Page 15 of Last Night Was Fun

She confessed something she hadn’t told anyone other than her innermost circle.

I had a bad experience with my ex. Long story short, he thought I was too focused on my career and made me choose between it and him. I chose it. It probably makes me a terrible person, but I don’t regret it. I love my job, and I figured that was going to be the response no matter who I date, so I just kind of gave up.

His dots didn’t appear for long enough that Emmy worried she’d scared him away with her honesty. Her heart leapt when they popped up.

First of all, what an asshole.

She laughed out loud.

Thank you, I agree. Villainizing women for loving their careers is one of society’s worst pastimes.

I agree, that is a terrible take. I love my job, and no one has ever told me I’m too obsessed with it and should be doing other things with my time.

Exactly. Double standard. And to have it so bluntly thrown in my face by someone I trusted and cared about kind of poisoned the well for me.

I am sorry that happened to you. Anyone who gives you an ultimatum like that is not worth your time anyway.

Again, she agreed with him, but at the same time, she felt the niggling fear she could never fully quiet darting between the folds of her brain. With Jacob, anger had helped her sayscrew himand easily give up dating. But in her loneliest moments, sometimes she worried if all the mean things he’d said to her were true. She’d never expressed the fear to anyone before, and somehow, the man on the other side of her screen drew the honest truth from her fingertips.

Sometimes I’m afraid he was right. He told me I’d die alone if I married my career.

He said that to you? Seriously?

Seriously.

His dots disappeared for a few moments, and Emmy wondered what he was thinking.

Sorry, what I really want to say right now might *actually* implicate me in a crime, and I know you have me saved in your phone as Axe Murderer, so I had better err on the side of caution here. But what a capital A Asshole!

Emmy snickered a laugh.

I will destroy any evidence, don’t worry.

Thank you, but I’m still keeping it PG, just in case.

A smile jumped across her face at the thought that this person she’d never met was ready to come to her defense. The knowledge drew more honesty out of her.

The truth is, I do want a connection. I’m just afraid I’ll never be able to find someone who understands.

I mean, I think that’s everyone’s fear, right? That we’re all too weird for anyone to love? But that’s obviously unfounded. Look at all the weirdos out there in happy relationships. You just have to find the right person who will understand and share your priorities.

Emmy thought about his words and knew there was truth to them. It was just that thefindingelement of that equation involved a lot of trial and error. And her last error had burned her badly enough to need a break.

He came back with another message.

But also, your ex is a sample size of one. You said you’re a data analyst; you know there are better guys out there simply by probability. Do not let him bias your perspective.

Emmy laughed again and felt her face warm.

Are you a better guy, Axe Murderer?

Yes.

Okay. Then why are you single? What’s your hang-up?

Honestly, I think people are turned off by the reality of me once they get to know me.

Well, you are obviously getting to know the wrong people then.