Chapter 7
CHAPTER SEVEN
David
My phone rings as I enter my apartment. When I see it’s my sister Katie, I set my briefcase down and swipe to answer the call.
“What’s up, sis?”
“Not much. Are you just getting home from work?”
“I am. Long day. Now I have to figure out what to eat.”
“Ah, the doomed daily question everyone hates to answer. Do you still eat all those Amy’s frozen pizzas?”
I open my freezer to reveal I have three sitting there, waiting for me. “Sure do. They’re the best in a pinch. I might have to make it an Amy’s night.”
She laughs. “Some things never change.”
I grab one, set it on the counter, and go to start the oven. “I’m a simple guy. That should be a good thing.”
“True. Can you rub some of that off on Aiden? He still likes a home-cooked meal every night.”
“Well, that’s because he’s never lived on his own and had to cook that damn meal himself,” I tease. “Stop spoiling him, and then he’ll see what it’s like to have to actually cook.”
“I don’t mind cooking for him.”
I can hear the happiness in her voice, knowing how much it means to her that she can do that for him.
We were lucky, growing up, that our mom could stay home with us kids while our dad worked on the ranch every day.
By the time he was done, she’d have dinner on the table for us all to eat together.
I know that’s the life Katie wants, and it’s exactly what she’ll have with Aiden.
Just the thought that she’s getting that out of life fills me with the same happiness.
“So, what’s going on?” I ask, changing the subject.
“I didn’t expect you to RSVP because, duh, you’re in the wedding. But we did wonder if you’d be bringing a date.”
Instantly, my mind goes to Jenelle and our conversation last night.
I can’t believe we stayed up that late, just texting back and forth.
I felt like I was in high school again. There was nothing sexual or thoughts of just wanting to hook up.
We were actually getting to know each other, which was something I hadn’t done since I was young.
Ever since I went away to college, so much of every relationship around me has been based on sex. If you aren’t hooking up with the girl within a few days, people ask why not. It’s more normal to jump into bed than it is to actually get to know the other person.
I’ll admit, I wasn’t complaining then or now, but it has led to me still being single and not many prospects in sight. I thought this blind-dating app was a wild idea, but now I’m really seeing how it can change the dating landscape for those who are looking for more.
“Well—” I start, but my sister cuts me off before I can finish my sentence.
“OMG, did you finally hook up with that girl from your work?”
“What?” I’m so caught off guard that I don’t even know who she’s talking about. “Who?”
“What was her name, Zoe?”
“Seriously? Why would I hook up with her?”
“Because you totally have something for her. It’s obvious. She’s the only girl you’ve talked about in the past year. A few of us here at home even have a bet going—on if you’ll hook up or not. I think you will.”
I run my hand over my face in frustration. “I talk about her because she drives me crazy.”
“Exactly! That sexual tension must be unreal.”
I close my eyes. “Please. Don’t talk to me about my sex life or any tension—of which there is definitely none.”
She sighs. “Fine. Then if you aren’t talking about Zoe, who is this mystery girl you were just about to tell me about? Must be semi-serious if you’re thinking of inviting her to my wedding.”
“Actually, we just met. Well, kind of.”
“Kind of? Please don’t be so cryptic with me. Give me all the details of who has captured my big brother’s attention.”
The oven beeps, letting me know that it’s preheated, so I slide the frozen pizza in, then lean on the counter to tell her the story. “You remember Donny, right?”
“Of course.”
“Well, he and a couple of guys created this blind-dating app. I signed up just to help them out, but I’m kind of surprised that I’ve met someone through it.”
“Oh! A blind-dating app? That’s kind of cool. What does she look like?”
“That’s the thing; I have no idea. We have to talk on the app for seven days before it will allow us to text outside of the app to finally see each other in person.”
“How many days has it been then?”
“Today will be the third.”
“The third? Like, you’ve only spoken to her twice before today, and you have no idea what she looks like yet or what her voice even sounds like, but when I asked you if you were bringing a date to my wedding, your mind instantly went to her?”
I walk around the counter and plop down on my couch, letting out a breath. “I know. It sounds insane when you say it that way. Never mind.”
