Ryan sits across the table from Steph.
They both sip at their drinks, still silent after their brief introduction.
Ryan
So you probably want to start having kids right away, being as old as you are.
She almost spills her drink.
That’s a heck of a lead-in.
Steph
And eventually yes, I think I’d like to have kids.
Ryan
I’d want you to have them as soon as possible.
Steph stares at her date.
At his suit jacket and pressed slacks.
His manners have been impeccable since they sat down…
And now he wants her to have hypothetical kids on their first date!
Steph
Shouldn't we get through this date before we pick out names for our children?
She laughs but he doesn’t join in.
Ryan
Children. Two. A boy and a girl. Ryan Jr and Evelyn, after my mother.
Ryan
She’ll want to be in the delivery room too.
Ryan
So, you’re an editor?
Finally, he’s asking about her.
She starts to tell him how much she loves her job…
Steph
Yes, for clients who self publish…
Ryan
That sounds…interesting. I’m in retention.
Steph
I’m not sure I know what that is.
Ryan leans across the table.
His eyes light up in excitement.
Ryan
You know when you want to cancel something?
Ryan
A credit card or a subscription?
Ryan
I’m the guy who convinces you not to.
Steph
Oh, that is really…
She remembers trying to cancel her cable last month.
And how good the guy was at keeping her on the line.
Ryan
I love it. I can see myself doing it forever really.
Ryan
I want to run my own retention company.
Ryan
Is that something, maybe someday…
He reaches his hand across the table and places it over hers.
Ryan
You could see yourself being a part of?
Steph barely succeeds in stifling a laugh.
She gently removes her hand from Ryan’s grasp.
Steph
Ryan, you’re a very…intriguing man.
Steph
But I’m not ready to talk about stuff like this on a first date.
Ryan
But your profile said you were looking for a serious relationship.
Steph
Well, yes, but I need time to get to know someone first.
Ryan
I can give you some extra time.
Ryan
How does three weeks sound?
Steph
I don’t know how much time I’d need.
Ryan
Okay, how about two months then?
Steph
I just don’t think we’re looking for the same things, Ryan.
Ryan
I’m not sure you’ve weighed all the benefits of being with me.
Steph holds back another laugh.
Was he trying to ‘retain’ her right now?
Steph
You may be right, but I think I’m going to go now.
Steph
It was nice meeting you.
Steph
Thank you for the drink, Ryan, but I don’t think I can stay for dinner. Good night.
Ryan
Goodnight, Steph. Let me know if you change your mind.
Steph gets us and all but sprints out the door.
The man she wants to be with is Dave.
Makes her palms sweaty and her heart beat faster.
She needs to find him ASAP.
She orders an Uber and has it drop her at the grocery store…just in case.
But of course Dave isn’t there on a Friday night.
She goes home and texts Kylie.
Kylie
It’s 7:30 on a Friday. Why are you home?
Kylie
Oh! Is your newest date there with you? That didn’t take long! 😜
Steph
God no, he was WAY too intense. I left him at the restaurant.
Kylie
You? Ms. Too Nice for Words left someone in the middle of dinner?
Kylie
Gah, my little girl is growing up and becoming a woman. 😂
Kylie
So are you going to try again?
Steph
That’s why I texted you. I think I’m going to delete my profile.
Kylie
What? Why? You gotta kiss a few frogs before you find a prince.
Steph
That’s the thing. I think I have found my prince.
Steph
At least I hope so.
She thinks about Dave’s buff body.
His awesome sense of humor.
Her heart flutters and she giggles.
Why didn’t she ever think to get his number?
But she knows where he works, where he likes to get his coffee and where he shops.
Sometime tomorrow she will find him.
Kylie
Are you pausing for dramatic effect?
Kylie
Because I gotta say it’s working.
Kylie
WHO are you talking about?
Steph
Remember the guy from the first night?
Kylie
Jason? But I thought…
Steph
No! Dave. The waiter.
Kylie
The one you blew off to leave with another guy after you told him you’d go home with him?
Steph
I apologized, okay?
Steph
Look, I’m going to find him tomorrow and tell him that I like him.
Steph
See if he’d like to go see a movie or something.
Steph
God Ky, I am flipping out so hard. I really like him.
Kylie
You know all this from one drunk night?
Steph
I’ve seen him since. We had coffee.
Steph
And he lives practically next door and we shop at the same stores…
Steph
And love the same movies.
Kylie
You’ve been holding out on me! Tell me everything.
Steph
He almost kissed me in the middle of the produce aisle.
Steph
I thought I was going to die waiting…
Steph
I really do. Tomorrow is the first day of the rest of my life!
Steph tosses her phone on the bed and lies back.
She can’t help but think about Dave lying next to her.
As she closes her eyes, her thoughts and dreams are filled with Dave.
Kylie and Steph are sitting at the restaurant where Dave works.
He hasn’t been at the coffee shop.
Or the grocery store either.
No matter how hard she looks,
Kylie
I’m starting to think you made the guy up.
Steph
I am too. What if I don’t find him, Ky?
Steph
What if I’m too late?
When the waiter comes to their table she asks when Dave is working.
The frazzled server has no idea.
Steph
I think this is the universe's sign that I should stop with all of it and get ten cats.
Kylie
You’d make a terrible cat lady. And you’re allergic.
Steph
See, I’d even fail at being a cat lady. I suck.
Kylie
Well not lately you haven’t, but we’re trying to fix that right?
Kylie winks and Steph can’t help but laugh.
Steph grows quiet as she looks around the dining room.
The last time she was there,
He made sure she didn’t feel like an idiot,
Sitting there by herself.
Steph
I wish it was Dave that first night. The guy I was supposed to meet.
Kylie
Don’t give up. The city is big but not that big.
Kylie
If it’s meant to be, it will happen.
