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Ituckmyphonein my pocket, comb my hands through my hair and let out a deep breath before getting up to check on my girls to make sure they're ready for bed. It's been months, but it feels like it was just yesterday that Ashley left me and the girls. I should be second guessing jumping into a relationship so quickly with Emma. I’m not. Even though it’s beenyearssince I’ve seen her in-person, a piece of me never stopped loving her. It’s just a date, but it feels like it will be so much more.
I’m almost forty and have no interest in dating someone new.This is Emma though. She’s not new, she was your first love.I can imagine her moving in here with her boys, us saying goodnight to all five of our kids, then staying up just the two of us to watch TV or read, with my arms wrapped around her. She always fit perfectly curled up against me.What am I thinking? I’ve barely spoken to her in the last decade, and I am already fantasizing about playing house with her?I shelf those thoughts as I enter Harriet and Lizzy’s room. When Ashley left, the girls asked to share a room, and I couldn’t say no.
“Hey girls, ready for bed?” Lizzy is curled up in bed with a book, and reminds me that I forgot to grab their new books from the store that I left downstairs. “I’ll be right back, I forgot your books on the counter.”
Harriet jumps up from her writing desk and stops me. “It’s ok. I need a glass of water anyway, I’ll grab them.” She has always been the helper, even before her mom left.
“Thanks hun, are you both done with your book reports for Monday?”
She rolls her eyes at me. “Yes,Dad.” Harriet heads downstairs to grab the books, and I turn to Lizzy. She is reading the 4th Harry Potter book, but I ask anyway, “What are you reading?”
She lifts the book up to show me. “Come on, you know I am reading the series again.” Of course I know, but trying to connect with a preteen is tough.
“So, I was thinking, Harriet wants to go back to the bookstore next week. Something about a new fantasy book coming out. She mentioned the new illustrated Harry Potter just came out, too. Should we all go next weekend, maybe grab a boba at that coffee place you like?”
Her eyes light up. “Yeah, that would be amazing! Thanks, Dad!”
Harriet comes back upstairs with their new books and I let her in on our plans. After saying goodnight to the girls, I head down the hallway to my room. As I open the door, my phone buzzes in my pocket.
Andrew: Hey man, are you up for catching a game on Tuesday?
Dylan: You won’t believe it, but I actually have a date.
Andrew: I’m sorry, what?! Since when are you dating?
Dylan: Since I started talking to Emma.
Andrew: Who’s Emma?
Dylan: Emma Sullivan, I dated her back when I was in my early 20s. You actually know her, or at least she knows Lily.
Andrew: No, there’s no way! Wait, is she the one that you disappeared on? How did this happen?
Andrew: Nevermind, it doesn’t matter. No. She’s off limits.
Dylan: She messaged me by accident while out with Lily last night. It’s just a date. Why is she off limits?
If I can help it, it won’t be just a date.
Andrew: When things go south, Lily will murder you. Hell, I’ll murder you. I knew you dated an “Emma” before we met, but you said you ghosted her like 20 years ago. You also said you had your chance and you blew it to date that blonde chick, right?
Andrew: So, all this time, when you talked about your ex…you were talking about my friend?
Andrew: Seriously, you can’t date her.
Dylan: Sorry, but I’m taking her out.
There’s an incoming call from Andrew. I answer it, but before I even say hello, Andrew is yelling, “NO! You arenotgoing to make this weird. Lily and Emma have been friends for years, and you’re not going to mess up my marriage just so you can get laid. Emma is an amazing woman! She’s recently divorced and has a kid on the spectrum. You don’t casually date someone like her, she doesn’t need somefling.” I have never heard Andrew so worked up over something, other than maybe sports.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa! Who said anything about getting laid? I know Emma isn’t like that, we are just going to catch up on Sunday.”
Andrew sounds like he’s choking on his drink. “Sunday? You said you can’t go to the game Tuesday because of a date with her. What’s Sunday?”
“Yeah, I plan on seeing her for both.”
“Dylan, we have been friends for many years, you’re one of my best friends. But you can’t date my wife’s friend.” The fact that Lily and Andrew know Emma still blows my mind.
“You know I loved her, I wouldn’t do anything to hurt her.”
