Snapshot

by Kay Cove

“Look, if I can be honest, I haven’t made a lot of friends here. I normally don’t have much in common with people, but you’re easy to talk to. I like you.” “Those are all good things, right?” “Yeah, great things.” His expression turns solemn, and I know he’s about to say something I don’t agree with. “But in my experience, sex is the best way to fuck up a budding friendship. And I guess what I’m saying is, as much as I’d like to see you naked, I think I’d prefer to see you again tomorrow. Is that okay?” “Oh, yeah, that’s actually…nice. We can go slow. I didn’t mean to give you the wrong impression here.” The flood of excitement returns, making the hairs rise on the back of my neck. I thought Dex would be a fun night, but now he’s saying all this stuff about seeing me tomorrow. What are the chances that he’s actually a freaking decent guy? Thank you, universe. I was due for a little good luck. “I’m not usually a hook-up kind of girl. I think I kind of got caught up in the moment. But, full transparency, I’m a relationship junkie. So, it's great if you want to slow down, hang out tomorrow first, and see where things go⁠—” “I’m not,” Dex interrupts. He sucks in his lips, a look of remorse on his face. “I’m sorry. I’m not a relationship junkie, to borrow your words.” This conversation is giving me whiplash. Hope, then bitter disappointment swinging like a pendulum back and forth with every verbal exchange. “Oh, so you meant see me naked or see me tomorrow.” “Right.” An uncomfo...