Push(47)

On the way into town, David mentions that it is Tuesday. His poker night.
“Don’t worry, I’m not going to sit in your cubicle with you today,” he says, “but you are coming with me to poker tonight.”
“Really?” I say. “Why?”
“Because I don’t trust him, Emma. And I don’t think you should be alone. Not for now at least.” I am surprised at the resolution in his voice.
“Oh.” It is all I can think to say.
“I’d like to pick you up after work and take you with me. We can grab some dinner on the way,” he says. He pauses for a few seconds, then draws in a big breath before continuing. “But I need you to know that tonight probably isn’t going to be what you expect. I don’t want you to be surprised by that, okay? The whole poker night thing, I mean. It isn’t just a bunch of guys sitting around playing cards, and I need to know that you’ll be cool with whatever is going on. I need to know that whatever happens tonight, you aren’t going to flake out on me.” What the f*ck does that mean?
“I’m not sure what to say here, David. I’m not one for flaking out, but depending on what the hell you are talking about, I’m not making any promises.”
“Those f*ckers can take things too far sometimes. That’s all I’m saying. And I just want you to be safe. I don’t want you leaving without me or something.”
“Well, since I probably won’t know where we are, or how the hell to get myself home, the chances of me leaving without you are pretty slim.”
He looks over at me from the driver’s seat. “Just promise me you won’t dick around with Brad again, okay? That you won’t give him any more fodder.”
“That I can promise,” I say. “And I’ll keep both my shoes on this time.” David is grinning at me now, and I am smiling back at him. It feels good.
We pull up to my office building a few minutes later. He double-parks and puts on his flashers. Then he tells me to wait. He gets out of the car and walks over to my side, opening my door and helping me out. It is something he hasn’t done before, and I’m wondering why he has chosen to do it now. He closes the door behind me, pulls me against him, and plants a kiss on my lips.
“Bye,” he says. “I’ll see you right here at six. Don’t be late.”
“I won’t be,” I say as he is walking around the back of the car. He opens his door, and without thinking, I add, “What’s with the chivalrous shit all of the sudden?”
He shrugs, and just before getting into the car, he says, “It comes with the girlfriend status.” And with that, his door closes and he drives off.
* * *

The morning passes quickly. The new understanding Matt and I have seems to be working out well. He doesn’t say a word all morning unless I speak first. When I ask a question or make a comment, we have a little back and forth. And then it’s over until I decide to talk again. It’s quite civil. I also discovered that Matt’s witty. I would even say our go-rounds are kind of funny. Entertaining, at least.
At lunchtime, I open my cell phone to discover a text from David.


Hi.


Hi back.


How’s the day?


Good, actually.


Happy to hear. The douche bag there?


Yes.


He keeping his hands off?


Yes. Of course.


Good.


I was wrong about him, though.


Oh?


Turns out, he’s nice.


Nice?


Yes. In a douche bag sort of way.


Oh.


No worries, though. I’m all yours.


Always, I hope.


What? Did he really just type that? I’m not quite sure how to reply, but a heartbeat later I send the old standby....


:)


A moment passes without a reply, and I think that maybe he’s angry I didn’t say something more. Maybe he’s embarrassed and wants to take it back. Inside I’m freaking out a little, but when his reply comes, I’m relieved that it is a complete change of subject.


I’m nervous about 6:00.


Why?


Just don’t run off, ok?


Jesus, David. U r freaking me out.


Worried what you’ll think.


I can tell you right now what I’ll think.


What?


I’ll think u should take me home early and reinstate my f*ck-buddy status.


No going back now, GIRLFRIEND.


Damn.


There’s an equation u aren’t seeing here.


What’s that?


Girlfriend status = indescribable benefits + countless perks.


Beyond this morning’s chivalry?


Well beyond.


I decide not to reply. I want to leave all this hanging between us. It could make for a spectacular evening.
* * *

The rest of the day is uneventful. Matt and I do lots of work on the design and even manage to progress to Phase 2 a few days ahead of schedule. The next thing I know, it is ten to six. I shut down my computer, gather my things and head for the elevator. Today was nice. Today was normal. Today was fun.
I walk out of the building alone, expecting that David may be waiting for me in the courtyard again. But instead, he is standing by his car. It is double-parked in the same spot it was this morning. When he sees me, he opens the passenger door and winks at me. He looks seriously delicious. He’s got bed-head as usual, but he’s cleanly shaved and dressed in jeans and a dark, short-sleeved T-shirt. Great. I’m going to look like a freak going to a poker game in my work clothes.