“No no!” He protests, sitting forward on the couch. “You take the last few drops.”
“Me?”
“Yea. For good luck,” he pauses and adds, “It’s a Greek thing.”
Ava smiles, delighted, and tips the last bit of wine into her glass.

End of movie marks
extended make-out moments
before they maneuver
into the bedroom.

Soon enough she leans up from laying beside him and he asks, “Do you have a condom?”

Perhaps it was easier for others to reply to that question. Perhaps other people didn’t feel the wavering hesitation every time that question, or some variation thereof, is asked. Hesitation simply because, they may want to but -shouldn’t- for many reasons.

She shouldn’t because she knows what she wants, and sex on the fourth date wasn’t it.

Descending once again she kisses him and replies, “I’m not going to sleep with you tonight.”

That was the quickest she’d ever replied to that question.

“How about tomorrow morning?”

They both laugh and she nestles into his chest, deliberately slowing the momentum between them. He buries a hand into her hair and strokes the other down her back.

The momentum resumed soon enough, but he made no venture for sex. No subtle or not so subtle push for more.

She really was dealing with a whole new caliber of man.

Plus, doctors know anatomy with breathtaking accuracy.

——————————————————————————————————–

He’s calling.
He’s… calling.
WTF Why is he calling?
I wish he wouldn’t call me.
God, this is the worst feeling ever.
His name does this thing to my insides.
Ugh. And then he talks. And then I wish he wouldn’t talk.
He always says the wrong things to me.
But he did the right things to me.
Don’t bloody-well call me.
Don’t pick up Ava.
Don’t…

Ugh…

“Hello?”
“Hi Ava.”
“Hi J2.”

J2: “I’m on the Drive and… I just couldn’t resist calling you. Are you going to have a late night?”
Translation: “Wanna have sex?”
Ava: “Couldn’t resist hmmm? No, I can’t have a late night.”
Translation: “Try harder next time. *sigh* You still have the girlfriend in another country huh? Nope, no sex for me thnx.”
Ava: “..But give me a ring some other time.”
Translation: “But sex with you rocks. So when you’re not cheating anymore, maybe call me.”

Start the timer for another six months… starting……..NOW!

——————————————————————————————————–

Date broken.

Text: Hey! Sorry I’ve been MIA! I’ve been trying to find a moment alone to call you…I wound up patching things up with my ex, and so…y’know.
Text: So begins the awkwardness! I wanted to talk to you about it! Can I call u 2morrow night?
Ava quirks a brow at this and… slips slightly.
Ava Text: Only a little awkward! I appreciate the honesty. If you’d like to call, I should be free to chat tomorrow.
Text: Awesome! talk to you then!

No call.

Headshake and officially written off.

Until he calls a week late.

Ava picks it up simply out of curiosity.
“Hi!”
“Hi.”
He small talks and then:
“So I’ve been thinking about you.”
Ava makes a face: “I’m confused. You’re with your ex, yet you’re thinking about me?”
“Yea, well, I dunno. Her and I sat down the day before our date and decided to give it another go.”
“Okay. So I’m still confused.”
“What are you confused about.”
“Listen. All I know is you’re back with your ex. I’m not hurt, you know. We went on what, three dates? I’m fine. I’m just confused because now you’re telling me you’re thinking about me. You made your choice. I don’t know why we’re still talking.”
“I guess I’m just frustrated.”
“Well that’s your deal, I guess. I have no power over that.”
“I know that.”
Awkward pause.
“Honestly, I’m glad you guys are back together. I’m not upset. I’m only upset because you broke plans with me twice with little notice and that is pretty disrespectful. So, for future reference. Don’t do that to people.”
“Listen, I’d like to sit down and have lunch with you to discuss this.”
“Uhm… Well I’m not going to go out of my way to make plans with you. I’m free Saturday. If that works then… fine.”
“Saturday works great.”
“Okay. Bye.”

He breaks those plans. Explains. Remakes plans.
Ava remains non-committal to everything.

He invites her to come down to his work.
Ava Text: I’m going to stay home. But thanks for the offer. Chat some other time.
Text back: So, single again! Would rather have explained things in person, but that’s been proving difficult! Like to see you again if ur interested!
Ava Text: ______, you passed me up for your ex. You can’t exactly be surprised by my hesitation here. If you want to explain or see me again, wouldn’t sometime when you’re not working be more appropriate?

No response.

Not the fastest conclusion.

But better than her usual time line of two years to finally do what’s best.

Perhaps Spencer was right and she needs a sign on the back of her door that reads:

“Don’t date actors.”

Just a reminder.

Every.
Day.