Page 29 of Let's Kiss and Tell
“Activities?” Marsh repeats.
“Yeah, like things couples do.”
“Please elaborate.”
“Like meeting each other’s friends and families…going furniture shopping?”
“Lucy.” Marsh frowns. “When was the last time you wereina relationship?”
The question feels like I was just singled out in the middle of a lecture hall and now everyone’s heads are turned to me. Like I have a giant sign above my head that says,Has Never Been in a Serious Relationship.
“Marsh, I’ve been in a relationship before,” I say, dismissing him. “I’m literallyalwaysdating.”
“That wasn’t my question.”
I lean back and look at the spicy tuna in front of me. “A few years?” I lie, hoping it sounds convincing.
“How many years?”
“I don’t know,” I say defensively. “Why does it matter?”
“It doesn’t,” Marsh replies. “But it sounds like you want us to do things thatfeellike what couples do.”
“I don’t need you to lecture me on how to write these stories, Marsh. I’m not telling you how to write your news stories.”
“Fine,” he says. “Okay, so we do these activities. Then what?”
“That’s it. I’ll think of some dates for us to do, and betweenthat and all the things for the wedding that should be more than enough for me to work with.”
“And it’s too late to back out of this, right?”
“Yes.”
“All right,” Marsh says. “I guess I’ll await my itinerary.”
“Get excited.” I take a piece of sashimi and pop it in my mouth. “Dating me is going to be a lot of fun.”
Can a Serial Dater Settle Down?
By Lucy Reid
August 13
I’m not the kind of person who seeks out relationships. My main goal in life isn’t to bechosenby anyone. I don’t long to have thewhat are we?conversation after going on a few dates. In fact, I try to avoid it at all costs. The reason for that is I enjoy my alone time, my freedom, myownlife; one that’s not tied to another person. While I classify dating as my favorite pastime, being in a relationship is very different. I don’t want to have my own drawer full of underwear in someone else’s bedroom, or a cabinet full of tampons and makeup removers in someone else’s bathroom. I don’t dream of someone being able to call me theirgirlfriend.
That is, I didn’t…until recently.
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6
Marsh
I’m used to being called a good writer. Hell, I’m even used to being calledthe best damn writer we have on the team.There’s an innate, journalistic instinct that I possess; I’m constantly curious about people and the world around me. I trust my instincts, and I’m able to connect with a broad audience. While I believe in quality over quantity, my average story count is six to eight bylines a day. The world is a scary place right now and I have thick skin. Thankfully, I can still stomach even the toughest stories people can’t bring themselves to read. I’m aware of my valuable skill set. But when Lucy sat there and asked aboutme,as a person, it meant something.
Writing can be such an isolating experience, which is why I do best alone. I’m sort of a closed book in that sense. Given my line of work, it would only hinder me to wear my heart on my sleeve. Rarely do I open up about anything going on in my life, and rarely do people even ask. There’s a bit of a shell around me that people prefer not to crack…but not Lucy.
From the drive back home from the sushi restaurant to taking a shower to now brushing my teeth, all I’ve been able to thinkabout is Lucy. Her self-confidence, her spontaneity, and how she manages to make me feel at ease. As I climb into bed I think of the waves of her dark hair, how her eyes light up when she laughs, and her damn fingers. I’ve never in my life thought about a woman’s hands, but she has these long nails and dainty gold rings that are for some reason making a lasting impression.
