Page 172 of Home Game

He looked at Wanda. “You think this is a friendly gesture?”

Wanda laughed. “Can’t say I remember the last time one of my friends sent me a fruit basket.”

“You guys don’t understand,” I protested.

“He needs to up his game,” Frank bit into his pear.

“He will,” Wanda looked confident. “I think he’s just getting started.”

The next day,someone delivered a bicycle to my apartment. Not just any bike. No, this bike was a cotton candy pink, Schwinn cruiser with a wicker basket and a fancy seat. The card read:No one rocks pink out like you

Me: You’re crazy

Ryan: Crazy about you

Me: What do you want from me?

Ryan: One date

Me: That’s it?

Ryan: That’s all it’ll take

Me: I’ll think about it

I went for a long bike ride along the seawall. The ride was pure joy. So I snapped a selfie and sent it to him.

Me: I love my bike. Thank you.

Ryan: You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen

I didn’t know how to respond to that, so I didn’t, but I wore a smile the entire ride home.

The day after that,Ryan sent me gorgeous diamond stud earrings from Tiffany’s. The note read:Just one date

Wanda watched me put them in my ears.

“Girl, if you don’t go on a date with him, I will.”

I smiled. “Maybe.”

I felt so distracted that afternoon that I cut out after lunch. Ryan said he wanted to go on a date with me. But he had gotten bored with me once already and had kicked me to the curb. I didn’t understand how things would be different. So I fretted.

Finally, I pulled out my phone.

Me: Thank you for the earrings

Then I sent a selfie of my ear

Ryan: Did I mention how cute your ears are?

Me: Once

Ryan: Dinner?

I wanted so bad to see him, but I was afraid. Afraid that I wouldlose my heart again. It felt like I was just getting back on my feet after losing him. I wasn’t sure I could handle losing Ryan again.

Ryan: I’m sensing hesitation

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