Chapter Text
“Well, please don’t delete the app if you’re so serious about this ‘break’ thing. It could impact our App Store stats and we really don’t need that right now.”
Keeley is sprawled across the couch in Rebecca’s office. Rebecca had just declared to Keeley that she was putting the whole dating thing on hold for a while after another in a series of bad dates.
“I’m not sure one person would make such a big impact on your statistics, but fine, I will keep it on my phone for a while. Can you at least help me turn off the notifications or something? I already deleted 2MSCNT.”
“Come on Rebecca, the date can’t have been that bad.”
It really hadn’t been that bad. The guy was perfectly pleasant, but she didn’t feel any sort of spark with him, and the way he carried himself reminded her a bit too much of her ex-husband. Regardless of that one date, Rebecca needs a break. Ever since her perfect mystery man had turned out to be Sam – her much younger, sweet friend, who also happened to be her subordinate and her goddaughters biggest crush – her heart hadn’t felt quite into dating overall as she had been before. The next three dates she went on after she and Sam decided, very quickly, that they’d be better off as just friends, were dull and uninspired. Rebecca knows that she can probably only get out of dating what she puts into it, and right now she doesn’t feel like putting anything into it at all.
“Look, I just need to step away for a few weeks. Figure out myself some more is all. It’s fine,” Rebecca says, cutting Keeley off before she can make any counterpoints. “I had some fun, and then it stopped being fun, and now I need to figure out how to make it fun again,” Rebecca answers as she settles down next to Keeley so she can help with changing her notification settings.
“That’s fair, and honestly sounds like a healthy way to look at it. I just want you to find your lightning, Rebecca!” Keeley says earnestly, and Rebecca smiles at her friend.
“I know, and hopefully I will after I recalibrate.”
There’s a knock on her door and Ted enters with a familiar pink box.
“Good morning, ladies! Am I interrupting Girl Talk?” he asks, as he hands Rebecca the box.
“We’re just wrapping up…” Rebecca answers as she pops the box open.
“Rebecca’s declaring a pause on all dating!” Keeley says, with an eye roll as she pats the spot on the couch next to her, inviting Ted to sit. If it was anyone other than Ted, Rebecca would have been concerned that Keeley had broken some sort of Girl Code, but Ted is her next closest friend at this point next to Keeley, so she doesn’t mind.
“Huh. Does this have anything to do with a certain Greyhound number 24?” He asks them with a wink and Rebecca rolls her eyes. She really regrets telling anyone about that, but the whole story was so wild she couldn’t possibly have kept it from her good friends.
“No,” Rebecca responds shortly and Keeley laughs.
“I mean it kind of does,” Keeley says and Rebecca raises and eyebrow. “What? You guys hit it off so well that you feel like you can’t find anyone else that matches up to him!” Rebecca buries her face in her hands in both embarrassment and frustration, muttering something about it being blown out of proportion.
“Can’t say I blame you, boss. If I had been unknowingly chatting with 'Sam the man,' I’m sure I would’ve fallen for him too. He’s a very sweet guy,” Ted says with a very genuine smile.
“’Falling for him’ is a strong way to put it…” Rebecca warns.
“Is it though?” Keeley jokes.
“Don’t you have work or something to be doing?” Rebecca teases back and Keeley just shrugs and snuggles deeper into the couch, a sign that she’s not going anywhere any time soon.
“So, uh, does this Dating Hiatus thingy apply to everyone or just Rebecca?” Ted asks suspiciously. Keeley sits back up in interest.
“Why do you ask, Ted?” Keeley asks, eyes narrowed.
“Well, not to spoil it before the Diamond Dogs even get to hear the news,” Ted starts. Keeley looks at Rebecca, mouths “Diamond Dogs?” but Rebecca shrugs, confused herself. Ted continues on, “I had a date last night and I think it went pretty great.”
Keeley squeals and jumps across the couch to give Ted a hug, while Ted beams.
Rebecca suddenly feels an uncomfortable twist in her stomach.
“Who was it with!?” Keeley demands. “Tell us everything!”
Ted looks almost giddy as he starts in on the story. “Well, remember when we all went to Phoebe’s tournament? Keeley, I think you know her, but Ms. Bowen and I really hit it off the entire match.” Rebecca, who was one of many Richmond-ers who had attended in support Phoebe, was quickly racking her brain trying to remember who the hell this Ms. Bowen was. “I was really enjoying her company, but didn’t think much of it. Well turns out she was really enjoying my company too, because apparently she wouldn’t stop talking about me to Roy at the next match. Eventually he just gave her my number because he was tired of hearing about it.”
“WHAT?! I’m going to kill that man later for not telling me anything about this.” Keeley yells, almost shocked that Roy didn’t think to tell her, but she knows it was probably because he really didn’t care about Ted's dating life in the slightest.
“Maybe wait until after we get promoted before we resort to murdering a such an important asset to the team?” Ted jokes, but continues his story, “Anyways, the other day I had a great session with Doctor Sharon, and she had suggested that with all of the progress that we’ve made, that maybe it was time for me to put myself back out there. I was worried that it was still a bit too soon, and then almost as soon as I had left my meeting with Sharon, Katie – oh, Ms. Bowen – had texted me, asking me out.”
“Oh wow,” Keeley gasps, as if it’s one of the most romantic things she’s ever heard. Rebecca doesn’t say anything, but it’s starting to feel like a real effort to keep the smile on her face from faltering. Ted, encouraged by Keeley’s reaction, continues his tale.
“Sounds a lot like fate to me, right?” Ted asks, and Keeley nods enthusiastically. “So, I said yes and we had our first date last night and, not to jump the gun after only one date, but I really think there’s something there. Haven't felt this way in a long, long time, but it's exciting!"
“That’s wonderful, Ted.” Rebecca finds herself saying, almost unconsciously, her words not quite matching how she feels in the pit of her stomach. “So you think she’s interested, too?” she asks, not sure what she hopes he will say in response.
“I think so,” is all Ted says, but the deep shade of red his face suddenly turns speaks volumes. Keeley squeals again, practically bouncing up and down on the couch in her spot between Ted and Rebecca.
“This is the most exciting news Ted! I think it’s great that you’ve decided to put yourself out there and try dating again. And even more exciting that we have something to keep Girl Talk + Ted fresh for a while now that Stinky over here has completely given up on all romance,” Keeley teases.
“Alright, now I never said that!”
“Well, ladies.” He rises up off the couch and makes his way to the door. “This was a great gab-sesh. Is that what y'all call it?"
Rebecca, despite feeling a wild mix of emotions at the moment, can't help but laugh at how earnestly he wants to be apart of Girl Talk. "Sure, Ted."
"Awesome! Great rehearsal before I go give the good news to the 'Dogs. I’ll see y’all later!” Ted says as he practically skips out of the office.
“Bye Ted!” Keeley calls after him, then turns to Rebecca. “Isn’t this so exciting!? He seems so thrilled.”
Rebecca, still unable to shake the tight feeling in her stomach, nods awkwardly and takes a sip of water. “Yeah, I’m excited for him, too.” Rebecca says stiffly. It feels like a lie, and she doesn’t have the emotional capacity at the moment to think about why that might be. Keeley notices something off in Rebecca’s tone, but doesn’t say anything as she bids her friend goodbye and heads off to her own office to actually get some work done.
Rebecca moves over to her desk and collapses into the chair. She briefly wonders why she feels so emotionally drained after that conversation, and a small voice in the back of her head speaks up. You know why. She sighs, and drops her head to her desk in frustration.
"Fuck!"