The next morning, Kylie and Steph are at a local coffee shop.
Kylie
Why was Jason so late?
Kylie
And this better be good.
Steph
His elderly neighbor's dog got out. He spent two hours helping her look for it.
Steph
He climbed into some kind of drain pipe to get it, so he had to shower again.
Steph
And in the process he lost his phone.
Steph
He thinks it fell out when he was crawling around.
Steph
He got to the restaurant as fast as he could.
Kylie
Okay, so he wasn’t rescuing orphans, but that’s close enough.
Kylie
And how were OTHER things?
Kylie
Just good? I thought you said he looked like a god?
Steph
He did! He’s gorgeous. But…
Kylie
Oh crap, was he awful in bed? Or was he…
Kylie crooks her pinky finger and wiggles her eyebrows.
Steph
What? No! That was really great actually, it’s just that…
Steph
He’s kind of boring.
Steph
We have nothing in common.
Steph
He’s not interested in art or music or literature at all.
Steph
Just sports, mainly.
Steph
He IS a really nice guy though.
Kylie
Wait - I thought you just wanted some no-strings sex.
Kylie
In which case he sounds perfect.
Steph
Yeah, he does, doesn’t he?
Steph
I got the idea he might be open to more than that.
Kylie
Well, would that be so bad?
Kylie
Maybe you have more in common than you think.
Steph
You might be right.
Kylie
And if you don’t, you at least have that ONE thing.
Kylie
So promise if he reaches out you’ll at least give him a chance?
Steph
Okay fine. IF he gets in touch I’ll think about it.
Kylie
That’s my girl. And in the meantime…
She grabs Steph’s phone and opens the app.
A few swipes later, she hands it back with a grin.
Kylie
There. A new connection.
Kylie
And now I’ve gotta run and you’re welcome in advance.
Steph stares at her phone. The guy is kind of cute…then she gets a message.
From a handsome man named Sam.
They banter back and forth for about five minutes, until…
Sam
Are you free tomorrow night?
Steph ponders what Kylie has just said and decides to give it a chance.
Sam
Great. We can meet at 7 at Laney’s Pub. Do you know where that is?
Sam
Can’t wait to meet you.
Steph senses a presence over the table just as she closes the app.
Steph
Dave! What are you doing here?
Dave
Best coffee in town.
Steph
Right! Do you want to sit?
Dave seems undecided on what to do.
He takes a seat across from Steph.
They stare at each other in awkward silence.
Steph
So look, I’m really sorry. About last night.
Steph
You were so nice to me and I just…left.
Dave
Yeah, not gonna lie, I was surprised when I came out and you were gone.
Dave
A friend said you left with a guy. Your date?
Steph
Yes. He finally showed after I thought he stood me up.
Steph
But I should have waited for you and told you what happened.
Steph
I guess I was a little embarrassed.
Steph
About what you would say. And about what my date would think.
Dave
I guess it would have been kind of awkward.
Steph
I could have handled it better, though.
Steph
I just haven’t been out in a long time.
Steph
I guess I don’t quite know how to behave.
Steph
I just got out of a long-term relationship.
Steph
He decided he wanted someone else. When we were together.
Steph can’t believe she has just blurted out so much about her personal life to Dave.
Will it cause him to back away?
He leans across the table, close enough for her to smell his cologne.
He’s wearing a tight dark T-shirt and jeans and looks sexier than last night.
Gray flecks dot his amazingly blue eyes.
What she sees in his eyes makes her heart beat faster.
Dave
He’s a fucking idiot.
Dave puts his hand over hers.
Tingles race up her arm and she can't help but look at him.
Dave
Can I tell you something?
Dave
I was really hoping your date wasn’t going to show last night.
And can't help but wonder what they would feel like.
She wishes her date hadn’t shown up either.
After a few seconds, Dave sits back.
Dave
So you want to see my pug?
Dave pulls his phone out and for a second…
Steph is scared that maybe pug is code for dick…
But then there is an actual dog pic on the screen and she laughs.
Steph
Oh right, you said you had a dog! It’s a pug!
Dave
Yeah, what’d you think I meant?
She decides to change the subject fast.
Dave
That’s Nutty’s favorite. It has a snowman on it.
Steph
Well, Nutty is seriously cute.
Dave
So do you think it’s true that dogs and owners look alike?
Steph
There is a certain resemblance in the eyes.
Dave
So that means you think I’m cute too.
Steph
Well I’d say yes but you’re not wearing a snowman sweater so…
Dave
And to think I was this close to putting it on today.
Steph grins and Dave grins back.
His smile is lopsided and incredibly sexy.
She’s caught staring at his lips and fumbles for what to say next.
He makes her lose her train of thought too easily.
Steph
So you’re a waiter?
Dave
By night. I’m really a sculptor. I make art out of metal and spare parts.
Dave shows her several pictures of his stuff.
Steph
Wow, it’s amazing you can do that with your hands.
Dave
I can do a lot more than this with my hands.
She looks at his hands, tanned and strong.
She imagines them on her.
He winks and she can feel her cheeks getting hot.
Steph
I’m a freelance editor, which means I can work from anywhere.
Steph
This place is my favorite, though. It has a great vibe.
Dave
What sorts of things do you edit?
Steph
I have a lot of clients who self-publish and want the copy to be as clean as possible.
Steph
It’s tedious but rewarding. Plus I get to read a lot.
Dave
Don't you get distracted with all the noise here?
Steph
Not at all. People-watching inspires me.
He’s staring at her again, in a way that makes her stomach knot up.
Dave
Go out with me, for real this time.
Dave
I’m off tomorrow night. I’d like to take you out on purpose this time.
She's about to say yes when she remembers…
Dave
Oh. The guy from last night?
Steph
No, someone different. I’m on this dating site…
Some of the light in Dave’s eyes goes away.
Dave
I get it. Casual. No worries. Okay, well I’ll see you around I guess.
Suddenly Steph realizes how foolish she’s being.
She can easily cancel her date.
But Dave suddenly gets up and leaves before she can tell him she’s changed her mind.
