I’d be out of her hair soon enough, though. Now that she was well, I was scheduled to fly back to Colorado in two days’ time. While part of me was anxious to get back to the mountains, I didn’t have anything waiting for me back home besides work.
Chai’s mother and I had divorced when she was young, and I’d put my kid and work first, prioritizing those two things above all else. I was a great father, and damn successful, but I wished I had someone to share that success with. My life was lonely. As hard as it was to admit, it was the truth. I was ready to find someone to share my golden years with.
So, at Chai’s urging, I’d joined some dating apps. I’d had a few dates here and there, but I never felt that strong connection I was looking for.
I threw myself onto the guest bed I’d called my own for the past month and pulled out my phone for some good old-fashioned doom scrolling. Thankfully, I had Chai to keep me hip on all the lingo kids were using these days.
A notification popped up on the screen from Mate Match.
I had a match.
Vibrant red hair and bright green eyes framed by thick-rimmed glasses caught my attention.
Pam was fifty-four years old, a retired widow, who enjoyed knitting, film, and reading.
There was no way this woman was fifty-four. She didn’t look a day over forty.
While in Briar Glenn this past month, the app had been dead silent. So, of course, a few days before I was scheduled to leave, I’d get a match.
My finger hovered over the message button. Her profile said she was looking for something casual, and who knew if she’d even be available to grab a coffee or something before I left town?
At first glance, it didn’t seem like we had much in common, but there were only so many things you could cram into a short bio. I was sure we could find something to talk about. Plus, she was drop-dead gorgeous.
What the hell.
I tapped the message button.
Shit.
What should I say? I saw your profile and thought you looked hot? That sounded like something a teenage boy would say—not a grown male.
Maybe just a simple hello, how are you doing?
That was good right? A casual conversation starter.
Me: Hey there! How are you doing?
I pressed send and stared at my phone, waiting for her to respond. We’d just matched, so she had to have her phone nearby. My phone buzzed with an incoming message.
It was her.
Pam: Hi! I’m well, thanks. How are you?
How was I doing?
Well, I was over the moon that she’d responded, but it wasn’t exactly like I could say that.
Me: I’m doing great. I stumbled upon your profile and thought I’d say hello. It looks like you’re new here on the app?
Another instant response.
Pam: I am! My husband passed away a few years ago and I decided it’s finally time to put myself out there. I’m just looking for something casual though. Nothing too serious, at least not right away.
We were sort of in the same boat then. Besides, I wouldn’t be in town long enough for it to develop into something serious. But a relaxed coffee date with an attractive woman? That I could do.
Me: It may be sort of forward of me to ask, but would you want to meet for coffee? Tomorrow? I’m leaving Briar Glenn in a few days to head back to my home in Colorado.
I figured that would be the killing blow, the fact that in a few days’ time I’d be back at my cabin in the Rockies. I didn’t expect a reply, assuming she’d ghost me, but to my surprise, she messaged me back.
