“Hey, stranger,” Drew says from around the side of my office door. “I stopped by a few times, but you’ve been busy.”
We haven’t spoken since our date on Saturday. After what happened with Roman, I’ve dreaded running into him again.
I smile brightly, hoping it doesn’t look as forced and awkward as it feels. “Hey, yourself. This week has been crazy. I’ve had back-to-back meetings scheduled with students almost every day.” I’m aware that he popped in a handful of times because Sherry, our secretary, let me know with a sly grin and a twinkle in her eyes.
“I haven’t had a chance to talk with you since Saturday.” He studies me for a moment. “I had a great time. I hope you did, too.”
“I did, it was a lot of fun.”
And it had been up until my run-in with Roman. Unfortunately, that incident made me realize that I’m not ready to begin a relationship with Drew. Or anyone else, for that matter. It wouldn’t be fair to start something when my heart isn’t in it.
His smile broadens, relief shining in his green eyes. “Good, I’m glad to hear that. If you’re free, I was hoping we could get together this weekend. I have concert tickets for Saturday night.”
My heart plummets. I nibble my lip while contemplating how to handle this. “Drew,” I say carefully, “there’s something I need to talk to you about.”
Concern colors his expression as he steps into my office and slides onto the seat opposite me. “I’m not trying to be pushy here, Sofia. But I like you, and I thought we clicked over dinner.” He pauses and continues in a lower voice. “It’s been a while since I’ve felt this way.”
This is exactly why I’ve been leery about getting romantically involved with a colleague. The last thing I want is to have an uncomfortable working relationship with someone. Drew isn’t a man I can brush off and hope I’ll never run into again. “I had a great time on Saturday. Dinner was fun and the club…” I gulp as unbidden images of Roman flash through my mind.
Much like ripping off a Band-Aid, I need to let him down as quickly and painlessly as possible. “Look, Drew, you’re an amazing guy. And I enjoyed getting to know you better. But, at this point, I think we’re better off as friends and colleagues.”
His face slackens. “What?”
I fidget under the weight of his confused stare and clear my throat. “When I agreed to go out with you, I thought I was ready to move on, but it turns out I’m not. The last thing I want to do is waste your time or lead you on.” Gently, I add, “And that’s what I would be doing if we continued to see one another.”
He shakes his head and mumbles, “I don’t know what to say.”
I wince. “Just know that this is my issue, not yours.”
“Help me understand what happened here, because dinner was amazing. We were laughing and talking and having a great time. We walked over to Covet and danced for a bit, and I thought, the more I’m with this woman, the more I like her. And then,” he shrugs, “your entire demeanor changed. You were distant all of a sudden. Preoccupied. I wasn’t sure if I’d done something wrong.”
I didn’t realize he’d felt my withdrawal so keenly. “I’m so sorry. I wasn’t trying to send you mixed signals. I just…” Unsure of what to say, I fall silent.
His sandy brows pinch together as he leans closer and rests his forearms on the edge of the desk. “The guy you’re not over, did you see him at Covet?”
Oh, God.
Heat floods my cheeks. “Yeah,” I admit quietly. “He was there.” It’s the truth, just not all of it. Reaching across the desk, I cover his hand with my own. “I never meant to hurt you.”
His expression lightens. “Listen, I had a great time. I’m sorry your ex ruined our evening. I wish you would have said something when it happened. We could have gotten out of there and gone somewhere else.” He pauses and adds, “I understand what you’re going through. I was with my ex-girlfriend for two years. At the time, I’d thought we would get married. But it didn’t work out that way. When we broke up, it took a while for me to feel ready to jump into another relationship.”
Relief sweeps over me. “Thank you, Drew. I appreciate that.”
He smiles. “It’s not a problem.” He turns his hand over so that his fingers clasp mine. “I won’t lie and say that I’m not disappointed. I am. Saturday was a lot of fun, and I was hoping we were on the same page with starting a relationship.” He shrugs. “But we’re not. And that’s fine. I’m a big boy, and I can handle it.”
I squeeze his fingers. “I wish things could be different. You’re a great guy, Drew, and I enjoyed getting to know you better.”
“I can give you more time if you need to sort things out in your head. I haven’t met a lot of women I’ve clicked with right away, but you’re one of them.”
My brows shoot up. Isn’t he aware of the fan club he has here at Lincoln High? There have to be at least six young female teachers who would be thrilled to have his interest.
“What?” he asks, looking adorably confused.
A small smile tugs at the corners of my lips as I shake my head. “I’m just surprised to hear you say that.”
“Well, it’s true. I’m interested in connecting with someone on an emotional level. I want a solid foundation of friendship and attraction.” He shrugs. “I really do like you, Sofia.”
“I like you, too,” I murmur.
There may not be a spark between us now, but maybe there could be if I work through my feelings for Roman. It seems wrong to not leave the door cracked open.
Drew smiles. “If there comes a time when you’re ready to try again, just say the word. It’s your move to make.”
“Okay. I’ll keep that in mind.”
Releasing my fingers, he stands. “A couple of us are stopping at O’Toole’s after work to grab a beer. You’re welcome to join us if you want.”
Even though we’ve agreed to shelve a romantic relationship for the interim, spending time with Drew in a group setting seems like a good way to continue getting to know him. “I wish I could, but I have a tour scheduled at three o’clock. A family interested in moving to the district wants to check out the school.”
One side of his mouth curls as his nose crinkles like he just caught a whiff of something rancid. “On a Friday afternoon?”
The last remnants of tension dissolve as I laugh at his disgusted look. “Yeah, I know, but they’re from out of state, and this was the only time they had available. It probably won’t take more than an hour—”
“Well, if you’re up to it, swing by O’Toole’s afterward. I’m sure we’ll be there for a while.”
I turn the offer over in my head. “Maybe I will.”
His smile grows wider, revealing a row of straight white teeth.
I almost shake my head while marveling at how he’s taken my rejection in stride. Not many men would. My thoughts veer from the seemingly perfect man in front of me to the one who rejected me with the same shitty excuse of “you were in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
I’d be a fool to let Drew walk away while continuing to pine for a man who isn’t worth my time.
As he crosses the threshold of my office, I blurt, “I’ll try to stop by after the meeting.”
He flashes me another bright smile. “Great. Hopefully, I’ll see you around four or so.”
I nod, proud of myself for taking this much-needed step. Our first date didn’t go exactly as planned, but there’s no reason why we can’t get back on track.
Roman is my past.
With some emotional purging on my end, Drew could be my future.