I Left off with the voicemail from Josh, the resident. I returned his call and our Conversation ended with plans to meet for dinner the next night.

Josh picked me up at my apartment and we drove to Punch Neapolitan Pizza, my favorite pizza place in St. Paul. He was thoroughly impressed with my choice of restaurants. It was the one of the most pleasant evenings out that I’ve had in months. The conversation was genuine and indepth. We shared a half carafe of wine on the minuscule deck and talked for hours. We talked about... well life. Towards the end of our conversation the subject came up that I had been avoiding… his girlfriend.

He brought her up in passing and referred to her as “the girl that I’m dating”. I didn’t mind when our conversation changed direction and the mention of her was quickly forgotten.

We split the bill (at my insistence) and we left the restaurant. I was feeling hospitable and had him drive around Highland and Merriam Park. I showed him the Frank Lloyd Wright house. I showed him Izzy’s Icecream and Legacy Chocolates (my favorite chocolate shop!). I felt at ease with him and I was sad when he dropped me off.

As I walked up my apartment stairs (alone); I decided to leave him alone. But, I couldn’t help but be excited about my fantastic evening out. I thought to myself, ‘He has a girlfriend… He’s only in town for a few months. Why in the world would I want to get involved with a man who’s leaving?’ I already tried that once and got burned (by 40 Year Old). I was a tortured woman!

I sat in my apartment and psychoanalyzed the situation. In particular, I psychoanalyzed myself. Maybe I only fall for men when I know that they are either physically or emotionally unavailable? (Hmmm, that sounds deep…) Maybe I like the challenge? (That’s actually true, I’m mannish that way.) Maybe I’m just a glutton for punishment? Whatever the explanation, by the time I went to bed, I resolved that Josh is off limits.