Blind Date

A little Jealousy is Healthy

"So, you two are-"
"Together? Yes." I know what he's implying.
"And-"
"And nothing. We're dating. We're seeing one another. No big deal."
"Right. No big deal." Kyle repeats.
"Don't you have a desk to get back to?" I look up.
"One more thing!" I groan and he mocks me before proceeding. "What did he do to convince you take off the glasses? I've been trying for years."
"He told me they are beautiful." I pull a piece of my hair behind my ear, thinking about that moment.
"It's been weeks... I never thought I'd see you go that long without them-" my desk phone rings and I hold up a finger to Kyle.
"Hello?"
"Ah, yes, I'd like to talk to a miss Grace Allen."
"Matt!" I shoo Kyle off and I hear him snicker as he left. "I was just talking about you!"
"All good things I hope."
"No other way." I giggle.
"So I was wondering if we could have lunch..." I go silent, not expecting his call to be an arrangement of a lunch date. "I can bring whatever you want to your work and we can eat it at Kelly's Diner... Where we met."
"That sounds wonderful." I almost hear a sigh of relief.
"How about a little pass noon? I'll come and get you."
"Deal." I smile, holding my free hand up to my cheek, trying to stop myself from blushing.
We hang up and I take a few breaths and let out a few laughs.
"Y'all are going to have adorable babies."
"Kyle?" I yell, angry that he actually never left. "Get out!"
"Fine, alright, I'm going." He talks on the other side of the door so I know he actually left. I lean back in my chair and sigh loudly.

***

"I thought Lover-Boy was going to come to your office?"
"So it was Pretty-Boy, but you changed you mind?"
"Since the status updated I had to update the nickname."
In the background I hear Matt's voice... Which is weird, he's really early and he's not in here...?
"Kyle, do you see him?"
"See who?"
"Matt."
Kyle goes silent and I ask again.
"Do you see him?"
"Yes...."
"Where is he?" My throat feels like it's swelling, and my forehead grows sweaty.
"He's with," Kyle stops and then sighs "Jena."
"Hey! Grace, I thought I would pick you up at your office?" Matt comes closer.
"Well, looks like you're not picking me up at all." I mutter but he heard me.
"Grace don't you think your over exaggerating?" Kyle comments and I am shocked by the two of them.
"Are you kidding me? It's only been a couple of weeks and I'm already doubting the Loyalty here."
"Loyalty? What have I done to make you question that?"
"Jena." I state, before I have Samson walk me away. "Don't bother picking me up Matthew."

***

"I can't believe you." Kyle opens my fridge. "You're ditching him again?"
"I'm stuck with the single life." I take a drink out of my bottle.
"Shut up. You had a perfect guy."
"An unfaithful guy." I tip my bottle at my comment.
"He wasn't being unfaithful." He sits beside me as I stay huddled in my warm ball. My arms were holding my legs in, but my hand was cold from the moisture on the bottle.
"I know unfaithful when I hear it. Jena was sweet talking him."
"Jena was sweet talking him my butt." Kyle mocks me. "Jena sweat talks everyone, even me."
Suddenly a knock interrupts our conversation. I stay where I am, as Kyle gets up.
"Grace! Please let me in!"  Matt's voice rings through the door. I stand, knowing Kyle would let him in.
"Kyle." I start to walk towards the door. "No. Don't let him in." I guess I'm focused too much on Matt, like always, so I trip over the leg of my coffee table. I land on my face and my ankle stings.
"Grace!" Kyle places his hand on my back.
"Is she alright? What's going on?"
"She fell!"
"Shut up! Stop, stop, stop!" I yell. "Matt," I struggle to get up. "I do not want to talk to you." I limp over to the door. "You have caused so much confusion and pain, just since I've met you. You don't want me. You just want someone to distract you from your life." I place my fist on the door, but for a split second I feel like opening it... "Just go. It's better we just leave it at that."
No response. After a few minutes of standing there, leaning against the door, Kyle makes me sit down so he can ice my swelling ankle.
All I feel now is a heavy weight on my shoulders... And I don't think it's going away any time soon.
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- Emuna_Jasmine