Eight
Graham
I opened the app on my phone and allowed my confidence to take over. I wanted something with Libby, I didn’t know what, but something.
“So, how did girl’s night go?” I typed.
“It went well. I don’t get to see Joanna as often as I’d like, with her being a wife and a mother. So her staying over was really nice,” Libby said.
“How long has she been married?”
“Long enough for her wardrobe to morph from nighttime dresses and high heels to sweatpants and flip flops.”
“It happens to even the best of people,” I said.
“How was the rest of your weekend?”
“Boring, if you compare it to the night we had. How was yours?”
“Full of applying to other jobs to see if there’s anything out there I’d prefer more than what I do now.”
“What prompted that switch?” I asked.
“Being with you,” she said.
“What do you mean?”
“What happened between the two of us was something I never do. Ever. But when it happened and after it was done, I felt… rejuvenated. Like taking that step out onto that limb paid off in a way I could’ve never foreseen. I want that in other areas of my life. I want to be happy instead of simply content.”
“I’m glad our encounter was seen in a positive light. I, myself, enjoyed it greatly.”
“You don’t have to pay the compliment back. I was merely being honest,” she said.
“I don’t pay compliments, Libby. I tell the truth. I enjoyed my time with you and there was a part of me that wasn’t ready for our encounter to end.”
“Why didn’t you say something?”
“Because what you wanted was a date for a wedding to get your parents off your back. In some ways, I felt as if I took advantage of the situation. In other ways, I feel like I didn’t do enough.”
“If you would’ve said something, I probably would’ve been up for it. I mean, we’d already slept together. What more could we have possibly gotten into?” she asked.
“I could think of a few other things…”
“I’m sure you could,” she said.
“So, reading anything interesting?”
“I started a new book the other day. It’s called The Books Of Fell. Three books in one, and it’s sort of like a mystery-suspense trilogy.”
“Sounds intriguing. Is the majority of what you read fiction?”
“Mostly. I read a few biographies, but I enjoy fiction much better.”
“Why?” I asked.
“It helps me to escape my world for a little bit.”
“Do you not enjoy your world?”
“It is what it is. I live alone in a studio apartment on the outskirts of Chicago with my cat. Not much excitement happens over my way.”
“Please tell me it’s not on the south side of Chicago.”
“I don’t live in the middle of the city, if that’s what you’re asking. Why?”
“You’re in a dangerous area for a woman living by herself. Do you have a way to defend yourself if something happens?”
“I carry a flashlight-taser combination with me in my purse with an LED bulb in it. If blinding them doesn’t work, I can beat them into submission before tasering them until they drool.”
“It’s better than nothing,” I said.
“Why are you so worried all of a sudden?”
“Someone should worry for your safety.”
“So you’ve taken it upon yourself to do that?” she asked.
“Why not?”
“I… don’t know. People don’t usually worry about me is all.”
“Your father doesn’t worry about you?”
“My father would wash his hands of me if he could. My mother and my father worry to a point where it’s unnatural and unhealthy for them. But they worry about all the wrong things.”
“Such as?”
“When I’m going to get married and have kids. Not so much where I live or how I’m doing financially.”
“Your parents really do have a backwards way of looking at things,” I said.
“And welcome to why I don’t do many family reunions. Their worrying is more than I can handle sometimes, and I don’t even want to talk about the bickering.”
“Bickering?” I asked.
“They’re divorced.”
“Ah. That type of bickering. I’m familiar with it when it comes to my friend Jake. Divorced twice, massive alimony payments to each, and they fight like cats and dogs.”
“Should I ever get married one day, he’s stuck with me. I’m only traveling that road once.”
“I’m hard pressed to think anyone would see themselves as ‘stuck’ with you,” I said.
“I’m a homebody. Boring, I guess. I’d rather binge-watch television shows and have movie marathons than get out and do anything. As showcased by the size of my stomach.”
“I’m only going to say this once, and then it’ll never be repeated. Your body is beautiful, Libby. And I know that firsthand. If you ever demean yourself that way to me again, there will be consequences.”
“I don’t know. That sounds kind of fun. What kind of consequences are we talking about?”
“Not the cheeky kind,” I said.
“Okay. I’m sorry. But… you… really think I’m beautiful?”
“I do. I haven’t been able to get you out of my mind.”
“Really?” she asked.
“Really. You’ve been stuck there ever since last weekend, and I don’t know why.”
“Thanks?”
“This is just as new for me as it is for you. I’m a busy man with urges and needs. It’s not beneath me to keep a one-night stand or two on my speed dial. It’s the way I’ve run my life for a few years now. But usually, once the night is done my mind is back where it belongs. Focused on my company.”
“Are you telling me it isn’t?” she asked.
“It’s been hard this week. If I’m being completely honest, there have been times I’ve tried looking out for you as I walked down the sidewalk.”
“Then you’ll be happy to know it’s been hard not thinking about you, too.”
“I’m glad I could leave such an imprint,” I said.
“Graham?”
“Yes?”
“If I ask you something, will you promise not to get upset?” she asked.
“I can promise I’ll do my best.”
“During my girl’s night, my friend recognized you. I mean, knew who you were. It never occurred to me that Galex Technologies was you.”
“That would be me, yes.”
“I pass that building every day when I go into the law firm to work,” I said.
“Then I’ve probably seen that piece of shit car you drive pass by a few times without realizing it’s been you.”
“Hey, I’m very proud of that car. It’s not much, but I bought it with my own money.”
“Then it’s a fabulous car that… has seen many memory-making moments.”
“That your kind way of saying it’s still a piece of crap?” she asked.
“Possibly.”
“Does it bother you that I know who you are?”
“It would’ve in the beginning, but you were bound to find out eventually.”
“Why didn’t you tell me? I mean, who you were,” she said.
“Because one of the draws to you at the wedding was the fact that you didn’t know who I was. You weren’t clamoring for my wallet or wondering what gifts I was going to present you. Your mind wasn’t altered by the interviews I’ve given and you weren’t looking at me through the lens of my success. I was simply Graham, some guy who wanted to help.”
“So… people treat you differently because of your success,” she said.
“The richer I got, the more it changed. But yes, I’m treated differently and held to a different set of expectations when I’m around people. Especially women. But that wasn’t the case at the wedding and I figured if I was never going to see you after it then what was the point in spoiling it?”
“I guess we went about this ‘one night thing’ all wrong, huh?”
“I’d say we’re shit at it, yes. But, since we’ve established that we’re terrible at it, could I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
“Would you like to accompany me to dinner Saturday evening?”
“As in… tomorrow Saturday?” she asked.
“Yes. I could pick you up around seven? Or we could meet somewhere, if that makes you more comfortable?”
“Meeting somewhere sounds fine. And I would love to, Graham.”
“Perfect. How does Boka sound? Around seven tomorrow night?” I asked.
“Sounds like I’ll see you there.”
“Wonderful. I hate to cut the conversation short, but I’ve got a very boring board of investors meeting ahead of me in ten minutes.”
“Don’t let me keep you,” she said.
“Trust me, I’d rather you keep me than them. Their bodies aren’t as soft as yours.”
“If you keep saying those kinds of things, my cheeks are going to hurt so badly they’ll fall off.”
“Then I’m doing my job right. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow evening.”
“See you then, Graham.”