a nervous wreck when I left the house to go to my meeting location.
Today was the day that I would find out if she chose me. I hoped that she did, and that wasn’t just the competitor in me. I honestly did feel something with her, and I wanted to explore that. In fact, that’s exactly what I told Tarin when I did my quickie interview before taking a seat at the coffee shop.
“What do you hope to achieve today?” Tarin asked me as we stood on the sidewalk.
“I hope that she shows up and that I finally get the opportunity to speak to her. I hope that we connected as well in person here on the street as we did on the dance floor. I’d love for this to work out for both of us.”
“Well, go have a seat, and we’ll see if she shows up.”
I nervously took a seat and watched every person as they walked my direction. I’d never been so nervous before. A few minutes later, one of the employees stepped up to my table and handed me an envelope. I took it and glanced at the camera crew. Oddly enough, my sister was not here today, and I wondered where she was. That should have told me the answer.
I pulled open the envelope and read the words. “Thank you for the dance. I wish you all the best.” I inhaled slowly and released it as I tapped the card on the table. “Wow. I thought she’d pick me.”
“How are you feeling right now, Harvey?”
I stood and glanced down the street. “A little confused, I guess. I really thought we had something. I guess I was wrong.”
“Are you disappointed?”
“Of course, I am.”
“What are you going to do now?” the man asked.
“Now? Well, I’m going to go back to my job and keep doing what I do.”
With that, someone said it’s a wrap, and I shook their hands, thanked them for everything, and began to walk away. I guess my sister was with the other crew. I thought about calling her but decided against it.
Instead, I went home, grabbed a beer, plopped down on the couch, and turned on the television. My cellphone rang, and I saw Holly’s name on it. I sent it to voicemail. A few minutes later, another number called, and I sent that one to voicemail. Then Greg called, and I thought that I better answer or the calls would keep coming in.
“Yeah,” I said as I answered.
“Tough luck, my man. I’m sorry you didn’t get chosen.”
“How do you know that I didn’t?”
“Because your sister called Maggie. She wanted to know if we’d spoken to you because you weren’t answering her calls.”
“Didn’t feel like talking to anyone.”
“Then why did you pick up for me?”
“Because I knew if I didn’t, everyone and their fucking brother would have shown up here to check on me.”
He laughed softly and then asked, “You alright?”
“Of course.”
“Don’t give me that shit. I know the guys were busting on you, but you were really into the whole thing. I’m sure you are disappointed that she didn’t choose you.”
“I am.”
“Yeah, well, you can mope around today, but tomorrow, make sure all your makeup is put away, and you have your guns strapped on. You are back in class.”
I laughed. “Yeah, no more makeup for me. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“She doesn’t know what she’s missing,” Greg said. “Or maybe she heard about those damn green shakes you drink, and it turned her off.”
“You’re an ass,” I hissed at him but laughed after. “I’ll talk at you later.”
“You got it.”
After I hung up, I sat there and thought back over the whole thing. How had I been so wrong? I really thought that we had something together. I couldn’t picture her with the other guy.
I was on my third beer when I heard my front door open, and I rolled my eyes. Damn, I forgot Holly had a key. Her heels made clipping sounds on the hard tile floor as she came back toward the family room.
“Why aren’t you answering my calls?”
“Did you call? I was watching the game.”
She smacked the top of my head. “You’re pissed at me because she didn’t pick you.”
I sat up and swung my feet to the floor, finishing the beer in my hand and then getting up to get another. “I’m not pissed at anyone. I only did that whole thing as a favor to you. It meant nothing.”
“Oh, bullshit, Harvey. You liked her. I’m sorry that