Some links may be affiliate links. We get money if you buy something or take an action after clicking one of these links on our site.
Christmas All The Time is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Thanksgiving Dinner with the Wedding Party (Part 4)
Toby saw Meredith leaving again with Nancy. He didn’t expect her to come back this time. Normally, he’d chalk that up as a loss, but he knew she was one of Ivy’s bridesmaids. He’d see her a couple more times before the wedding, even if she was gone for the night.
“Hey, how’s business these days?” Steve asked him.
“They keep me hopping.” He said. “Repairs, oil changes, the whole nine.”
“Are you still at the dealership?”
“Yes. I looked around a little while back, but Sansky’s has the best benefits package and the work’s steady.”
“That reminds me. I’m due for a tune-up.”
“Give me your number. I’ve got to work in the morning. I’ll find you a slot and have Gretchen call you.”
“Thanks, man. I appreciate it.”
“Sure thing, Steve. No problem.”
“Hey, what do you think of Meredith?”
“Miles out of my league, Steve.”
“She’s got a Sentinels collection. She even goes to conventions.”
“Definitely a point in her favor, but look at her and look at me.”
“What? You’ve never heard of Beauty and the Beast?”
“A lot of help you are.” Toby scooped up some ice cream and threatened to flick it at Steve.
“Seriously, though. There’s nothing wrong with you. Why wouldn’t she be interested in a guy who likes the Sentinels as much as she does?”
“That’s not much to base a relationship on. Pretty city girls don’t go for dumpy country mechanics.”
“I have it on very good authority that girls like Teddy Bears.”
“That’s your idea of dressing it up?”
“I saw her stealing looks at you. Don’t count yourself out so quick.”
“Looking at me?” Toby scanned his sweater for spills. “Did I slop?”
“You’ve got a little something right there.” Steve pointed at his chest. When Toby looked down, Steve flicked his nose. “I can’t believe you still fall for that one after all this time.”
“I’m glad she wasn’t here to see that.”
“I wouldn’t do that to you, Toby. I think she’s taken with your boyish charm.”
“Come on now. Don’t get me all hyped up. There’s just no way she’s interested in me.”
Steve shrugged. “I’m just saying, don’t count it out. We’ve got a couple of weeks to find out for sure.”
“And if you’re wrong, I’ve got a couple weeks of humiliation and years of being crushed to look forward to.”
“Wow, let’s take it down a few notches.”
“It’s just that…”
“What?”
“Do you believe in…”
“Do I believe in what?”
“Destiny?”
“What kind of destiny? What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I’ve always known that someday, somehow, a girl would come my way.”
“Yeah, they’re like half the human population, Toby. It’s kind of inevitable.”
“Be serious, Steve. I mean the one and only girl for me. The perfect match.”
“Sure, I can identify with that. I found mine.”
“Exactly.”
“So, why not Meredith?”
“I don’t know. I guess she could be, Steve, but I just know I couldn’t possibly get that lucky.”
“You’re probably right. I’m sure there is some other Sentinels super-fan out there who would settle for you.”
“Well, when you put it like that…”
“Toby, do you think I didn’t consider Nancy to be entirely out of my league?”
“Wait, what?”
“You have no idea, Toby. Do you know how intimidating it is to see someone as pretty as Nancy is, surrounded by a swarm of her closest and most judgmental friends? It would have been difficult enough for me to work up the nerve to approach her on her own. Coming on to the queen bee is next level intimidating.”
“So, what did you do?”
“I’d love to tell you I marched right up and asked her out, but I didn’t.”
“Okay, you didn’t do that, but what did you do?”
“I was there. I made sure that wherever she was looking, I was there. I did this until I got her attention and then I stopped being there.”
“What kind of game was that?”
“Once I became a familiar sight, I went into hiding. If she didn’t care, it was over. If she missed seeing me, I had an in.”
“I guess she missed you?”
“Not even a little. It was a horrible plan. Girls don’t fall for that at all. She signed up for math tutoring the next semester. We got to know each other and things grew from there.”
“So, you’re saying…”
“I’m saying you’ve got a head start, Toby. You’ve already got something in common and I caught her peeking at you. She doesn’t find you repulsive. You’ve actually got a shot. Don’t blow it by being all self-conscious.”
“There’s Nancy.”
Nancy returned to her seat. “Meredith went back to her room. She wasn’t feeling well.”
“That’s a shame.” Steve said. He turned to Toby. “She went back to her room.”
“Gee, I hope she’s alright.”
“I’m sure she’ll be okay.”
Meredith stood at the door to the banquet room willing herself to step through, but it was too much. Too much noise. Too much pressure. Too much togetherness.
She reached out for the knob a few times before turning away. She draped her coat over her shoulder and wandered to the elevator. The doors slid aside and an elderly couple stepped out. She was grateful for the empty car to take her up to her room on the fifth floor.
Meredith scanned the hallway before pulling her room key card from her purse. Once inside, she locked herself in and slid the chain into place. After checking the room thoroughly, she pulled the drapes and changed for bed. She didn’t feel great about sleeping in a strange room, but she was totally over Thanksgiving togetherness. Sleep came quickly with few tears.