“Great, I’ll pick you up at seven, and you’re at the Crawford’s right?” he asks.
“Right.”
“Can I give you my number?” he asks. “I’d give you my phone, but I left it in the truck.”
“That would be helpful, wouldn’t it?” I giggle nervously and fish my phone out of my purse.
“I’ll call you so you have mine,” I tell him.
Jacob recites his number, and I dial it.
“I’ll see you soon, Mae.”
I wave and watch him walk away for a second before heading to the shop.
The moment I get in the door. I set my coffee down and text June.
Mae: I swear you’re psychic or something.
June: As weird as it sounds, that’s not the first time I’ve heard that.
Mae: Some guy I ran into at the Booked Bean bought my coffee and asked me out.
June: What’s his name? I probably know him.
Mae: Jacob?
June: Did he give you a last? I know like five Jacobs.
Mae: Honestly, it didn’t even cross my mind.
Another text pops through with an unentered number, but I recognize it, Jacob.
Jacob: See you at seven
I smile and respond with a smiley face before going back to June.
June: Hm, okay, lol well if it gets bad, call me and we can do the — it’s an emergency thing
Mae: LOL deal. He’s picking me up at 7.
June: Where y’all going?
Mae: The Wooden Cowboy
June: It is a staple.
Mae: I mean, it’s one of two bars in this town
June: What can I say? We’re a thriving country town of simple tastes.
June: So I take it you’re lifting the dating ban?
Mae: Yeah, you’re right, what’s the point when the circumstances are different. I might as well try. I even told him I’m here for a year, and it didn’t seem to bother him. He said, one day at a time.
June: that could mean one of two things but I’m going to hope for the better one.
Mae: I know, I know. But if anything, maybe this is what I need to … keep trying.
