Page 39 of Crave

“Auntie!” Both kids run to me, each grabbing onto one of my legs. It happens so fast that I lose my balance for a few seconds.

“Hey, munchkins.” I ruffle their hair, bend down and take them in my arms, kissing them both.

“We’re going to go draw you a picture!” Nia, my three year old niece announces. Noah, her twin brother nods vigorously before they both run back to their room.

“What are you doing back so soon?” Tash asks as she approaches me. I walk right past her and march into her kitchen, where I find Chris rummaging through the fridge.

“Put that away. I have dinner for everyone.” Tash approaches and I turn my anger towards her. “And the only reason why I didn’t get you liver and onions, Tash, is because I know you’d steal Chris’ dinner and he doesn’t deserve that.”

I notice Tash and Chris exchange surprised looks, but I ignore them as I pull out all the food I ordered. A small part of me feels guilty, knowing I cost him hundreds of dollars in just one meal, but I suppress the guilt.

“Is that lobster?” Chris grabs one of the Styrofoam containers and starts to eat.

“I have appetizers too.” I pull out shrimp cocktail, calamari, lamb skewers, and fried cheese.

“This is why you’re my favorite sister-in-law.”

“You’ve barely been gone two hours, Dee. And did you take all the food from the restaurant?”

I yank open their fridge and find a half-finished bottle of chardonnay. Without even bothering with a glass, I put the bottle to my mouth as I take a seat at their table

“I’ve never been so humiliated in my life. This jerk shows up with JD and tries to fix me up with him.” I take a long sip of the wine while I consider going for something stronger.

“What? No way.”

“Yes, Tash. You’re the one who told me this was a date. I guess it was, but just not with the person I thought.” I take another long sip. “You know what?” I ask as I shake my head. “Who cares? I was iffy about the whole thing to begin with. I should have trusted my instincts. The guy is obviously full of drama and batshit fucking crazy. No, he’s full of shit, and I don’t need that in my life. Jacob Clark can go fuck himself,” I hiss, my voice full of venom.

“He tried to fix you up with JD? Are you sure, Dee? That doesn’t sound right.”

“I’m not an idiot, Tash. I know when someone is trying to set me up. He reminded me of how his mother thought I’d be perfect for JD, and said he agreed with her. Told us to enjoy dinner on him. How sweet, right?”

“What the fuck is wrong with that guy?” Chris says as he opens the container of shrimp cocktail, dipping a jumbo shrimp into the sauce.

“JD was just as shocked as I was, so we did the only thing we could. We held hands and flirted with each other in front of him. He told me I looked beautiful in pink, and I invited him over so he could see all my pink.” I wiggle my eyebrows, and Chris starts to choke on his food. Tash’s eyes are wide as saucers at my crass words. “And the idiot got up so quickly, he knocked his chair over.”

“This is better than Keeping up with the Kardashians,” Chris says to his wife as he offers her a bite of his shrimp.

“He left soon after, but guess what? When we left the restaurant, he was outside pacing the parking lot like a maniac. I’m so glad he did this, though. I see his crazy up front and won’t waste weeks or months on this guy. I had enough crazy bullshit with Derek. I don’t need a repeat performance with another nutcase.” I finish the bottle of wine with one last sip and decide to pass on any more alcohol.

“You saw his crazy, as you call it, the first night you met him. He got into a fight with his brother at his mother’s party,” Chris reminds me as he chews on a lamb skewer.

“Yeah, what was I thinking? Oh, right. Your wife told me I should go out with him.” The sarcasm oozes from my voice as I search their fridge for some water.

“Something’s not right here. We’re missing a giant piece of this puzzle, guys. The guy I met two nights ago couldn’t keep his eyes off you. He used every opportunity to touch you and be near you, Dee. And I don’t believe for a second that it was a coincidence that he ended up at the same restaurant as us. Something happened between yesterday and today. We just don’t know what yet.” Convinced by her own words, Tash nods and Chris continues to eat.

“Great. We can add stalker to his list of qualities, but Tash, I don’t care. If he changed his mind, he could have just let me know, but to pass me off to his friend is too much. He’s a sexist pig and I don’t’ need that in my life.”

“Hold on, now,” Chris interjects. “No need to throw words like sexist around. I agree with Tash. We’re missing something. People make mistakes, Dee. What did he say when you saw him in the parking lot?”

“JD hugged me goodbye, and he pulled him off me. Then he said he could explain if I gave him a chance. Can you believe that crap?” I ask with a giant eye roll.

“What’s wrong with that?” Chris asks, confused.

“Chris, you’re only taking his side because he’s a guy.”

“Whoa! I’m not taking anybody’s side. I’m trying to be the voice of reason.”

“You want to know what I told him? I said screw you and your explanations, and I meant every word. Tonight was so he could explain. He’s run out of chances. I’m done. It was a bad idea from the beginning.”

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