Me
Yeah, we’re good. I’m glad we’re starting over. I guess you unblocked me.
Lexi
Yeah, sorry about that too. I was a mess and couldn’t bear hearing from you, but I also didn’t want to know when you gave up. That would’ve hurt as bad.
Me
You working today?
Lexi
No, I’m off today. You?
Me
I’m volunteering at the hospital, and then I’ve got a few clients this afternoon. Can I take you out tonight?
Lexi
Like on a date?
Me
Yes, Lexi, like on a date.
Lexi
Fine, but I’m still me. Just because I agreed to try with you doesn’t mean I can tolerate too much mushy crap.
I laughed out loud. She hadn’t changed as much as I thought, but that was a good thing. I didn’t want a different version of her; I just wanted her to let me in. I wanted us to grow together. If that meant I had to dial back theromance, so be it.
Me
Noted. Dial back the romance.
Lexi
I’m probably going to regret this, but you do you. If it’s too much, I’ll let you know.
Me
Really?
Me
Nevermind. Forget that. I’ll pick you up at 8.
Lexi
Okay, see you then.
I put the phone back down on the bedside table and grinned into my pillow. I couldn’t believe how the last twenty-four hours had gone. We were really going to give this a go, and I was excited to see how it would play out. Without sex clouding either of our judgments, I was confident we could make it work.
I arrivedat Lexi’s place just before eight o’clock with a bouquet of flowers in hand. Initially, I thought about skipping the flowers, but Lexi had told me to do my thing. So there I was standing at her door with flowers, overflowing with nervous excitement. I knocked on the door and held mybreath. It still felt as if this wasn’t actually going to happen. I’d run through so many scenarios of how this would go—many of which ended with Lexi slamming the door in my face.
She opened the door moments later, and all of my uneasiness floated away.
