"So, Cathy, I hear that you hate me."

I didn’t get a good feeling after I met Marc’s new boyfriend, Aaron. In his mid-twenties, he acted like he had something to prove…that he was just as smart, just as worldly, just as accomplished as Marc and the rest of us. He seemed like he had a chip on his shoulder and everything that poured out of his mouth rubbed me the wrong way.

When Aaron left for the bathroom, I seized on the alone time with my best friend. “Marky, I don’t like him. I just don’t like him. He totally rubs me the wrong way.” Even after that night, when questioned by Marc’s other friends, I confirmed my hatred.

The three of us went out to dinner this past weekend. Marc hummed happily in the driver seat of his newly-purchased Range Rover. Aaron insisted that I have the passenger seat. Aaron sat in the back. On our way to Zuni, Aaron blurted, “So, Cathy, I hear that you hate me.”

I was shocked. The first feeling I had was anger. I was so angry at Marc for telling Aaron. Who does that? What meanie of a boyfriend says that kind of crap? Secondly, I was completely shocked that Aaron brought it up. Who does that?

I thought fast on my feet, but responded truthfully. “I’ll be honest, Aaron. I don’t like any of Marc’s boyfriends. Marc’s one of my closest friends and one of the few that I hang out with here in the city. Anyone who usurps his time, I’m going to see as a threat and I’m obviously not going to like that person. I wouldn’t take it personally. I’d probably like you just fine if you weren’t dating Marc.”

Marc smiled and practically gave me a high five. I stared at him and yelled, “Marc, I can’t believe you told him. You’re such an asshole.”

After we parked, Aaron helped me out of my seat (I’m so small and the Range Rover is so big, I practically have to leap out.). He said, “Cathy, I don’t want you to hate me. I like Marc and I want us to be friends, ok? Come here, pumpkin.” He took me by the arm and escorted me to the restaurant.

People, he has won me over. After our dinner then a night out dancing at the Badlands, I love this guy. He cares about Marc. He treats him well, is attentive. Plus, he makes a point to treat me well, too. Really well! He wanted to know about me, asked me about my life. I’m telling you, with the exception of maybe two or three of my friends, all of my friends’ boyfriends could care less. Why would I want to hang out with those losers? Aaron is a gem. I’m crossing my fingers that this relationship works out 🙂