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Chapter 42- Aaron

Aaron and I began texting the night he got my number from Lorraine. We got along almost immediately and never seemed to run out of things to talk about. It was exciting to have made a new friend in such an unexpected way. When you're an adult it doesn't happen very often. It was a nice contrast from the upsetting situation with Alex as well. Aaron cheered me up for the first time in a while.

Even if based off a single interaction and some texting, Aaron seemed very likeable. He was lively, had a great sense of humor and I could tell he was a people person. We were quite different but we somehow just clicked. You'd imagine someone with a job as serious as a doctor's to be grave and humorless but he was different. We got to know each other fairly well in those two days and calling him a stranger no longer felt appropriate. So, when Friday finally came, going to dinner with him did not feel odd in the slightest as he'd already begun to feel like a friend.

The restaurant he took me to was unexpectedly a bit on the expensive side but the food was great so we were getting our money's worth. Well, his money's worth as dinner was on him. He definitely blew more than what he would've spent on my car and I felt a little guilty about that.

"I know this was just supposed to be a way for you to pay me, but I've had such a great night." I said to him when we got to the end of our dinner.

"Well, you're great company." He smiled.

"This place... you didn't have to."

"Oh forget about it."

"I do appreciate it, don't get me wrong." I corrected myself.

"I used come here all the time so don't worry, I'm used to seeing the bill."

"Used to?"

"Yeah uh,"

His hesitation made me feel as if I shouldn't have asked.

"I used to come here with my ex."

"Things didn't end well there huh?"

"No. Got cheated on."

"Oh god."

"It's fine. I'm glad it happened. Didn't waste my time for too long." He replied with an accepting look on his face but I could still see the feelings of betrayal he was hiding. You don't get over something like that easily.

"I'm so sorry."

"No, I'm sorry, I don't know why I just told you that." He awkwardly smiled.
"Anyway, what's your deal? If that's okay to ask." 

"My deal?" That word meant something entirely different in our world.

"Past relationships, current ones, things like that."

"I haven't had a serious relationship in a year and a half. Just by myself for now I guess." I replied, obviously leaving out a huge part of the last few months.

"Same here. After my last relationship... I've been a little sensitive to dating."

I was impressed by the vulnerability he was showing.

"I can understand that."

"You know, I think you're a really attractive, brilliant woman." He said after the conversation hit that usual point where you go silent and don't have much to say.

"Wow, where'd that come from?" I laughed.

"Just an observation. Ran out of things to say."

"Thanks, you're quite charming yourself." I returned the compliment.

"Mutual. Nice." He smiled.
"What do you think of spending another Friday night together?"

"Are you-"

"Thought I made it obvious with the compliment." He admitted before I could question him.

My heart dropped. Here I was with this man. Good looking, well settled and most importantly, interested in me and my immediate response to him asking me out was going to be a no. I found him attractive, he did too and we got along well. So why did I want to throw it all away without a second thought? Because I was still in love with someone who did not want me back. My feelings for Alex were strong but I knew it was irrational. The very reason I'd ended things with him was because I wanted to stop being unrealistic and move on with my life. Aaron seemed like a God sent opportunity to do so. And I was going to take it.

"Was this always a part of the plan?" I asked sarcastically.

"Kind of yes, kind of no." He said in a smug manner.

"Okay. Next Friday Night then."

"Great. And I expect to split the bill next time." He joked as he tapped at the server book.