"We just... haven't met in person yet."
"Online dating?"
"We didn't meet through an app." I take a sip of my mimosa. "We met through... an accident."
"What kind of accident?"
I take a deep breath. "I accidentally sent him a photo of me in my underwear."
Maya chokes on her orange juice. "You what?"
"It was completely accidental! I was texting you about Derek in the bathroom, and my phone got wet. The photo got sent to this random number while I was trying to dry it."
"You accidentally sexted someone in Nevada?"
"It wasn't sexting! But Maya, he was so sweet about it. He deleted it immediately and was completely respectful. And then we started talking, and he's just... different."
"Different how?"
"He's funny. And genuine. He rescues animals and lives in the mountains and has amazing stories. He's nothing like the guys I usually date."
"Because he's a mountain man in Nevada and you've never seen his face."
"I know how this sounds, but talking to him feels more real than any relationship I've had in years."
My phone buzzes again.
Mountain Man:Ranger is now giving Ghost disapproving looks about the chair situation. I think I'm about to witness a territorial dispute.
I can't help smiling.
"What did he say?" Maya asks.
"He's telling me about his animals. He has a rescue dog named Ranger and a wolf hybrid named Ghost."
"He has a pet wolf?"
"Wolf hybrid. And it's more like the wolf has a pet human." I show her the message.
"Okay, that's actually cute. But Chantay, you need to be careful."
"I know more about him than I knew about Derek after three dates." I set my phone down. "Maya, when's the last time I was excited about talking to someone?"
"Never," she admits. "You usually complain about men being too clingy."
"Exactly. But with him, it's different. We've been texting for three days, and I want to know everything about him."
"So why don't you ask for a photo? Or suggest a video call?"
"Because what if he's not interested in taking this further? What if seeing each other breaks whatever spell we've got going?"
"Or what if he's everything you're hoping for?"
"Or what if he's married? Or crazy?"
Maya reaches across the table. "Chantay, you're catastrophizing. You do this every time you start feeling something real."
"I don't sabotage things."
