Page 55 of Until Next Time
“Has she dated many guys? I’m trying to figure out what her dating history has been. She recently told me that she’s a virgin, and it freaked me the fuck out to be honest. I just can’t believe that… look at her—I mean, it’s weird, right?”
“She’s dated a normal amount. And no, I don’t think it’s weird. Maybe she’s just waiting for someone special.”
My blood is boiling. This man is judging a woman for not having sex before she’s good and ready? And why would that freak him out. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with waiting. Waiting for when she’s ready. I respect the hell out of that choice. I actually think it’s sexy as hell. She’s confident and knows what she’s looking for and she’s unwilling to settle. What a fucking clown this prick is.
He just chuckles, backing off a little bit. My tone must have been laced with a bite.
“Yeah… you’re right. I guess I’ll just have to do and say the right things to make sure she thinks I’m that someone special.” He winks, taps the bar, grabs his glass of wine and walks away, “Thanks again, man.” He says, pointing at me and heading back towards Birdie.
Oh hell, fucking no.
I need a minute to compose myself so I head into my office. I’m sweating, my head is pounding and I feel like I’m going to be sick. The blatant disrespect. The whole situation that just played out in my winery, about my Birdie, I’m not letting this go. I don’t have a choice in the matter.
I pull out my phone and open my messages to Birdie.
Me: I need to see you in my office now. Don’t tell Max where you’re going.
Birdie: No. I’m busy.
Me: Birdie, I’m not asking.
Birdie: Oh that’s real funny. You telling me what to do.
Me: I’m not playing. I need to talk to you.
Me: Please, Bird. It’s important.
I get no response, but a minute later, my office door swings open, and she finds me pacing with my hands on the back of my neck. She closes the door behind her and she stands at my desk, arms crossed across her chest, scowl on her face as she looks down at me.
“So? You gonna talk?” She says pointedly, sharp, and cutting.
I stop the pacing and run my hand though my hair, trying to figure out how I should say this.
“You need to stop seeing Max.”
She just rolls her eyes and groans, which turns into an almost laugh.
“My God, Dawsen. Enough.”
“He literally just asked me about your dating history and how he plans on taking your virginity.” I spew out, just needing her to hear it.
Her face goes blank, and her eyes turn sad immediately. I’ve just hurt her, again.
“What… when did he say that?” Her voice is soft, low, quiet, andhurt.
“He came up to the bar for a drink just now and he basically insinuated that I knew your dating history because of how long I’ve known you. Then he said that you were a virgin, and he thought it was weird, and he saidhe was going to do and saywhatever he needed to, so that he could be the one to change that.”
“I’m sorry for saying all of this to you, but it pissed me off so fucking much, and I want to punch him in the face for disrespecting you like that. I just thought you should know.”
Her shoulders hang slightly lower, and it pains me to see her standing in front of me like this right now.
“Do you think it’s weird?” Her eyes reach mine, and there’s a sadness in them.
She clarifies before I’m able to answer.
“Do you think it’s weird that I’m still a virgin?”
I walk around to the front of my desk, needing to be closer to her, needing her to understand how she’s so special and anyone who makes her feel anything less than that can fuck off.
