"This is me," Lucy said.
"I know. I've been coming here for three years."
"Right." Lucy fished her keys out of her pocket, suddenly not wanting the evening to end. "Jake?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm glad you sat down on Wednesday. Instead of just taking your pork buns and leaving."
"Me too."
"And I'm glad you came tonight."
"Me too."
They stood there for a moment, neither quite ready to say goodbye.
Finally, Lucy made herself turn toward her door. "See you Wednesday?"
"Actually," Jake said, "I was wondering if maybe we could do something before Wednesday. If you want. No pressure."
Lucy's heart stuttered. "Like what?"
"There's a farmers market tomorrow morning. I usually stop by after Saturday youth hockey. Thought you might want to come? For, you know, bakery research purposes."
"Bakery research purposes," Lucy repeated, smiling.
"Or just... because. If you want."
"I want." The words came out before Lucy could overthink them. "What time?"
"Market opens at 9. I could meet you here at 8:30?"
"That's perfect. I close the bakery at 8 on Saturdays anyway."
"Great. It's—great." Jake took a step back, hands in his pockets. "I'll see you tomorrow then."
"See you tomorrow."
Lucy watched him walk away, disappearing into the November darkness. Then she climbed the stairs to her apartment, let herself inside, and immediately texted Rei.
He asked me to go to the farmers market with him tomorrow.
Rei's response was immediate:THIS IS NOT A DRILL. THIS IS A DATE.
Lucy:It's not a date. It's bakery research.
Rei:keep telling yourself that
Rei:wear something cute
Rei:I'M SO PROUD OF YOU
Lucy set down her phone and looked around her apartment. The same apartment she'd been living in for five years, the same space that had felt like a comfortable prison.
But tonight, it felt different. Tonight, it felt like the beginning of something.
Lucy walked to her closet and started planning what to wear to a farmers market that definitely wasn't a date.
