"So is Corey still willing to go on a blind date?" I asked Jordan as we ate lunch together. We both had salads from Starbucks.
Jordan shook her head. "What's going on between you and Jake?"
"Nothing! We're great. I meant for my roommate Sammy." I replied.
I knew it was a stretch, but Sammy needed to meet a nice normal guy and if he was like Jordan described, he might be perfect for her to dive back into the dating pool. And I meant dating, not hooking up with scumbags. Jake included, but he's my scumbag now.
"He's not going to let me set him up again. It went so well with you."
"We don't have to set them up. They could just meet while we're out together. Soon-ish." I explained.
Jordan smiled. "Ok. We can do that. Let me see when he is available."
After work, I went home to an empty apartment and started to cook dinner. I was boiling water to make fried rice and checking my Facebook. I thumbed through all my friends posting pictures of their kids going back to school. Megan tagged Ethan in a picture of EJ standing outside his classroom in his school uniform. He was wearing a bored expression on his face. I smiled and texted Ethan.
Me-
EJ looked thrilled to be back at school on Megan's Facebook picture.
Ethan-
Give me 30 minutes. I'll post a better one.
True to his word, as I fried some eggs to add to the rice, Ethan posted more pictures. He tagged me in the caption.
Better? @Lily. Btw, he was upset he missed the splash park. We need to get all the kids together again.
I scrolled through the pictures. EJ's pictures were much better at home. He was grinning and making silly faces throughout the course of him getting ready for school. He also posted pictures of our day at the splash park and McDonald's. There was an adorable picture of Krista, April, and Robbie sitting underneath the plastic blue wave. It was too cute!
I commented on the picture.
Me-
Awww, much better. Three-day weekend coming up with Labor day. Let's make it happen!
I finished cooking and put my phone away. I was eating when Sammy came home. She was loaded down with shopping bags.
"Ooo retail therapy?" I said, grinning at her.
She smiled. "More like I got my first check from Honey B's."
"Even better. We should go out and celebrate soon." I said, thinking of Corey.
"Umm, it would have to be Thursday. I have gigs every day this weekend."
"Really?" I said surprised.
"Really! I told you I just needed a few events. They love me. I'll make my rent money through tips alone!" Sammy predicted.
Afterward, she modeled all her clothes and shoes. I wanted to point out she had her rent money in her purchases, but I bit my tongue. Everyone grieved differently. Besides, operation nice guy was about to be in full effect.
"So, remember that guy Jordan was trying to set me up with?" I asked when she put her clothes away and sat down to eat with me. When she nodded, I continued. "I think you should talk to him."
Sammy cocked an eyebrow at me. "Don't you think we've shared enough guys?"
I laughed. "Corey and I didn't even meet in person. Even if we did, you have my blessing."
"I don't know. I kinda met someone this weekend. Waiting on a callback." Sammy debated.
"Well have a drink with us while you wait." I said, getting up to put my plate away.
"Let me see his picture again!" Sammy called to me.
I retrieved my phone. I saw I had a new text from Jake.
Jake-
I didn't know you and Ethan went to the splash park together.
Me-
Yep. He helped me out with the kids. Will didn't trust me on my own. I told you he was an ass 🙄
Jake-
I would have helped you.
Me-
I know babe. I just invited him, thinking he had EJ. He switched weekends with Megan.
"Do you have that picture up?" Sammy asked.
"Yeah." I said, closing out my messages. I pulled up Corey's Instagram and I showed Sammy.
"He seems nice and chill. I think a change of pace will be good for you." I explained.
"What the hell. Set it up!" Sammy agreed, flipping through the pictures. My phone beeped, indicating a text.
"Next time, let me know. I don't wanna find out you're hanging with other dudes on Facebook. I need to talk to you before you make Labor Day plans." Sammy read my text from Jake out loud. She gave me an odd look. "You're hanging out with other guys?"
"No." I sighed. "I hung out with Ethan and Amber's kids at the splash park Saturday."
"Sounds real intimate." Sammy scoffed, handing me my phone.
"Exactly!" I shook my head, trying to figure out how to respond.
"How's that control thing going?" Sammy asked.
I glared at her.
She laughed. "Don't get mad at me. I told you what to do. You caved."
Whatever. I texted Jake back.
Me-
Yes Daddy. I hung out with Trevor and my brother yesterday. A bunch of dudes at my job today and I'm plotting a threesome with Ben and Jerry right now.
Jake-
Sounds sexy. Send pics
I smiled at his text
"Y'all good?" Sammy asked.
"Yep. Can you take a picture of me real quick?" I asked, pulling the container of Ben and Jerry's half-baked ice cream from the freezer.
"Sure." She said, taking my phone from me. She gave me a weird face as I posed, first licking the container and then sucking on a spoon.
"Please put your name on that so I remember not to eat any." She said, giving the phone back to me and heading upstairs.
"Ha, you think I'm not finishing it?" I called after her, texting Jake the photos.
Me:
They both love my tongue skills
Jake:
I'm both turned on and disgusted Cariño.
I giggled and texted Jordan before digging into my Ice Cream.
Me- Thursday. Drinks. Let's make it happen!
-----------------------------------------------------------
The next day, Jake texted me the address to a location in Addison. We were going to meet there for a date. I grinned when I saw it was a bowling alley. Jake was taking the whole list thing too seriously, but it had been forever since I went bowling, so I was enthusiastic.
When I arrived before Jake, I went ahead and got us a lane and my bowling shoes. I paid for Jake's, even though I had no idea what size shoe he wore. I sat down, changed shoes, and was picking out my ball when Jake showed up. He surprised me by not even announcing himself- he just wrapped his arms around me from behind.
"I was three seconds from pulling out my Sai on you." I joked, cuddling in his embrace.
"A Sai? Do you think you're a ninja? Like Donatello from the ninja turtles."
"I've always been a ninja. Mortal Kombat remember? And Donatello had a bo staff. Raphael had the sais." I corrected him.
Jake laughed in my hair. "You're such a nerd."
I turned around to let him have it about calling me a nerd, but he kissed my rantings off my lips.
"Go get your shoes. We'll see who the nerd is after I kick your ass in bowling." I demanded.
"Being good at bowling makes you a bigger nerd though." he grinned.
I mockingly huffed and pushed him away. After he got his shoes and picked out his ball, we set up to play. I ordered food and beer while he set up our names on the screen. He put my name followed by 'da nerd' and his name followed by 'da winner'. He laughed when I threatened to kill him.
Our first 5 frames were abysmal. I giggled when he complained about the lanes being too dry so he couldn't get a good spin.
"But I'm the nerd?" I said while munching on a mozzarella stick.
"Yes." Jake replied, grinning.
"Would a nerd do this?" I asked, dancing to the pop music that played on the big monitors above the lanes. I danced as I retrieved my ball and walked to our lane. I rolled it down, posing at the end. It went straight into the gutter.
"No Cariño, that wasn't nerdy. Only a crazy person would do that." He laughed as I sat down next to him.
"Shut. Up." I replied, laughing too, as I kissed his dimple.
He held my face close and gave me a thorough kiss on the lips.
We finished up after we decided no one won because we both were so awful. I went to the bathroom after we returned our shoes. When I came back, Jake was on his phone.
"Check your Facebook." He said, softly.