My chest tightened in a way that was half-panic, half-hope, and entirely overwhelming.
By one a.m., I was back in my office, reorganizing browser tabs I’d already organized twice.
By two, I’d opened a blank document and started listing conversation strategies like I was prepping for a product launch:
Ask about her favorite Christmas movie
Ask about floral arch mechanics? (No, too odd)
Compliment her work (but don’t make it sound like a Yelp review)
Tell her she made your house feel brighter (too romantic?)
Don’t run away mid-sentence
Make eye contact for more than five seconds
Try smiling. Like, a normal amount (not the serial killer kind)
I glared at the list, my voice flat as I read the last item aloud. “Try smiling. Like a normal amount. Not the serial killer kind.”
Jesus Christ.
I deleted it. Then immediately re-created it and added:
Bring something (NOT flowers—coffee?)
