Page 52 of Error Handling
“Exactly. How did you know?”
“Because that’s how I felt when Luke and I reconnected. My rational mind told me not to fall for him, but I couldn’t help myself.”
“What should I do? I just got through texting Christopher. Should I not talk to him anymore?”
“Why shouldn’t you? Have you and the other Chris been on a date? Have you professed love for each other?”
“No.”
“Then you do you. If you want to talk to Christopher, talk to him. If you want to see if this thing with Chris could turn into something more, ask him out on a date.”
“So, it’s not cheating?”
“Of course not. Don’t be silly. Do you have handyman Chris’s number?”
I nod.
“Call him. Invite him to the audition tour on Sunday night.”
Cassie is adding another tour to the schedule, which requires another tour guide. Before picking someone, she sets up an audition to see how well they perform. She invites friends and family to be the audience. I always go to provide my feedback, but I’ve never made a date of it.
“What if he isn’t interested in me?”
“What does your gut tell you?”
“Run for the hills.”
Cassie laughs. “You’ll never know until you ask. Call him.”
“He’s coming to my house on Sunday to repair the water damage. I can ask him then.”
Cassie flashes me a knowing look.
“What?” I ask.
“You and handyman Chris, alone together in your house.”
“Stop.”
“I’m just saying. This has all the makings of a Hallmark movie.”
“No, it doesn’t.”
Cassie’s knowing look deepens.
“Stop that,” I say. “You’re making me nervous.”
“Are you sure those aren’t just butterflies for Chris?”
“No.”
“Okay, fine. I’ll leave you alone. Ask him about Sunday night, okay?”
“Let’s see if I can survive Sunday without making a complete fool out of myself first.”
Chris
I go through the motions at work on Friday, keeping to myself, not wanting to field questions about Sarah from Kahlil. During the day Thursday, I accidentally told Kahlil I was going to work on Sarah’s carpet that evening, and I’d gotten an earful about young, budding love, just in time for spring.