It was the truth, and I couldn’t argue with her. I did have a ton of inbox messages I hadn’t even bothered to look at yet. I was wrapped up in the instant messaging with Delilah and it seemed a much better way to start communication than through email, so I hadn’t bothered to look at the other messages.
Brandon: If you agree to go out with me, then you could make the assessment for yourself. How’s Friday sound?
Delilah: Nope, can’t do Friday. How about Saturday?
Brandon: Where and when?
Delilah: Isn’t that supposed to be your job to decide? I mean, how are you going to sweep me off my feet if you can’t make this decision? Ha!
Brandon: What’s your phone number? I’ll call you so we can discuss it.
The screen went quiet again. I waited in anticipation for her to disappear like she had done before. Her profile stayed there, and I stayed there waiting for her to answer. This girl seemed like someone I’d like to know, and I really hoped she was going to say yes.
“Why are you staring at your screen like that?” Josh laughed.
“I just asked her out and then asked for her phone number to set up the details. She hasn’t responded.”
“She’s getting her
financial request organized so she can tell you how much she charges,” he chuckled.
“No, I don’t think she’s like that. I really don’t.”
“Want to make a bet?”
“What’s the terms?”
“If she asks for any sort of reimbursement for her time, you will let me drive that fancy blue convertible of yours for one day.”
“You could drive it anyways,” I said.
“I mean I want it for the whole day. I want to go pick up some hot chick and have her thinking I’m an uber-rich playboy. Deal?”
“The whole day? You’re crazy. What if you crash it? Oh, hell, whatever, fine. But if she doesn’t ask me for money, you’ll stay and show me how the futures market works.”
“Oh, God, why do you want to get into that? I told you the futures market is too volatile for new investors.”
“Is it a deal or not?” I noticed Delilah had started to type a message as the little bubbles on the screen moved across. “She’s typing right now. Is it a deal?”
“Deal! Come on, Delilah, be a sugar baby. Be a sugar baby!”
We both looked at the screen intently as we waited for her to answer. It was hard not to laugh at how much I wanted to get this girl’s number. There certainly seemed to be some sort of science to the idea of wanting what you can’t have because the more this girl pushed me away, the surer I was that I was going to have her.
Delilah: 818-555-4565, but call in an hour or so. I’m in the middle of something right now.
Brandon: Done. I’ll talk to you soon.
I couldn’t type fast enough after I read her message. There was also a weird dinging noise from the computer Josh was using for his investments. We both turned to look at the screen and saw flashing red down arrows across the monitor.
“Shit!” he said as he quickly pushed a few buttons. “See what I was saying? No distractions!”
“What happened?”
“I hadn’t put my sell order in yet and the stock dropped – I basically just lost a lot of money.”
“Sorry, but maybe you can make it up in the futures market when you teach me about that,” I laughed.
“Man, you are lucky I like you, dude.”