I sat across the table from my ex wife, Leslie. Our relationship is probably stronger now since the divorce. We married young. We married for the wrong reasons and we realized that early in the marriage but neither one of us wanted to admit it. So we tried to fake our way through a happy marriage. It didn't last. So we parted as friends and grew even closer through the years.
It's been five years since the divorce. We have both dated other people since then. I was engaged at one point but it was not meant to be. I think I was only with her because I didn't want to be alone. But we both realized it wasn't working either.
I have always considering Leslie to be my best friend, even after the divorce. She felt the same way about me. We decided to have these monthly dinners together and honestly it started feeling like old times about four months ago. Sitting across from her I started to realize how much I missed what we had. Our talks, just like tonight, were nothing substantial. How was work? How have you been? Things like that. But there was something different in her eyes tonight, I thought.
"And that's when I just walked away. I couldn't stand to hear her bitch anymore," Leslie said. "Colin? Are you ok? You haven't said a word for most of dinner?"
"Oh, I'm sorry. I have a headache. I just can't shake it," I responded.
"Have you gone to the doctor for it again? I know how much you hate the doctors office, but seriously you need to go at some point for it if it's bothering you that much!," she replied.
"Look at you. Still looking out for me. Thanks, Leslie," I smiled from across the table. I couldn't tell if she was blushing or not. Her cheeks got red at random times. It was always one of those features I found adorable.
"Hey, if I don't do it, I don't think anyone else will!" she laughed.
"I wish I had an argument for that, but I am pretty sure you are right!" I replied. She tilted her head to the side as I faked a smile at her.
"Now that's not what I meant, Colin. You are quite a catch and you know that," she said. I looked away. "Come on, Col. You know I was only kidding."
"If I am quite a catch then why am I still single?"
"You just haven't met the right person. Keep that in mind that is coming from your ex-wife," she joked again. "If it's any consolation I am still single too, remember? I am not giving up so neither should you."
"Oh please. You can have any man you want. The problem is all you want is douche bags and clowns," I snapped back.
"I can hardly have any man I want. And yes, I have learned my lesson after the last douche bag. You aren't a douche bag or a clown." she said back.
"Maybe that's why it didn't work out so well between us?"
"You know why things didn't work out between us. We got married too young. Let's face it. You are a different person then you were on our wedding day. I know I am not the same person either." she said.
"Yeah, you are right. You have gained weight since then," I laughed.
"Unfair! You are going to pay for that comment, Colin," she grinned from across the table. All of a sudden, I could feel her foot reach under the table.
"How am I going to pay for that? By you playing footsies with me under the table like that?" I glanced under the table and saw her foot very close to me. I adjusted my gaze for just a moment but in the that time her foot no longer played gentle with mine. Instead she kicked me in the shin, moving the whole table an inch or two. "Now that was just uncalled for!," I playfully reached down to my ankle and rubbed it under the table.
"You deserved that and you know it!," she responded. I laughed and shook my head.
"Here is your check. Thank you for dinning with us tonight," the waiter said as he placed it on the table beside me. As quickly as he appeared, he was gone. I reached for my wallet to get my credit card.
"Maybe I did deserve it, but you didn't have to kick so hard," I replied with a grin on my face.
"Oh come on. I barely grazed you. It's not my fault you are getting weaker in your old age," she shot right back. "You know you don't have to always pay for dinner. It's not like we are on a date or anything. I can pay once in a while," she said.
"I know you could. But I chose the restaurant so I thought I would pay," I said back as the waiter returned and grabbed the bill and my credit card.
"Well thank you, kind sir. I will definitely pick up the tab next time we do this," she smiled at me. It was an alluring smile. I hadn't seen her looking at me like that since we were married.