CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Emma
Okay, now I'm officially confused. All night long, I've been under the impression that Chad just wanted to sleep with me. Figuratively sleep with me, not literally. He has been acting quite differently than I expected. But I don't understand why Chad's asking me to spend the night. He got what he wanted. He said and did all the right things, got me back to his place and had sex with me. So why the hell is he inviting me to spend the night? I thought for sure he'd be rushing me out the door the second he finished.
Well?” he asks.
“Oh, I don't think that's a good idea, Chad. Thank you, but I should probably be going.”
“Wow. Usually it's me rushing the girl outta here. Not the girl trying to rush out.”
“I'm not a girl, first of all. I'm a grown woman.”
“I know you are. I've always called women, 'girls.' It's just something I say. A lot of guys do.”
“I've heard you call women a lot of other things, too.”
“Yeah? Like what?”
“Oh, I don't know. Let's see: Bitches. Sluts. Broads. Dames. Hoes. Cum dumpst...”
“Okay, okay. I get your point. But I've never called you any of those things, so what do you care?”
“I fully admit: You've treated me rather well since I started working at Fit World. Much better than I ever would've expected, honestly. But I don't like the way you treat a lot of other women.”
“I don't fucking get you, Emma. As far as I can tell, I've done everything right. Yet you've been sending me mixed signals all night long. You can't deny that we have amazing chemistry.”
“You're right. I can't.”
“Then what's the problem? I'm not asking you to move in with me. Just spend the night. I'll order you an Uber in the morning.”
Chad's staring at me with those beautiful blue eyes and I have to look away. I don't wanna leave but I know it's what I have to do. We had a great time together, some amazing sex, but it's time to say goodbye. There's clearly no future between me and Chad. I'm already starting to like him and if I spend the night, it's only gonna make me like him more. He's not boyfriend material. I'd be kidding myself I thought that he was. But look at him. My goodness, he is one handsome, interesting man.
I have to get out of here before I change my mind. Chad's got a gift for doing that. He's already made me change my mind about how I feel about him and he talked me into going out with him when I didn't want to originally. I'm sure Chad's more than capable of convincing me to spend the night. Especially when he looks at me like he's doing right now.
“I'm sorry, Chad. I can't. I'll order my own Uber. But thank you. Thank you for a wonderful night.”
“Suit yourself. I'm not gonna fucking beg, if that's what you're trying to get me to do.”
“It's not. I just think this is the perfect place to end the night. We both had a great time. Let's just leave it at that. Besides, I have stuff to do in the morning.”
“Yeah, you're right. Come one. Let's get you dressed and order you an Uber.”
Chad helps me gather up my clothes which are scattered around his condo. I order my Uber and get dressed. There's a part of me – a big part of me – that does want to stay. I have to get out of here before I change my mind. Fortunately, my Uber's only a few short blocks away. Chad walks me to the door and gives me a hug and a kiss.
“I really had a good time tonight, Emma,” he says, eyes looking bluer than ever. “You're not like the other girls... The other women I usually date.”
“I had a good time, too, Chad. Thank you for a wonderful evening.”
After another quick kiss, I'm out the door and in the elevator. For the first time in hours, I'm by myself and I take a much-needed deep breath. I still can't believe everything that's happened. But now I'm more confused than ever. I thought it was strange when Chad asked me out but now I really have no idea what his intentions are. I can't wait to tell Claire all about my night. She'll be able to help me figure everything out.
——————————
It's Monday morning and I'm back at work. Claire and I spent all weekend talking about everything that happened between Chad and I. She seems to be convinced that he likes me. Like, really likes me. Chad certainly sent me a lot of signals to suggest that, but I just don't know. He's got half the women on the planet trying to get with him, so I don't understand why I'm so special. Could it ever actually work between Chad and I? We're so different, yet we had such an amazing time the other night. I feel like I was a little too hard on him. Maybe I'm still clinging on to my high school feelings. I don't know. All I do know is that I can't stop thinking about him.
My morning flies by, as they usually do. I see Chad come in a little after noon. He looks as handsome as ever, muscles popping out of his tight shirt. A chill shoots down my spine as I think about him effortlessly throwing me around in his bedroom a few nights earlier, running his powerful hands all over my body. My mind slips into a fantasy about Chad walking right into my office, tossing all the stuff off my desk, and having his way with me right on top of it. That fantasy is cut short, though, when I realize that Chad's actually walking right toward my office.
“You got a minute?” he asks, walking in and shutting the door behind him.
“Um, sure, Chad. What's up?”
“I had a really good time the other night.”
“I know. I did, too.”
“And I'd love to do it again sometime soon.”
“Which part of it?”
“All of it. Let me take you out after work again. Maybe I'll show you a few new exercises.”
Maybe Claire was right. Maybe Chad does really like me. I like him, too, but I'm terrified of getting hurt. That's what's gonna end up happening. Chad's gonna get me to fall head-over-heels in love with him and then he's gonna crush me. That's the way it goes with guys like him. I am flattered that he likes me, though. I just don't know what to do.
“I don't know if I can today. Can I get back to you in a little while?”
“Come on, Emma. We both know you wanna say yes.”
I don't say anything.
“Fine,” Chad continues, “just let me know. You know where to find me.”
“I will.”
Chad leaves my office. Now it's gonna be even harder to concentrate on my work. I sit at my desk, staring blankly out at everyone exercising. My gaze might be blank but my mind is anything but. A million thoughts race around in there, each one contradicting the one before it. I've never been this torn over a man before. Fortunately, it's time for my lunch break. I have an hour to think about things before my next client arrives. Maybe Claire can help me decide what to do. She's got the day off so I give her a ring.
“Calling me in the middle of your work day? Something must've happened. What's up, sweetie?”
“I think you were right, Claire. I think Chad really likes me.”
“Oh? Did he say something?”
“He asked me out again after work tonight.”
I can practically hear Claire smiling through the phone.
“Emma, that's wonderful. I told you he likes you! Where are you guys going this time?”
“I haven't said yes yet. I told him I'd get back to him.”
“Why not? After everything we talked about, it's obvious that you like him. And he clearly likes you. So what's the problem?”
“The problem is that I just don't see Chad and I together long term. He's got millions of women that want him. I just don't see a future there.”
“Sweetie, look: I think you're getting wayyy ahead of yourself. Chad didn't ask you to run off to some Vegas wedding chapel with him. All he did was ask for a second date. He likes you. He wants to keep getting to know you. You shouldn't be surprised. You're an amazing woman, Emma. I bet you guys will end up having just as good a time as you did the other night. Maybe it'll be even better. Who knows? Just stay focused on today and you'll be fine. I know how you are, always thinking ahead. When it comes to your career, finances, and stuff like that, focusing on the future is great. But when it comes to dating and relationships, it's better to stay focused on the here and now. Especially early on.”
“You're right, Claire. I have been getting ahead of myself.”
“I know I'm right. I know these things! Now go tell your handsome fitness model that you'd love to go on a second date. I'm sure it'll make his day. He's probably thinking about you right now.”
“I'll tell him when I get back from lunch. I'm starving.”
“Attagirl! Don't forget a single detail, cause I want you to tell me all about your date when you get home - If you decided to come home this time.”
“I won't forget a thing. Thanks again, Claire. You're a good friend.”
“I know I am. Bye, sweetie!”