“Fine,” I say with an air of certainty. “Since you’re so desperate for people to think we’re dating, I’ll do it. Come over and introduce yourself when I wave. And if you sabotage any of the blocks while I’m away, I’ll know and I’ll put a curse on you.”
Not waiting for a response, I get up and head in Mark’s direction. He’s sitting at a small table on the other side of the patio, facing me. The floor squeaks with every step I take, the worn-down boards begging me to turn and run.
Not going to happen.
I’m halfway there when he looks up and sees me, recognition and surprise washing over him. I arrive at his table a second later as he gets up out of his seat.
“Hi, Mark. Fancy meeting you here.”
“Wow. Kara, hey.” He offers me a warm smile as we then embark on one of the most awkward hugs of all time. Our arms can’t figure out where to go and we end up looking like two nervous octopuses in a slap fight.
“How are you?” I ask as we step apart.
“I’m good. We were just stopping by for a quick drink after work.”
Oh, were we?
Mark looks down and across the table and I figure I should take this chance to see who he’s with, considering this person is now my arch-nemesis. My eyes follow his and find his dental assistant, Julie.
Dressed in navy slacks and a white sleeveless blouse, she looks pretty even after a full day of work. Her brown hair is pulled back in a delicate bun that I could never pull off and she doesn’t have much makeup on, but with her clear skin and light green eyes, she doesn’t really need it.
A pox on her.
Julie smiles and holds her hand up in greeting. Her cheeks turn red as we make eye contact and she almost seems ready to bolt. Mark gives her a sweet, reassuring smile and it doesn’t take long for me to realize that this isn’t just a work drink.
“Ah,” I say softly, turning to Mark. “You guys are a couple now?”
He scratches behind his ear. “Yeah. It’s very recent, though.”
I nod my head, trying not to listen to the voice in my head that’s telling me there’s no way this was recent. It must have been going on for months. Longer even. They work together. It would be beyond easy for them to slip away and I would never know. They probably had something going on all along.
“No, sure, I get it,” I say. I keep my voice friendly even though a sliver inside me is falling to pieces. I even manage a smile for Julie.
“And you’re here with?” Mark tries to look past me and I turn to see Ryan at our little table, watching our exchange with mild curiosity.
Then I remember I’m standing here because of a dare. Ryan’s dare. The idea of making Mark jealous does suddenly feel more tempting, but as I notice Ryan’s coolly overconfident gaze from across the room, I remember my original plan.
“I’m actually on a first date with that guy over there.”
I step aside to reveal Ryan sitting in all his blue jeans and button-down glory. If you do have to run into an ex and his fresh-faced lady friend, it’s helpful to be in the company of another ex who’s taller and emits a small but distinguishable cowboy vibe.
“Oh,” Mark says. “And how’s that going?”
I look over my shoulder again and Ryan gives me a flirty chin raise. He really thinks he’s helping me out. I turn back to Mark with a sigh.
“To be honest, not well. I knew him in college and he’s been borderline stalking me ever since. I only agreed to go out with him in the hopes that it would tone down his fascination. It was either that or get a restraining order.”
Mark’s nervous gaze moves from me to Ryan. “Really? Are you sure you should be alone with him then?”
“It’s fine. His passion for me is a little concerning but deep down, he’s harmless. We’ll have to get going soon anyways. He has digestion issues and if he doesn’t get to a very secluded bathroom ten minutes after he eats, things get dicey real quick.”
I turn to give Ryan a wave and he stands up a moment later. I swing back to Mark and Julie, who are exchanging a look.
“Here he comes,” I say grimly. “We must be nearing the ten-minute mark.”
Ryan is now walking over, closing the distance between us with his inherent swagger. I know he’s thinking he somehow won. I can’t help myself from saying one last thing to Mark and Julie.
“By the way, try not to stare at his glass eye. It doesn’t fit right so it rolls around a bit and he’s really insecure about it. He’s getting fitted for a new one tomorrow.”
Just then, Ryan arrives at my side and wraps his arm around my waist.
“Hey,” he whispers close to my ear.
“Hello there,” I answer with an angelic smile. “Let me introduce you to my friends. Ryan, this is Mark and Julie.”
“It’s nice to meet y’all.” His typical slight accent rolls out nice and thick, like honey spilling over the edge of a spoon. He’s clearly bringing out the big guns.
“Good to meet you, too.” Mark is trying to look anywhere but at Ryan’s eye, yet he can’t seem to look anywhere else except Ryan’s eye.
Silence stretches miles long until I jump in, taking Ryan’s arm. “Okay, so we should head out. Why don’t we just grab the bill and get going?”
“Sure,” he answers, smiling easily at the uncomfortable couple in front of us. “Y’all have a good night.”
There’s no mistaking it. Mark is dead focused on Ryan’s left eyeball. “Yeah, you, too,” he says quietly.
I pull Ryan away and try to hide my victorious smile.
