Page 9 of Obeying the Owner
James: Hello, Mae.
I didn’t even notice Sheryl shortened my name on my account.
Me: Hello, James.
James: How’s your night been?
What should I say? Where’s Lucy when I need her? Actually, I don’t want to think about where she is right now or what she’s doing with my brother. Blech.
I can handle this. After graduating summa cum laude, this should be easy.
Me: It’s suddenly improving. How about yours?
James: That’s funny. I was thinking the same thing. Do you live in Charleston?
Me: I do. What about you?
James: Just outside of Charleston. How would you like to meet me tomorrow night for a drink?
I like how he said to meet him and didn’t offer to pick me up. I’m not about to give a stranger my address.
Me: That sounds great. Where are you thinking?
James: BLITZED rooftop bar at eight?
His choice surprises me for a moment, but then I recall the one time I went there with Rogan, my younger brother, I noticed it catered to an older crowd.
Me: That works.
James: I’ll see you then.
Me: Looking forward to it.
James: So am I.
My face hurts from smiling as I log out. I can’t believe I did it. I’m proud of myself. And it was not only relatively painless, it was fun. I set my phone on the end table and prop my chin on my palms. I have a date tomorrow night!
Wait. Is it considered a date if you meet on Finder?
I’ll have to talk with James and figure out what he wants. I don’t have high expectations because I’ve heard horror stories about these apps. Hell, if he shows up, it’ll be an improvement, but I have hopes of having an orgasm.
And I don’t know what about James makes me so confident he can deliver, but I am.
* * *
Sheryl’s waiting near the building’s entrance when I arrive at work. “Good morning.” She hands me a cup of coffee.
I study her for a moment. “Who are you, and what have you done with my friend?”
She laughs. “I had an overnight guest, and they left early, so I figured I’d grab you a coffee for a change.”
“Was it someone I know?” I ask.
She taps her red fingernail against her smirking lips. “You know Ed from the accounting department?”
“Yeah.” Everyone knows who Ed is. With the physique of a bodybuilder, he’s the antithesis of what you think of when you hear the word accountant.
“Well, it wasn’t him,” she says, laughing.