“Look, I’m not sure why you’re asking a guy, who lives for his Grindr account, advice about a long-term relationship, but here we are.”
I flag down the server and ask for two Glenlivet on the rocks.
“That was probably the best decision you’ve made all weekend,” Nate jokes.
“You’re bold, Rinaldi. It used to be charming, now I’m not so sure.”
“Drink up. I’m told the more booze a guy drinks, the more adorable I get,” he says.
I sputter and nearly choke on a laugh. “Jesus, kid, you’re gonna kill me.”
“A lot of men have said that to me, too.”
“Sweet hell. Stop.”
“Alright, alright. You came to me for advice, so that’s what I’m going to give you. But there’s no guarantee you’re going to like it.”
“I don’t much care for my current predicament, so I’m open to suggestions.”
“You need to grovel and get that girl back.”
“What?”
“You heard me.”
“But…”
“But what? You want to hear that you were right?”
“I was, mostly. She completely freaked out over the dumbest thing and then left before we could figure our shit out. How am I supposed to apologize for that?”
“Wow. There was a lot of asshole in that statement.”
I roll my eyes. “Look, I didn’t approach it kindly, and I definitely wasn’t at my best, but I’m not the only one in the wrong here.”
“Of course you’re not. In a healthy relationship, both parties are usually at fault in an argument. But here’s my question, do you want to be right, or do you want to be happy?”
“So, I need to ignore my feelings and just cater to her every whim? That’s your relationship advice. Christ, you’re right. You are not the best guy to go to.”
“No, that’s not what I’m saying at all. Let me ask you this: in an ideal world, what do you want from Molly?”
“A committed, long-term relationship. So, marriage.” I say, without hesitation.
“Marriage.”
“Yes, that’s what most long-term committed relationships are. I didn’t set out to want that with Molly, but I love her. I never said the words because I knew they’d make her bolt, but I want to spend the rest of my life with her. And knowing that possibility isn’t even in the cards kills me. She makes everything better. She complements me in every way, and I spend more than half my waking hours thinking up ways to make her happy.”
“Ok, but what’s more important to you? The commitment or the marriage?”
“How are they different, really?”
“Uh, they are totally different. Trust me. Is it enough for Molly to commit to seeing where this goes? Or does it have to go to a church where you’re waiting for her at the end of the aisle?”
“Call it what you want, but I really need to know that she’s invested in this as much as I am, and that she’s as committed to me as I am to her.”
“So, you were married to Victoria? Had the certificate and the ceremony and the joint property and all that, right? Did that make her as committed to you as you were to her?”
Shit. I hate it when Nate has a point. So, instead of answering him, I take a drink.
