It was a busy night at the Palms Club, and Marina was smiling ear to ear because she did make a lot of tips today.
"What are you doing after work?" Marina asks Rae.
"Nothing really."
"I've got a party to check out if you want to come with?" Marina winks.
"Oh. Wait. Oh no. I forgot to text Dan that I can't meet him tonight."
"Oh. My. God. Rae! Are you going out with that hot firefighter guy? And you didn't tell me? Details, now!"
"Give me one second. I'll explain to you later."
Rae runs to the restroom and frantically calls Dan. But the call is not answered. It's already 1 AM and in an hour, Dan plans to show up to meet her.
Rae then quickly texts, "Hi Dan. I'm so sorry for the last minute notice, but I really can't meet you tonight. Can we please meet Monday? I'll make different bread for your chili. I forget to tell you I can even make crackers. Anyway, it'll be much more fun if we meet on Monday. "
Rae hits send. She feels that she's becoming a very horrible person.
She wants to meet Wes after work and Wes agrees, too. But then she completely forgot to cancel on Dan. Even though, she did tell Dan that she didn't think it was a good idea for just an overnight rendezvous, she probably didn't give Dan a definitely, clearly hard "No."
Rae wants to consult with Z so much. She wants to ask what she should do in this situation. But Z is not around.
What would Z have said to her? Think, Rae.
Z would ask: "Why didn't you tell Dan you definitely didn't want to meet tonight?
"I.... I guess I do kind of like him. He likes to cook and we would have a lot in common to talk about. And I want him to like me. Maybe, deep down, I secretly fantasized I could change his mind and he would want more with me."
"In that case, why do you want to talk to Wes?"
"I.... I don't know. I guess it was just weird how things ended. He just suddenly came into my life. Or I suddenly came into his life. It felt nice to be with him and I felt like we really could be close. It's something I've never asked for but now I want it— I want to have a close relationship now. I thought I could have that with him and he wanted it too. Then, I saw he was actually seeing another woman. I guess I just wanted to get an explanation from him. Why he did what he did."
Rae buries her face into her own palms. She doesn't think she makes sense even to herself. Why are things so weird with Wes?
Rae, what do you even like about him?
He was a good lover? He made you orgasm for the first time and three times in one night?
And suddenly, a very, very random thought just jumped out at her.
"Why did he have so many condoms in his bedroom? He is clearly sexually active then."
Wes had presented himself as if he was single but not the type of guy who sleeps around and be tangled with women. Rae believes Wes wouldn't be promiscuous, especially because of his status. If he didn't really sleep with anyone, then why did he have condoms prepared?
Do guys keep condoms in the house even if they are not seeing anyone?
Oh my gosh.
He was seeing someone! That lady at the bar!
"The lady he was hanging out with must be his real girlfriend! I WAS THE OTHER WOMAN. I'm just a girl he cheated with. I'm such a fool!"
Suddenly, Rae feels angry. Why didn't she think of this little clue sooner? Maybe Z didn't even know about this. Stupid A.I. assistant doesn't know everything.
She remembers Z even said, Wes could explain everything. Explain what, Z? That he was still dating his real girlfriend?
But how would Z know about Wes's cheating plan?
Wes is a cheater, Z! You didn't know, did you? Stop recommending me the wrong type of men!
Rae gets her phone out of her pocket again. She texts Wes:
"Wes, I was going to meet with you because I thought we ended our brief moment together quite poorly. But after some thinking, I believe I've figured it out why it was the way it was. I don't believe we need to waste each other's time. Good night."
When it is closing time, Rae hasn't heard from either Dan or Wes.
"So, do you want to check out a party with me?" Marina asks as she takes off her black apron.
"Yeah. I guess. What is this party?" Rae tries to perk up. She doesn't want to think about Wes or any men Z recommended her. Stupid Z! She's going to have a word with Zach Evans and complain about this. Oh, Zach going to get some real good user feedback.
"So, you know I'm friends with Zach Evans on social media, right? I saw that he responded that he was interested in a block party near downtown tonight. I am just going to crash it and see if I'd bump into him!" Marina smiles big.
"Great! I've got something to tell Zach Evans." Rae also smiles.
"Tell him what?"
"Tell him he designed very poor products with his stupid lousy startup company."
"How do you know how poor his products are? I thought he usually designs for businesses only?"
"Don't worry about how I know." Rae brushes Marina off.
"Ok. As long as you are down for partying, I guess I don't care!" Marina shrugs.
Marina and Rae walk out of the club. Rae slings her bag as they walk from the back of their workplace to the front of the club, which is the sidewalk.
Rae immediately sees trouble.
Oh shit.