“No!"she protests too quickly, too loudly."No.I want to."A clearing of her throat, a sharp short breath, as if gathering calm and courage."I would like that, Noah."
"Breakfast at Lorna's?"I suggest."Pick you up in thirty?"
"Oh."She blinks at the screen."I…um…"
"Too soon?"
She shakes her head."No, it's…no.I can be ready in thirty."
"See you soon, then?"
"Yeah.Yes.See you soon, Noah."She tugs the robe tighter yet again.
"Hey, uh..Morgan?"I don't know if I should say it or not.But the look of nervous discomfort on her face as she tugs unconsciously—and/or self-consciously—at the edges of her robe decides for me."You're stunning."
She blushes, looks away."Noah, stop."
"You are.You're beautiful."
She rolls a shoulder."Thanks?"She swallows hard yet again and looks at me."You're pretty alright yourself."She huffs, shakes her head as if irritated with herself."I'm crazy attracted to you, Noah.This whole thing just has me in my head."
"I understand, believe me."
"Unless you're a chronic overthinker, not likely."
"Maybe.I just mean I do get it."
She rolls her eyes."You're a firefighter, Noah.You're fit as hell."
"Everyone has insecurities, Morgan.Only one woman in more than thirty years has ever seen me in my underwear.Shirtless, sure, whatever.Not the same.And, I, uh…trust me when I say I'm aware that it was plenty obvious how I felt seeing…um…you.Seems kinda impossible to not be self-conscious about that."
"My face feels like it's going to burst into flames."She looks at me through the screen."It was flattering.That you, ummm…that I made you…ahhh…"
"I know what you're saying," I cut in, interrupting her struggle for the right words.
“Thank god,” she breathes, shaking her head."Never felt so awkward in my life.Good lord."
"Been a while for us both."I exhale slowly."Look, if you're not ready for a date, I get it.If you'd like to do breakfast in Fitch instead, I'd understand."That being the next closest town with a decent breakfast spot.
"No, I…breakfast at Lorna's sounds good.I’m not worried about people seeing us, Noah.I just…I don't have a great track record when it comes to dating."
"Hey, no pressure, no expectations.We're just gonna eat and talk.In public."
She frowns in confusion."Why do you specify in public?"
"I guess, considering the kiss and then this, I don't want you to think I'm…ahhh…only thinking about you in…that…way," I finish, lame and awkward."Now who's gonna go up in flames of embarrassment?"
"I don't think that.But it's considerate of you."
"This is new territory for us both, I guess.So we just take it one step at a time.Yeah?"
She nods."Yeah.Sounds good."A pause."Hey, Noah?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm glad you called."
"Me too."
