Lady Labyrinth

Rowan Eases Concerns

Man, this conference was crazy! But I saw some killer stuff. And I got to hang out with people. The dinner on Friday night was the bomb. Great food, a giant margarita, and great memories. This was probably my last dinner with these colleagues since I am most likely changing schools for next year. Natalie knows, and she agreed to come with me since the new school is in the town she lives in for college.

We all left on Saturday morning and did not go to the night stuff. I knew Natalie was staying for all of that, and I was excited to hear how it went. She agreed to give Blake a second chance!

I told Natalie this while we walked back from the dinner, but she really is perfect for Blake. The last girl Blake dated was cool and pretty, but it was obvious that those were her only qualities. Natalie was also cool and pretty, but she also shared the same values as Blake. I could tell that Blake thought she was the most beautiful woman in the world.

"Natalie thinks she saw you earlier today," I texted during the dinner.

"Whaaaat?!" he replied. "Why didn't she say something?"

"She wasn't sure if it was you. I think she would've otherwise."

"Tell her to text me on Instagram. I'd love to meet up with her."

"Will do. I really think she's the perfect match for you."

"That's good to hear. Hopefully she reaches out."

Later that evening, while we were walking back, I made sure Natalie knew that pursuing Blake was a worthwhile endeavor.

"I really think the two of you are a perfect match," I said. "And I've never said that about any other woman towards him."

Blake let me know the next day that they were going to the night events together, and spending the time waiting in line playing Mario Kart on his Switch. By that point, I was already home with Jade, laying on the couch because I was so exhausted.

At around 7:30 that night, Blake texted me.

"Asked Natalie on a date, and she said yes."

Two seconds later, Natalie texted me.

"Blake finally asked me out."

I responded to both, saying that the other had texted me at the same time.

"Blake and Natalie are finally going on a date," I told Jade.

"That's good!" she said. "And I'm now less concerned."

"Good. You never needed to be," I lied.

When I said that I had never considered any woman for Blake before Natalie, that was true. And I knew that comment would make something click in Natalie's mind. She was self-conscious about herself and how she interacted with people. She was probably also self-conscious about her looks, though maybe getting confirmation from someone she really liked would change that. Natalie really was beautiful. At least, I thought so. I don't understand how she didn't have friends in high school. She was absolutely amazing and 100,000 percent deserved the world. I couldn't have her, but Blake could. And I wanted him to have her. He would love her, guide her, and protect her better than I ever could.