She mistypedher PIN twice after her Face ID failed, probably because her smartphone had never seen this particular expression on her face before. When her screen finally unlocked, she devoured his message faster than her chocolate peanut butter protein bar.
Emma, while trusting Grandma is always the right call, I’m glad you reached out. I’m leaving town for the weekend, and my ID would come in handy
Only for driving, of course, no extracurriculars. Not sure how quick officers are at returning those, especially by Mountie and horse in this kind of weather
Emma laughed out loud and had to steady the phone to read the rest of his message.
I can meet you to pick it up if that works. Sounds like you might be partial to Tim’s, plus then we’d be in a public place so you wouldn’t have to worry about being murdered (I’m not a murderer, but I don’t expect you to trust me on that)
Shaganappi and Symons Valley? If that’s not convenient, let me know what is
Thanks, T
Emma dissected every sentence of his message.He was funny.Hot and witty? She didn’t think that was allowed by the personality gods. And where was he going for the weekend? Had to be something fun if he was alluding to needing his ID for more than driving.
She checked the time and started typing.
T, I appreciate the anti-murder sentiments immensely, though if you told me you were bringing honey crullers, I’d probably ignore a number of felonies. Does five o’clock work?
Over the top? She didn’t care. This was too much fun. Messaging a hot guy about when she was going to meet said hot guy and eat donuts? It was already past four-thirty, but if he was leaving town, she didn’t want to hold his licence hostage. Plus, she was still starving, and that trumped taking a shower.
As much as she was tempted, she wouldnotget dolled up for this. For years she’d wasted time trying to look perfect for social outings, and the only thingthathad gotten her was a guy who was embarrassed to have her on his arm when she didn’t wear mascara.
No.Even tall, hot Tyler with hazel eyes would have to see her post-workout if he was interested in anything more than a hookup. This was the easiest way to weed men out in her experience. Which she had very little of since Alex, but it seemed like a good strategy on paper.
Her phone lit up.
See you in fifteen
She swiped over to his relationship status.Single.Though, who knew when that had last been updated? Emma put her phone in her pocket. A girl could dream a little longer.
This was happening.
She was meeting Tyler.
He wasgratefulshe’d tried to return his licence. Her mind raced with a hundred different thoughts as she stood staring at her screen. Should she be early? A few minutes late? Could she time it to arrive perfectly on time? Doubtful, andwhat kind of psychopath arrived perfectly on time?
She stuffed the licence back into her pocket, grabbed her phone and her keys, and left her black jeans lying in a heap on the living room floor.
* * *
Tyler planted himself in front of the counter at Tim Hortons. He was the only person under sixty in the establishment, which wasn’t surprising for a Friday at five o’clock. He was guessing none of these white-haired women were Emma unless she hadn’t changed her profile picture in approximately forty years.
What was it she said she liked? Honey crullers? He stepped up to the glass and scanned the display until he found the placard. A definite old-person donut. Maybe shewassitting here having her bedtime snack after all.
The door opened behind him, sending a blast of cold air against his back. He wanted to turn around and check who had entered but also didn’t want to seem desperate. He was aloof. Just going with the flow. Emma knew what he looked like, at least from the neck up, and could approach him first if she wanted.
“Are you ready to order?” the pimpled employee asked.
Tyler straightened. “Yes, I’ll take two honey crullers and…” he stalled, not sure what she’d want to drink. Coffee this late in the day? Since he wasn’t a coffee guy, he didn’t know what the best drinks were here anyway. The teen behind the register set two plates on a tray with the crullers he’d ordered. If she got to choose the donuts…
“Two London Fogs, please.”
“That all?”
Tyler nodded and tapped his card to pay, then picked up the tray and stepped back to let the next person in line order.
“London Fog? I didn’t peg you as a tea guy.”
