“We never made a final call on the guac,” he said. “Should we give it another chance?”
“Itwasaddicting…” I admitted. “But, Con, you were in the bathroom for twenty minutes. Your tacos were cold and congealed by the time you made it back.”
He ran a hand through his fair hair. Sometimes it looked blond, sometimes red. It all depended on the light. “You make agood point.” He thought for a moment, then shrugged. “Eh, who cares? It’ll flush out my system.”
I snorted. “Connor!”
He grinned. “What?”
“That’s—” I started, but giggles got the better of me. Connor cracked up, too.
We sat there laughing until Lauren texted him that they’d gotten a table.
Spring
Seven
A couple weeks later, we were well into March, and I found myself gritting my teeth one Friday after school as I drove into Princeton. Davis and I’d both had packed schedules, so it had taken some time for them to align. I was nervous about finally meeting him, but I was even more nervous aboutparking. My dads liked to call me acapable but cautious driver.
Princeton was an idyllic town with historic Gothic architecture and high-end stores and restaurants, but at its core, it was also a college town. Gripping the steering wheel with both hands, I had a hard time knowing where to look. There were so many pedestrians. Shoppers congested the sidewalks, and students seemed to have no patience for the crosswalks, choosing to ignore the laws of traffic to jaywalk.
And, oh god, parking. I spotted a few open street-side spaces here and there, but I wasn’t confident in my parallel-parking abilities. While Austin’s car had an awesome rear backup camera, I had to rely on my own skills, driving my late grandfather’s 1990 Land Rover Defender. It was the coolest car ever, and I felt a hugerush of pride every time someone complimented it. A few people had even offered to buy it from me, right on the spot.
But yes, I couldn’t parallel park.
I wasn’t especially proud of what I ended up doing. Both parking garages were full, so I swung into the spacious lot behind St. Paul’s Church and its school. Only ten or so cars were there. PARISH MEMBERS ONLY, the sign read, and I cringed after cutting the ignition.
But youknowparish members, I reassured myself.The Gallants attend mass here, Katie went to elementary school here, and now Austin comes here every Christmas Eve…
Once I’d locked the car, I not-so-subtly speed walked across the parking lot, only stopping to smooth my shirt after I turned left on Moore Street.Do you need advice on what to wear?Katie had texted last night, and even though Iknewwhat to wear (fun pants and a white top, an outfit ingrained in a girl’s brain), I said yes.
Fun pants and a white top, she told me.Hair down with casual makeup.
I wore a pair of high-waisted black jacquard pants embroidered with silver flowers and a cropped off-the-shoulder sweater. I’d weaved my hair into a side braid, and I didn’t need a guide for casual makeup. To me, that was light eyeshadow with mascara, a dusting of blush, and a swipe or two of lip gloss.
You look adorable, Katie’s cousin Paige wrote after I texted the promised selfie to the group.Good luck!
Davis and I were supposed to meet at Crescent Moon Coffee, an artsy café right off Nassau Street. I’d learned he was a junior at a nearby private day school (the bridesmaids wouldn’t tell me which one, for fear I would use that as a stalking tool). Reese also told me she’d sent him a photo of me for recognition purposes.The suitors always know what the Bachelorette looks like before she knows what they look like, Meredith had reminded me.It’s all good!
I told myself I could do this all the way to the coffee shop, but the second I stepped inside, my heart began to quake with nerves and I straight up forgot how to “people.”
My eyes flicked around as I stood frozen in the entrance, taking in the clusters of customers chatting at tables and the assortment of eclectic armchairs and couches. Laptop users occupied the windowfront bar, their oversized mugs long drained but not ready to say goodbye to the free Wi-Fi.He’s not here, I surmised. He’d know if I were here. He would’ve noticed me the moment I walked in…
Madeline Fisher-Michaels, you are so delusional, the host in my head said.It’s a busy-ass coffee shop.Nobodynoticed you walk in, and you better move it before someone opens the door and slams into you!
Sure enough, I heard the bell above the door chime behind me several seconds later, so I quickly stepped out of the way and into line to order. I had to do something, right? I didn’t want to stand around and wait for Reese’s cousin to recognize me. How awkward would that be?
Katie had pointed out that today wouldn’t count as a date, but who was she kidding? My palms were starting to sweat. This already felt like a date because this was the closest thing I’d ever had to a date!
There was a handwritten menu on the big blackboard above the coffee bar, and pastries upon pastries tempted everyone behind a glass case. “Hello!” the barista said brightly. “What can I get you?”
“Um…” I quickly scanned the endless menu before settling on their seasonal drink. “A lavender latte, please.”
“Hot or iced?”
“Hot.”
The barista nodded. “What size?”
