Page 109 of Flirtasaurus
“Calliope…”
“I obviously was going to tell you. I guess I just didn’t know how you’d react to me being away this summer when things are just getting started between us.”
“It’s what you want, right?”
“Since I was three years old, yeah!”
“Then we’ll figure it out. I’m not worried. Are you worried?”
“Nah, I’m not worried,” I say with confidence.
Because it’s the truth. I’m finally starting to feel like maybe I don’t have to choose between love or a career. Not that we’rein love, but… whatever.
He squeezes my hand, then makes one last turn.
“Alright. This should be it.”
We pull up to what looks like a quarry of some kind.
“Are you taking me spelunking?”
“Spelunking? People spelunk in caves, not quarries.”
“Hey, what do I know?”
“You know plenty.” He leans over in the seat and gives me a sweet peck on the lips.
We step out of the car just in time to see a very pretty young woman walking toward us, wearing dirty, dusty clothes and a shy smile.
“Hey, you,” Ralph says to her, seeming a bit nervous.
“Hey,” she says sweetly, not even sparing a glance at me. Nope, her eyes are glued to Ralph. And are her eyes filled with tears?
“Can I?” he asks tentatively while reaching his arms out to her.
“Please, yes!” she says on a half laugh, half cry.
Then they’re in each other’s arms, swaying back and forth and having quite the moment.
What the ef is happening here?
Has he taken me to some kind of reunion with his lost love? What the hell kind of mini-road trip is this shit?
They finally break apart, and the girl seems to notice me for the first time.
“Gosh, I’m sorry. Hi!”
“Hello…?” I don’t even try to hide my confusion.
“Calliope, this is my sister, Lou. Lou, this is my girlfriend, Calliope.”
Oh, his sister.
“Wait, you have a girlfriend?” Lou says at the same moment I say, “Wait, am I your girlfriend?”
Ralph laughs, and says, “Well, I hope so.” I suppose that’s an attempt to answer both of our questions at once. “Sorry, Calliope, it just came out. I know it’s early, and we haven’t talked about anything official, I just…”
“Yes.” I put him out of his misery. “Yes, I am your girlfriend,” I repeat as I thread my fingers through his, and he kisses me on the forehead. Then I remember that his sister is standing there. “Now it’s my turn to be sorry. Hi, Lou. I have no clue what we’re doing here, but it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
