Unknown:He alphabetizes his socks?
Me: By color AND fabric type. And, I swear Derek was proud of it.
Unknown:Derek, huh? That's... very specific organizational skills.
Me: Oh, it gets better.
He brought a calculator to dinner to figure out the tip. To the penny.
Unknown:A calculator? To dinner?
Me: I'm not kidding. He pulled it out of his briefcase like it was completely normal. Between that and the indepth explanation for the socks. I’d had enough. I mean who has that much time on their hands?
Unknown:Someone who's never been chased through wilderness by an angry mother bear with cubs.
Me: Is that number eight on the list?
Unknown:Number three. Number eight is when I fell asleep in a tree stand and woke up surrounded by wolves.
Me: How is that not number one?
Unknown:They were just curious. Turns out wolves are excellent judges of character. They decided I was harmless and wandered off.
I'm smiling so hardmy cheeks hurt.
Me: You live a much more exciting life than I do.
Unknown:You live in civilization. That's its own adventure.
Me: Not really. Atlanta's pretty tame compared to wolf encounters.
Unknown:You'd be surprised. I'll take an honest wolf over dishonest people any day.
Again,that hint of someone who's been burned.
My phone buzzes with a call from Maya.
Me: I should probably go. My sister is calling, and she's going to want all the horrible details about tonight's date.
Unknown:Good luck with that conversation.
Me: Thanks for being decent about the photo thing. And for making me laugh after a terrible evening.
Unknown:Anytime. Though maybe double check the number next time.
Me: Definitely learned that lesson.
I'm aboutto put my phone down when another message comes through.
Unknown:For what it's worth, Derek the Calculator is an idiot. Anyone who spends two hours talking about spreadsheets instead of getting to know you has terrible priorities.
My heart doesthis funny little flutter.
Me: Thank you. That's... really sweet.
Unknown:Just honest. Sweet dreams, stranger.
Me: Sweet dreams, mystery cave explorer.
