Page 78 of Your Pace Or Mine

“I borrowed Seth’s SUV,” he says when I ask him. “And a little bird told me you might be here.”

Direct message to Mr. Six from @RunLaurelRun:

I saw your last reel. You didn’t hear it from me, but if you were inclined to grovel for your life’s worth, she went to her mom’s place in Waterloo. I think you have the address. Don’t make me regret this. If you hurt her again, I will end you.

TWENTY-FIVE

SEBASTIAN

After a very pleasant time spent catching up with Ashley in her childhood bedroom, I finally eat the doubly reheated lasagna. Ashley wants a little more time with her family; my brain is so addled from the past few days that I almost suggest staying the night. Then I think better of it, pretty sure her mom won’t be up for that considering she’s been hearing all about what a jerk I am since yesterday. Not to mention, I need to return Seth’s SUV. In the end, I head out before Ashley’s mom gets home from work.

I drive back to Toronto almost in a daze. I can’t believe it all happened: she actually forgave me, and we’re going to be in a relationship, and now I’m her … boyfriend? Significant other? I’m so bad at this, I don’t even know the right words. But I haven’t started panicking yet, so that seems like a good sign. I’m so lost in thought that I miss Seth’s exit off the highway and have to double back.

Diana answers the door and gives me a concerned look as she takes the keys. “You look drunk. You weren’t driving our car drunk, right?”

Seth comes up behind her and breaks into laughter at the sight of me. “I think he’s drunk on love.”

“You could say that.” I try to smile like a normal person, but it ends up being a sloppy grin. I didn’t realize how letting my feelings out would show on my face.

“Does this mean congrats are in order?”

I shrug, trying not to reveal too much about what went down. “I don’t want to jinx anything, but we’re figuring it out.”

He surprises me by pulling me into a hug. We’ve hugged maybe twice before, and only while drinking. “I’m glad. You can tell me more later. Do you need a ride home?”

I didn’t think that far ahead, but I don’t want to inconvenience him more than I already have. “Nah, I’ll get a rideshare.”

When I get home, I shower and collapse on my couch. I forgot how tiring highway driving is, not to mention the emotional stuff and all the other exertions. I look at my phone. Am I supposed to be texting Ashley? I dropped a line so she’d know I got back safely, but people in relationships seem to be constantly sending messages to each other.

I open a browser and type “How often should I text my girlfriend?” Unsurprisingly, the responses are not helpful. I don’t want to bother Seth with my ineptitude, so I do something I’ll likely regret and text Penelope for advice. She’s a woman, and not an overly needy person, so I assume she won’t tell me to message thirty times an hour.

Hypothetically speaking, if you’re dating someone, how often would you expect them to text you?

Penelope:

WTF???

Asking for a friend.

Has hell frozen over?

Are you … Are you dating someone? A real person?

Or have you been kidnapped and this is how I know to send the police?

Blink twice if you need help.

Very funny.

The phone rings. It must be a grave matter because I don’t think she uses the phone function unless it’s an emergency or to contact Mom.

“Sebastian,” Penny yells when I answer. I don’t bother telling her that I can hear fine if she speaks at a normal volume. “Are you dating someone? Like in an actual relationship?”

“Um, kind of.” Technically we haven’t gone on a date, but this doesn’t seem to be the time to elaborate. “We’re trying things out.”

“Did she hit her head? Or did you?”

“Thanks so much,” I reply dryly.