, this has been fun,” he says after several seconds of silence.
I hate to admit it, but I’m sad our call is ending. For the first time in a week, I feel normal and not like Caleb’s ex-girlfriend who everyone gives sad smiles to. Don’t they know it was mutual? Don’t they know I wanted this and don’t need their pity? Don’t they know I’m okay? Sure, I miss Caleb. He was an incredible boyfriend, the perfect guy, really, but he wasn’tmyperfect guy, and we’re both okay with it.
“Sorry about your meeting, Zach.”
“Sorry about…well, nothing, Delia. It was a pleasure talking with you.”
“You too.”
We stay on the line for several beats until he finally disconnects the call.
Sitting there on the bench, I watch the bustle of students running from class to class. What in the hell just happened?Howdid that happen? And why in the hell did hecallme? He’s brave, because I’d never hit the telephone icon and strike up a conversation with a stranger.
But maybe that’s part of my problem. I let myself fall into these patterns and then when I grow bored, I don’t do anything about it. Hell, I did the same thing with Caleb. I grew too comfortable with him and he stopped revving my engine, but I allowed us to keep going on even when I knew we’d be better as friends than anything else.
“Hey, you headed to 103?”
