When The Day Met The Night

8

After we get in the car and begin our drive back Dylan smiles at me.
"What?" I ask, scrunching my eyebrows.
"Nothing, I just noticed you and Brendon didn't stop flirting the whole time we were there. You like him?" He laughs.
"What?! No, I don't even know him!" I lie, of course I like him. I get butterflies when I see him and my head gets dizzy. I can't stop smiling when I'm around him but I can't admit that because he might not like me back.
"Come on Rion! I know you do, I can see it. Don't lie to me." He pokes me.
"Why does it matter to you?" I question.
"Since you've been here I've noticed you have been really standoffish, you've kept to yourself. I know this will sound weird but I just want you to be happy" he explains.
"Wow" I chuckle. "That does sound weird. Listen Dylan, since you're the first person at work I've talked to for more than 2 minutes, I'll fill you in" I pause and take a deep breath. "Before I moved here, my best- well I thought she was my best friend, I found out she was fooling around with my then boyfriend. She didn't even bat an eye when I yelled at her. I figured if someone I was that close to can screw me like that, than anyone can. So I figured there was no point in making friends or getting in to a new relationship, that said...even if I did like Brendon, it wouldn't matter because I'm way too afraid of getting hurt again." I explain.
"Ah yes, the old "I'm too afraid of getting hurt again' routine. Why don't you just try Rion, it's not like every guy is going to hurt you like that. Brendon is a really cool guy and I found out by Zack, his security guard, that his ex wife cheated on him. So if anything he's afraid of getting hurt again. You are both victims of being cheated on." He pauses. "So you are right for each other"
"I don't think that's how it works Dylan. Thank you for worrying about me, you're a good friend" I decide to toss him a bone. I know he wants to be my friend and I need one.
"What?" He asks, thrown off guard. "I'm your friend?" He smiles and I nod.
"Sure." I shrug. He pokes me as he laughs and I just ignore him.
-----
Once we get back to the office I take the camera to my desk and begin going through them on my computer. After a few dazzling pictures of Brendon, I realize there's a message on my work cellphone that I failed to take with me. I unlock my phone and go to the message.
It's from an unknown number. I put it to my ear and listen to the voicemail.
"Hey uh, it's Brendon. I know it's been like an hour but I wanted to call and ask if you wanted to come over maybe. Maybe we can have a few beers and you can take me up on that offer...the-um one about me showing you some of my music. Call me back at this number when you get a chance. Thanks." My smile gets bigger as I listen to the message, he's so cute. He seemed super shy. I decide to call him back on my personal number because, he definitely deserves it. That was the cutest message ever.
"Hello?" He answers.
"Hey Brendon, its Rion-from earlier today" I announce.
"Oh hey, I didn't recognize this number. It isn't the one you gave me."
"Yeah, it's my personal number. I figured after that adorable message you left me, I'd give it to you" I explain, trying to sound flirty but I don't know if it's working.
"Oh well thank you." He laughs. "So...what do you say. Do you want to come over sometime?"
"Well, I don't know" I pause, remembering Ian and how he fucked me up. I don't want that to happen again but then again Brendon seems like a really nice guy and his intentions are probably great. He did just get cheated on too. Maybe I should just take it slow, I'll go over tonight, drink a few beers-no one beer-half-only water.
"It depends" I come back from my thoughts. I realize it's been like 30 seconds before anyone has talked. "Is your music any good?"
"Why don't you come over and tell me" he chuckles and I mirror it.
"Okay Brendon, you got me. How about tonight, 8?" I ask.
"Sounds great and you can show me some of those pictures?"
"Sure...see you tonight" I laugh and he says goodbye.
"Oooh, my besties got a date!" A voice  calls from behind me and I turn around quickly. Dylan, should have known.
"Dylan!" I shout, slapping him. "It's not a date, we're just hanging out."
"Sure" he walks closer to my desk with a cheeky grin.
"I told you Dylan, I'm not interested in dating right now."
"It'd be so different with Brendon though. He's a great guy. Just give him a chance" he encourages.
"And I am. I wanna see how being his friend works out first. Now go away, I have to start working on these photos"
"Fine but I better be invited to your wedding" he laughs as he walks away and I just roll my eyes.