I wrote:
Sure. What did you want to talk about?
She replied:
Dinner? Our Italian place?
That restaurant had been where we celebrated our first anniversary.
I did not want to turn a breakup conversation into a date.
I answered:
I have plans that evening. Coffee Saturday afternoon?
Three dots appeared immediately.
Plans with who?
I smiled despite myself.
Does it matter?
Apparently.
Friends don’t have to report their schedules to each other.
Her answer came:
Is it Marissa?
I wrote:
Coffee Saturday or not?
Tara:
This isn’t how friends act.
That was the moment I finally said what I had been thinking for weeks.
This is exactly how friends act. You’re thinking of how boyfriends act.
She did not answer.
Connor disappeared from the story almost immediately.
Apparently, after two dates, he told Tara he was not interested in becoming part of unresolved ex drama.
I found that out from Jason, not Tara.
Around the same time, Marissa texted me.
Hey. Random question.
I answered:
Dangerous opening.
She sent a laughing emoji.
I have an extra ticket for a comedy show Saturday. Interested?
I stared at it.
Marissa was attractive.
I had always known that objectively.
Dark hair.
Quick smile.
The sort of person who could make a boring story funny.
But during my relationship with Tara, Marissa had occupied a mental category called Tara’s Best Friend.
That category did not contain romantic possibilities.
Now I found myself reconsidering.
Before replying, I asked:
Just us?
Marissa:
Yes.
Then another message:
And because I know what you’re thinking, yes, I’m asking you on a date.
Direct.
I appreciated that.
I wrote:
Is this going to create a disaster?
Probably.
Honest.
Why are you doing it?
There was a pause.
Then:
Because I like you. I’ve liked you longer than I should probably admit, but I never crossed a line while you were together. You’re single now. I’m single. If you’re uncomfortable, I understand.
I sat with that.
Then wrote:
What about Tara?
Marissa:
She’s already being weird about us talking.
Me:
That’s not an answer.
Marissa:
Fair.
A minute later:
Tara is my friend, but she ended your relationship. She doesn’t own either of us.
That was true.
Still, I did not want Marissa used as a weapon in something she did not create.
I wrote:
If we do this, I’m not doing it to make her jealous.
Marissa:
Good, because I’m not volunteering to be anybody’s revenge plot.
Then:
Still interested?
I smiled.
Yes.
Saturday afternoon, an hour before I was supposed to leave, my phone exploded.
Tara.
Are you serious?
I knew immediately.
About what?
Marissa told me.
Good.
She invited me to a comedy show.