Inseparable

“Are we going home, Mr. Roberts?” the driver asked.

I knew that I had plans with Amanda the following night. I was taking her to the party for work, but it just felt like too long to wait to see her. I had never just dropped in on someone before, and I wasn’t sure if it was a good idea. Then, as if the universe was trying to tell me something, a bus stopped next to us. The billboard on the side featured Jordan’s fiancée, which I recognized from a photo in his office.

“You know what? Would you take me to Amanda’s house? I want to surprise her. And if you’d stop at the liquor store on the way, I’d appreciate it.”

“Yes, sir,” he said with a smile.

When I got there, I was happy to see that her lights were still on, and her car was the only one in the driveway. The last thing I wanted was to show up when she had company. I was pretty sure we were officially dating, but we hadn’t discussed the details of what that meant, which I was fine with. I got out of the car and told the driver I would be awhile and would call him when I was ready to go.

“I’ll be just down the block, grabbing a bite and some coffee,” he said, nodding his head.

When I got up to the door, nerves started to run through me. I reached up and pressed the doorbell, standing there awkwardly as I listened to her quietly approach. When she opened the door, she was smiling ear to ear.

“What are you doing here?!”

“I couldn’t wait to see you, so I thought I would surprise you,” I said. “I hope that’s okay.”

“Of course, please come in,” she said, stepping to the side.

“I brought a bottle of champagne,” I said, lifting it up. “I thought maybe we could have a couple drinks and just relax.”

“I love that idea,” she said, showing me into the living room.

After coming back with glasses, we sat down and started talking. She was really excited about the party the next night and told me she had bought a knockout dress. I was pretty sure she would look amazing in a trash bag, but I was excited to see her in it.

“I called my dad, and he was really happy for me,” she said. “You know, for finding someone that I felt comfortable talking to.”

“You’re close with your dad, right?”

“Yeah, growing up after my mom died, he was all I had,” she said. “We kept each other afloat, and he always made sure that I was able to be a kid.”

“My parents were always supportive, though I think my father is still a little bitter that I didn’t take over his mechanic business.” I chuckled. “It was never my thing. I tried, but I just couldn’t get into it.”

“You can’t force those things, you know? So, have you been in many serious relationships?”

“Well, actually, I was in one,” I said, feeling comfortable enough to tell her about it. “We met right before I started the company, and after a couple of years, I popped the question.”

Her eyes widened. “What happened?”

“I found texts to another man on her phone,” I said. “She was cheating on me and using me for my money. After that, I pretty much just shut women out. Until I met you, that is.”

“I understand how that feels,” she said. “I was in a relationship for years. He cheated on me five times that I know of, all with different women, including my best friend’s little sister. After that, I pretty much shut men out. Until you, of course.”

“Oh, man that’s terrible,?

? I said. “Lindsey’s little sister?”

“Yep,” she said, taking a drink of her champagne.

“Is she going to be at the wedding?”

“Yep,” she repeated, her eyes getting big. “But it’s Lindsey’s big day, and I won’t ruin that.”

“That is going to be awkward,” he said.

“Nah, I won’t let it be awkward,” she replied. “I have to be the bigger person, and in the end, she showed me that I shouldn’t be with him anyway, so I guess I owe her.”

“That’s definitely one way to look at it.” I laughed. “You’re the most interesting girl I know. Can I tell you something?”