23. Finally
Finally
Fly
Agrin spreads across my face at the open, honest answer.
Sheri
Sorry I didn’t answer earlier. I was kidnapped.
What?
Fly
Are you all right? Where are you? I’ll come get you.
Sheri
Oh, no. Sorry, not like that. Winnie and a few of the other women showed up this morning as I was finishing my run and dragged me to the spa.
She runs in the morning too.
Sheri
They took away everyone’s phones so we could relax.
That explains the lack of contact.
Fly
Did you have fun?
Sheri
Mostly…I still haven’t gotten used to strangers touching me. But my toenails sparkle now.
Her blunt honesty makes me smile. It’s just something I’m not used to in most people. My brothers are the only exception.
Sheri
This might be a little late since it’s the middle of the afternoon, but good morning.
I can practically hear her saying that to me.
Sheri
Though, I should say good morning, Prince Fly, which has me thinking of the book and wild boys running around in the woods with pig heads and spears.
Laughter bursts out of me at the random thought.
Fly
It’s only fitting that a princess should find her prince, but if I have spears and an amazing BBQ going, what are you bringing?
That was such a random comment. She’s going to think I’m nuts.
Three dots blink up at me for a long time as she’s thinking about what to type back. It’s probably some sweet, it’s-me-not-you excuse to never see me again.
Sheri
Well, if you’re inviting me to a BBQ, I’m bringing potato salad and a sawed-off shotgun.
This woman keeps making me laugh.
Sheri
But I need to warn you, I’m very particular about my BBQ. I have an important question for you. Sauce or dry rub?
That woman does take her BBQ seriously.
Fly
There’s only one answer to that question.
Sheri
And that is?
Fly
Vinegar or tomato?
Sheri
Touché. But there is still only one option and a question. Are you right in your head for even suggesting that vinegar goes on something as sacred as BBQ?
This woman.
Fly
There are worse things in the world, than some acid with a fatty cut of meat.
Sheri
What blasphemy is this you speak of? By the time you’ve smoked that meat, the fat has melted off, leaving perfectly juicy meat. I’m not sure we can be friends.
Fly
Then the obvious answer would be a dry rub and some cherry wood. But the real question is, should I worry about you with the sawed-off shotgun?
Sheri
LOL. I learned to shoot around when I learned how to walk…so yeah, you should always worry about a woman who knows how to use a gun.
Fly
Can’t. That’s sexy…should we go to the gun range for our first date?
Sheri
And waste perfectly good ammo?
I love this woman.
Fly
So you’d be open to hunting bears but not paper targets.
Sheri
Bear isn’t my favorite. Wild boar, on the other hand…
The image her messing with a boar…that thought is terrifying.
Fly
How about something a little less lethal since we don’t have wild boars around here?
Sheri
Hmmm…I don’t know, shouldn’t all first dates involve a little violence?
I almost snort with laughter.
Fly
I wouldn’t know. I’m into peace and love.
Sheri
I just snorted my drink up my nose. Biker gangs are the epitome of warm hugs and friendly, peaceable men.
Fly
What are you drinking? Of course we are. I’m glad you understand that. The last bar fight we got in was full of fist hugs.
Sheri
Something fruity and sunny. Did you start the fight?
Fly
Do you like it? Not that one. The sad part was I didn’t get to end it either.
Sheri
I do, but sweet drinks aren’t usually my favorite. Unless we’re talking about tea. I feel for you, but at least you got to walk out without too many bruises. Right?
Fly
Is sweet tea your favorite drink? My knuckles were swollen for a few days but otherwise unharmed.
Sheri
Hmm. No. Though it’s close. Did you have someone kiss them and make them better?
Oh, she’s feisty…
Fly
What is your favorite? Is that an offer? Because I accept.
Sheri
You’ll laugh. Maybe…
And flirty, even better.
Fly
I won’t…much. I need a conclusive answer. That was a serious question.
Sheri
Tell me yours first, and I’ll tell you mine. Do you have a boo-boo that needs kissing?
What is my favorite drink? Do I even have one? There isn’t anything but water and a case of beer in my fridge.
Fly
I don’t have either, but I could arrange to acquire the latter before our date.
There’s always a brother who irritates me one way or another.
Sheri
Everyone has a favorite drink. And I’m not sure that’s how boo-boo kisses work.
Fly
I just don’t care about it enough to have a favorite. I didn’t know there were rules to kissing.
Sheri
You’ve got to have a preference somewhere. Would you drink any beer? I mean, they aren’t written, but they’re inferred.
Fly
I can eat or drink anything. I don’t think inferences count in a court of law.
Sheri
No way. Even the junky beer? Who kisses in court?
Fly
I’d still drink it, but it wouldn’t be my first pick. We could try it out and see.
Sheri
Lol, you’re a nut. Maybe…
Fly
That might be true. So what is your favorite drink? And again, I need a definitive answer to that question. There’s a courthouse in Silent Valley with a pretty nook we could try out.
Sheri
You’ll laugh. Are you making a list of places for us to kiss?
Fly
Probably, but tell me anyway. Maybe, would you be okay with that?
Sheri
Beast. Sir, that didn’t feel like an adequate response. Would that be an exhaustive list?
Fly
A fly is more of an insect than a beast, but I’d still love to know. True, it wasn’t, and I really do like full and complete responses, but I’d be happy to leave that list open to additional locations. Do you have any in mind?
Sheri
You, sir, might be named after a fly and resemble a beast on occasion, but I have it on good authority that you’re a prince among men. Maybe.
Fly
I wasn’t named after a fly, and thank you for thinking I’m a beast. I do hit the gym quite frequently…a prince must always have a princess by his side. Like where? I’m taking notes.
Sheri
Do you enjoy working out? And why does she have to be at his side? I mean, what if she wants to be in front of him, leaning up for a kiss? Are you really taking notes?
Fly
I enjoy running. The rest of it, I like the results, so I tolerate the activity. Good point. Princesses should now always be in front. Of course, I am. How else am I going to figure out where to take you on our first date?
Sheri
Wow. Same…though I don’t really tolerate working out. I excel at hiding from it. And you should know it doesn’t have to be that hard a decision. I’m easy.
Fly
Oh, really?
Sheri
Don’t be pervy. And I’m serious. We could sit and watch a movie on your huge television or tell scary stories by the fireplace. I don’t need a fancy date.
Fly
Can I be a little pervy only when it comes to you? Scary stories?
Sheri
Beast…What? Doesn’t everyone love scary stories?
Fly
??No, some of us don’t enjoy scary stories. Who told you your first one? Was it your dad?
Sheri
??Oh, really? No, it was my brother.
Why am I imagining her smiling with a slight blush on her cheeks?
Fly
Not in the least, because most scary stories have a small basis in truth. Knowing that freaks me out a little. Was your brother good at telling them?
Sheri
They don’t all have to. You just need to believe it’s possible that they’re real. My brother was the best. He’d tell stories that would give me nightmares for weeks.
Fly
And how is that the best?
Sheri
Because it got me dreaming about other things. I think that’s what started me off as a writer.
Fly
You should have written thrillers.
Sheri
Thought about it…many times.
Interesting.
Fly
And why didn’t you?
The almost instant responses stop.
Did she get distracted by something?
Or did I touch on a hard topic?