TheBigO: I hope Colorado is treating you well?
RacingQueen: Haha, north of there. Rough start to the day, but getting better now. Only thing that would make it better is if we were in the same zip code.
TheBigO: That’s my girl.
His text makes my pulse pound in my ears.
I’m not sure when exactly it happened, but I think I am his. At least until we meet and figure out if we even can stand each other.
“Looks like you’re not single either.” Rachel points with her fry at my phone while waggling her eyebrows.
“Kinda? Is it weird to like someone this much that I’ve never met?” I set my screen down to focus on my food.
She shrugs, biting off the end of her shoestring potatoes. “I think the parts we all fall in love with are between the ears. The rest is gravy if there’s a real connection.”
“What happens if the in-person stuff is a bust?” I swirl my next bite in ketchup, secretly hoping that it doesn’t end up that way.
“We haveso muchin common. I’m just worried that we’d take one look at each other and he’d say no.” I don’t think I’m ugly.
But sometimes people just don’t vibe.
Rachel nearly chokes. “You’re joking, right? Fine, maybe your first meet up you should both wear masks.” Her laughter carries over the picnic tables and echos off the metal bleachers. “Then you’d know. And I better hear all about it afterwards.”
RacingQueen: I have a new book recommendation.
TheBigO: A new favorite?
RacingQueen: Yep. A masked man. A mystery, like us.
TheBigO: I’m game.
“Well?” She pauses, tilting her head as she waits.
“I think it’ll work.” With a flourish of a stiff fry, I wave it through the air like a wand. “It’s gonna be magical.”
Rachel crumples up her wrapper and stands, holding out her hand for my empty container. “When is the big moment?”
My belly tightens in anticipation. I know I can’t delay forever.
“Soon. I think before I go home?” That means within the next couple of days.
Holy crap.
Her eyes widen. “Wow. Does he know you’re here?”
“Nope. I hope he likes horses.” Pushing up from the wooden seat, my leg aches and I haven’t even started riding yet.
“Oh boy. He’s in for a rude awakening if he doesn’t. Speaking of, let’s go get Misty saddled. I want to show you some warm ups that can help her be more limber.”
I feel like I’m just going through the motions as I put my mare through the exaggeration exercises.
Every thought keeps turning back tohim.
Now that I’ve decided, I can’t wait.
How soon can you be here?
Oliver
