Page 99 of Semantics

“I guess that is confusing,” Jen replied.

“I thought she wanted me to be there.”

“And she didn’t? Are you sure you want to date her?”

“She didn’t know that Arlowe had invited me. It wasn’t Violet’s fault. She was surprised to see me, and she glared at Arlowe, not me. I think there’s something going on there.”

“Between them?”

“No. At that dinner I went to over there, they said the name Eline in relation to Arlowe, and it was like a whole big thing. Arlowe got really quiet and looked off after that for a while, and I remembered Eline from school. She and Arlowe were together for the whole semester.”

“So?”

“Violet mentioned once that Arlowe hasn’t ever let it go, so she’d thought about intervening somehow; looking Eline up to see if she’s single or married or something. She hasn’t because she said that that was Arlowe’s decision, so my guess is, knowing how she felt about that, having Arlowe try to play matchmaker might have rubbed her the wrong way more than me showing up when she didn’t expect to see me.”

“You two have talked way more than I expected of two women who are only having sex.”

“We didn’t only have sex. We’d talk in between rounds, but I told you that we texted, too, and that it wasn’t always just sex. She gets really talkative when she’s drunk.” Stella smiled. “It’s pretty cute.”

“Did she actually text or call yesterday like she said she would?” Jen asked and picked up her glass of water.

“She did, but only to tell me that she couldn’t talk. Asset needed a lot more information from them before firming up their investment, so they burned the midnight oil. I’m sure they’re doing the same thing tonight. It’s just the four of them over there. They don’t have anyone else to help get the data together, and there’s paperwork from the banks and everything else. It’s time-consuming and annoying.”

“And you haven’t volunteered to help?”

“I did that once. She said no. I did it anyway, and I’m glad that she’s not mad at me about it, but I don’t think I should do it again,” she replied as she pushed her plate away.

“Well, you went over there and helped that one time, and you said she used some of your ideas in the presentation, so she’s probably fine with it. Besides, you miss her, Stella.”

“I do not. I’m fine,” she lied.

“No, you’re not,” Jen said. “You told me at work today that you were going home to eat a TV dinner and sulk in your room. I forced you to have dinner with me instead.”

“Sulking doesn’t mean I miss her.”

“Stop being so annoying and just admit that you do.”

“I miss talking to her. Yes, I liked the sex, don’t get me wrong, but I also like talking to her. I liked working with her a little, too. As we were bouncing ideas off of each other, she got frustrated with me, and it was cute. Probably would’ve made for really good foreplay had we actually done anything that night.”

“So, what are you going to do about this whole thing, Stella?”

“Wait.” Stella shrugged. “I do miss her, but I need her to miss me, too. If she doesn’t, then whatever I want won’t matter anyway, right?”

“So, you’re staying strong, hoping that she reaches out to you?”

“I guess so. I want her to make the next move. If she still only wants sex, I’ll tell her that I can’t do that, and in a few months, you can try to set me up again, if you want to.”

“Really?”

“You sound way too excited about that.” She chuckled.

“I want you to be happy. I want you to find someone, Stella. You say you want to, but you don’t put in any effort to find her. Then, you reconnect with this Violet, who I very much want to meet, by the way, and you say it’s just sex when I know that’s not how it’s going to work out, and now, we’re here, exactly where I thought we’d be: with one of you catching feelings. Maybe the other one, too, but that has not been confirmed. If Violet says no to something real, I want to help you find the woman who wants to be with you because you deserve to be happy. I’ve got at least five women who I think could be a good fit, including the Battlestar Galactica fan you turned down before.”

“Whoa! Five?”

“At least. I have tiers.”

“I’m sorry; you have what?” Stella asked.