Spicysugar: Okay.
What was I doing? This was crazy.
But I couldn’t say no. I couldn’t miss the chance to meet him and see if this was real.
ITBeastMan: You can be my mail order bride. Except I’m ordering you over for dinner.
Spicysugar: LOL. If only it were that easy to find a bride.
ITBeastMan: There’s some profiles on here that are strictly looking for marriage, but I can’t imagine just “ordering” someone.
Spicysugar: Me either.
We finished chatting, Khai revealing he was on his lunch break, saving it for when I was available to talk. We made plans for dinner later tonight and he gave me his address. When I plugged it into theMapsapp on my phone, I saw he was about ten minutes away.
This was crazy. So crazy. But I was taking the risk and diving in. Isn’t that what life was all about?
“What doyou mean you’re going to this stranger’s house for dinner? What happened to meeting in public first?!” Dottie exclaimed when I told her about my dinner plans. She liked to cook and often did most days, so I wanted to give her the heads up I wasn’t eating.
“It’s fine. I have pepper spray in my purse. He enjoys cooking and wants to make me dinner.”
“Yes, but that usually happens later on. You should meet at a restaurant or a public place. It’s the safest way.”
“Dottie, trust me. I have a good feeling about this one. He’s so charming and sweet. But if I see any red flags, I’ll leave, okay?”
My best friend of many years eyeballed me suspiciously. “This isn’t usually how you do things, Em. I’m worried. You need to be careful.”
“Listen, we only live once. What is life without taking a few risks?”
“I’m coming with you.”
I laughed. “No! Imagine mail order brides. They show up on the doorstep ready to marry whoever answers the door.”
Dottie tilted her head to the side. “That’s insane. Anyways, I’m going with you.”
I almost snorted my drink. “What? You can’t.”
“Sats who? The date police? I’m going.”
“You can drive by. Stop in for a quick meet.”
“Now you’re talking. What about the pictures? Did you tell him?”
“No. I figured it would be better if I explained it in person.”
“Okay. Hopefully he understands.”
“I hope so.”
After showering and fussing over my clothes, hair, and makeup for over an hour, I was finally ready to go.
Dottie met me by the door. “You look beautiful. If he doesn’t realize that he’s not a keeper. Now go. I’m following behind.”
I laughed. “You’re not going.” I took her keys and purse and set them back down on the entryway table.
“Yes, I am. I need to scope out the place and feel the vibes. Then I’ll leave.”
“Fine.” I marched outside to my car and got in. Less than ten minutes later, I pulled into the driveway of a very private, very secluded cabin, deep in the woods of the mountain.
