Page 49 of Emergency Exit
“Everything is fine. I’ve barely cracked the files, but everything is fine,” Ash said reassuringly.
“Blah, blah, blah, big money deal, don’t care,” said Bonnie. “Talk to us about the girl.”
“I can’t believe she just canceled and ghosted me.” He didn’t think he could go into their dating arrangement and the kisswithout them thinking he was totally insane.
“Shouldn’t you have gotten decline alerts?” asked Bonnie.
“I swear I didn’t.”
“Well, so you didn’t call her and ask what was up?” asked Brad.
“So she can tell me she’s going out with Josh?”
“Oh, I would not do that,” said Carlo fervently. “I’ll just take the L quietly, thanks.”
“Well, what was her last text like? Did she thumbs up you?” asked Bonnie, frowning. “Or something even meaner?”
“I feel like I’m talking to high schoolers,” complained Brad. “I don’t understand dating anymore. I’m not saying I ever really got it, but now I’m completely lost. Why are we interpreting emojis like they’re the Rosetta Stone?”
“Well, what else am I supposed to do?” asked Ash.
Brad facepalmed himself. “OK,” he said, pulling his hand away, “You want some karate master bullshit? Here’s your sensei-ism of the day—if your actions aren’t working, you must try something else. You have to switch it up. Do something unexpected. And now here’s your Gen X advice—pick up the damn phone and call her! If you can’t tell what she is thinking, then you will have to ask.”
“Actually, thatisweird,” said Carlo. “Not Shihan’s advice—that’s clearly a straight punch into insanity. Who calls people on the phone? But if she is on the spectrum, you should know what she’s thinking. For most of the neurospicy’s in my life, subtext is not a thing.”
Ash turned that over in his head. “You’re right,” he said at last. “Harper usually just says what’s on her mind. I really appreciate that about her. I’m the one who overthinks.”
“Oh, really? I had no idea,” said Brad.
“Your sarcasm is hurtful,” said Ash, trying to sound dignified.
“OK, how about this? Stop being a pussy, call the girl, and askwhat’s up.”
“Now you sound like my brother. Why is Gen X so mean?”
“Are we mean, or are you just wussies?” asked Shihan.
“It can’t be both?” asked Bonnie, which earned a nod from Brad.
“Mmm… yeah, I’ll go with that,” he said, looking comfortable with his asshole status.
Unable to help himself, Ash snorted a laugh, and Shihan held out his hand for a fist bump.
But at home, Ash faced his phone nervously. Maybe he should text? That was less confrontational. It also left a lot to interpretation. Finally, he grabbed the phone and dialed. After two rings, Harper answered, and Ash could tell she was nervous just from how she said his name.
“Hey, Harper!”
That was too cheerful. He tried to adjust.
“Um… I went to your work? Your receptionist said you left with Josh.”
“You canceled all of our dates, and I wanted fries.”
“I canceled? Um…” Ash went to his laptop—it was open on the coffee table—and jiggled the mouse. “No?”
“Yes?”
“No, the invites are still on the calendar. But…” He clicked on one and opened it. “You just aren’t on any of them.”
