think something happened last night.”
Ha, did it ever.
I made out with a possible serial killer.
How am I supposed to tell my best friend that?
Then again, if I can’t share my misdeeds with her, who can I share with?
Slowly, I blow out a breath. “Okay, okay. Something did happen,” I admit, pushing my chair out from under my desk so I can lean back and peer up at the ceiling. “I actually have a lot to confess.”
“Go on,” Jodi prompts.
I glance over at her sheepishly. “I did know it was stupid Valentine’s Day, all right? But I’d like to forget that it was. In fact, I’d like to erase the whole damn night.”
Frowning, Jodi asks, “Why?”
“Because I made a damn fool of myself, that’s why.”
“Becca, tell me what happened. I bet it wasn’t that bad.”
I snort. “Trust me, it was.”
I place my head in my hands and let out a little cry of anguish, and Jodi rolls her chair over to me.
Softly, she says, “Talk to me, okay? I can help.”
Lifting my head and peering at her dubiously, I roll my eyes. “I don’t know about that.”
“Try me, okay? You know we always talk these things out, and it usually ends up with both of us feeling better.”
She’s right, so I close my eyes and begin my tawdry tale.
“So,” I sigh. “I went to some old movie last night. Not that I even watched a single minute of it.”
“And why is that, Becca?”
I open my eyes. “I, uh, kind of met a guy.”
Jodi, misunderstanding, gets all excited. Dropping her arm from around my shoulders, she claps her hands. “Oh my God, this is so great. Why were you afraid to tell me this? Is he cute? Is he nice? Are you going to see each other again? If so, when?”
I hold up my hand. “Whoa, wait, slow down.”
“Why? Isn’t this what those dating sites were all about? You always wanted to meet someone special, right?”
Exasperated, I blurt out, “Jodi, the only thing special about this guy is that he may be a serial killer!”
“Huh?”
That shuts her up, but it gets me going.
“I freaking kissed him,” I cry out. “No, wait, we totally made out. I made out with a guy whose name I didn’t even take the time to find out. I actually don’t know anything about him, Jodi. Only that he is insanely hot and an amazing kisser.”
Nodding thoughtfully, she says, “Well, there is that.”
I smack her arm. “Stop it. Didn’t you hear the part about him maybe being a serial killer?”
Rolling her eyes, Jodi says, “Of course I heard. But I’m sure he’s not one. Not to mention, he must’ve really gotten to you for you to be so, uh, animated about the whole thing.”
“Gotten to me or not, it doesn’t matter.”
Leveling me with a no-nonsense, we’re-getting-to-the-bottom-of-this gaze, Jodi says, “What’s really going on, Becca?”
I let out a groan. “I’m pathetic, that’s what’s going on. When things got real with me and this hot guy, I ran out like a baby. I’m sure he thinks I’m crazy. The only bright spot in this whole shit show is that I’ll never have to see him ever again. Never, never for the rest of my life! Thank God. That’s why I told you I wish I could erase the whole damn night. In my head, I already have.” I amend, “Well, I’m trying to. Those kisses, though…”
Softly, Jodi says, “I actually think I have a great way for you to erase the whole memory of him.”
“I’m intrigued.” I cock my head. “What do you propose?”
Excitedly, Jodi replies, “Let’s finally set you up with Caleb’s best friend, Lars. We’ve talked about it for so long. Let’s make it happen.”
“Oh, I don’t know, Jodi.”
“Come on, Becca. There was a time you once asked me if Caleb knew anyone single and ready to mingle. You remember that, right?”
“I do,” I confirm. “But that was back when I believed in love.”
Jodi touches my arm. “You can believe in it again, sweetie. You’re going to meet your ‘one.’ I just know it. In the meantime, let’s set up this double date. Maybe you’ll like Lars. If nothing else, it’ll cheer you up and get your mind off the serial killer.”
“Ha ha, smartass.” I shoot her the bird.
Reaching out and lowering my hand, she says, “Hey, seriously, this could be a good thing. Caleb tells me all the time that Lars is a fun guy. Do you want to see a picture of him? He’s really hot.”
I