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KIDA: YOU READ ROMANCE NOVELS?
Whoa, okay, shouty caps. I’m not sure how to take them. Are they enthusiasticit’s so hot you read romance, or incredulouswhat kind of dude reads romanceshouty caps? My dad raised me to be honest to a fault. So, that’s what I go with…
ARLO: Yes, yes I do. I actually really enjoy them. Well, the couple I’ve read so far.
ARLO: Are you impressed by how comfortable I am with my masculinity to admit that? Or are you questioning my manliness right now?
KIDA: I wouldn’t say I’m impressed, but I’m not questioning your, ah, manliness…
ARLO: That sounds very vague.
ARLO: Are you questioning something else about me then?
KIDA: I have many questions about you, Arlo Blaine. But none of them are regarding your masculinity or manliness.
ARLO: Okay, fire away then. I’m an open book (winky emoji). See what I did there?
KIDA: Yes, very clever. Umm, how about this one… why did you take a job in Shiloh Springs when I’m sure you could have gotten one with better pay in the city?
ARLO: That’s easy. It’s not about the money for me. I’m fortunate enough money will never be a concern. It’s allowed me to pursue a career that matters to me. And if I did choose to stay in Manhattan, the best I could hope for would be an entry level position. Whereas here, I’ve been thrown right in the middle of things, where I’m most useful.
KIDA: Oh.
KIDA: That’s kind of amazing of you. And a lot deeper than I was expecting.
ARLO: Bet you had me pegged as a rich boy who does what he wants when he wants just because he can.
KIDA: Maybe a little bit… but aprettyrich boy.
I burst out laughing. I like her honesty.
ARLO: Well, at least I have that going for me. Next question.
KIDA: Hmm, what made you want to be a youth social worker?
ARLO: I’ll give you the basic answer for now. I love kids. Kids are our future, and in certain socioeconomic environments, they’re at higher risk than others. If I didn’t luck out in the dad department, I could very well have been one of those kids. I understand a certain type of trauma, and I know I can help kids who are living through that right now.
ARLO: Okay, wow that was supposed to be the short version. Ha-ha. But seriously, if this works out the way I’m hoping it will, I’ll give you the long version.
KIDA: If what works out?
ARLO: You and me.
She’s silent again, so I tap my fingers on the back of the couch, waiting.
The more time that passes, the more anxious I get.
Running a hand through my hair, I stand, then pace through the open space between my couch and dining area. I’m on my third rotation when she texts back.
KIDA: You really mean that, don’t you? You want to date me. But I don’t understand why. At first, I couldn’t think of any reason on God’s green Earth why you would possibly want to spend time with me. Then I thought for a minute that it was because I’d refused you at Jack’s and it became a ‘nobody says no to me’ type situation. But it’s not, is it? So, why then?
My heart pounds against my ribs so hard I feel it’s rhythm through my entire body. My answer will determine whether she gives me a shot or not, I just know it. And I want it. Badly.
ChapterTen
ARLO: You fascinate me. You’re not like anyone I’ve met before, Kida. And not just because you tackled me to the ground and handcuffed me in a coffee shop the day we met. Although, that has got to be the most memorable meet cute in history, right?
ARLO: The first thing I noticed about you was your overwhelming smile. Then your big, bright, blue eyes. That’s why I was smiling at you even though you’d just taken me out in front of all those people. I gave zero fucks about anyone but you in that moment. And I’d really like the opportunity to get to know the girl whose smile still plays in my mind, over and over, every single day.
