Fuck! She’s typing back.
I continue my pacing as I wait for her to reply.
Luckily, I don’t have to wait long.
Madeline:Do you have any plans today?
I choke on thin air as my eyes pop out of my head.
I wasn’t prepared for this.
I wanted to make this first meeting a big event.
But then again, I did that last time, and look at how it turned out.
Maybe it’s best to do something more impromptu?
Me:Only tonight. I have dinner with a friend, but I can do brunch or lunch?
As I type back, a nervous tension builds in my stomach. I so badly want this to work. I don’t want another repeat of Jaci. And Madeline ticks so many of my rules, it’s not funny.
Madeline:Breakfast sounds nice. I can come now if you’re free? Would you like to meet somewhere specific? Or shall I come to your place?
I let out a stifled laugh.Wow, trusting.That’s strange, but she obviously can’t come to my place. No way. But I figure we can go somewhere they know me and tend not to bug me. Plus, I’ll take Scott from security with me to stand in the background.
Me:Do you know Finlay’s Irish Pub? The one with the green shutters?
The little typing bubbles appear, and I flare my nostrils, hoping I’m doing the right thing.
Madeline:I do, see you there in 30?
I let out a heavy sigh, and a smile creeps on my face.
Me:I’ll wear a black hoodie and jeans. I’ll sit at the table by the bar with the booth seat. Looking forward to meeting you, Madeline. Xo
Madeline:I’ll be in a red dress. See you soon. xo
I swallow hard.
This is actually happening!
I send Scott a quick message to pick me up in fifteen minutes, then head to my closet to get dressed. After I tie my shoes, I splash on some cologne, just enough to catch a whiff. Then I grab my wallet and keys, heading for the door, where Scott is already waiting for me.
“So we’re doing this again, are we?” he asks.
“We’re trying. If she starts screaming or asking for my autograph, get me out of there, okay?”
Scott chuckles in answer as we walk to the car.
The drive isn’t long, and as we pass the gallery, Alex is standing in the window, positioning artwork.
My chest squeezes that I haven’t even told her what I’m doing.
But it all happened so quickly that I haven’t had a chance to process it myself. Plus, I’m not really sure what’s going on with us right now. So I’m not going to talk to her until tonight. Then I’ll fill her in on everything.
“So are you excited?” Scott asks as I turn to him, his shaved scalp making his head look unusually large and shiny like a damn bowling ball.
“Nervous. I don’t want another Jaci.”
