Surprise Delivery(36)

“Anyway,” he says, clearing his throat. “I’ve called you a couple of times, Lexi.”

Yeah, I know, I ignored his calls. And if we’re being truthful, it was more than just a couple of times. The number of times he’s called over the last couple of weeks has been irritating, quite honestly.

“Yeah, sorry,” I tell him. “I’ve just got a lot going on right now. I’ve had some things unexpectedly pop up on me.”

He nods as if he understands. And he’s such a decent guy, he probably does. That he’s such a nice guy makes me feel bad for blowing him off the way I have been, but I really don’t know how to communicate to him that I’m just not into him.

“Yeah, I get it,” he says. “I’ve been pretty busy too lately.”

Apparently not so busy you haven’t had the time to call me three hundred and twelve times. I give him a small smile I’m hoping doesn’t look too wooden or false. I really don’t want to hurt his feelings if I can avoid it.

“The price we all pay for being grownups, I’m afraid,” I say.

“Yeah, probably,” he says and chuckles. “Anyway, listen, since I have you here, I was hoping we could get together for dinner and catch up like we talked about. Like, say, Friday night.”

The knot in my stomach constricts painfully and my head is spinning, looking for an excuse – any excuse – to avoid going out with him. I look over at Bri, who’s smiling wide, and latch on to the idea that pops into my head.

“Actually, I’d love to, but Bri and I have a prior commitment,” I say.

“Oh, that’s too bad,” Brad says.

“Yeah, it’s something we’ve been planning for the last few –”

“Oh, I’m such an idiot,” Bri interrupts. “I completely forgot to tell you, Lexi. I have to cover a shift down at the hospital Friday night, so I needed to take a rain check. I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.”

My heart sinks into my stomach and I suddenly have the urge to reach across the table and throttle my best friend. She looks at me with wide, bright eyes and an expression of pure innocence on her face. Oh, I’m going to kill her for this.

“Well, how fortuitous,” Brad smiles brightly. “Since your dance card is suddenly free, how about it, Lexi?”

I let out a breath and cast a discreet glare at Bri. I’m stuck like a rat in a trap and there’s no way of getting out of this without looking like a complete asshole. Thanks a lot, Bri. Thanks a lot.

“Well, sure,” I say, putting on a smile. “Why not? Just as friends though, right?”

“Fantastic. And of course. Just as friends. Absolutely,” he agrees. “I can’t wait. I’ll call you so we can set up a time.”

“Great,” I say through gritted teeth. “I’ll look forward to it.”

He says goodbye to Bri, who waves at him before turning and favoring me with another smile. I can practically see the cartoon hearts floating above his head and I just want to groan. He turns and walks off, looking for all the world like he’s walking on clouds. I’m pretty sure I even hear him whistling a happy tune to himself. Who does that?

When he’s gone, I round on Bri. “What in the hell was that?”

“Apparently, I was filling up your dance card,” she says and laughs. “I mean, you were trying to use me as an excuse after all. Turnabout seemed to be fair play.”

“I don’t want to go out with him,” I hiss.

“And why not?” she asks. “Best I remember, you two dated a few years back.”

“Yeah, and it didn’t work out for a reason,” I reply. “There was no chemistry. No spark. He and I have practically nothing in common and conversation is like pulling teeth.”

“Time changes people, Lex,” she says, her tone a little more serious. “Maybe he’s grown and matured. He certainly seems to have outgrown that – awkwardness – he had back in school.”

“Really? You got that just now?” I ask. “At this point, I’m pretty sure he’s never going to outgrow that awkwardness.”

She shrugs. “It was kind of cute. Endearing,” she says. “And he’s turned out kinda hot, if you ask me.”

“Hot? Are you serious?”

“He’s not a bad looking guy, Lex,” she argues. “He seems sweet and best of all, he seems really into you.”

“Yeah, but I’m not really into him,” I say. “Never have been. That creates a bit of a problem, wouldn’t you say?”

“Maybe if you gave him a chance –”

“I don’t want to give him a chance,” I cut her off. “I did that already and see no reason to go back and try it again.”

Sabrina pops a couple of fries into her mouth and chews – likely trying to buy herself a little time to think of something snappy to say to me.

“Do you know what your problem is?” she asks.

“Yeah, I overthink things,” I reply. “We’ve already covered this to the nth degree.”

“Well yeah, that too,” she says and laughs, thoroughly undaunted by my anger. “But that’s not your only problem.”

“If I tell you that I don’t want to hear it, will it stop you from telling me?”