“Uh. That’s it?”
Ledger chuckled. “Come on. I’m not the bad man here. I trust you. You need this shit for your health, and it looks like you came up with a solution. Your mom wanted to marry you off to someone who worked at the café, so this really isn’t much different. You did the legwork of finding someone.”
“Holy. Shit.” I leaned back, completely floored.
This wasn’t the reaction I’d expected at all. I was fully prepared for them to laugh or tell me how ridiculous the idea was.
Dirks shrugged, taking it in stride. “Yeah, man. Your health comes first. If this is what you need, and she’s up for it, then why not?”
Why. The. Hell. Not. Dirks was right. There was nothing else left stopping me.
“I’m going to ask her today.”
Dirks took a sip of his coffee. “Romantic.”
“Shut up,” I shot, giving him a playful shove.
Ledger laughed, a warm sound that put me a little more at ease.
“Do you have her number? Call her now.” Ledger urged me.
“No, I actually don’t,” I admitted, “but I have a pretty good idea of how to reach her.”
16
charlie
Admittedly, I had only woken up a few hours ago after a restless night, unable to fall asleep. My mind kept spinning, wondering if Austin was thinking about me too, and what he might’ve meant about that darn question at the end of our date. It just wasn’t sitting well with me.
I grabbed my mug and sat at my desk. I’d opened the window, letting the summer breeze waft into the house. I could hear kids playing out on the beachfront area and was doing my best to relax and be present.
Intentionally, I’d turned off my phone, not wanting to be bothered by my mother or Jacob today, the latter of whom would no doubt want to know how my date went. Instead, I opted to do some lesson planning and then intended to spend the rest of the day watching the crew of bougie yachts hook up with each other.
I opened my laptop, and my email notification chimed twice. Curious, I checked my school email, assuming it was about some event the school had planned for the weekend.
I opened the email, squinting at the unfamiliar sender. I hesitated for a second before clicking it open, and as I read the message, I burst out laughing, realizing exactly who it was from.
Subject: Taking a Shot in the Dark
Ms. Honey,
I’m hoping I guessed your email right because I had no other way to reach you. I figured if Evie’s teacher’s email was based on her name, yours might be too... So, if you’re reading this and it’s you (and not some random teacher wondering who the hell I am)—hi.
I had an amazing time last night, and I’d love to see you again today if you’re up for it. Since email isn’t exactly the fastest way to communicate, here’s my number.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
888-768-8899
XX
Austin
A grin stretched across my face. My heart pounded with excitement—like the kind I hadn’t felt in years. I couldn’t believe he’d gone through the trouble of guessing my email to reach out. It felt... sweet. Real. Like I was important enough to find.
I pulled out my phone and quickly typed in his number under the new messages tab. I hesitated, my thumb hovering over the screen. Was it too early to text him back? The email had come in only twenty minutes ago. Wasn’t there some kind of unspoken rule about waiting? I glanced up at the clock on the wall. It was already midafternoon. Would I seem too eager if I responded right away?
I bit my lip, debating with myself, and then let out a sigh. “Fuck it,” I said, tossing aside my hesitation.
