“No. I want you to find someone. We all want that. But you act like love is going to solve all your problems, so you make bad choices. And Molly Marks? That’s a bad choice.”
I shouldn’t have said anything to him.
I hold up my hands in defeat. “Okay. Point taken.”
He nods warily and says good night.
I wait for him to close the door and then immediately pick my phone back up to exercise my allegedly terrible judgment.
From: sethrubes@mail.me
To: mollymarks@netmail.co
Date: Mon, Dec 24, 2018 at 9:35pm
Re: Subject: Hey
Merry Christmas, Sir Marksalot.
I’m in Nashville at Dave’s with the fam. I take it you’re in Florida, pining for me?
I can’t stop grinning as I wait for a response, which arrives almost immediately.
From: mollymarks@netmail.co
To: sethrubes@mail.me
Date: Mon, Dec 24, 2018 at 9:37pm
Re: Re: Subject: Hey
Yes, desperately pining. By which I mean hoping you might be around for a quick bout of meaningless sex. Oh well, YOUR LOSS. Merry xmas etc
I’m sure she would be content to let our exchange end here, but I’m in too good a mood at the idea she wants to sleep with me again—even in a booty-call fashion—to let it drop.
From: sethrubes@mail.me
To: mollymarks@netmail.co
Date: Mon, Dec 24, 2018 at 9:39pm
Re: Re: Re: Subject: Hey
Someone is sure eager to lose our bet. Which, by the way, you are. Look what I came across on the socials from your best friend Marian:
Marian Hart..… is with Marcus Reis..… at The Gulf & Yacht Club..… Feeling bliss!!!
What a lovely holiday season I had here in my hometown with such a beautiful group of friends and family. Basking on the catamaran with the one and only Marcus—is there anything like an island sunset with one of your favorite people?
Not to panic you, of course.
I press the send button, knowing her competitive nature will leave her powerless to ignore me.
From: mollymarks@netmail.co
To: sethrubes@mail.me
Date: Mon, Dec 24, 2018 at 9:41pm
Re: Re: Re: Re: Subject: Hey
You must be feeling very smug. But please remember I allowed they might briefly date before ultimately going their separate ways. I do have five years to be right. (Including about us.)
Enjoy your sex-free Christmas cheer.
Dave pops his head back into the room.
“You’re doing it, aren’t you?”
“Doing what?”
“Emailing her.”
“Well, when a woman admits her desire for a late-night assignation, it’s only polite to reply.”
“Don’t make me confiscate your phone.”
“Respectfully Dave, fuck off.”
