Hooked 2 (Hooked #2)(10)

The evening before had been everything. It had pushed the limits beyond what I thought a date could be. I had felt his arms around me; I had felt his fear as we leapt into the air. And, I had felt his care for me as he had asked me for another date.

The previous week, I had earnestly thought everything was lost. But on this day, it seemed that everything was different. I peered into the sunlit streets of my Windy City, and made a decision not to give up—not yet. I wanted to be a dance instructor. I wanted to continue helping all girls, from young to old, learn the brilliance, the passion of dance. And I could do that anywhere. Preferably in a cheaper studio, somewhere in Wicker Park.

So on this Sunday morning, I made the decision to go out into the world and search. I grabbed my fall boots, my cute autumn hat, and bundled up for serious walking. I fed little Boomer enough kernels for the day and fled into the street, thoughts of coffee and bagels on my mind.

I grinned at everyone I passed, fresh with the knowledge that I could succeed, I could do whatever I wanted to do. I peered in windows of FOR RENT buildings; I rushed across streets, in front of cars, just to check out prospective places. I felt my heart beating fast in my chest. The possibilities were limitless.

Sometime in the middle of the day, I stopped at a coffee and bagel shop. Exhausted, I pulled off my gloves, my hat, and ate my bagel ravenously. I had chosen a pumpkin cream cheese that oozed delightfully in my mouth over the warm, pumpernickel bagel. I closed my eyes, thinking that nothing could be better than working your way up from sadness, from the desolate week before.

Nothing.

As I scouted through Wicker Park and the surrounding neighborhoods, I made a large list of addresses and phone numbers. At around two in the afternoon, I finally collapsed back at my grey apartment, a cup of tea in my hand, and the list before me. I was going to call everyone and discover if the places were in my price range. The sooner the better, I thought. This way, I wouldn’t give my students time to find a place somewhere else, with another teacher. They loved me, I knew. And I loved them.

The first few places I called didn’t fill me with an ounce of hope. Some places had much higher rent than the place I had just lost, and I knew I couldn’t wrangle even the safety deposit. Many required credit reports—which I didn’t have. After about six phone calls, I heard Boomer meowing at the window, and I put my head down at the table, feeling dejected. I knew I couldn’t give up after just a few hours. But already, this task was feeling like a bigger feat than I could presently deal with.

My phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out to find a message from Drew. “Have you decided what you’d like to do for our date tonight?”

My heart started beating hard in my chest. I hadn’t had time to think about our date destination for even a moment. I looked at the clock. Already, it was four in the afternoon—and I hadn’t taken a shower, brushed my hair, anything. We were meant to have our date at seven, I knew. But already there was so much to be done.

I allowed the phone to linger without texting him back immediately. I rushed to the bedroom, stripping off my clothes. Boomer, at the window, continued to meow. I turned on the shower as hot as I could and started scrubbing at my scalp and my underarms. I shaved my legs swiftly, noting it had been a little while—given my lack of sexual prowess in the previous weeks. I shivered, knowing that if I missed a single spot, Drew would notice. He knew the female body better than anyone.

I jumped into my bedroom, my wet blonde hair streaming all around me. I peered into my closet, my eyes wide. What the hell was I going to wear? I heard my phone begin to buzz—loudly, a phone call—in the next room. I walked naked, feeling my breasts bounce lightly. The phone’s white letters screamed; “MEL.”


“Hey, Mel,” I said, sounding a bit distracted. I missed my studio partner a great deal, but I knew how busy she was with baby Jack.

“Molly!” Mel called. She sounded loud, pulsing with energy. “I’ve missed you so much. I’ve been worried about you.”

I nodded my head, watching my naked body in the mirror by the refrigerator. I looked good. I spun this way, then that, inspecting my body. “I’ve missed you, as well,” I murmured. “We have to get together soon. I decided to try to find another dance studio.”

“Oh, yeah?” Mel asked. She sounded excited. “Please. Do tell.”

“I can’t really talk right now, Mel.” I made myself sound apologetic. “I have a date tonight. I’m trying to get ready. You know, it’s been so long since I had a nice dinner date. And I’m supposed to find the place we’re going! I don’t know what to do!”

“Oh. He put you in charge, huh? Is this the same guy? The guy who thinks I’m your assistant?”

I murmured a brief “Yes” into the phone.

“Ah, well. How exciting. He was sexy, no? Anyway. I was going to ask you if you wanted to come over for dinner with me and the boys.”

“The boys? Your husband and your baby?” I asked, laughing.

“Who else? And have you ever seen anyone more handsome?” At this point, I could tell that she was talking directly to her baby, cooing at him. I smiled, in spite of myself. “Seriously. Maybe this would be a good time for me to meet this guy. Drew, yeah?”

I thought for a moment. I certainly didn’t have any real plans for us for the rest of the evening. I pictured us whiling away at some dumb restaurant, unable to find anything to talk about—especially in the wake of such excitement the previous day. “You know. That isn’t such a bad idea,” I murmured. I still stood naked in the kitchen considering this.