On the way to the hospital, I had hoped to engage more, but Caleb was either on the phone or tapping out messages, leaving me no opening for conversation.
"Is your brother seeing anyone?"
Zoe replied, "No girlfriend, but my brother has never been keen on relationships. He's very set in his ways. You might be barking up the wrong tree."
"How can I know unless I try? Maybe I can make him reconsider?" I countered.
Zoe wasn't convinced and made a wager with me. "If I lose, I'll do a handstand and wash my hair."
The challenge was daunting, and it made me a bit anxious. I realized I might have to pull out all the stops to win his favor for the next three years.
...
The first attempt at a dinner date with Caleb fizzled out when he mentioned having to work overtime on the weekend.
The second attempt met a similar fate. He had a client meeting in the evening.
When I suggested a movie date the third time, Zoe doused the idea with a remark, "He'll just fall asleep in the theater."
"..."
I felt disheartened for a bit, then came to a realization. "Your brother is either truly asexual or he just isn't interested in me."
Otherwise, by now, he would have noticed a girl being so enthusiastic and probably thought she had an agenda.
Zoe disagreed, "That's not necessarily true. If he really had no feelings, Caleb would have just said no."
"Maybe it's because I'm your friend?" I speculated.
"Please," she retorted, "he doesn't do anything for me."
"Well, I'll give it another shot then."
Zoe not only encouraged me to try again but also offered some advice,
"If he says he's working late, suggest a midnight snack afterward.
"If he mentions a client meeting, ask if he'd like to see you after.
"As for the movie idea... Let's just forget about it. The last time we went as a family, he slept through the whole thing."
In fact, I already knew all the things Zoe mentioned.
She probably forgot that it was me who taught her how to flirt with men.
With anyone else, I would have deployed my exclusive seduction strategies.
But Caleb was her brother, and that made things different.
I was cautious, worried that if things didn't go well, it would be incredibly humiliating.
But with Zoe's encouragement, my confidence was boosted. I no longer had any reservations.
For the fourth time, I invited Caleb to join me at the hot springs.
He asked, “How many people?”
"Just you and me," I replied.