Secondhand Boyfriends (4 page)

      
I went for a jog with Claudia on Sunday morning. It was our tradition to do two laps around Clover Lake each weekend, and the weather was amazing. I lost myself in the reflection of the sky in the water and welcomed the distraction. Hardly a minute had gone by in the last few days when I didn’t think about Sam and what might have been.

“You’re so quiet. It’s weird. It’s not like you at all,” Claudia said between breaths.

“A lot on my mind,” I said.

“Sam? Still?”

“What do you think?”

“Liv, I love you, but get over it. Move on with your life. He did.” Claudia jogged ahead of me. It was rare to annoy her, and I’d apparently succeeded with flying colors.

I caught up with her a few seconds later and motioned to a park bench, “I’m sorry if this is hard for you to understand.”

“You’re right. I don’t understand it,” Claudia heaved as she took a swig from her bright green water bottle. “Sam was so good to you. Do you realize how rare guys like Sam are anymore? And you threw him away, like you were just done with him.”

I didn’t know what to say. Claudia was right.

“You broke his heart, and now you want to come back into his life like nothing happened. He’s happy now, Olivia. Don’t ruin it for him.” Her eyes pleaded with me to listen. “You’re my best friend, but he’s such a nice person.”

My phone started to vibrate in my pocket. I reached down to pull it out but didn’t recognize the number.

“Hello?”

“Olivia?” he said. “This is Bennett Townsend.”

“Bennett!”

“I hope you don’t mind, but I looked you up in the system and found your number. I just wanted to apologize for the other night,” he said.

“Apologize?” I said. “We were the ones who stepped into a crime scene. You have nothing to be sorry about.”

“Either way,” he said. “I know this is sort of out of the blue, but I was wondering if maybe you’d like to have dinner with me some night soon?”

“Dinner? Okay. That’s fine,” I said. I tried not to act overly enthused, but on the inside I was reeling.

“Actually, I know this is late notice, but are you available tonight at all?” he asked.

“I think I can switch a few things around and make it work. Where were you thinking?”

“Well, if you like Italian, I was thinking maybe Zestos on Third?” he answered.

“Seven?” I asked.

“I’ll pick you up,” he said.

“Wait. How do you know where I live?”

“Same way I know your phone number, I guess,” he said with a bit of a chuckle.

“Oh,” I said, feeling a little dumb. People in his line of work probably had access to all kinds of information. That or he was extremely resourceful.

I hung up the phone and turned to tell Claudia my good news, but she was already gone. I looked up the path, and she was easily a quarter of a mile ahead. I got up, stretched for a second, and continued my jog. It was all I could do.

I started thinking about what I was going to wear on my date with Bennett. I started thinking about how random it was that we met the way we did and how strange it was that we were going on a date now. What were the odds?

An hour later, I walked in the door of the apartment. Claudia had already been home and was showering. I went to my bedroom and ransacked my closet for something to wear that night.

“Liv?” Claudia stood in my doorway in her white velour robe, hair in a towel fashioned into a turban. “I’m sorry I got mad earlier. I just don’t understand, I guess.”

“It’s okay,” I said. “I know you don’t understand. I don’t even understand any of it.”

Claudia smiled. I could tell she was relieved. She hated any kind of tension or conflict, which was probably why we rarely fought.

“Bennett called and asked me on a date,” I said. “It’s tonight at seven.”

“That’s great,” Claudia said. “I’m actually going on a solo date tonight with Eric.”

“Ayla’s ex, Eric?”

“Yeah, he asked. It’s better than staying home alone,” Claudia said.

“Well, we can get ready together. It’ll be fun,” I said. “Just like our college days.”

Claudia retreated to her room, and I continued to search for something perfect to wear.

As I hopped in the shower, I started having second thoughts about this date. Bennett and Ayla were neighbors. If Bennett and I started dating, that would mean I’d probably be over to his place on a regular basis. If I was over to his place, I’d definitely run into Ayla and/or Sam at some point. If I ran into Ayla and Sam, Sam might think I was stalking him. I was definitely over-thinking the whole thing, but I couldn’t help it.

