I stare at the message for a solid minute before I decide to answer. I don’t like how we left things earlier. Neither of us handled the situation like an adult, but that hasn’t stopped me from smiling every time I think about the way she stalked off, leaving me in the dust.
Me: Am I about to be broke?
Unknown: Probably.
I take a minute to store her name in my phone. I didn’t want the conversation to end as abruptly as our kiss.
Me: Sorry about earlier.
Tate: You should be.
Damn. This girl has attitude, and for some odd reason, I like it. Maybe it’s because she’s honest even when it’s brutal.
Me: I freaked out and had to walk out when I shouldn’t have.
Tate: At least you realize your mistake.
Me: Kissing you wasn’t a mistake, though.
Tate: You know what I’m talking about.
I scrub my hand across my face, trying to think of what to say next. I’ve never been much of a small-talker, and flirting via text is not something I’m used to doing.
Small talk.
I can do it.
I have to if I want to get anywhere with someone like Tate—or any woman, for that matter. I can’t dazzle her with my dick alone.
Women want more, expect it nowadays.
My mind goes to our conversation earlier about her mother and father.
Me: Did your dad ever remarry?
I wince as soon as I hit send and decide to send another message in case she doesn’t want to talk about what happened after her mother passed.
Me: You can tell me to fuck off.
It’s not long before three dots appear on the screen. I wait, staring at my phone to see which way she goes with her answer.
I don’t know why I even asked that question. I guess I want to know I might have a chance. That, even at my age, I can find love again.
Tate: Yeah. He met Tilly a few years after Mom passed away. She owns the bakery next to the bar.
I know the place. I’ve taken the girls in there more than once. It was a must every time we came to visit my mom, and now that we live closer, we go there once a week and on special occasions.
Me: I know the place. The girls love it.
Tate: Only weirdos don’t like cupcakes and cookies.
I smile at her statement. I’ve always thought the same, but I’ve wondered if I am the weirdo for thinking it.
Me: Did you like her?
My fear of falling in love is that the girls will hate the woman. Things are already bad enough, and adding someone the girls don’t like would be an absolute disaster.
Tate: We loved her from the moment we met her, but she loved us too. If a woman doesn’t treat your kids like the little princesses they are, run the other way.
