Falling in Love Again: A Valentine's Day Proposal

“I don’t know. Men are weird when they feel threatened, aren’t they? They act all crazy.”

I screw up my nose. “I don’t know, are they? That’s pathetic to me. Why can’t they just… communicate?”

“Yeah well, who cares. Men are idiots, Carter sounds like the biggest idiot of all time. I know that it’s difficult because you have to work with him, but fuck him. Let’s not talk about it.”

“Yes.” I blow out a deep breath of air. “Let’s not. Let’s talk about something else.”

“I went out on another date with Randall.” Abbi blushes brightly. “I actually like him a lot.”

“Like him?” I demand. “You do? I haven’t ever known you really liked someone for ages.”

“Not since Tyler, no.” She shakes her head and shudders. Probably remembering the awful time that she had with her ex. He cheated on her the whole two years that they were together and almost destroyed her faith in men entirely. It’s been nearly three years but it seems like she’s finally passed it. “But Randall is lovely.”

“How many dates have you been on with him now?”

“That was date number four actually. We already have date number five booked.”

“Woah. Date number four. That’s nuts.” I narrow my eyes at her, checking that this is what I think it is. “I have never known things get that far with you. He must be special. Is he a guy that you met online?”

“Yeah, I met him through the app. Would you believe it? Finally, not a weirdo!”

It lifts my hopes up for just a moment, maybe online dating isn’t the worst thing in the world. But then I remember all of my personal dates and I’m shut right back down again. No way I want to go through all of that. I took a step back for a reason and I’m damn well determined to stick to it.

“So, what do you think is going to happen with you two? Do you think it might work?”

She shrugs, still blushing, which isn’t like Abbi at all. “Maybe, I don’t know. He isn’t like anyone else that I have ever met before, and he makes me feel differently as well. I think you would actually like him.”

“Unlike Tyler.” I hated that guy from the get go. I knew something wasn’t quite right about him. I didn?

?t know what it was exactly and I didn’t know that he’d destroy her like he did, but he rubbed me the wrong way.

“Exactly. He just isn’t like that, he’s lovely,” she swoons. “Truly amazing.”

“When do I get to meet this amazing man then? If he’s going to stick around?”

“Oh, I don’t know about that. I haven’t really thought about it. I’m just enjoying the way things are going right now.”

I smile at her happy face, glad for her. If anyone deserves to meet someone amazing, it’s Abbi. She has been through a lot… although if she ends up in a happy relationship it will only serve as a permanent reminder that I have absolutely nothing and no one. Just a man at work who hates my damn guts.

“You’re thinking about him again,” Abbi interrupts my thoughts. “I can see it on your face.”

“What are you talking about? Thinking about who?” I shift uncomfortably on my seat.

“Carter. It’s obvious. I can see it. You get this weird expression on your face when he’s on your mind.”

I don’t like the sound of that, it irritates me. I don’t want to have anything special when it comes to Carter. In fact, I would prefer it if I didn’t think of him at all. I’d rather prefer if he didn’t exist at all.

“I’m not thinking about anyone. I’m just glad for you, Abbi. I’m thinking about you and your happiness.”

“Oh, whatever.” She rolls her eyes. “I’m starting to think that you might like Carter.”

“Like him?” I fold my arms across my chest defensively. “The man who called me sweetheart? I don’t think so. I hate him. He actually makes my skin crawl. I could actually punch his stupid face. I would actually love to pull out of this deal if I could so I don’t have to see him again. I certainly don’t like him.”

“Hmm. Me thinks the lady doth protest too much… or whatever the saying is.”

“Nope, not at all. You know how much of an ass he is to me. How could I like him?”

“Let me see a picture of him,” Abbi demands. “There must be one online. I want to see him.”