I freeze.
He knows my name?
Mistletoe_Reader:You know my name?
RedBarnRhett:I can see your entire profile. Nifty little feature. ;)
Mistletoe_Reader:That’s not creepy at all.
RedBarnRhett:You didn’t check out how the app works before you signed up? Or before we matched?
Mistletoe_Reader:No. Not really.
RedBarnRhett:Lol. Good. Then there is still time for me to change all the embarrassing details I included in mine.
I stare at the screen, a laugh catching in my throat. He’s actually funny. Who would have guessed? And somehow this no longer feels like the world’s most awkward attempt at online dating.
His typing bubble pops up again.
RedBarnRhett:So since you didn’t prepare, should I assume you also didn’t come with a list of witty icebreakers?
I roll my eyes and smile to myself.
Mistletoe_Reader:Nope.
Zero preparation.
I’m winging it.
RedBarnRhett:Bold strategy. I respect it.
My cheeks warm.
Why does this feel like flirting?
Why does he make it feel effortless?
RedBarnRhett:Alright, if we’re both winging it, here’s my first question:
Are you actually a librarian, or is that just part of an elaborate online dating persona? Am I being catfished?
I snort quietly, glancing around the empty library like someone might catch me flirting with a hardware store owner at ten o’clock in the morning.
Something tells me that Rhett already knows the answer to that question. Granted I’ve never seen him in the library when I’m on duty, but I’ve certainly seen the man around town. There’s no way in a small town like Mistletoe Bay, he hasn’t figured out that I’m actually the librarian. One of two, to be exact.
Mistletoe_Reader:It’s real. No catfishing happening here.
I’ll only shush you if I have to.
RedBarnRhett:That sounded like a threat.
I like it.
I cover my mouth with my hand, trying to muffle the sound of my laugh.
My phone buzzes again.
RedBarnRhett:Alright, your turn.
