9

I drove down to the beach on the other side of town, knowing that women loved that kind of shit.

Scenery, sand, water.

And I would be lying if I didn’t say I loved it, too.

The calm, peaceful feeling.

I played slow, soft songs in the background as we drove together, and she began getting more comfortable around me.

“How’s a beautiful lady like you single, mami?” I found myself asking her, letting out a low chuckle.

She swallowed down a lump in her throat, as she stared out of the window.

“My husband died many years ago.”

I could feel my cheeks burn, suddenly feeling terrible for asking her.

She turned to me, noticing my discomfort.

“It’s okay, I’m over him,” she shrugged. “I just haven’t met anybody that I like enough to pursue a relationship ever since.”

My tensed shoulders relaxed. I put my hand on her thigh, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

“Maybe you met him tonight,” I said carefully.

You’re a fucking bastard, I thought to myself.

You’re stringing her along for nothing.

You know t