“Maybe I should put a sign on the door.”
Tara spun from where she was scrambling eggs and raised her hand, waving her spatula around. “Or you could send out an announcement on social media. Then you wouldn’t have to worry about any pesky guys coming around.”
“And say what? Steer clear of Trudy Southall, she is taking an indefinite hiatus from men. Update coming never.”
Both girls laughed, Trudy shook her head and turned back to her breakfast.
“Is, uh, is this a bad time?” Simon stood with his hand still on the now open door as if he were ready to flee at a moment’s notice. “I can go.”
“Don’t go. There’s no need.” Tara waved her spatula around again. “We were just talking about how Trudy doesn’t want to deal with man drama in her life right now…or ever.”
Simon relaxed and flung himself into the nearest chair. “Oh well, in that case, how long does that usually last? There’s bound to be some poor misguided soul begging to date you as soon as you step foot outside the door. Problem solved.”
Trudy leaned back and walloped him half-heartedly. “That won’t change anything.”
“Why not?” Simon shrugged. “All I hear is that you are disappointed with the men options you’ve chosen for yourself and need to clear them out of your head before moving on to the next bevy of hopefuls to sample.”
“I am not going to be sampling anyone!” Trudy stood and smacked his arm before disappearing into the kitchen pantry. “I’m done. Total break.”
“Will I be informed when you decide to start looking again?”
Tara dumped her scrambled eggs onto a plate and put the rest on another plate. She scoffed. “Why? It’s not like you are next in line.”
Simon jumped up and scowled at Tara. “That is not what I was saying.” Storming over to the door he threw it open. “I just wanted to know when I should start avoiding your apartment again.”
“Tara, that wasn’t nice.” Trudy moved to grab Simon but he slipped out into the hall. “Simon, don’t leave.” Running after him she didn’t catch up till he was almost out of the building. “Wait. What is going on with you? I mean, I know Tara is not the greatest at making jokes but she didn’t mean anything by it.”
“You’d never date me. Wouldn’t even consider it.” He growled as he moved to go around her and get out the door.
“Is that a question?”
Simon laughed. “No, it’s not. You’ve always made it perfectly clear that you’d never date me.”
“That road goes both ways.” She pushed on his arm. “I distinctly recall one night not so long ago when you were with Trev and Liam; you looked straight at me and called me a mess you’d never consider dating.”
That stopped Simon’s mad dash from the building. He almost crashed into her in his haste to stop and turn. “What are you talking about?”
“You don’t remember?”
He shook his head. “Remember? Vaguely. That was a long time ago but I didn’t say it seriously. I was only pointing out how much of a mess you were. That was years ago. Why bring it up now?”
Trudy shrugged and backed up. “That was the night you stopped being an option. I had a crush on you back then, you know. Well, I guess you wouldn’t know. I was good at hiding it and after that, I didn’t have anything to hide.
“You like me?” Simon’s mouth opened and closed several times.
With a glare Trudy started walking back to her apartment, calling over her shoulder as she went. “Liked, Simon. Past tense. Avoid the apartment all you want for whatever reason you come up with that makes you feel justified.”
It was Simon’s turn to come running after her. “Let me get this right. You would have said yes if I’d asked you on a date?”
Trudy kept walking.
“Trudy, talk to me.”
She faced him, crossing her arms in front of her for some extra distance. “Again. Past tense. Maybe I would have once. Not now.”
“Care to change your mind?” Simon reached a hand out but she stepped away.
Tilting her head she laughed lightly. “What are you doing? Didn’t you hear my announcement? I’m sure you did since you were making fun of it. I am not having anything to do with any guy. At all. In fact, you aren’t invited over until I start dating again. Maybe not even then.”
“What can I do to change your mind?”
Trudy began walking back to her room, though slower than before. “Simon, go home.”
“No, I’m serious.”
“You can’t change my mind, Simon. I am taking a break from dating and you haven’t been on my date radar for years.”
“But I could be.”
She shook her head. “No.”
Simon held out his arm. “I’ll walk you home.” They were in front of her door before he spoke again. “Trudy, we’ve been friends for a long time. So I will respect your non-dating phase for as long as you find it necessary. And I will be here when it’s over because we are friends, the best place to start a real relationship. You’ll see.”
“Whatever Simon.”
“You don’t believe me?”
Her hand went to the doorknob, shaking her head. “I’m tired. I don’t even know why I followed you out.”
Simon opened the door for her and motioned her in with a smile. “I had a crush on you too, Trudy. Jealousy can make a guy say mean things. I shouldn’t have. I won’t make that mistake again. Now go hate all men and eat ice cream and watch sappy movies or whatever. I’ll see you later.”
Trudy peered back at him from where she was halfway through the doorway. “Sappy movies?”
He winked. “Call me if you need a shoulder to cry on…or a date. Though if you are looking for a date just let me know you are looking and I’ll be the one to ask you on a date.”
And just like that, Simon strode away and out of the building, leaving Trudy still standing halfway into her apartment.
