Nah. I think I’ll pass on that.
“I love it there,” she says. “The little shops are so cute.”
“Yeah, I would surf with my mom on the weekends and grab a bagel at the shop across from the beach.”
“Bobo’s Bagels? I love that place!” I think her eyes light up, but it could just be the reflection again.
“Yep! Bobo and I are on a first name basis.”
She giggles. “Isn’t everyone? It’s in the name of the shop.”
I grin. “Bummer. I thought it was just me.”
She laughs out loud, and I’m glad we’re vibing to some degree. “I’m gonna use the restroom really quick,” she says.
She gets up from her seat, and I stand, too. Manners from my mom. She grins even more, and while we’re standing, I can get a better look at her eyes. Big and brown. They’re really beautiful. It’s a shame I can’t see them when we’re sitting.
To entertain myself while she’s gone, I pull my phone out of my pocket. I noticed a few buzzes while we were talking but didn’t want to be rude and check them.
I see on the screen that I have four messages from Chase, my unofficial virtual wingman.
Chase
How’s the date going?
Don’t be weird.
Don’t talk about Claire.
You got this! Remember, ask her about herself.
I snort a laugh and type out a reply.
Me
It’s going fine. But thank you for the reminders.
Just then, another text comes in. From Claire.
Claire
Hey! How’s your date?
I feel like I’ve been punched in the stomach. She’s literally the last person I want to talk to about my date. Yesterday, she sent me a picture of her cake tasting. All I could do was respond with a thumbs-up emoji. And now she’s sending me a message WHILE I’m on a date with someone else?
Does she know what she’s doing to me?
Aaaand now I’m thinking about Claire.
I was doing so well. But now Claire is on my mind, and it’s not that easy to stop thinking about her.
“I’m back!” Rena says, sliding into her seat.
I look up at her, then back at my phone and the unanswered message, then decide to lock it and put it back in my pocket. “Hey.”
“Hey.” Rena smiles brightly. “What are you thinking about ordering?”
“Uh…I hadn’t thought about that yet.”
