I didn’t want to appear overly anxious so I didn’t pick up until the third ring.
‘Hello.’
‘Shelly? Hi, it’s Eric.’
‘Oh, hi Eric.’ I tried to sound nonchalant.
‘You don’t sound anything like I thought you would.’
I laughed. ‘How did you think I’d sound?’
‘Oh, I don’t know.’
‘It’s okay. I know my voice is different. A lot of people ask if I’m a singer because of my raspy voice.’
‘Are you?’
‘No. I can’t carry a tune, although I wish I could. How about you? Can you sing?’
‘Not really. Well, maybe a little. I have a guitar that I pick around on.’
Our conversation went from my voice to our favorite bands to the songs on our app playlists. My shoulders dropped and I slouched on the couch, feeling more comfortable the longer we talked.
‘Can I tell you something?’ Eric asked. ‘It’s personal but I feel as if I can trust you.’
I sat straight up. ‘Sure, if you want to.’
‘It’s about my past.’
‘You weren’t a serial killer or anything like that?’ I joked.
Eric laughed. ‘No. My ex-wife cheated on me. Our marriage ended when I discovered the affair.’
‘Oh, Eric. I’m sorry.’ I went back to slouching on the couch.
‘I was devastated, you know? She was my everything, and I felt as if my heart was being ripped in two. Somehow I survived, picked up the pieces and moved on. I’m not going to lie. It was pure hell for a while. But I’m in a better place now.’
‘I’m glad you’re in a better place. We all deserve to be happy.’
‘Are you happy?’ he asked.
‘For the most part,’ I said. ‘Like you, I was hurt by someone I loved very much.’
There was a pregnant pause.
‘Sorry you were hurt, Shelly.’
A lump formed in my throat. Where did this guy come from? He was so open and honest. I felt as if he deserved the same in return.
‘My husband had an affair, too,’ I explained. ‘Like you, I was devastated. My world was ripped apart and I was never the same.’
‘Thank you for telling me,’ he whispered.
‘I can’t believe I did, but you’re so easy to talk to.’
‘Well, I know all about the tears and feelings of betrayal. To have someone you love destroy you like that is horrible. I understand completely. You’re not alone. Are you in a better place now?’
‘Much better.’
‘I never thought I’d use an online dating site,’ Eric said. ‘It took some time to muster enough courage to try it. I never thought I’d be able to put myself out there. It hasn’t been easy for me and I’m not comfortable doing it.’
‘Tell me about it! Have you been on many dates?’
‘A couple. And you?’
‘Not yet.’
‘Well, maybe we can change that.’
I lay down on the couch. ‘I still have times when I wonder why I married Scott. Looking back, we didn’t have a lot in common. At the time, I thought that was a plus. Now, I’m not so sure.’
‘Can we ever be sure of anything?’ Eric asked.
‘I guess not. At least not completely. You think you know someone and then discover that the person you thought you knew was not that person at all.’
‘I’d like to get to know you better,’ Eric said. ‘Will you have dinner with me?’
A part of me couldn’t wait to meet Eric in person and a part of me was scared. It’s only dinner. It’s not like the guy is asking you to go away for the weekend. Live a little, Shelly. Take some chances. He could be the one. It’s just one dinner. What could it hurt?
We made plans to meet at Bella’s, my favorite Italian restaurant, the next night.
I called Jackie as soon as I got off the phone with Eric.
‘Tell me everything,’ she said. ‘Beginning with hello.’
‘He’s amazing, Jack. Sensitive, kind and caring. He told me that his first wife cheated on him. And how devastated and broken he was.’
‘Wow,’ Jackie said.
‘Wow is right. I don’t think I’ve ever met a man so open and honest. His voice cracked and he sounded as if he were about to cry when he talked about his ex-wife cheating on him. I’m not used to sensitive men.’
‘He sounds amazing,’ Jackie said.
‘Yeah, kind of scary.’
‘Don’t be scared,’ Jackie said. ‘Just be aware. You deserve to be happy. It sounds like you guys have been through the same thing. Maybe Eric’s right. Maybe you were supposed to find each other. Maybe this will turn out to be your happily ever after.’
‘Maybe,’ I said. ‘But he almost seems too good to be true.’
‘That’s why meeting him in person will be a good thing. You’ll get to see him face to face. Look, it’s just dinner. Relax. Try to enjoy it. I’ll call at eight to make sure you don’t need rescuing.’
‘You won’t forget?’
‘No. I’ll set the alarm on my phone. Promise.’
Before I went to bed I went through my closet looking for something to wear on my date. I hadn’t bought new clothes in forever. Most of the clothes in my closet were AM/BD – After Marriage/Before Divorce. I’d planned on donating them to a second-hand shop, but just hadn’t done it yet.
I settled on a denim dress that was a bit big, but I added a belt to gather the excess material. I hung it on my closet door. I had an afternoon appointment to show a property to a couple who wanted to downsize, but I’d have enough time to shower and change clothes before meeting Eric for dinner. I couldn’t wait!
As soon as I arrived at the office the next morning, I found out my client needed to move back the showing by two hours. I looked down at the black skirt and white blouse I was wearing, knowing I’d no longer have time to shower
