Page 60 of Perfect Date
Heading to where she told me, I hear snippets of conversation on my way and admire the atmosphere like I always do when I come here. I need to tell Justin again just how amazing this place is. He really should be proud of what he’s accomplished.
Quickly ducking into the restroom first, I quickly give myself a once-over in the mirror. Grabbing my lip gloss from my bag, I quickly swipe it on my lips.
Suddenly feeling nervous again at just showing up, I decide to text Justin, so I pull my phone from my bag and send him a quick, “Hi, do you have a minute to talk?”
Not waiting for a response, I leave the restroom and approach the kitchen and office. Someone rushes out of the kitchen and I move out of the way quickly, mumbling an apology.
As I approach the office door, my phone buzzes in my hand and I see Justin’s response, “I always have a minute for you.”
With a smile on my face, I see the office door is ajar and as I place a hand on it ready to push it open, I pause when I hear a woman’s voice.
“What is it about her? I don’t get it.”
“What is there for you to get, Sam? I don’t getthat.”
My stomach drops. I don’t even know why. They work together, they’re probably in the office together all the time. I just know they’re talking about me though.
“You’re different with her.”
“Different how?”
“You constantly watch her when she’s here. I’ve never seen you on your phone so much, you seem distracted, and I’ve heard the rumors.”
“What rumors?” he growls in clear annoyance.
“Everyone’s talking about how you’re in love again,” she says and I swear I hear hurt in her voice. I feel… wrong… that I’m still standing here listening, but I can’t walk away.
“I don’t see how this is your, or anyone else’s, business,” he says and I kind of want to cheer.
“Justin, you know why I’m asking about this. I just, I can’t handle….” she stops talking and I hear him sigh loudly.
“What do you want me to say, Sam?
He says something else and it’s muffled, but then I hear “fake dating” clearly but then there’s more I can’t make out.
The words ‘fake dating’ keep repeating in my ears and I feel like I’m underwater.
Everything in me freezes.
I don’t know why, but Sam suddenly spins around, emotion clear on her face, and her eyes meet mine through the crack in the door.
“What is it?” I hear Justin say, but I don’t wait around.
I spin around and flee.
My eyes fill with tears and I can’t get out of there fast enough.
When I hurry through the restaurant, the bartender that told me where I could find Justin, is surprised when she gets a load of my face and sees me hurrying through the restaurant. “Charlie?” She asks unsure.
I don’t stop, don’t respond, just run to my car and drive home.
15
The calls came constant, the voicemails, then the knocking on my front door. They were all insistent, and urgent.
I ignored them all.
Tears came to my eyes when I listened to them, “Charlie, I don’t know what you think you heard, but let me explain.” “Charlie, talk to me, please.” “Charlie, this is ridiculous, call me back… please.”
