Sam stared blankly into the store window, barely seeing the artfully arranged display. She’d taken the afternoon off from work especially to shop for Levi’s dad’s birthday present, since her evenings were mostly filled with dates this week. Tom Matthewson was definitely worth it, but the right gift was just not showing itself this year. Or at least, it hadn’t been until she’d seen the early Father’s Day display in the camera store window. The backdrop of blown-up photos of fathers with their kids had sparked something in the back of her mind.
He always came to every school and sporting event, always had time to help with homework, or play sports….
Levi’s words echoed in her head, and she grabbed for her phone, a crazy grin stretching her mouth. She called Levi, hoping he wasn’t in a meeting.
“Hey, Sam.” His greeting was casual, not hushed or distracted as it would be if he were occupied.
“Did you find a present for your dad yet?”
“I’m well, thanks. And no, not yet. I was going to try shopping again tonight.”
“I have this idea. It might be brilliant, or you might hate it.”
He chuckled. “I’m pretty sure I won’t hate it. Exactly. What is it? Expensive? You know that’s not an issue.”
“No, not really expensive, but it does need an investment of time, and because it’s only a few days to go, that time has to be today. Now.”
“Now?”
“Yes.” Sam was already on her way to her car. The more she thought about it, the more she knew Levi—and Tom—would love this idea.
“What is it?”
She told him. And was met with silence.
“I’ll do it with you,” she added. “It can be from both of us. But we have to do it today. We can rush the order and get it back in time, but I have a date tonight, so we need to do it this afternoon.”
She heard muffled voices and knew he’d covered the phone, probably while he spoke to his secretary. A moment later, he came back on the line.
“My afternoon is cleared. I’ll meet you at my parents’ house.”
# # #
Later that night, Sam paced her living room in her pajamas as she waited for Leona to answer the phone. Finally, the ringing stopped.
“Hello?” Leona said sleepily.
“I just had the best date ever. Seriously. Nobody has ever had a date better than this one.”
“Sam? What time is it?”
“Who cares? I’m telling you, my date tonight kicked ass!”
“Sam, it’s after midnight. On a Wednesday.”
“I know. I just got home ten minutes ago, and this couldn’t wait until tomorrow.”
She heard Leona sigh, and then some rustling. “Okay. Tell me why this date was so awesome.”
She flopped down on the couch and put her feet up. “Well, to start with, he was nice. Easy to talk to. We talked nonstop, and he was funny. He’s interesting, and he was really upfront about being into me. He’s attractive, and really sexy—he’s got this amazing voice—and I didn’t even notice the bar was closing until they asked us to leave. I was a bit worried he’d be creepy like Sleaze-o was, but he was totally cool, walked me to my car, asked for another date, said he’d call me. I’m seeing him again next week. He wanted to make it Saturday, but it’s Levi’s dad’s birthday.”
“Honey, I’m really excited for you—I know how disappointed you were that dates one and two sucked—but I have to ask something. You really like this guy—what’s his name, by the way?”
“Jack.”
“Okay, so you and Jack had an awesome first date, you’re going out again, but doesn’t it seem weird to you that your scheduling conflict is your fuck buddy’s father’s birthday?”
Sam closed her eyes and sighed. “Stop calling Levi my fuck buddy. The term implies that our relationship is only about sex, and that’s not true. After you, Levi’s my best friend. Besides, I like his dad. He’s a great man. Levi and I spent the afternoon working on his birthday gift, to the point that I was nearly late for my date with Jack. I made a commitment to go to Tom’s birthday, and I’m not going to back out because of a date, no matter how much I like the guy.”
“But you’re still having sex with Levi in the meantime?”
“Yes. No. I don’t know. I don’t think Jack and I have quite reached the point of exclusivity yet,” she troweled on the sarcasm, “so until we get there, Levi and I are the same as we’ve always been.”
“I’m bringing you down, aren’t I?” Leona asked.
“A little. I get why you’re concerned, but you just don’t understand how it is with Levi and me.”
“I do get how it is with Levi and you, and it breaks my heart. I think the two of you would be perfect together. I want you both to open your eyes and see that you’re not just friends that fuck. You’re made for each other.”
Sam closed her eyes. “Lee, I’m not going to lie. Levi’s awesome. In so many ways, he’s my soul mate. But he doesn’t make my heart beat fas—”
“Fuck your heartbeat!”
The outburst sat between them, and the moment stretched. Finally, Leona sighed.
“Listen. I know you’ve been waiting all your life for a man who makes your heart beat faster. I know you’ve felt little heart flutters with guys before, and then it didn’t work out, but that was okay, because it wasn’t really beating faster. But here’s the thing: the heart beats faster for a lot of reasons, Sam. It’s just a reaction in your body. Exercise causes it. Stress. Excitement of many kinds. And yes, attraction. Maybe you meet a guy who makes your heart beat faster. Maybe that guy is Jack. Will you have with him everything you have with Levi? Because Levi is your best friend and you have amazing sex. You just said it; he’s your soul mate. For a lot of people, that’s a dream come true.”
Sam remained frozen, unable to process. Leona sighed again.
“You should definitely give Jack a chance. But I think you should do the same for Levi.” Another short pause. “Okay. Call me tomorrow. You’ve got another date with a prospect, right?”
Sam pulled herself together and shunted aside thoughts of dating Levi, her best friend. “Yep—last one, until I run another group of matches. Maybe I’ll get another Jack.”
Leona chuckled quietly. “Maybe. Good night.”
Sam said good night and disconnected the call. She stood and wandered toward her bedroom, flicking off lights as she went. Her phone chimed just as she was sliding under the covers, and she picked it up. It was from Levi.
Let me no if ur home safe
Leona was totally wrong. Levi was the best. He was awesome. But he wasn’t for her.
Home & in bed – AMAZING date! Ttyl xox