Five o’clock rolled around, and Claudia and I turned on some music and started getting ready for our respective dates. I had the dresser with the big mirror, so we set up camp in my room. My bed was covered in a wide assortment of makeup and hair products.

“Will you do my hair and makeup?” Claudia asked.

“Of course, hon,” I said. “What would you like to look like tonight? A hooker? A grandma? A teenager? I can create ‘em all.”

“Seriously,” Claudia said. “Just make me look good. I don’t care what you do.”

I began with my favorite primer, followed by matte foundation, perfect pink blush, deep coffee eye shadow, charcoal liner, dramatic mascara and clear lip gloss. I grabbed my piping hot flat iron and straightened her thick, wavy brown hair into smooth as glass strands. By the time I was finished, Claudia was a radiant work of art.

“You look gorgeous,” I said. I stood in awe of my masterpiece. Claudia wasn’t homely by any means, but she couldn’t do her hair or make up to save her life. As a result, she tended to look more natural in her everyday life. There was nothing wrong with that, but I was proud of her for stepping up her game for her big date.

She stood in front of the big mirror, staring at herself. A smile began to crack from the corners of her mouth. She turned her head to the left, then to the right. She swung her hair back and forth. “Wow. I should have you do this for me every day.”

“Okay, now it’s my turn. He’s going to be here soon,” I said. I grabbed my makeup bag and recreated a similar look on myself, though I gave myself some large barrel waves with my curling iron and finger-combed them to loosen them up a bit
      
I slipped on my favorite pair of skinny jeans, black Louboutin heels and a slinky, cream sleeveless top. Three squirts of my best perfume and I was ready to go.

“He’s here,” Claudia said from the next room.

My heart began to race. I rechecked my makeup. I could hear their voices from the living room. I scrambled to find my clutch and make sure I had everything I needed. Then I collected myself and walked out to greet my date.

I walked into the room to find Claudia’s arms wrapped around him in a friendly hug. I was a little annoyed, but knowing Claudia, it was perfectly innocent. As he turned to face me, I realized it wasn’t Bennett. It was actually Eric. That was the “he” to whom Claudia was referring.

“Eric, this is my roommate and best friend, Olivia,” Claudia said.
      

“Nice to meet you,” Eric replied. He seemed nice enough and looked like most of the guys Claudia tended to go for. He was tall and lanky with short blond hair and blue eyes. She could never control herself around those golden-haired charmers.

“Yes, nice to meet you. Where are you two headed?”

“I’m taking her for a round of mini-golf at Green Sky, then for a sushi dinner at Taki,” he said.

Green Sky was the most romantic mini-golf joint in town. It was on the roof of the tallest building in Harrisville and virtually kid-free on the weekends. Taki wasn’t a cheap place for dinner, either. He was really trying to impress her.

“You two have a great night,” I said.

“Thanks,” Eric said. He had his hand on Claudia’s lower back as he ushered her out the door. The entire time, he couldn’t take his eyes off her. Good for them.

I sat on the couch and waited for Bennett. It was 7:10 now and no sign of him. I checked my phone to make sure it was on. No missed calls.

By 7:20, I started to worry a little, but turned on the TV to keep myself from going insane. I started getting into a documentary on the History Channel when I realized it was already 8:15. It had been over an entire hour.

I felt crushed. I had never been stood up before—and he was the one who had pursued me! I started to replace my self-pity with anger. I convinced myself that I would ignore him if he tried calling, but I knew better.

By 8:30, I decided to change into my pajamas, which consisted of a pale yellow jersey tank top and some gray yoga pants. I pulled back my lovely waves into a low chignon.

What a waste of time,
I thought.

At exactly 8:39, my phone rang, and of course it was Bennett. I let it ring a few times and debated letting it go to voicemail, but I was too curious and too impatient to play that game.

“Yes,” I said.

“Olivia, I’m on my way,” he said.

“On your way? Isn’t it a little late now?” I wanted him to know his behavior was unacceptable.

“I am so sorry. I really am. Do you not want me to come over?” he asked.

I was quiet for a moment. I really wanted to see him, but I didn’t want him thinking he could walk all over me this early on.

“You still there?” he asked.

