The next night Steph meets Sam for drinks at Laney’s Pub.
He’s wearing a button-down shirt and jeans and is really cute.
He’s only in town for a couple of nights.
Steph
How often do you travel?
Sam
A couple of times a week. Different city every weekend.
Steph
That must be exhausting!
Sam
Sometimes. But I get to meet a lot of new people.
Steph
Do you do…this a lot?
Sam
Yeah, it works out great. Pick out who looks good…
Sam
And by the way you’re seriously hot.
Sam
We meet up, see if there’s a spark and then…
Sam winks at her and finishes his drink.
Sam
Ready to head upstairs?
But she knows she shouldn’t be.
This IS known as a hookup app, after all.
It’s then she realizes that this isn’t really what she wants.
Casual dating doesn’t feel right.
She wants a real connection.
Steph
Thanks, but I think I’m going to call it a night.
Sam is already on his phone when she leaves the table.
He has the dating app open.
She calls an Uber and goes home alone.
Once there, she can’t help but think about Dave.
Steph
Hey Ky, my date was a bust. ☹️
Kylie
Sorry babe. He looked good in his pic.
Steph
Oh, he was super cute, there was just no spark when we met.
Steph
Plus he was just looking for a quick hookup.
Kylie
I thought that’s what you wanted?
Steph
I did too. But I think I want…
Steph
I want to find love, Ky.
Steph
I want to be with someone for more than a night.
Kylie
It’s awfully soon, Steph.
Kylie
Are you sure you want to jump back into that right now?
Kylie
Are you sure it’s not just loneliness talking?
Steph
Of course it’s loneliness! I want someone to do things with.
Steph
Like movies and walks in the park and snuggling and falling asleep together.
Steph
Chad stopped wanting any of that.
Steph
It was a waste of time according to him.
Kylie
Then you should have it.
Kylie
Did you try putting all that in your profile?
Kylie
That app isn’t just for hooking up.
Kylie
But you need to be clear about what you want.
Kylie
You could find more if you really want to. But just be sure, k?
Steph
I’ll think on it tonight.
An hour later, Steph updates her profile:
“Looking for long term romance and possibly love.”
She doesn’t get a single decent match for an entire week.
She loses herself in her work until she gets a message.
Ryan
I like your profile. I think we have a lot in common.
Ryan
Like I’m looking for more than just a night too.
Ryan
Would you like to go out for dinner?
After some more texting, they set up a date for 6 on Friday night.
But when she thinks about her upcoming date…
All she can see is Dave’s face.
She hasn’t seen him at the coffee shop all week.
And she misses talking with him.
On Thursday she stops at the grocery store.
She’s picking out a bell pepper when she smells a familiar cologne.
Before she turns she already knows it’s Dave.
He’s in a tight T-shirt and cargo shorts.
His hair is hanging over part of his forehead.
She resists the urge to move it away.
There is stubble along his jaw and he looks better than ever.
Steph
Hey Dave. What are you doing here?
Dave
Seeing a man about a horse.
Steph
I meant at this grocery store.
Steph
I stop here all the time and I’ve never seen you.
Dave
You’ve been looking for me then?
He winks and a wave of heat climbs up her neck.
When he grins her pulse quickens.
Dave
My roommate moved in with his girlfriend so I got a new place two blocks over.
Steph
I live two blocks from here too.
They figure out that they are practically neighbors in adjacent apartment buildings.
Steph
This is crazy. I usually shop really early, but today I needed to clear my head.
Steph can’t stop staring into Dave’s eyes.
And she loves the way he looks at her.
He leans closer to her and his pupils widen.
She feels trapped inside them.
But just before their lips meet, a baby starts to cry.
And they both look around.
Aware they are at the grocery store.
They both laugh a little breathlessly.
Steph
I can’t believe you live so close and we’ve never seen each other before all this.
Dave
Now that I know, I’ll keep an eye out for you.
Dave winks and her cheeks go hot again.
Dave
Hey, do you ever go to the Hillsdale Theatre?
Steph
Oh my god I love that place.
Steph
I’ve seen Strangers on a Train like, eight times.
Dave
Ten for me. And I went to see the midnight showing of Casanova last month.
Steph
No way, I was there too!
They stare at each other.
Dave reaches over to push a strand of hair behind her ear.
Her skin tingles where he touches her.
Dave
They’re playing a one time The Birds in 3D Friday night.
There is nothing she wants more than to go but…
Dave
You have a date already.
She thinks about canceling her date.
But Sam made a point of telling her that he made reservations at a really fancy restaurant.
And he’s texted her twice to reconfirm.
Dave
Next time there’s a Hitchcock marathon?
Lost in Dave’s eyes, Steph finds herself unable to speak.
He stares at her a few seconds longer, then smiles.
Dave
See ya around, neighbor.
But Dave is already gone and doesn’t hear her.
