Half an hour later, Trish had just dried off from her shower when the phone rang. She checked the caller id. Shit, shit, shit. It’s Jake. Should I answer? Of course I should answer. Friends answer friends’ phone calls.
“Hello?”
“How’s the headache?”
“Hi, Jake. The Advil is starting to kick in now. I’ll live.”
“Glad to hear it. You were pretty far gone last night. You said all kinds of crazy things.”
“Yeah, about that … I’m really sorry for being such a lush and an idiot. I’m not sure what all I actually did and what I dreamt I did, but none of it lacks for embarrassment.”
“Well, I’d be happy to clear things up for you and separate the fantasy from the reality, if you’d like.”
“Uh, maybe it’s best if we let sleeping dogs lie.”
“So, you don’t remember making love? That sure burns my ego.”
“What?!”
“Just kidding, Trish the dish. Relax. Nothing … much … happened last night. You did mention that you wanted your own place, do you remember that part?”
“Yes, you said something about knowing about a couple of rentals. Do you know if they’re in the Socorro school district? I’d hate to move Trevor to another school in the middle of the year.”
“As a matter of fact, one of them is. You want to take a look at it this afternoon?”
“This afternoon? Ah, sure, if you’re not too busy, that would be great. Are you sure you don’t mind?”
“What are friends for, Trish? Oh, do you want to give me a rain check on dinner for sometime next week and go to the barbecue or not?”
“Ah, sure, if that’s okay with you. That sounds like a great idea.”
“Good, that ought to shut my sister up. She bet me ten bucks we’d opt for dinner at your place. I think she’s got ideas about us.”
Trish let out a nervous giggle and agreed to be ready in an hour to look at the rental.
Jake hung up the phone with a grin on his face. This was working out nicely. He’d been patient and kept himself from moving in on Trish for several months, and now he planned on taking the next step. Last night had been enlightening on several levels.
First, Trish definitely felt attracted to him. Second, Trish did not want to feel attracted to him or anyone else. Third, something had gone drastically wrong in Trish’s marriage, which obviously what made her so hesitant to enter into a new relationship. To sum things up, the time to act had arrived, but he knew he had to be careful in moving forward. It wouldn’t take much for Trish to spook and shut him down before he’d even gotten started.
So, he liked the idea of a barbecue, because the whole family would be there, and Trish would feel comfortable in that arena. Between looking at the house for rent and eating dinner in a safe atmosphere, she should be lulled into a sense of relaxation and well being. That’s when he would strike.