Ella
M y workload keeps me busy most of the day, but I can't help but glance over at my cell phone and check for messages more than once as the hours tick by.
Okay, a lot more than once.
By the fifth time I check my very quiet phone, I'm starting to consider that Jamie might not be as excited to match with me as I am with him. I flip my phone over and vow to ignore it. At least until I can get this client's website finished.
She has a new rental property in Costa Rica that looks absolutely incredible. My job is to build her a site that showcases the tranquility and beauty of the place and encourages rentals. It's not hard, considering the phenomenal professional photos she sent to me.
I'm just finishing up the final details when my phone vibrates with an incoming message. My heart stops for a moment, and I have to force myself to be calm as I lift my phone.
It's him.
It's him!
I swallow back a squeal and open the app to read the message.
Jamie:
Hi, . I had a bit of a day off after an exciting day yesterday. I hope you've had a good day. You're very pretty.
Pretty?
He thinks I'm pretty.
No man has ever told me I'm pretty.
Ever.
Is he just being nice since we've been matched by the system? There's no way he could have expected a chubby city girl to be his match. It doesn't make sense.
Still.
I did put my trust in the system, and he hasn't run yet.
I swallow back my self-doubt and craft a response.
:
Thank you. That's very...
Very what? I delete the words until the blinking cursor mocks me. What am I supposed to say now?
I don't even own a pair of hiking boots and I've never held a fishing rod, but despite all that, it looks like we're perfect for each other.
Ugh.
I need to stop overthinking this and just be myself. Before I can overthink it, I type:
:
Thank you. You're very attractive, too. I'm glad you had a relaxing day. I spent mine working. What's it like in the mountains?
I agonize over every single word. And almost delete the part about him being attractive in case it makes me sound desperate, but ultimately, I leave it in because it's true. He is attractive. And he gave me a compliment. It's only right.
I hit the send button before I can chicken out and then sit back. Waiting.
The minutes crawl by, each one longer than the last until I'm positive he's not going to answer at all. I'm ready to give up and go back to my work when the notification dings. I tap my phone screen so fast that I nearly knock over my glass of water.
I breathe a sigh of relief at his response, and something sparks in my chest and spreads warmth through me. Maybe this won't be so hard after all.