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I bite my lip, holding in the laughter, then frown. How much would breakfast sent to your door cost anyway? Rather extravagant for the morning after a non-date.
I think that would be a bit much, yes.
He doesn’t respond right away, and I hope he doesn’t think my last comment was rude or that I intended to blow him off.
“You are being ridiculous,” I remind myself.
Forcing myself to put the phone down, I head to the kitchen to make some hangover food myself. Eggs and toast are easy enough, and I round out breakfast with coffee and more water. By the time I’ve finished it, I feel a lot better, and my phone dings again.
Nate O: I can only hope I have the opportunity in the future.
“Oh, do you now?” I’m smiling again. I shouldn’t be doing this, but I can’t seem to help myself. I type out a quick response.
Are you saying you want to get me drunk again?
His response is a quick one.
Nate O: Did I say that? How horrible of me. ;)
I laugh.
I’m sure it was an autocorrect accident.
Nate O: Of course it was.
I debate my response for a moment. Despite my reservations, the flirty banter is fun, and I don’t want it to end. Even if he is rich, I haven’t felt this excited about talking to someone in a long time, maybe ever.
As I try to decide what to write, another message comes through.
Nate O: My apologies, Cherry, but I have some business to attend to. If you will be available later this evening, I’d like to call you.
How proper!
I bite my lip and keep my response simple.
I should be around.
Nate O: Glorious. I’ll call you around 8.
I glance at the clock. It’s just a little after nine, and eight o’clock seems very far away.
Pulling my laptop closer, I check out the county park’s job opportunities website and find the one Nate spoke of the night before—collecting data on the maple trees to prepare for the upcoming maple sap tapping in the early spring. According to the job description, I am qualified. Of course, anyone who can use a measuring tool and knows how to count would be a viable candidate.
I close the laptop with a huff, still unsure how I feel about Nate’s offer to help.
After sitting at the table for a while, replaying my conversation with Nate from the night before, I finally get up and take a shower. When I’m dressed and fed again, I stand in the middle of the living room with no idea what to do with myself. I know I can’t just hang out in my apartment, waiting for eight o’clock to roll around. I’ll drive myself crazy, and I’m already thinking about him far too much.
Maybe I should check out this maple forest. If I do end up with an interview, it would be good to have at least some basic knowledge of the area. I could look for any signs of trees in distress and get an idea of just how big an operation this maple syrup business is.
I grab my backpack and fill it with a water bottle and a couple of energy bars, yank on my jacket, and head out the door.
“Hello there, Cherry!” Jessie is out in the hallway, hauling groceries in reusable bags.
“Good morning, Jessie! Let me help you with those!” I grab one of the bags so she can get her apartment door unlocked.
“You are a dear, aren’t you?” Jessie throws the door open, and I follow her inside. “I don’t suppose you have a minute to help me get the rest out of the car?”
“Of course I do. Glad to help.”
