It’s been two weeks since I returned from LA determined to forget about Will Edmonson. As soon as I got back, I caved and told Selene, a coworker friend of mine, I would go on a blind date with her boyfriend’s friend, Peter. She’d been hassling me for months to give him a shot. Apparently, she thought we would be perfect for each other. I have my doubts.
I’m not new to blind dates. I’ve been on several in the past, and not a single one has turned out well. I have more success with online dating, but I find it exhausting and superficial. Successful dating ultimately comes down to chemistry, and good chemistry with a man is hard to find.
I walk up to the hostess stand. “Hi, I’m meeting a Peter Savine. I’m not sure if he’s arrived yet.”
She checks her book. “Yep, he showed up just a minute ago and was seated at your table. Right this way.”
I take a deep breath, trying to be open-minded about this date and not think about the one man who’s never far from my thoughts no matter how hard I try. This is a new start full of possibilities. A chance to meet someone who doesn’t leave me feeling confused about what he wants. That thought settles in my mind as the hostess leads me through the restaurant. Ahead of us, I see a man clearly flirting with the waitress, his hand caressing hers.
“Well, those are bedroom eyes if ever I saw some. Does that happen often?” I ask the hostess. She turns to me with an awkward grimace on her face I don’t understand until we stop at that very table and she gestures to the man. “Your table, ma’am.”
Oh God, she threw a “ma’am” in there. Now, not only do I feel like I’m on a date with a lecherous playboy, but I also feel old. The feeling of possibility that carried me over here is quickly eviscerated. The waitress scurries away, and I watch Peter’s eyes follow her ass before turning back to me and throwing a charismatic grin my way.
Yeah, no.
I should go. This is clearly not going to be a love connection. But instead of doing the smart thing, I find myself taking a seat across from him.
He’s polite and respectful and asks how long I’ve known Selene. I desperately want to let my guard down and allow myself to enjoy this date, but every time the waitress comes over, he blatantly flirts with her. When he caresses her hand again right in front of me, I finally lose my cool.
“What the hell is wrong with you?”
“Excuse me?” He seems legitimately confused by my angry question.
“You’ve been flirting with the waitress in front of me all night. Is that a normal occurrence for you when you’re out on dates with other women? Because I’m not interested in dating a man who can’t be faithful.”
He looks at me curiously for a long moment before leaning back in his chair. “Selene didn’t tell you.”
His tone makes me nervous. “Tell me what?”
He leans forward again. “I’m polyamorous.”
I stare at him, hoping he’ll elaborate. Instead, he simply stares back at me like that one word explains everything. It doesn’t.
“I don’t know what that means.”
He puts on a condescending smirk like you would give to a small child when you think they’re precious but pitifully naïve. Immediately, I hate it and how he makes me feel stupid with one look. If I wanted to be looked down on by some condescending dickhead, I’d still be with my ex. Any of my exes for that matter.
“Polyamory means I like to have intimate relationships with multiple people. I thought you knew, or else I would’ve talked to you about it before flirting so openly with the waitress. Polyamory only truly works if everyone involved is honest and open about our intentions and interests in others.”
I stare at him dumbfounded. How have I never heard of this before? I feel like this date has turned into a new low for me.
I try to wrap my head around this. “Selene knows you’re…” I can’t even say the word. It feels ridiculous.
“Polyamorous,” he supplies.
“Right,” I say uncomfortably.
“Yes, Selene knows. Or at least I thought she did, but now I’m not so sure based on your reaction. That seems like something she would’ve told you before you agreed to this.”
“Yes, it does,” I respond stiffly. I need to get out of this situation. I should’ve never even sat down at this table.
I grab my purse and stand from my chair. “It was lovely meeting you, Peter, but I don’t think this is going to work. I’m a one-man kind of woman and I expect the same from him. Best of luck to you.”
With that, I turn and walk away, not even waiting for a response from him. What’s the point?
As soon as I get in my house, I call Paige. I had plenty of time on the drive home to process, but I still need my best friend.
