Last First Date

“Stop fighting with me! I’ve been given explicit instructions, and you’re going on this date whether you like it or not.”

Reid groaned dramatically as I tugged on his arm. “I already showered and everything, what else am I supposed to do, Sydney?”

“Um, put on a decent outfit?”

“What if I don’t even want to go?”

“Too bad. You had the opportunity to back out when Jodie asked you if she could set you up, and you didn’t, so now you’re going.” I mimed dragging him down the hallway to his room. “As your best friend and roommate, I’m in charge of making sure you show up and look good.”

Heavy footsteps fell on the floor as Reid stomped after me. “As my best friend, I’d think you’d be on my side about not wanting to go.”

Reid and I had been best friends since we were kids. Growing up next door to each other, we’d spent years playing basketball in his driveway in the summer or making snow forts in my yard in the winter. Even though Reid was two years older than me, he had always let me be part of his life. He might have teased me mercilessly, but I knew he was always there for me. He had helped me with crushes, coached me through my first date, first boyfriend, and first subsequent heartbreak.

It seemed only natural for us to room together while he went to trade school and I went to college. We were friends and students; he had a two-bedroom apartment and his roommate was moving out. It just so happened that once he was apprenticing and I had graduated, we just kept living together.

I knew people thought it was strange. Here we were, mid-20s, and living together platonically. I know a good number of people assumed we would get together one day, but Reid had never felt that way about me. It was kind of weird, at first, to bring dates back home and to know that he was across the hall from my bedroom, able to hear every little thing that happened. The discomfort didn’t last long, however. Many a date had made her way into Reid’s bedroom, and I learned quickly that a pair of noise-cancelling headphones was an easy enough solution.

I let myself into Reid’s room as he trailed behind me.

“Just watch. She’s going to be super hot and sexy and funny. It’ll be your last first date, you’ll fall in love and have eight kids and tell everyone about how it was just love at first sight. And I can be cool Auntie Syd and ride a motorcycle and buy them alcohol when they start going to parties in high school.”

“You’ve never even been on a motorcycle.”

I grinned at Reid from across his room as he stood in the doorway, head tilted in a pout.

“I’ll learn to ride a motorcycle,” I said.

“I don’t know why you and Jodie think that I need to be dating someone.” He entered the room and flopped onto his bed. “Maybe I’m happy living the single life.”

“At the very least, you need to get laid, Reid.” A startled noise came from his throat and I giggled as I opened his closet, searching through his clothes. “You used to have a parade of babes coming through here. Now you’re all grouchy. It’s clearly sexual frustration.”

“That is so very wrong. Besides, not all of us need a ‘parade of babes’ in our rooms. Unlike you, I like to have a night off once in awhile. Rest up, you know.”

I snorted. “Are you calling me a ho?”

“Nah, you already know you’re a ho.”

We both lost it, and I threw a shirt at him playfully between giggles. “Try this on for me.”

I heard him shift off the bed behind me and reluctantly begin changing as I dug through his closet for a few more outfit options.

“So who is this girl, again?”

“Jodie’s coworker, Lauren. She’s a social worker with their agency. I’ve met her a couple times, she’s super pretty and really sweet. Curly hair, kind of a boho-chic vibe. Lots of flowy dresses and such.”

“Mm. Not exactly my type, then?”

“I thought your type was ‘has boobs.’”

“I’ll have you know I’m a man of discerning tastes.”

“Ah yes, of course. And what is your type, then, exactly?” I turned around, arms full of clothing as Reid finished buttoning the shirt I’d thrown at him.

“You know...” he trailed off. “Sporty, kind of.”

“Oh, sure.”I rolled my eyes. “The shirt’s not doing it for me. Take that off and put on this t-shirt with this shirt over top of it.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“And these jeans.” I tossed the jeans across the bed.

“Are you going to watch me change?” His hands worked down the buttons as he spoke, eyes crinkling.

“Oh, excuse me while I preserve your modesty.” I turned sarcastically as he laughed.

“Gotta leave something to the imagination,” he said. “Okay, how does it look?”

I turned back around and looked over Reid. “You’ll thank me tomorrow after she leaves.” I stepped across the room, adjusting his shirt and helping him roll the sleeves up to his elbows. “Now, tuck the front in just a bit. Perfect.”

Reid spread his arms as I looked over him. “Presentable?”

He looked great. As my eyes moved up and down, I had the thought that Reid was far better looking than he had any right to be. His jeans fit nicely, held up by a nice belt. The t-shirt was fitted, showing off a physique that said “I work out, but also will order dessert.” Nicely toned, but not intimidating. And the rolled-up sleeves of the shirt he had over it showed off his forearms and highlighted his large hands.

Okay, I haven’t been entirely honest.

My entire life, I’dharbored a crush on Reid. I’d also spent my entire life stuck being seen as, at most, a younger sister. He’d helped me through my first date and first boyfriend, but my first heartbreak had been the day I’d seen Reid with his first girlfriend.

My second heartbreak had been the day he’d blushed, embarrassed, as his friends teased him about hanging out with me. “She’s just my friend,” he had shouted. “I don’t like her like that!”

That had been years earlier, though, and while I’d never fully gotten over my little crush on Reid, I’d successfully moved on with my life. I’d dated casually, had a few relationships, and certainly had my share of one-night-stands parade through my bedroom in our little apartment. I’d also learned how to sneak them out in the morning, much to Reid’s chagrin. He loved to give them a hard time the next day.

But, back to that particular moment, where Reid was standing in front of me, waiting for my review of his outfit. In that moment, I felt the small rekindling of the torch I’d carried for him paired with the sadness of knowing I was sending him into the arms of some other woman. I pushed those feelings away quickly, and grinned up at Reid.

“You look awesome. Want me to make sure you’ve got bacon and eggs ready for breakfast tomorrow?”

He swatted my arm playfully and I jumped, more out of surprise at the sudden feel of his hand against my skin. “You seem pretty sure she’ll be coming back here.”

“I would if I were her. I did a hell of a good job cleaning you up.”

Reid arched an eyebrow at me. “You would?”

“You know what I mean.” I refused to let him fluster me. “Anyway, you’re right. Maybe you won’t come back here.”

“Ouch.”

“Maybe you’ll end up at her place.”

He scoffed. “Sure, we’ll see about that.”