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"We dated freshman year," Isaac said as she ladled the soup into the bowl. "But apparently we had different definitions of what it meant to date. I thought it meant, you know, we were dating. Exclusively. Turns out, for her, it had only meant until I found out she'd been cheating on me. Her exact words when I confronted her about it," he raised his hands and crooked his fingers making air quotes, "'frat boys are good for a fuck, not forever.'"
"Shit," Katie said setting a steaming bowl of soup in front of him. "I'm sorry."
They sat in silence for over a minute. The whole time Isaac drew circles with his spoon in his soup, Katie didn't move. Finally, he said, "I haven't dated anyone since. Instead, I did everything I could to avoid it."
"Oh…" Katie put her hand to her mouth as her brain put the puzzle together. "Oh, no. And I—" She couldn't quite bring herself to say it.
"The picture's a little clearer now, huh?"
Katie's stomach dropped. "You must hate my guts."
"Your rejection stung but I don't hate you. It’s not like you knew what I'd been through and you had to do what was right for you."
But was it right? She'd been a real bitch about it when all he wanted was a cup of coffee. She wanted to believe she would have had more sympathy for him—reacted differently if she'd known what it meant to him. But would she have?
Isaac sipped a spoonful of soup. Winced when he swallowed it. "This isn't going to work."
"Too hot?"
He nodded rubbing his throat. "Still too raw."
Katie went to the freezer and took out her chocolate fudge swirl ice cream.
Isaac drummed the counter in front of him. "Now that's what I'm talking about."
Katie got out two new bowls and spoons.
"The scoop is in the second drawer down and to the left of the sink," Isaac said after she fumbled through a couple of other drawers.
She found the scoop and returned to the island. Sitting on the stool beside him, she said, "You’re lucky I'm letting you have any." She plopped a scoop into his bowl.
"Did you forget? Yesterday? You already promised to share."
"I was hoping you were too sick to remember." Katie dropped a scoop in her bowl knowing full well his memory was better than that. He'd proven it when he'd remembered almost everything she'd told him when he'd been blackout drunk.
Which meant he wouldn't forget how cruel she'd been anytime soon. Could she ever make it up to him?
"I should have had that coffee with you."
Isaac set the spoon of ice cream halfway to his mouth back in the bowl. "Katie, don't."
"It wouldn't have made a bit of difference in how much work I got done on my project."
"Katie—"
"God, I was such a bitch to you. No wonder you push me away every time I try to help you. After the way I treated you… Then forced this on you and you don't even want me here." She stood, not knowing what to do—get her groceries? Her backpack?—but she'd promised to stay. She walked in a circle.
"Katie." Isaac took hold of her shoulders.
His tone demanded her attention but she couldn't look him in the eye.
"I'll get my things. You'll never see me again."
"That's not—Goddammit."
"It's okay," she said glancing at his face. Looking away when she saw the hurt in his eyes. "I get it now."
"No. You really don't."