She picks up on the third ring. “Hey! Wait, didn’t you have a date tonight? It’s only eight.”
“Have you heard of polyamory?”
“Random, but yeah, I’ve heard of it. It’s a more modern relationship thing. I think it was started by millennials but don’t quote me on that. Why?”
“He’s polyamorous.”
“No way!”
“Yes way,” I sigh heavily. My dating life has been a disaster for years, but tonight really took it to a whole other level. Not only do I have to compete with gorgeous, successful women, but now I’m competing with women who don’t believe in exclusivity and will allow their man to sleep with whomever he wants. As if finding a man to commit wasn’t hard enough already.
“How did you find out he was poly?”
I rub my forehead, hoping to stop the headache that is coming on quickly. “Well, he was blatantly flirting with our waitress. When I called him on it, he told me. He apparently thought I already knew.”
“How could you have possibly known?” I love that Paige sounds outraged on my behalf. “Also, I’m pretty sure that’s not how poly relationships are supposed to work. There’s supposed to be a lot of communication with everyone involved. At least that’s what I’ve heard.”
“He thought Selene would’ve told me.”
“Selene knew?! And she set you up with him still?”
“I don’t think she knows. There’s no way she could’ve thought we’d be a love connection. I’m a traditionalist. I’ll ask her at work tomorrow.”
“I can hear the defeat in your tone. Keep your chin up, Gina. The right guy for you is out there.”
I stare out my windows, wishing I had a better view, but San Francisco is ridiculously expensive, so I live outside the city in nearby San Jose. Still expensive, but better. My small house I share with roommates overlooks a city park, but it doesn’t compare to having a view of the Golden Gate Bridge. Unfortunately, houses with that kind of view are way out of my price range.
“Maybe he was hit by a car,” I say blandly.
“What?” Paige laughs awkwardly at my out-of-the-blue thought.
“Maybe my so-called Mr. Right was hit by a car, or a bus, or a train, and now I’m just wasting my time because no one out there is the right one.”
“Gina, that’s an incredibly depressing thought. Besides…I happen to think your Mr. Right is alive and well but living in a different city than you.”
I groan, “Stop, Paige.”
“Whaaat?” She feigns innocence but I’m on to her.
“I know who you’re talking about, and you’re wrong.”
“How do you know? You and Will haven’t even gone on a date yet. Everyone can feel the chemistry between you two. I really think once you’re living in LA, you two will finally put us all out of our misery and get together.”
She’s so optimistic, but she didn’t see his eyes on New Year’s. I can’t get the haunted expression on his face out of my mind.
“Speaking of moving, did you give any more thought to Victoria’s offer to work at Newsworthy? You could live closer to your family, and we could work together again.” She can’t hide the excitement in her voice.
“I’m thinking about it.”
Victoria Hunt, Paige’s boss at Newsworthy, offered me a job as a full-time reporter. They’re a growing digital media news source, and Paige has never seemed happier at a job. There’s a lot about the job that appeals to me, but I’m still not sure. I don’t really know why I’m hesitating. The opportunity is perfect for me. Maybe Paige is right, not about Will, but about the benefits of taking this position.
“It would be nice to be in the same city again. I miss you, Gina.”
I smile. “I miss you too.” And ain’t that the truth? Paige is my best friend. I drive down to LA fairly regularly just to visit her. It would definitely be a major perk to live in the same city and be able to see her whenever I want. Plus, my mom is still hassling me about moving closer to the rest of my family.
“I’ll think about calling Victoria.” Paige squeals in the background, causing me to laugh. “Okay, calm down. Nothing is a done deal yet. It’ll probably take a few weeks to get everything squared away and then I’ll have to find an apartment and get all my stuff moved.”
“Jack and I will help,” she volunteers.
“Good, ’cause I’ll definitely need all the help I can get.”
I look around my house, feeling hope and optimism settle deep in my bones. This is the right decision. This change will be good—I can feel it.