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Chapter Four
EightMonthsLater
Against my better judgement, I let Kelly talk me into downloading a dating app. I’ve only been on one date, and it was probably the worst experience of my life.
The guy thought he was God. Not like God’s gift to women, but actually God. The creator of all things. He told me that everything that has happened, is happening, and will happen was because he has already made it so. But the weirdest thing he said to me was that all cartoon characters were real on the “other side” and that you can have sex with them.
He wouldn’t stop talking. I would try to ask him questions, and they all circled around to him being God. I didn’t know what to do. After two hours we were sitting on a park bench, and I was trying to figure out how to nicely cut him off so I could leave, but instead, my body’s response to was vomit.
Yup, I puked. Right in front of this guy and everyone else that was in the park. And he still had the audacity to ask me if I wanted to go home with him! He said that “they,” whoever they are, were doing this to me because they didn’t want him to connect with anyone. That I could go to his place, and he could sage me! What in the actual fuck had I gotten myself into?
So, I took a small break from the app. Until this past weekend. I matched with someone, and we have been talking for a week. He’s a bookworm also, so we are having our first date at my favorite bookstore.
“Are you getting ready for your date?” Kelly peeks her head into the bathroom as I am running a flat iron through my hair.
“I’m almost done.”
“Where is he taking you again?”
“The bookstore.” A smile creeps across my face. What more could a bookworm want?
She rolls her eyes. “You’re such a nerd.”
“I take that as a compliment.” I stick my tongue out at her and she does the same to me.
“Text me after you get there and when you’re done.” She gives me a knowing stare. “And if plans change.”
“Yes, mom.” I set the flat iron down and grab my pretty pinkish nude lipstick.
“And have fun. You deserve it.” She wraps her arm around my waist and leans her head on my shoulder. Mine tips to meet hers.
“Thank you.”
After she walks out, I run the lipstick across my lips, fluff my hair, then spritz my favorite perfume on. It smells like vanilla or frosting, I don’t know, but it makes me smell delicious. Then I check my outfit in the mirror one more time. Cute lacy black bralette, high-waist red shorts, and a lacy cover that ties in the front.
“You got this, Piper. It can’t be as bad as the first guy.”
“God, that’s the truth.” We both laugh.
I let out a breath before slipping my feet into my black lacy sandals. I grab my purse, wave goodbye to Katie as I pass her room, then leave.
Thankfully,Iamonly five minutes away from the store, so my nerves don’t have enough time to engulf me and think of some reason not to go. I don’t want to be a no show, but sometimes peopling is hard. Especially when it’s a guy, you have been talking to online. He seems very sweet. He also likes reading, hence why we’re having our first date at the bookstore. Low key environment and somewhere we both feel comfortable.
As I pull into a spot to park, my phone dings with a notification from the dating app. It’s from him.
Night: I’m here!
Me: I just pulled in.
I toss my phone in my purse, and as I get out of the car, I see him exit the store. My heart skips a beat. He told me how tall he was, but I guess I wasn’t ready.
As I approach him, his smile grows. “Hi, Piper. It’s so great to finally meet you in person.”
My cheeks flush slightly. “You, too.” I lift onto my toes and put my arms out to bring him in for a hug. I feel like I know so much about him. It feels natural to hug Night.
His big arms circle around my waist, pulling me into him. Then, when I back down, our eyes catch on each other’s for a moment before my shyness surfaces, and I look away.
We walk back into the store, and once we are a few steps in, I stop. “Welcome to one of my favorite places. I can’t believe you have never been here before.”
