I blush, even though there’s no chance Ethan can see me.
Hehe thanks. I think you’re really cute too.
He is cute. He has mousy brown hair, a crooked nose and a toothy smile. He is handsome in a way that makes you think he’d take you to the school dance and kiss you on your doorstep before meeting your father for the first time.That’s not the way Jae makes me feel.
Aww, I’m blushing. Would you want to get coffee sometime?
I’d love to, actually.
Am I really doing this?
I can do it in the morning. How does tomorrow at Sheila’s Cafe at 7:30 sound?
I think about it. Sheila's isn’t too far from The Red Kettle.
I’ll see you there.
I’m antsy for tomorrow morning as I get ready for bed. I’ve already taken Lily on an extra-long walk around the neighborhood park, and she’s had enough of my funny business. The more I think about it, the more excited I am. It’s just a coffee date. Totally lowkey. I can handle it. I am ready to get coffee with a handsome stranger.
After my shower, I take the time to detangle my hair. It’s a lengthy process and one I don’t do often. I’ll wear it long and curly and then tie it up as best I can when it’s time to start painting. I don’t want to wear the coveralls again, so I lay out a worn T-shirt and overalls.
I crawl into bed with light thoughts in my mind for the first time in a while. Would he be the man to hold my hand when we walk in the park? Would he talk about baseball with my father and kiss me on the doorstep? Tomorrow, I’ll find out. I’m dozing off when I get a text.
It’s Jae.
Hey, you.
Hi.
Practice date tomorrow night?
Where?
I’ll cook for you at the restaurant. What do you like to eat?
I’ll eat anything.
5 p.m. sound good? Paint for a bit in the morning, and then come by again later?
Sounds good. :)
6
I’m standing outside Sheila’s, dressed in my yellow T-shirt and overalls when I see a man who I thinkcouldbe Ethan walking up. When he waves me down, I know for sure it’s him. I wave back eagerly and smile as prettily as I can manage.
“Hey! It’s Riley, from online.”
He looks me up and down, clearly checking out and judging my outfit, and he seems less than impressed. Ethan has yet to say anything, so I jump to explain the paint covered overalls. “I’m a painter.”
“Gotcha. Want to get something to drink?” He doesn’t even wait for an answer before going inside. What’s with this guy? He seemed really interested in me last night. He must be disappointed or maybe I’m not what he expected.
I go in after him, and stand in line close to him, unsure if I should stand beside or behind him. Is it rude to expect he’d pay for my drink? He orders for himself, not asking if I want anything.
I order a lemon tea and walk toward the pickup counter where Ethan is already standing.
“So, where do you work?” I attempt to start a conversation.
“I work for a PR firm,” Ethan sounds bored with my question, like a teenager talking back to their mother about missing curfew. “Where do you work again? What’s with the paint covered overalls?” He gestures broadly to my outfit. I know I didn’t dress to impress exactly, but I’m not a disaster today.
