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waited until we pulled away from the
curb and went right back in," said Sebastian, "I don't think it
took them more than 20 minutes to clean up. They are really
efficient,"
     
    That meant that Robert hadn't even seen the
roses. He didn't know about the roses, my date, nothing. I didn't
know if I should be happy that Robert didn't know or upset that I
went on the date for no reason at all. At least I didn't make
things worse.
     
    I picked the note back up and reread it. And
I read it again. Lydia. He was out with Lydia.
     
    "Did Lydia see me at the party?" I asked
suddenly.
     
    "Um, I'm not sure," said Sebastian, "I don't
think so. Why? What's wrong?"
     
    I slumped over and leaned on my kitchen
counter, resting my forearms on the smooth, cold surface and
placing my face in my hands. I crumpled the note up in my hand. The
night was worse, of course it was. If Lydia had seen me at the
party she would tell Robert. I know she would tell Robert because
she gets her kicks from twisting the knife. Now, instead of using
this date to make Robert jealous I might have to deal with the
possibility that Robert will simply think I'm cheating.
     
    "Prussia?" asked Sebastian, he was standing
next to me rubbing my back gently, "Did you have too much to
drink?"
     
    "I don’t think so," I said, suddenly
realizing this was a perfect way to end the night quickly, “I don't
drink that often. Maybe my tolerance just isn't what it used to
be,"
     
    I rubbed my stomach gently and tried to make
my best 'I'm going to puke on your expensive shoes, get back!' face
that I could. It didn't work, he just looked more concerned.
     
    "You should get in bed and try to sleep it
off," he said, placing a steadying hand under one of my elbows and
trying to lead me to the bedroom, the bedroom where he would
clearly see a man's dirty clothing strewn about. I planted my feet
firmly, like a donkey that didn't want to move. He looked at me
with surprise. Perhaps I was too stubborn; perhaps that's a healthy
donkey level of stubbornness.
     
    "I'm fine, really," I said, "But I should
get some sleep. You don't need to stay though. I just need a couple
of aspirin and some good sleep."
     
    I gave him my best smile, with a side of
sick and a dash of puke face. He looked unsure so I tried a little
harder by adding a yawn.
     
    "Well..." he said, "If you're sure,"
     
    It worked, the yawn did it. I was relieved.
I tried to steer him toward the door as quickly as I could.
     
    "I'm sure, I'm sure," I said, "Thank you so
much for a wonderful evening,"
     
    I got him to the door and he actually put a
hand up to the door frame to stop me from pushing him out. A gentle
push of course.
     
    "Wait," he said.
     
    Perhaps I hadn't been as convincing as I had
thought. My pushing had been too aggressive. I closed my eyes a
moment in disappointment and then looked up at him with my best not feeling great look to see why he wasn't leaving.
     
    "I would love to take you out again some
time," he said.
     
    I wasn't expecting that. I had been a really
boring date. I mean, it wasn't like I was trying to impress him or
anything but most of the night I had ignored him and talked with
Victoria. And now I was sick, well pretending to be anyhow.
     
    "Seriously?" I said.
     
    I put my hand over my mouth. I hadn't meant
to sound so surprised. He laughed though. That’s good, laughing is
good.
     
    “Of course,” he said.
     
    Sebastian looked into my eyes, leaning
close, and I stopped trying to push him out the door.
     
    “Oh,” I said, “I hadn’t really thought we
would…”
     
    “No?” said Sebastian, “Not even, say,
coffee?”
     
    I licked my lips and realized that I was
close enough that we shared the same oxygen. It got very warm. I
absentmindedly used my hand to fan my face for a moment. When I
realized I was doing it I gave a nervous giggle.
     
    “Coffee?” I asked, “Well, sure, yeah. Coffee
sounds fine,”
     
    “Great,” said Sebastian, walking out the
door