Chapter 6
6
Malone: Just a couple of quick questions so I can plan for the best date this evening. Are you opposed to wearing knee-high rubber boots for long periods of time?
Sloane: Will we be wading through the Hudson River?
Malone: *shudders* This isn’t a horror-movie date, Sloane.
Sloane: Then why on earth would we need rubber boots?
Malone: Oyster shucking, of course, but we’ll collect them first. I don’t think it’ll be too smelly.
Sloane: Did you know that Green Point Fish and Lobster has an oyster-shucking class? Isn’t that crazy? There is a class for everything now.
Malone: Would you actually like me to sign us up for that?
Sloane: Oysters are one food I can’t stand. Feel free to avoid all oyster-centric dates, now and forevermore.
Malone: Duly noted. Oysters are on the official forbidden list.
Sloane: If you’re looking for something new and adventuresome, might I suggest that we try shopping cart races and push each other down steep hills?
Malone: Wow. This is like an X Games–style date. Should we get on skateboards and ride up crazy-high ramps too?
Sloane: Excellent idea. I’ll bring the kneepads.
Malone: I could go in so many different directions with kneepads.
Sloane: You have a dirty mind.
Malone: I absolutely do have a dirty mind, and I’d like to use it with you soon.
Sloane: I’d like you to use it with me soon too.
Malone: Until then, I’ll sign us up to go skydiving.
Sloane: Or, wait for it, I have an idea . . .
Malone: Do tell.
Sloane: It’s a little crazy, a little edgy . . .
Malone: This is going to be out there. I can feel it.
Sloane: I’m almost too nervous to suggest it. But what about . . .
Malone: The anticipation is killing me. Just say it.
Sloane: Dinner!
Malone: Whoa. How did you just come up with that, like, on the fly? Or, tell me, have you been thinking about that for days?
Sloane: It just came to me. I swear!
Malone: Dinner. Wow. It’s almost as if something existed just to provide the perfect opportunity for two people to get to know each other.
Sloane: Is that what you want?
Malone: To get to know you? Yes. Very much so.
Sloane: Same here. I had an amazing time last night. It was almost unreal.
Malone: Yet, I have a hickey on my neck to prove it happened, and I haven’t stopped touching it or staring at it.
Sloane: WHAT? I gave you a hickey? When?
Malone: Just kidding. But seriously, I feel the same, and I’d like to speed up time and have it be tonight so I can see you again.
Sloane: I think if anyone ever figures out time travel, it will be the infatuated.
Malone: Is that you?
Sloane: Oh, I’m definitely infatuated.
Malone: I can’t wait to kiss you and taste the infatuation on your lips. Until then, would you like Vietnamese, Japanese, sushi, or Italian?
Sloane: Vietnamese. It’s my favorite.
Malone: See you at seven.
Sloane: Counting the minutes.
Malone: The seconds.