Page 14 of Caught Stealing

She shares the sentiment and hangs up. Whew. One stumbling block conquered, and now on to the next. The actual date. I message Owen and give him the details. If he’s right and this woman ends up being the one, I’ll never hear the end of it.

Chapter Six

Charlotte

“Where are you going for this date?” Carmen asks.

“He invited me on a picnic in the park. I’m meeting him at seven.”

“Oh, jumping straight into romantic walks in the park under the stars, are we?” Carmen’s teasing is completely uncalled for, especially since she’s the one who set me up on the app to begin with.

“You’re the one who got me into this, so you better pray that it goes well. If I get unalived in the park tonight, it will be all your fault. Are you prepared to have that on your conscience for the rest of your life?”

“First of all, you’re the one who decided to meet in person so soon. You could have said no and continued your messaging. However, I highly doubt the guy is going to murder you in the park. Which park is he taking you to? I’ll send in scouts.”

“You are not sending your husband to the park to spy on us. Forget it. I’ll be fine.”

Ginger snuggles up to me and plants her drooly face on my lap. I wonder if I should take her with me since I don’t like leaving her alone so much, but I don’t want to seem like a crazy dog lady by messaging Andrew again. Requesting a double date with my dog seems more than desperate. Doesn’t it? Who knows.

Andrew Rossi. It’s a nice name. A name that seems like a decent guy might be attached to it, so I pray God won’t let me walk into a complete nightmare. A flash of Rory’s face gives me a bout of indigestion. I moved fast with that one, too, and all it got me was emotional destruction. Carmen is right. I should have messaged him longer and put off a date until next week.

“You’ll call me when you’re home though, right? All joking aside, I do want to know that you got home okay.”

Worry gnaws at my stomach. “Should I reschedule? Stick to the original plan and message him longer?”

I’m met with silence for a few heartbeats which does not help my nerves. “I honestly don’t know, Lots. If you felt a connection, then go for it. If you’re having second thoughts, you can always call him and ask if you can chat again.”

“We did sort of pass right over texting into a phone conversation. And he seems nice enough.”

“Listen, we both know that a jerk is a jerk, and if he is one, it’ll show. Maybe going on the first date will help. You had seven other matches if this one doesn’t work out.”

I don’t bother mentioning that I have no intention of seeking round two if this doesn’t work out. My nerves are already out of control, and I can’t imagine starting over and over.

“Still, if you want a scout just call me. You know the hubs will watch out for you.”

“I know he would, but I’m sure it’ll be fine. I’ll call you when I get home so you don’t worry.”

“Yes, go. Hurry and give me all the amazing details later! Love you!” She hangs up without a response, pretty typical for her.

After showering, I pull on a pair of skinny, ankle-length jeans and my favorite tee. My friends think it’s hilarious to gift me punny math shirts but I secretly adore it. My crisp white tee says circles have no point in big purple letters with a purple circle rolling its eyes at a rectangle cracking the joke. I pull on my white sneakers and grab my lightweight jacket just in case there is some prayer that Georgia might not suffocate me once the sun goes down.

I decide to leave my hair down and take a hair tie with me. Andrew didn’t specify what sort of date this might be—formal or casual—but I’m working under the assumption that it is casual since it’s a picnic. I already made chocolate chip brownies for dessert so I grab the cooled tray and my keys, give Ginger a pat and head out. My purse holds pepper spray just in case he is a jerk, but I hope I never have to use it.

Driving into the historic district is never my favorite thing, but the buildings are beautiful and there is so much to do once you find a place to park. It’s approaching tourist season, so there are a lot of people milling around. I don’t dare come down here during the hottest months of summer, not when there are plenty of other things to do like spend the day at the beach or read inside an air conditioned library.

Once I find a place to park, I grab my things and try to calm my racing nerves. It’s just a date. It’s scary, but I remind myself that this might be what I need to feel more like myself. I’m off lately, not so sunny and happy, and I hate it. Even if it doesn’t work out, I’m over the first big hump—my first date after Rory. Maybe, if I’m lucky, he’ll be nice enough for a second date.

I follow the trail lined by Spanish moss covered live oak trees until the beautiful fountain comes into view. Scanning the area, I don’t see anyone that looks like the image burned into my mind. Andrew is, in a word, Adonis-like perfection. Make that three words. His profile didn’t list much about his work, but it did say he likes dogs and outdoor activities.

I keep watch for him while I stroll around the fountain, but I’m soon lost in my thoughts as people pass by with various snacks from local vendors. I slow to a stop and lean on the gate to let the mist cool my face.

“Charlotte?”

Holy wow. That tone. The deep timbre of a man’s voice sends chills down my spine, but I don’t have time to work through that before a soft brush of his hand over my elbow sends my anxiety into overdrive. I stiffen and turn around as he steps back.

“I’m sorry. I called your name a few times, but you didn’t seem to hear me,” he says. His gorgeous hazel eyes twinkle as he takes in my facial features.

I’m supposed to say something. Acknowledge that I am who he thinks I am. Breathe, maybe. But his stunning good looks are done zero justice by the profile picture he chose. His full lips spread into a smile.

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