From the first message, there was an instant connection. I was compelled to click on it, and then we were chatting. And now, his messages were the most important part of my day.
What if it was a scam and he was just waiting to ask me to wire him money? What if I had just made it easier for him to lure me in? I was lonely and gullible, and he probably already knew exactly who I was before he even read my stories.
Oh my god, what if he never read my stories?
Calm down, Kate.I heard my mother’s exasperated voice. Maybe I should call her. She’d knock me down to reality in the way that only she could.
But I was enjoying RC. We talked most days and once several times. I loved hearing about the chickens he was so clearly in love with. My god, it was adorable.
RC seemed so genuine. Vulnerable and lonely. Was he actually an older man who didn’t want to be alone? Did that matter? It didn’t feel like it did. Sure, I didn’t even know his name or what he looked like, but I knew some inherent truth about him. I wasn’t being played. Our connection was real.
Just as I grabbed my purse to leave, I realized there was one obvious solution to my problem. An easy way to understand where he stood.
I could ask him.
Iwouldask him if he wanted to take our relationship to the next level.
A face-to-face call. It was a modern world with a dozen different ways to communicate. Email was honestly a little dated, even if I did find it romantic.
I groaned. I really was blowing things out of proportion.
I would ask him directly, and then I would have my answer.
No big deal. I was a grown woman, and I could handle it.
* * *
Charlie
Well,I hadn’t exactly ended things with Kate. But I wouldn’t let myself cross any more lines.
No more flirty banter. No more asking personal details. I would keep things simple. I’d let myself get too comfortable with her. I just felt so much, so fast. She was so easy to talk to. But it would be easy with so much hidden still, wouldn’t it? No. I needed to pare down my emails and focus on our friendship.
No more having strong feelings.
I could do that. I could keep our exchanges friendly.
Unless. Maybe I should finally tell her the truth? Ugh.
So what if we’d gotten in the habit of talking every single day? That was fine. Plenty of friends talked every day.
Or so I’ve heard.
Speaking of …
My computer lit up with an incoming video call from Emma.
“Hello,” I said. “I’ve met someone.”
Well, shit. That was not what I meant to say.
“What?” She leaned forward to scrutinize me. “Where are you? Why’s it so dark?”
“I’m in my office. And keep your voice down. I’m hiding from Agata.”
“Oh, so that’s going well.” Her jaw dropped. “Oh my god, is she who you met?”
“What? No.” I clicked on the lamp next to me.
