Chapter 38
**Sara**
My phone buzzed, interrupting my internal debate. It was Jessica.
Jessica: Hey, girl! Are you up for hitting the pub tonight? I need a wingwoman!
I chuckled, imagining Jessica's pouty face as she typed that message. My fingers flew across the screen as I replied.
Me: Sorry, Jess. Already have plans. Going on a date with James.
The response was almost instantaneous.
Jessica: James? Who the hell is James? Did I miss something?
I realized I hadn't filled her in on my latest romantic escapade.
Me: Guy I matched with on that dating app.
Jessica: OMG! Sara Parker, you saucy minx! Spill the tea!
Me: Not much to spill. We're meeting for coffee. Maybe more.
Jessica: Maybe more? Look at you, getting your freak on! What happened to Miss Prim and Proper?
I snorted, nearly smudging my lipstick in the process.
Me: She got tired of being sexually frustrated and decided to live a little.
Jessica: That's my girl! But wait... what about Professor Hottie?
I sighed, feeling a twinge of guilt.
Me: Tom's off-limits. You know that. Besides, I need a distraction.
Jessica: And by "distraction," you mean a good old-fashioned...
"Don't you dare finish that sentence," I muttered, even though Jessica couldn't hear me.
Me: Jess! Behave!
Jessica: Never! So, tell me about this James guy. Is he hot?
I glanced at James' profile pic, feeling a flutter in my stomach.
Me: Definitely easy on the eyes. Smart, too. We had some great banter.
Jessica: Ooh, a hottie with a brain! Be careful, or you might fall for this one.
I chuckled, shaking my head at Jessica's dramatics.
Me: Let's not get ahead of ourselves. It's just coffee.
Jessica: "Just coffee," she says. Girl, we both know what "coffee" means these days.
I felt my cheeks heat up, grateful Jessica couldn't see me blushing.
Me: Maybe I'm thirsty... for caffeine, of course.
Jessica: Sure. Just be careful, okay? And use protection if you decide to... quench that thirst.
I laughed out loud at that, nearly dropping my phone.
Me: Yes, mom. I'll be a good girl.
Jessica: Not too good, I hope! Have fun, babe. And remember: if he turns out to be a creep, text me the safe word, and I'll swoop in to rescue you.
Me: What's the safe word again?
Jessica: Professor Blackwood's abs.
Me: You're impossible.
Jessica: You love me. Now go get 'em, tiger! And I want ALL the details tomorrow!
Me: We'll see. Thanks, Jess.
I set my phone down, shaking my head at Jessica's antics. Leave it to her to simultaneously encourage and tease me about my love life. But I had to admit, her enthusiasm was infectious. I felt less nervous and much more excited about my impending date.
As I gave myself one last once-over in the mirror, I wondered what Tom would think if he knew I was going out with someone else. Would he be jealous? Disappointed? Or would he not care at all?
I pushed those thoughts aside, focusing instead on the butterflies in my stomach. This was about me, not Tom. It was time to put myself first for once.
With a deep breath, I grabbed my purse and headed out the door. Whatever happened tonight, at least it would be an adventure. And who knows? Maybe James would be exactly what I needed to get Tom out of my system.
As I stepped out into the cool evening air, I couldn't shake the feeling that my life would get much more complicated. But for once, I was ready to embrace the chaos.
I stepped out of the cab, my heart doing a little tap dance in my chest. The cafe loomed before me, its warm lights beckoning like a lighthouse in a sea of uncertainty. I took a deep breath, trying to channel my inner cool girl. "You've got this, Sara," I muttered to myself. "It's just coffee. With a stranger. Who you met on the internet. Oh God, what am I doing?"
Shaking off my nerves, I pushed open the door and stepped inside. The aroma of freshly ground beans hit me like a caffeinated slap in the face. I scanned the room, hoping to spot James, but no dice. The place crawled with hipsters and laptop warriors, but none matched his profile pic.
"Great," I thought. "I'm either early, or I've been stood up. Both options suck."
I fished my phone out of my purse, fumbling like a technological klutz. After what felt like an eternity of swiping and tapping, I managed to open the dating app. My thumbs hovered over the keyboard as I debated what to say. "Hey, I'm here!" felt too eager. "Where are you?" sounded accusatory. In the end, I settled for something in between.
I texted out a quick message: "I just got here. I've got a table by the window if you're still up for it."
My phone buzzed almost instantly. "Be there in one minute! Look for the guy with the goofy grin."
I chuckled, feeling some tension ease out of my shoulders. At least he had a sense of humor. I snagged a table by the window, positioning myself to see both the door and the street outside. No way was I getting caught off guard.
As I settled in, I couldn't help but fidget. I straightened the sugar packets, aligned the salt and pepper shakers, and even considered rearranging the little potted succulent on the table. Anything to keep my hands busy and my mind off the butterflies doing the cha-cha in my stomach.
The bell above the door chimed, and I looked up to see a man step inside. My jaw nearly hit the floor. James was... well, let's just say his profile pic didn't do him justice. Tall, with broad shoulders and a jawline that could cut glass, he scanned the room with piercing blue eyes. When they landed on me, his face broke into a smile that could melt polar ice caps.
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