Page 10 of Sideline Sweetheart
The conversation I had with Mom and Aunt Rosie replayed through my head during my drive back to Greenville. Maybe they’re right, maybe I should give Bryce a chance, he’s been nothing but kind and considerate during our interactions.
My uncertainty dissolves once I step inside my office. Sitting on my desk is a cup of coffee and a bag from my favorite bakery. Welcome back is written on the bag, and I smile as I open it and find a still warm breakfast sandwich.
I find my phone and my finger fly over the screen as I type out a text to Bryce before I change my mind.
Thank you for breakfast.
His reply is almost immediate.
You’re welcome. I hope you enjoy it.
I’m sure I will. About your dinner invitation…
The one I extended nearly a month ago? It still stands.
I bite my lip as I take a chance and reply.
Then I’d like to accept.
Great, I’ll call you tonight with the details.
Before I dive into my breakfast, I open the group chat with the girls and send a text.
Dinner invitation has been accepted. Meet at my place after work?
I toss my phone on the desk and take a sip of my coffee as text alerts rattle off in quick succession. Hoping I haven’t made a huge mistake.
On my way home,I stop by the grocery store and pick up the charcuterie tray I ordered earlier along with some brownies from the bakery. If there’s going to be wine involved in this evening’s date planning, we’re going to need something solid to put in our stomachs.
Before I left the facility, Bryce sent me a text letting me know we were on for tomorrow night. While his message sent my anxiety to the stratosphere, I was glad I wouldn’t have to stress throughout the week waiting for the date to arrive.
I take a few minutes to straighten up my apartment and change into some loungewear, and pull four stemless wineglasses from the cabinet, before setting the food out on the breakfast bar. A knock sounds on my door, and I check the clock on the stove and see it reads five-thirty. The girls are early, but seeing I have everything ready it’s not an issue. I open the door to find a delivery person holding a vase filled with bearded irises.
“Mackenzie Flynn?”
“Yes, can I help you?”
They thrust a small tablet toward me. “Sign here, please.” I scribble my signature on the tablet, and they hand me the vase. “Have a nice day,” they say before walking away.
I set the vase on the breakfast bar, remove the envelope from the plastic holder and withdraw the card.
Looking forward to dinner tomorrow night. Bryce.
I smile and return the card to the holder knowing the girls will see it when they arrive but not caring if they do. I pick up my phone, take a picture of the flowers and send him a thank you text.
The flowers are beautiful, thank you. Are you always this thoughtful?
You’re welcome. I told you I’m a thoughtful guy.
“Something I’m slowly realizing,” I mutter to myself as another text comes through.
What are you doing tonight?
Drinking wine with friends so I’m not so freaked out about our date is the first thing to pop into my mind, but it’s also the last thing I’ll admit to him.
Having drinks with Jamie, Luna, and Allison.
Ahh, a girl’s night.
