Free A State of Jane by Meredith Schorr Page A

reluctantly gave him my phone number. I was hesitant to go out with him, not because I didn't find him attractive in a cute Richie Cunningham sort of way, but because I was afraid he'd be like Randall and Jim. But we had fun on our first date to Dave & Buster's and so when he asked me out for Mexican food later that week, I agreed. And when he asked if I was up for a third date, I said yes again.
    But I was determined not to get caught up in any rules like having sex on a third date. I decided I would have sex with him when and only when I was ready – as it should be. When I wasn't ready on our third date, it wasn't even an issue. After dinner and a stroll through the park, Cory walked me home, kissed me goodnight and went on his way. And he called me the very next day. On our fourth date, we ordered in Chinese and watched a movie at his apartment. When the kissing got heated and Cory's hand roamed to the button of my jeans, I calmly brushed it away and told him I wasn't ready yet. He said he was in no hurry, but when he put me in a cab later that night, I was certain I'd never hear from him again. Then he called the next day. We were now on our fifth date, he was meeting my girlfriends, and he hadn't seen me naked yet. I really liked him. Unlike Randall, he wasn't “Rico Suave,” but he didn't act all googly-eyed and mushy like Jim either. Like Goldilocks searching for her perfect bowl of porridge, I was looking for the guy who was just right and thought I might have found him in Cory.
    Admiring the way he took charge and placed our order with the waiter, I felt butterflies and wondered if he might actually be the one.
    About an hour later, I eyed the last piece of shrimp sashimi, hoping no one would take it.
    “It's yours,” Cory said.
    I looked at Cory who was pointing at the piece of shrimp and asked, “How'd you know?”
    Cory shrugged. “I had a feeling.”
    I placed my hand on his thigh and squeezed. “You must be psychic!”
    Cory nodded, his face serious. “Yup. I also know that you're going to skip the green tea ice cream on the menu and pick up mint chocolate chip on the way home.”
    Smiling, I said, “Yum. I hadn't even thought about it but, yes, that sounds amazing. I guess you really are psychic.”
    Interrupting our goofy exchange of grins, a drunk Lainie handed me the check. “How much tip should we leave?”
    Grabbing the check out of my hand, Cory said, “I'll take care of it.”
    “Really?” I asked.
    Marissa argued, “That's not necessary!”
    Returning her wallet to her pocketbook, Lainie said, “Thanks, Cory! You're the man!”
    Laughing, Cory shook his head and said, “Yes. I am the man!”
    Outside a few minutes later, Cory hailed down cabs for us.
    “I'm gonna take the subway,” Lainie said. “Coming, Jane?”
    I looked from Lainie to Cory and back again to Lainie. “No. I'm going to go back with Cory.” I turned shyly to him. “Assuming you want me to.”
    Opening the door of a cab, he said, “No brainer. We'll have the cab stop at Cold Stone first.”
    I hugged the girls goodbye and slid into the cab. When Cory sat next to me, I snuggled close to him and, not really hungry for ice cream anymore, said, “Or maybe we can just see what's in your freezer at home.”

    *   *   *

    A few days later, I was over at Cory's apartment. I had my head against one end of his couch with my legs extended across his lap.He sat forward and absently stroked my knee while fully engrossed in the television show we were watching. I wasn't even sure what it was: some sort of paranormal reality show. I was just happy to be there. I sat up, leaned forward and gave Cory a soft peck on his smooth cheek. He smelled like orange scented soap. “You mind if I grab some water?”
    Cory muted the television and looked at me. “Of course not. There are water bottles in the fridge. I have other stuff too. Beer, soda, snacks. Mi casa es su casa,” he said, smiling.
    I stood up and said, “Water's good.