Page 76 of The Disasters of Dating
“Hey, let’s try this again,” I say, trying to lighten the mood. If we’re only going to spend another week together, I don’t want it to be awkward. “Hey, Keaton, would you like to go with me to see Laser AC/DC on Tuesday night?” I put a chipper tone in my voice, hoping he’ll hear the sincerity.
“I’d love to go,” he says in an equally chipper tone. “Do you want to go to dinner first?”
“Sure, if you have time. I don’t want to take you away from work. I know you’re probably already in hot water with your boss after last night.”
“Nope,” he says. “I told you I can handle my boss. Everything is fine.” I sigh again. Things are feeling more normal now.
There’s another pause. “Okay. Then I guess I’ll see you on Sunday night?”
“Yep. I’ll stop by The Wandering Reader and see you before I head to my hotel.
“Great! See you then.”
“You, too.”
I’m about to hang up when Keaton speaks again. “And Poppy? I want you to know that even if I was in hot water with my boss, it was totally worth it. No regrets.”
I smile and lift my hand to my lips. “None for me either.”
The phone disconnects, and I’m elated. But there is still an undercurrent of unease that I can’t account for.
I pull up my contacts and open one that is further down the list than I’d thought. Has it been that long since we texted?
Hey, Lincoln. Do you like ice cream?
I don’t know why I feel the need to text with him. But a sense of ease, one that was missing while I talked to Keaton, settles over me.
Lincoln
Who doesn’t like ice cream?
Apparently no one. Maybe we could go sometime?
I bite my lip. How will he react to that suggestion? And what if he says yes? Do I want ice cream twice in one week? I mean, yes, I dowantice cream that frequently. But as my dad used to say, just because I can, doesn’t mean I should. I think the bigger question is, do I want to meet Lincoln?
Lincoln
You want to meet in person? Doesn’t that go against rule No. 1?
I smile. I’m kind of relieved that he didn’t jump at the chance. It makes me trust him more, knowing that he hesitated.
But didn’t you ask me to meet you in person first?
Lincoln
But I thought we established that was a wrong number. So does it really count?
I smile. I like the easy way we talk. Although is that only because we’re texting? Would we have this easy conversation if we were on the phone or in person?
Fine. I’ll eat ice cream with other guys. And you can sit there knowing it could have been you.
Lincoln
Wow. You sound a little feisty. Bad Saturday?
I sigh. Sometimes he seems to know me better than most people. Maybe that’s why I feel so comfortable with him.
No. Just a lot on my mind.
