Page 15 of The Dating Mishapp

Stella214: Didn’t mean to go radio silent. My phone died.

I put my phone away when Kylie appears.

“Did you talk to Grampa?” she asks. “There was a huge fire down by the warehouses.”

I shake my head. “No, he didn’t mention it. I’ll call him later.”

Three days pass without a single message from Tre.

DanDad007:What the fuck is this stuff covering the ground? This is why I lived down south. How’d you sleep?

A second message asks me to join him for lunch.

Stella214: Hey there! Afraid of a little snow, are you? I’ve not been sleeping well. Got a lot on my mind so I’m a little stressed.

DanDad007: Not at all, but I usually go to the shelter to walk the dogs, but they don’t allow it if there’s snow. Come with me. We won’t be long. I have to work tonight. I have a great stress reliever…;)

The thought ofcomingwith this man makes me squirm. He seems perfect. He makes me laugh and he loves dogs, but I shouldn’t be doing this. It’s completely inappropriate. I should just delete the app and never have contact with him again. If things between him and Kylie progress, he’ll never know that I was the one he was talking to. I toss my head back, fake cry, and huff in exasperation, annoyed because, if I’m honest, I like talking to him. He seems perfect for me, but it’s Kylie who’s on his radar.

Stella214: Something tells me it would take a long time. Which shelter? If I didn’t already have plans, I’d consider joining you.

What am I saying? No, I wouldn’t because I shouldn’t.

DanDad007: Brass City. Cancel your plans. Come see for yourself how generous I can be. I’m worth it.

Stella214: Oh, are you? How very arrogant of you! I’m familiar with the shelter; they’re hosting a black-tie fundraiser on Valentine’s Day.

DanDad007: I know who I am and what I have to offer. I got invited and already bought a ticket. Shelter’s closed today.

My mind conjures up all the delicious things he has to give a woman.

Stella214: Are you bringing your girlfriend to the event? I’m sure she wouldn’t be happy to know you’re inviting me out.

DanDad007: I don’t have a girlfriend. I think I’m getting off this app. I’m done with crazy women.

I’m angry about his comment, calling Kylie crazy, but I’m also disappointed because I like talking to him.

Stella214: That’s rude. She’s someone’s daughter.

DanDad007: She’s got Daddy issues. Every time we talk, all she does is ask questions like she’s interviewing me. She even asked if I have a 401K. She’s looking for rich guy to dig her claws into.

I can’t believe Kylie is asking about money; that doesn’t sound like something she’d do. The mention of Daddy issues hits a nerve because it’s true; Kylie does have issues with her father, but not as one would imagine. The boy who’d gotten me pregnant was the star quarterback and there was no way anything, even a baby, was going to derail his college and NFL plans. But a drunk driver. The eighteen-year-old with a promising future died the night before graduation, having never met his daughter who was born two months later.

I know Kylie has always wanted a dad, a father to take care of her, but looking to find that relationship with an older man with money makes her vulnerable to creeps.

Stella214: That’s presumptuous of you.

* * *

“Hey, Mom!” Kylie bounces into the kitchen and pours a glass of orange juice on Sunday morning.

I look over her outfit, expecting to see a dress and heels, but she’s wearing jeans and a sweater and reeks of men’s cologne.

“Where were you?” I ask, my tone sharp and accusatory.

She notices and doesn’t like it. “Why?”

“Who were you out with?”

---