Choosing Her Lover

Chapter 15

*****

Erin is, as I expected, in pieces. I know that she had high hopes for Rob.

“I don’t get it.” she cries, wringing her hands. “What do I have to do? I offer them everything. I tell them my life story. I make it clear that I won’t see anyone else….”

“I think you try to get too close, too soon,” I say. “Lots of guys don’t like it if you’re all over them straight away.”

“Oh, don’t talk rubbish,” says Ben. “When you meet someone, you know right away when they’re good for you.”

Keep your mouth shut. This isn’t the time.

“Cheer up,” says Ben, holding her hand. “I’ve got a friend who’s just broken up with his girlfriend. We could all go out together if you like, the four of us. I’ll introduce you.”

And just like that, her tears dry up.

“Really?” she says. “Thanks. You seem really nice. I’d love to meet your friend.”

“That’s settled, then,” says Ben. “How about tomorrow night? Is that okay by you, Kirstie?”

Jeez, I don’t want to do this….

“That would be lovely. Thanks, Kirstie,” says Erin, before I have a chance to open my mouth. “Do you want to pick us both up from Kirstie’s place, Ben?”

“I’ll do that. About eight?”

*****

The evening is as grim as I anticipate. Dearly as I love my sister, I have trouble with her infatuations and her conviction that Prince Charming is about to ride over the hill on his charger.

….. Dreams of White Horses….?

Ben’s friend, Larry, seems very much to be cut from the same cloth as Ben himself; straightforward, not bad looking, a nice guy…. vanilla. He’s very talkative though, and his main topic of conversation is himself. And as I listen to the drift of his views and opinions on life, politics, gay rights, the place of women….

puritan

And he’s Ben’s friend….

stream of noise about his work, his family, where he grew

his girlfriend broke up with him. She must

blah, blah, my mind defocusses, drifting instead to Ryan and the dazzling

fingertips along my spine…. His mouth

do you

with a jolt.

things, maybe….” His hand settles on my thigh, with a clear implication. I’d like to move it away. The last thing I want is to get back into bed with Ben. But right now, with other people

*****

at my place, he leans in to kiss me. I give him a quick peck, but before he can speak,

disappointment writ large. “Oh…. I hoped…. It

Yeah… Right….

Good night.” I peck him on the cheek again and get out

*****

at my desk, I wait for

arrives, in the shape of Ben,

happy about

Play it cool….

Ben. Are you alright? You

I’m not

my voice. “You don’t have to speak to me in that

looks apologetic, then sheepish. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to take it out on you. Yes, something’s bothering me and I don’t know quite what

It’s not me

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s Mike….”

“Oh….?”

her a few months ago, and he dotes on

“Charlotte? What’s the problem?”

“She’s screwing around.”

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