He Really Said That

For the sake of this post, let's call him Liam.

Liam and I met in the 3rd grade, when we both had the same teacher. As kids we became friends. By the time we were in 9th grade, I had a crush on him. My best friend Emily knew, and she was dating his best friend, but nothing came of it. So I figured we would just remain friends.

After high school everyone went their separate ways, and I lost track of Liam. Then at our 10 year reunion: there he was...with his wife. Ugh. Of course she was slim and attractive and brilliant and had given him two perfect children. He was a rising star in the business world in New York City on Park Avenue. I was a woman raising two daughters alone in our hometown, but didn't feel the need to mention that fact. However, it was good to catch up. 

Our paths didn't cross again for several years. By then there had been some talk amongst some of us ladies in our friend group, and I found out he and his wife had split. And being a woman I thought, "Aah, maybe I have a chance now!"

He had gotten my number and called me one Sunday morning. I was thrilled! We stayed on the phone for over an hour; and it became a regular thing. I loved those calls, and had to laugh when I told him that his best friend knew I had a crush on him. "And he didn't tell me? That son of a bitch." After a couple of minutes he asked, "So what about that crush now?" I didn't really know what to say so I said, "I guess I'm too old for crushes." ""Well I'm not," he replied quietly. "How about we see about that? Next time I'm up that way let's get together." "Okay," I agreed, dazed. Was it finally going to be my turn?

And due to a fortunate twist of fate, my job sent me to a 2-day meeting in New Jersey. I let Liam know I was going to be there, and he lived in New Jersey, not too far from where I'd be. "Let me take you to dinner at my favorite restaurant," he suggested. "I'll pick you up at the hotel." Sounded like a great plan to me! Dinner was amazing and expensive, as was everything about him. But the Liam I knew was still there in spite of his major rise up the corporate ladder and huge success.

One Saturday afternoon in the summer he called me. "I'm in Saratoga. Want to meet me for a drink later?" You already know the answer I gave him! We met at the outdoor lounge of the Adelphi Hotel, which was beautiful. After the drink he suggested a walk. As we walked and talked he reached for my hand. Then he said, "I think that maybe we should see how much chemistry we might have." And with that we stopped walking and he kissed me. Afterwards he said, "Yep: chemistry!" I laughed and we resumed walking. That chemistry kept up as we took a shortcut through the park and ended up by a wall, giving that chemistry a run for its money!

After that night, whenever he would come up we'd get together: for drinks or dinner, one time even with friends from school who seemed a little surprised to see him with me but it was a fun evening nonetheless.

Then one night we met at a great little spot on Broadway, ordering appetizers and drinks: him with his usual wine and me with my usual ginger ale. We talked and laughed over our shrimp cocktail and lamb lollipops. Finally he turned serious, facing me on his barstool. "I need to tell you something." "Okay." He cleared his throat. "I have a girlfriend."

This stopped me in my tracks. "What?" "Yeah...I'm not proud of it but there it is." "Then what are you doing with me Liam?" "Enjoying myself. We have this incredible chemistry and history, and I want to explore that. We can go back to my house here and spend time."

I looked at him, incredulous. "No we can't." He seemed confused. "Why not?" "BECAUSE YOU HAVE A GIRLFRIEND!" "Well, that shouldn't affect you." He took my hand. "Let's just go back to my place." "Absolutely not. You have a girlfriend and I'm sure she wouldn't appreciate you taking me back to your house while she's somewhere thinking you're faithful."

And then he said it. "Why do you care? You don't even know her." I couldn't believe he relly said that, showing a total lack of regard for the girlfriend. "I care because I'm a woman. And as a woman, I know how I would feel if my boyfriend was out trying to sleep with someone else. And this isn't a good look for your character, by the way." He took a slow sip of his wine. "So...now what?"  "Kiss me, and then I'm going home." That didn't say much for my character, but I'm only human. We kissed, much to the bartender's chagrin, I'm sure. 😳 Then he walked me to my car, where we kissed some more (I'm still human!) and I got in and left.

I don't know if the girlfriend, now wife, ever found out about that. She was decidedly frosty when I met her at our last reunion (maybe because he was too happy to see me!); and when we ran into each other at the funeral of his best friend's mother last year. But at the end of the day, I'm sure she put up with a lot to marry that money. So if you sold your soul for a few million dollars, that's on you. But I can honestly say that I have no regrets. I know my worth and what I deserve. And I'm willing to wait for it.