Ex-Rated

(Premise is a writer's bestie. Why? Click here to find out on this week's Jared's Inkwell. -JMG)

Story Sent in by David:

Sheryl worked in my office and we always had some harmless flirting action going on. She had a boyfriend and I knew my boundaries. But she was fun and we had some good laughs.

One day while I chatted with her she let slip that she and her boyfriend had broken up. I played it cool but she made the first move, asking me if I was up to see a movie that weekend and do dinner afterward.

We went to see The Internship, which was one of the worst films I'd ever seen. She laughed her ass off at it, so at least one of us had a good time.

Afterward we went to dinner at this pub. She wouldn't shut up about the movie and kept throwing quotes out from it. She kept ribbing me for not liking it but it was all good. It seemed like we were having a really good time and it was good to see her smile and laugh. She even kept touching my arm and her flirting was way more intense than usual.

Not long after our food arrived her phone beeped and she checked it. She gasped and put a hand to her mouth. Then she showed me the text.

It was from a guy named Ross Fusco and he had written, "Are you around? Let's talk."

She said, "It's from my boyfriend. I have to call him."

"Your boyfriend?"

"My ex-boyfriend. Hopefully soon to be my boyfriend again. Do you mind if I go? I have to go. Right now. Bye." She picked up and left after barely touching her food. I thought her behavior was nasty but I stayed behind and finished my dinner.

When I saw her at work the next week, she asked me if I wanted to go out again.

"What about your ex-ex-boyfriend?" I asked.

"We got back together over the weekend then broke up again. We'll see what happens. Anyway, let me know if you want to go on another date."

"I will."

The very next day she swung by my desk to tell me in an irritatingly sing-songy way that she and Ross were back together. "I'm so happy," she said, "It's so nice having a boyfriend and being in a relationship. Maybe you'll find someone nice, someday. Like I did."

"As long as she's not you, I'll be satisfied."

Sheryl stopped coming by my desk after that.