“Yeah, I guess you can come over,” I said. I didn’t feel like spending the evening alone.
      

“Good. I’m on my way,” he said.

As promised, he arrived shortly thereafter, pizza box and movie in hand. It was nearly 9:00.

“We’re going low-key tonight,” he said. “I hope you like pepperoni.”

“Actually, I’m a vegetarian,” I said.

“Are you serious? I had no idea. I will personally pick each and every little pepperoni off this pizza for you,” he said as he sat the box on the kitchen counter. I could tell he genuinely felt bad. “Or I’ll go and pick up a cheese pizza just for you.”

“I’m totally kidding. Although when you said Zestos, I assumed we were eating there.”

“That was the original plan,” he said. “Then I got called into work. Is this not okay?”

Actually, it had been a long time since I’d had a low-key night in with a guy. I kind of liked it. It felt sort of like the old days, sort of like a cozy relationship.

“You’re just lucky my roommate is out tonight,” I said. “What movie did you get?”

“Sunset at Rose Manor,” he said. “The movie store clerk said it’s the best chick flick out right now. I hope you haven’t seen it.”

“Nope, sure haven’t,” I said. How considerate of him to rent a chick flick for me. I didn’t dare tell him I wasn’t into movies.

I began getting out plates for the pizza and grabbed a couple of beers from the refrigerator.

“A girl after my own heart,” Bennett said, smiling.

“These are actually Claudia’s. She won’t mind though,” I said.

I popped in the movie and finally sat down to eat. I turned around to figure out where I was going to sit, and he patted the sofa cushion next to him. He looked so cute sitting there, noshing on pizza in jeans and a t-shirt. He was a far cry from the suit and tie guy I’d met earlier in the week. I was relieved to know he wasn’t so buttoned up all the time. I felt really comfortable around him already.

As we finished the last of the pizza, we both leaned back onto the couch. The movie was a little boring, and I could tell he wasn’t even into it. Still, it was nice to just sit there with a guy. It made me realize how much I missed being in a relationship.

Then, as if we were in junior high, he slowly slipped his arm around me and pulled me closer to him. As soon as he touched me, a little part of me melted. My legs felt rubbery, and somehow I felt brave enough to lean into him. He smelled familiar, and I was pretty sure he was wearing the same cologne Sam used to wear.

My eyelids started to feel heavy, and I decided to rest them just for a little while. I took a deep breath and for a moment forgot where I was. It must have been Bennett’s cologne, but I felt like I was with Sam for a split second. It felt like old times. It just felt comfortable.

I must have dozed off. I was startled awake by rather annoying sound of Bennett’s cell phone ringing. He gently slid me off his arm and stood up to take the call. I could barely make out his form by the glow of the blank, blue TV screen. The movie must’ve ended long ago, and we’d both fallen asleep.

“Yes, sir,” I heard Bennett say. “We got Hoover? Really? That’s great. I’m on my way.”

“Leaving?” I asked.

“Yeah, I got called into work again. We’d been chasing this guy for a while and he finally decided to turn himself in. I’ve got to go down to the station for questioning. I’ve been dying to hear his confession,” Bennett said. There was a bit of a twinkle in his eye. His face lit up when he talked about his job, and I loved that about him. If only passion for work was contagious.

“What time is it?” I was still trying to wake up.

“Two thirty,” Bennett said, slipping his shoes on.

“Ugh,” I groaned. “I have to get up for work in four hours.”

“Must be nice having a set schedule,” Bennett replied. He gave me a kiss on the forehead, and with that he was gone.

Almost a week went by, and I hadn’t heard from Bennett since our little date. I decided to keep my distance and play it cool. I was going to let him chase me.

Once a month, we were required to put in a Saturday at the office. It wasn’t so bad. It usually only lasted about four hours or so, and with less staff there and no management, it was the perfect opportunity to screw around.

I swiped my keycard at the front entrance and trudged up the stairs to the second floor. I threw my purse down in my cubicle and fired up my trusty computer.

The office was always eerily quiet on Saturdays. I peeked around, seeing no one except a couple staff writers clear across the room. I pulled up an internet radio station on my browser and set it to a nineties pop station. I was feeling a bit nostalgic.