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Laughing?
No. No, he was not.
33
Annie
My fourth article dedicated to The ONE Experiment is a little trickier. I’d meant to write about the importance of comfort, but I’d made everything uncomfortable. Had I just laughed off the letters I received, I would have been able to keep the evening progressing. But I hadn’t. I’d gone defensive and confused, and I ruined Owen’s date.
DJ wasn’t right for him anyhow. I’m pretty sure I heard her and Adam make plans for next weekend. At least someone made a love connection.
I write a short article discussing the importance of comfort for a connection. I talk about doubling and how that can help. And then I bring in a few facts—not feelings—of how we prepared for that type of environment on this last date.
It’s a stretch, but at least when DJ reads it right next to her best friend Bev, they won’t be able to call me a liar.
And then, I tackle the really difficult job: I answer one of the letters asking about why Owen and I aren’t dating.Ughhhhh.
People are so nosey.
I guess nosey people sort of keep me in business.My readers like to hear others’ problems and how I’ve suggested they handle them. Sometimes it’s because they want help themselves and sometimes they’re justnosey.
Dear Wondering on Wayland Street,
You ask a great question.
More like a super annoying question that I’d sort of like to respond with—none of your beeswax.
O and I have never had that kind of relationship. Yes—you should like spending time with your significant other. Yes—you should be friends. Yes—there should be attraction. (This, by the way, doesn’t mean I don’t believe my friend to be attractive. I just don’t look at him with those intentions.)
Kayla’s voice sings in my head:Liar, liar, pants on fire.
But I channel my bow and arrow and press on because what in the world does Kayla know? She isn’t the advice columnist! I’m the professional, even if I’d like to tell Mr. Wondering, and a few dozen more, to stay out of it.
But there also has to beintention. I like spending time with my friend, and if I choose to think about it—sure, he’s easy on the eyes, but that’s not my intention with O. It never has been, and it never will be. We’re just friends.
Thanks for asking about me.
Rest assured, I’m good.
Sincerely,
Ask Annie
I don’t even reread the message, I just send it over to my editor with the article and a dozen more questions answered.
I don’t usually work on Sundays—it’s a me day. But I need to be able to walk into work Monday morning and know that this is resolved. I’ve answered the question. I’m done with it. Now, let’s move on to more interesting questions, like this one:My boyfriend moved in and now he treats me like I’m his mother. How do I make it stop?
Margo taps a pen to the tune of jingle bells at the side of her computer. She’s staring at the screen, rereading my last article. She peers up and over her red-rimmed glasses. “It’s good. Not great, but good.”
I swallow. I knew it wasn’t great. It was survival writing, not award-winning writing.
“But you know what I’m loving? These questions about you and Owen. People are so interested. Your answer intrigued me too. Sid wants you on his YouTube channel, and I’m all for it.”
“Um. Okay.” I’ve done Sid’s channel before. That’s nothing new… but she’s loving the questions about me and Owen? I’m trying to bypass them as quickly as possible.
“Yes, and bring Owen. People will love the two of you together! We’re going to double our readership. Add your relationship to the podcast too. Less grocery list details and more steamy details.”
“Steamy? There is no steam. And wait. Bring Owen? To Sid’s? He… he works, and he’s remodeling his house. And he’s always gardening or volunteering. I don’t—”
