Page 73 of Mr. February

“There’s got be a reason I’m still single at thirty-five. I want to be in a relationship.”

“Okay, you’re right. You’re a loser. Dump Jenny before she figures it out for herself. I don’t want her fucking over my paycheck because she’s mad at you.”

“Fuck you.” Wade fought a smile.

“Oh, are you so bad at sex with women that you’re switching teams? Was that the whole problem all along? You’re into dick?”

Someone nearby hissed at him to be quiet when his snort of laughter was louder than intended. The session wasn’t holding his attention, so he should leave before he ruined it for others. He sent a wave of apologies to the presenter and quietly left. When he reached the hallway, he found a bench and sat down to continue his conversation with Kyle.

“You’re the only one for me, baby,” he texted. “Women have always been a smokescreen, but I can have to be true to myself. We can finally be together.”

“Sorry, you’re not my type. I do like a smart mouth, but I’m not attracted to you. It’s nothing personal, though. I hope we can still be friends.”

Wade snickered as his fingers flew over the virtual keyboard on his phone.

“But, baby, I can’t live a lie anymore. You’re the only one who truly understands me. I’m coming back early so we can be together forever.”

A calendar notification popped up on his phone, and he frowned.

“Aren’t you supposed to be having oral surgery right now?”

“I’m in the waiting room. You know how it is; hurry up and wait for hours to be seen. My sister drove me since you abandoned me to my fate to chase a girl.”

“I can’t win with you. I declare my undying devotion, and you rebuff me, but now you’re upset that I’m not there to hold your hand.”

“Gotta keep you on your toes. Aren’t you supposed to be in a session or something?”

“I couldn’t pay attention, and I kept laughing inappropriately and getting dirty looks, so I left before they kicked me out.”

“Why couldn’t you pay attention? Is there something on your mind?”

“Ha, ha. Very funny. I’m a wreck. What if I screw this up?”

“What if you don’t?”

Wade sat back against the bench. What if he didn’t screw it up? That hadn’t occurred to him. His track record with women wasn’t as bad as Kyle’s, but it had been a long while since he was in a healthy, happy relationship, though not for lack of trying.

“Thanks for talking me down again. This session period is wrapping up, so now that I’ve had my freak out, I hope I’ll be able to focus. It helps that I’m more interested in the next topic, but I don’t think anything would have held my attention when I was spiraling like that. Thanks.”

“No problem. Just no declarations of love or proposals of marriage for at least a month, okay?”

“I’ll try,” Wade smirked as he typed. “And good luck with your surgery. Have your sister message me when you’re out so I know you’re okay.”

“Don’t be an idiot. She likes you, and that’s all you need to remember.”

WADE

The last session of the day finally ended. Wade had forced himself to focus on the topic since it related to new technology they wanted to use in the office. Since he would have to present the information to his colleagues, that made it slightly easier to give up his newest obsession for a few minutes.

Once the session ended, his escape plan was blocked by various friends and colleagues who wanted to chat. At other conferences, he would have been thrilled. Getting drinks or snacks with fellow nerds and talking shop was one of the best parts of going to a conference. Today, though, he just wanted to be with Jenny.

But he didn’t want to seem needy, even though he was, or that he didn’t trust her. It was the other guys at the conference he didn’t trust. But she was an adult who’d navigated more difficult terrain than an accounting conference. Eager for a distraction, he allowed himself to be carried along with a group headed to the bar.

“Where’s your gal?” Brian asked as he set his beer down and joined Wade.

“She’s at an accounting workshop right now, but we’re meeting up soon for a drink before the off-site event.”

“Cool, cool. Which off-site event are you doing? My team is going to play pool.”

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