“No. Don’t say that. I love it! These must be some great talks if she has you thinking that way after just two days.”
The feelings I had last night while we chatted, and again today just thinking about her, rush through me in a form of excitement I haven’t experienced in quite a while.
“Yeah, they have been.” I’m quick to correct these thoughts, though. “But it’s only been, like you said, two days, and I have no idea what she looks like or who she really is, so let’s not get ahead of ourselves. The idea that she’ll come to your wedding is very slim.”
“But I love that there’s a possibility, so I’m putting down a plus-one for you.”
“Just don’t have me sit next to an empty chair, making it obvious that I, in fact, don’t have a plus-one.”
“I won’t. Don’t worry. Now, go call her and have your day three, then keep me posted on how it goes.”
I chuckle under my breath, knowing if I don’t call her, she’ll be bugging me for more information very soon. “Fine. Love you, sis.”
“Love you too.”
I sit in thought for a few seconds, realizing just how crazy I must have sounded right then. She’s right though; I don’t know what this girl looks like or sounds like, yet she’s all I thought about today.
Normally, I would never put my heart out there like this, but if this doesn’t work out by day seven, then she’ll never know who I truly am, so I decide to put it all out there.
Is it crazy that I thought about you all day today?
Thankfully, she’s quick to respond.
Me too! I don’t even know you, but I feel like I do.
Exactly!
Getting that out of the way and off my chest makes my night seem even brighter. I take my pizza out of the oven and sit down at my counter, ready for another night of getting to know her.
I never asked, what kind of music are you into?
Mostly pop and hip-hop. You?
A little bit of everything, I guess. My heart is in country though.
Ah. That’s the Montana in you. Not much of that here in the city.
Yeah, why is that?
Not many cowboys walking around these parts. There was a country radio station at one point. It switched to hip-hop a few years ago.
Ha! Does that even matter if you live in NYC? Who listens to the radio here anyway? I don’t think I’ve turned on a radio since I moved here. Since I don’t have a car, I listen to music on my apps.
Some people have cars or stereos in their homes that tune in to radio stations.
Do you?
No. LOL!
My point exactly. What about a car? Do you own one?
Nope. My parents did when I was growing up.
So, do you even have a license?
Nope again. Why would I?
That’s wild. I can’t imagine never driving.
What do you mean? You don’t drive every day.
I miss it though. There’s nothing like getting behind the wheel and cranking up the stereo.
If you were to get behind the wheel now, what song would you blast first?
Easy. High Road by Koe Wetzel.
Never heard of it.
That’s what happens when you don’t listen to country. You’re missing out. He does a more pop/R&B version with Jessie Murph.
What makes him your favorite right now?
He’s a blend of country and rock. It would sound great on my truck’s speakers.
Did you have some fancy setup?
Hell yeah, I did. I had to hear the music over the loud exhaust.
Ha! How does such a country boy live here?
I ask myself that often.
Do you think you’ll ever move back?
It’s a thought for sure. I love my job, and I’m good at it. But I love my home too.
You can’t do your kind of work there? What do you do anyway?
Mainly market analysis stuff. Find out what sells best and why. And, no, not much of that in Montana.
Then how did you get into it?
I really liked business in college, and market trends fascinated me. When I got the chance to go to Columbia, I thought it would be an adventure.
Did you think you’d stay?
I really didn’t know. I just kind of went with the flow, and here I am.
Ha! I just got cyber hand-slapped again when I tried to ask where all of this daily stuff goes down, if you get my drift.
I laugh at her workaround. I could easily answer her question, and I’m sure the app wouldn’t catch it, but that would bring us out of this phase of getting to know each other.
She could go to the company’s website and find out exactly who I am from our team section.
Though I’m dying to know who she is, I really like where we are now and want to keep us here for a few more days.
That’s against the rules.
So, you’re a rule follower?
No, not all the time. I like this though, just getting to know you. Not sure if I want this part of what this could be to end just quite yet.
Afraid I might be a crazy stalker or something?
I sure hope not.
I get it though. I like this too.