Page 18 of Electric Blue Love
Bianca: Yes.
Me: And you’re actually studying - that’s not code for making out or something?
Bianca: Yes, we’re actually studying. I have a diffey-q test tomorrow.
Me: What did you wear?
Bianca: Leggings, t-shirt, flip flops. We’re studying I didn’t think dressing up was a requirement.
Me: It’s always a requirement if you’re looking to get laid. What’s he wearing?
Bianca: Jeans and a polo shirt.
Of-fucking-course he was wearing a polo shirt.
Me: Is he wearing sneakers?
Bianca: This is the strangest conversation I’ve ever had over text. No, he’s wearing loafers.
Me: So, he’s more dressed up than you?
Bianca: Yeah, I guess so
Me: Don’t ever let the guy be more dressed up than you. However masochistic and unfair it is, men want a trophy to look good on their arm first and foremost.
Okay that wasn’t strictly true. I tended to prefer my women mussed and undone – it felt more honest. More real. But men like Todd who grew up with money and worked in highly revered professions like doctors or CEOs lived in an archaic world where women were meant to look pretty and do as they were told. Maybe that was harsh and maybe it wasn’t even true. But it looked true for all I’d seen and if we were airing on the side of caution here it was better to be dressed up than down.
Bianca: Ugh, my brain hurts.
Me: He invited you to do something two nights in a row. He seems to like you regardless of his moving slower than a tortoise. Now put your phone away and get to work on making physical contact. Footsie under the table? If you’re sitting next to him make sure your legs are touching – something. Don’t leave that library until you’ve touched him intimately.
Bianca: Aye, aye.
Me: I like it. You can call me captain anytime
As I sent the last text the timer on the oven went off. With a sigh I placed my phone on the coffee table and moved to plate my dinner. Back to reality. Alone.
Todd drove meto my apartment, even though it was only a few blocks away. The campus was well lit and lots of people were out, but I appreciated his attempt at chivalry anyway. Plus, it meant some time alone with him. The end of the term was less than two months away and the craziness of final projects and the upcoming finals had everyone cramming a semester worth of good intentions into ending the year on a high note.
“Any interviews lined up for next week?” Todd asked, bringing my thoughts back to my own future. Career day was next week and companies all over the northeast would be coming to look for new hires and summer interns.
“Yeah, I have three scheduled. Have you finalized your plans for med school yet?”
“Yep,” he grabbed my hand and held it on top of my thigh. “Looks like I’ll be staying right here for a while longer.”
“That’s great. Congratulations.”
I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear to keep the disappointment from showing. He was already making plans for next year and I was still trying to make the most of this one.
“Any chance the companies you’re looking at are nearby?”
The sincerity in his tone made my body tingle and I peeked over at him with what felt like a goofy grin on my face. “I’m not sure. New York isn’t too far.”
We’d reached my apartment and I unfastened the seatbelt and moved to open the door.
Todd grabbed my elbow and pulled me back toward him. I turned in surprise as he leaned over the console with a smirk.
“Well here’s hoping I’ll be seeing more of you.” He brushed a kiss on my unexpecting lips so quick and light it was over before I could even reciprocate. Before I could feel the spark.
