Chapter Nine
Allison
Friday night date night is officially here and I’m just putting the finishing touches on my makeup and dancing to some music when there’s knocking at my door. I’m so excited to be going out with Oliver. He’s kind and sweet and, hello, a bestselling author. His face and book covers have graced billboards in Times Square! I’d love to pick his brain. You know, writer to writer.
I adjust my navy blouse and smooth my hands down my dark skinny jeans before fluffing up my hair and skipping to the door. I swing it wide open in excitement.
“Hellloooo, Ol-Daveed.” I quickly correct myself as Daveed is standing in front of me, and I have no idea why. Until a jolt from my memory explains it to my brain. You made a date with two guys on the same night, you dope. Shiiiit.
“Hello, my dear. You look amazing. Are you ready to head out?”
“I, hmm, uh,” I stutter and have no idea what I’m going to say. Daveed is standing there in a gorgeous white linen suit and staring at me like I have two heads when Oliver shows up behind him. My eyes bulge, and instead of wishing I were about to have a very sexy evening with two handsome men, I’m wishing this were a fantasy and I could pop out of this dimension and into a new one.
Daveed and Oliver introduce themselves to each other when I don’t speak.
“Oh, hey, you were the guy she was with at the bar the other night, right?” Oliver asks, breaking the silence while I stare and move my mouth like a fish gulping air out of water.
“Yes. Allison and I, how do you say, got close,” Daveed explains. It’s then that my brain finally receives information in order for me to form words.
“Well, not that close,” I blurt. Both men look at me. Daveed with hurt, Oliver with suspicion.
“Did I get the day wrong?” Oliver asks.
“Uh, no. As a matter of fact—and you’ll both think this is funny—I have a date with both of you tonight,” I explain with a shrug and a sheepish grin that I hope looks cute and not stupid like this very situation. “What if we all caught a movie?” I ask, hoping I don’t hurt either one of them.
“Well, I have to say, a threesome isn’t my style, so I’ll see you around Ally. I’m sure we’ll meet up at the market some time. Good evening.” Oliver gives us both a curt nod and walks off.
“Oliver!” I call out trying to stop him, but he doesn’t look back. Daveed and I watch him until he’s out of sight.
“Well, now that it is just you and me…” Daveed holds out his arm for me to take. “Shall we?”
I look at his arm then at the stairs where I last saw Oliver, and my lip quivers. I’m not this girl. I like to have fun, but I’m not a multi-dater. I also know I’m not committed to either of them, and well, Daveed is hot, so if Oliver doesn’t want to fight for me then maybe we’ll just be friends who meet at the market.