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Tapping the screen, I opened the notification and nearly swallowed my tongue when I saw the message from River in my inbox. The little dot under his name said he was online.

River: hey glad you messaged. Im for real looking. still have some to sell?

So, he really was looking to buy tools?

Hayden: I do. What are you looking for?

River: everything and everything

Hayden: I’ve got a bunch of stuff, not sure if it qualifies as everything.

River: yeah, that wasn’t exactly specific. Oops lol. But I’m desperate so if it’s a tool, I’m interested

Hayden: Can I ask why you’re on a dating app looking for tools?

River: kinda weird right?

River: but it was a last resort

Hayden: Do you want to see some pic of what I have?

Hayden: We *are* talking about real tools, right? This isn’t a euphemism for escorting or dick pics?

River: nope, real tools you can build stuff with

River: you’re the first person who’s messaged me

River: maybe they thought what you did?

Hayden: Probably, because I can’t imagine another reason why someone as hot as you isn’t getting bombarded with messages.

My chest tightened with anxiety as soon as I pressed send. Why was I flirting? He’d already said he was looking to buy tools, not find a date. Not that a guy like him would ever date me. Tens didn’t go for twos.

He added a smiley face emoji with hearts floating around it.

River: believe it or not I really needed to hear that right now

Hayden: that you’re hot?

River: no. well not exactly. I just kinda got humbled at work so the confidence boost is extra nice right now

Hayden: I’m not following.

River: oops. I tend to do that. Jump from topic to topic with zero context

Trying not to think too much about what I was writing or wonder why River was having an actual conversation with me, I leaned back in my chair and focused on my phone.

Hayden: What happened at work?

River: It’s a really slow night for some reason and when I was doing my set I pulled out this new move I’ve been working on and totally nailed it. didn’t even get a single clap. Kinda took the wind out of my sails.

Hayden: That sounds like it really sucked, but I’m still missing some context. Set? Move? Are you a performer?

River: Sort of

River: I’m a stripper

Hayden: Really? Wow. Yeah, I can totally see that.