Page 47 of The Disasters of Dating
CHAPTER 16
KEATON
Don’t be thrown by ‘unexpected’ events.
Learn Chinese: ? — Ài — Love
Lucky Numbers: 3, 21, 73, 14
I’m notsure what to think as I stare at my phone. I mean, I’m not a believer in this whole horoscope thing. But I have to admit, the description of a Capricorn is eerily correct. Even if Poppy didn’t look too happy to know it was my sign.
I twist my mouth to the side. Why wasn’t she happy when she discovered it?
She seemed to rally quickly enough, and it didn’t ruin the rest of the night. And hey, there was no maiming or other accidents. So I’m considering the night a success.
I want to text her, but I only left her an hour ago. And everyone knows that it’s against etiquette to text that soon after the completion of a date. Outing? Hang out? I’m not sure what to call what we’re doing. Are the rules different when it’s not a date? I know she didn’t consider it a date because she made it quite clear to the server and the couple who stopped by our table to tell us we looked ‘cute together,’ that it wasn’t a date. ‘We’re just friends.’ How many times had she used that word tonight? Ugh, the nail in any romantic coffin. The dreaded friend moniker.
I grab my phone and pull up our text conversation. But then I put my phone face down on the table and push it away from me. No, I don’t think even friends text an hour after they left each other. I sigh.
But then I grin. I will text her as the Wrong Number Guy. It’s been a few days sincehetexted her.
So, has the jury come back yet?
I tap my finger on the desktop. It’s not terribly late. But it is likely past appropriate texting time. Which is probably why there are no dancing dots to show she is replying.
Hmm. I move over to the bed and grab the remote, turning it on in a huff. My leg bounces as I scroll through the channel guide. I glance over, hoping against hope that she responds. I let out a gasp and pluck my phone back up when I see those wonderful dancing dots.
Poppy
They have found in your favor on a trial basis. But one wrong text and you’re cut off forever.
I can’t help the smile that grows across my face. Her face is fresh in my mind from dinner, making it all the easier to remember what she looks like as she is saying that.
I’ll take it!
But I’ve been thinking, and I think there need to be some ground rules. For both of our safety.
Poppy
Okay. I’ve gotten a lot of rules tonight. But I guess I can abide by a few more. What do you have in mind?
Ah, maybe I should have waited a few days before springing these rules on her. Although I think they’re necessary for her to feel comfortable with me. So in reality, I had little choice, unless I waited to text her. Which really isn’t a choice…
Rule one: No personal, identifying information. In fact, I think we shouldn’t even use real names.
Poppy
So you want to continue as Wrong Number Guy?
That or…
I pause. What name should I give her?
Or you could call me Lincoln.
Poppy
Lincoln? As in the car?
