you like to have dinner Tuesday night?” I don’t know if he’s asking me out on a date or if he’s referring to Buck’s request that we dine out as a foursome. But being that I’d like to do my “Ideal Man” comparison between Davis and Buck, I answer, “I’m sure that’ll work for Bu … Alexander, if you think Jessica is free.”
He stares at me so intently, I’m pretty sure he’s trying to look right through to the back of my skull. “Great,” he says, sounding anything but excited. “Where should we meet?”
“I’ll talk to Alexander and text you.”
He nods his head once before getting out of the car. I start to tell him, “You don’t need to walk me up …” but he acts like he doesn’t hear me. He just continues around and opens my door before offering me his hand.
He waits while I unlock my front door but doesn’t leave once I do. “Did you want to come in?” I ask.
“That would be nice.” He follows closely behind. I turn on the light and watch how he reacts to my place.
His expression doesn’t appear to be judgy as much as sad. Oh. My. God. Is he pitying me? Cause that’s not going to wash. “Would you like a beer?” I ask.
“Please.” He goes into the living room and sits down while I grab two Catfish Ales out of the refrigerator. I give him one before moving toward the chair adjacent to the couch. He stops me by taking my hand and pulling me down next to him.
Once I’m seated, he announces, “I have a friend with a problem.”
Ah, the old friend with a problem routine. I can’t wait to hear what his friend’s problem is, so I ask, “Do you want to talk about it?”
“Yeah.”
I stare at him like he should get talking then. He finally says, “My friend did something really bad to someone and he wants to apologize, but he’s afraid that the person he wants to apologize to doesn’t want to hear it.”
My mind starts to reel. What in the heck did Davis do and to who? I suggest, “If it was something bad, then he has to find a way. I’m sure the wronged party will feel a lot better knowing he’s sorry about whatever it was.” What in the world could it be?
“So, you think he needs to push it even if it makes the other person uncomfortable?”
“Yes,” I say, before wondering if my answer is a sound one for all situations. “Can you tell me what he did?”
Davis shakes his head.
“Did this happen recently?” Did he do something to Jessica? To me? Even though I don’t know what it could have been unless he’s referring to Jessica spending the night with him after the Spring Fling.
He avoids answering by saying, “It’s just something he needs to clear up before he can move on.”
“Well, I’m a firm believer in atoning for mistakes.” I take another sip of my beer before adding, “People appreciate it when we take accountability for our actions.”
He changes the subject, “Did I mention how glad I am that you came to dinner tonight?”
I nod my head dumbly. I want to feel all flirty and cozy, but first I need to know whether Davis and Jessica are back together and what in the world he did that he needs to ask forgiveness for.
Standing abruptly, I say, “Will you excuse me for a minute?”
“Sure.”
I practically run into the bedroom before shutting the door behind me. I pace back and forth for a couple of minutes when I glimpse my reflection in the mirror. My hair looks a little worse for wear, so I give it a cursory brushing. Then for some reason I go into the bathroom and brush my teeth. I’m not going to kiss Davis, but I don’t want to have stinky breath, either.
When I finally get back to the living room, I find Buck sitting on the chair next to Davis. I wasn’t expecting him, so I ask, “What are you doing here?”
“Is that anyway to talk to your favorite man?” he stands up and walks over before wrapping his arms around me. While Buck and I are known to hug each other, it’s usually something that occurs right after he arrives from London, right before he leaves, or during times of extreme upset. It’s not a constant throughout his visits.
When he pulls me closer, I finally catch on that he’s trying to make Davis jealous.