Page 105 of 1001 Dark Nights: Bundle Forty-Seven

“We’re meeting at a café across from my work.”

“Right. Text me when you’re back at work, though, okay?”

“I don’t have to go, Violet. I can just not show up.”

“You need to go. He didn’t have to stop you, and he did. He wanted an excuse to talk to you. This is a perfectly safe first date and you deserve more romance in your life than watching the Hallmark channel andFifty First Dates.”

“I love that movie.”

“I know. Now let’s go or I’ll be late for first period and then I’ll have to walk past John Kirkwood’s desk to get to mine and I would prefer if that didn’t happen today or any other day.”

* * * *

At eleven, I make a trip to the bathroom and freshen up my lipstick. I anxiety pee twice, grab my purse and head across the street to the café. Before I step inside, I text Violet to let her know that I’m going in.

She wishes me luck. And tells me to sneak her a pic, so she knows what he looks like. My palms are sweaty and I’m ridiculously nervous.

It’s been a while since I’ve ventured into the land of dating, and I’m out of practice. The café is busy, but I don’t see Sidney anywhere. I check my phone. It’s only eleven twenty-two. He said eleven thirty. I order my usual latte and barely resist the cheese croissant. Instead, I get a lavender and lemon scone, which is equally delicious but won’t wreak havoc on my intestines.

I sip my latte and try not to obsessively watch the door, but at eleven-thirty-five I get antsy.

Violet messages to ask how it’s going.

I hold off on replying in hopes he’s running late, but at eleven-forty-one I ask for a to-go bag for my uneaten lavender-lemon scone. The phone rings and Larissa grabs it as she passes me a small bag. “Coffee Emporium, Larissa speaking. How may I help you?”

“Thanks.” I turn to leave, the disappointment heavier than I expected.

“Uh yeah, she’s right here.” Larissa calls out, “Hey Skye, hold on. There’s a guy on the phone for you?” Her eyebrow and voice rise with her questioning tone.

I take the phone, my eyebrow arched in return. “Hello?”

“Skye, hey, hi, it’s Sidney. I’m so sorry. I witnessed an accident and I’m stuck at the scene.”

“Are you okay?” I fiddle with my necklace, my stomach flipping with his anxious tone.

“Yeah. Fine. Rattled, but fine. It seems to be mostly a fender bender. I didn’t want you to think I was a no-show. Can I give you my number? Maybe we can try again next week? Or sooner, depending on how you feel about second chances?”

“Um—”

“I promise I’m not in the habit of standing people up. I’d rather be there with you than here.”

“Sure, you can give me your number,” I concede.

Larissa’s eyes light up and she pushes a Sharpie and a piece of paper toward me. Sidney recites his number and I repeat it to him.

“I gotta go. The police finally arrived. I hope I hear from you. Have a good day, Skye.” The sirens in the background prove he’s telling the truth about the accident.

He ends the call and I pass the phone back to Larissa. “Thanks. Sorry about that. I was supposed to meet someone here, but I didn’t have his number,” I explain.

Larissa’s eyes light up. “Was that the hottie business guy who was in here last week?”

“Yeah, do you know anything about him?”

“He comes in once or twice a week. Always dressed in a suit and super polite.”

“That’s good. Thanks again, Larissa. I’ll see you tomorrow.” I leave the café and return to work, not quite so dejected now that I have his number.

Once I’m back in my office, I check my messages. I have two from Violet asking for an update.

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