"Good or bad change?"
"Different change. More complex than the typical mountain man stereotype."
She has no idea how complex.
"What about you? Tell me something I don't know."
"I'm not as confident as I seem in my texts."
The admission surprises me. "What do you mean?"
"I've been checking my appearance in every reflective surface since we scheduled this call, even though you can't see me. I've changed clothes three times. I'm wearing my lucky earrings and enough perfume to scent a small room, all for a phone conversation."
I run a hand through my hair, picturing her fussing over her appearance for me. The image makes my chest tight.
"Lucky earrings?"
"Don't judge me."
"I'm not judging. I think it's sweet that you wanted to look nice for me."
"What about you? Did you dress up for our call?"
I glance down at my worn jeans and thermal shirt. "Define dressed up."
"Please tell me you're not naked."
"I'm not naked. But I didn't put on my best flannel either."
"You own best flannel? Multiple flannels with a ranking system?"
"I own enough flannel to wear a different one every day for two weeks."
"That's... impressive. And slightly concerning."
"Hey, flannel is practical. What more do you need?"
"Style? Color coordination? Fabric that doesn't scream lumberjack calendar?"
"Are you insulting my fashion choices, Chantay?"
"I'm questioning whether you own anything without a hunting logo."
I look around my expensive cabin. "I might surprise you."
"I hope so. I mean, not that there's anything wrong with the outdoorsy thing. It's just different from what I'm used to."
"What are you used to?"
"Guys in suits who talk about quarterly projections and golf handicaps. Guys who think adventure means trying a new restaurant."
"That sounds incredibly boring."
"It is. That's why I keep dating them. They're safe. Predictable. No risk of actual feelings."
"And what am I?"
"You're the opposite of safe. You're completely unpredictable. You make me feel things I didn't know I was capable of feeling."
