Page 16 of Last Night Was Fun

You flatter me, Bird Girl. But people tend to have this perception of me, mainly because of how I look, that I’m going to be a certain type of person. And then when I’m not, they aren’t interested.

Emmy blinked at his message, not sure what to make of it.Certain type of person?She wasn’t sure where to go next, so she went with a joke.

Wait, who am I talking to here? Are you a movie star? Is this Ryan Gosling???

First off, if this was Ryan, do you really think I’d cheat on Eva? That woman is a goddess.

Agreed. Good point.

But no. Not a movie star. An athlete. Before they get to know me, most people think I’m a dumb jock, which is an egregious stereotype on its own. Some of the guys I used to play with were the smartest people I know. There are more kinds of intelligence than just book smarts.

Emmy found herself surprised and even more curious. She noted his use of the past tense—used to play with—so assumed she wasn’t talking to a professional athlete.

I completely agree. What did you play?

Baseball.

She sat straight up.

Really? I was at the game tonight!

No way! You’re a fan?

It’s my favorite sport!

(And my job, she thought about adding but held back.)

Damn, Bird Girl, if you get any more perfect, I don’t know what I’m going to do.

Emmy almost dropped her phone as a warm wave washed over her. She tingled all the way to her toes. He’d called herperfect. She was cartwheeling sitting still. She fought to compose herself and pulled their conversation back on track before she did something reckless like ask him to meet for a nightcap.

So, this perception vs. reality thing. Explain more, please.

Ah, yes. Well, the athletic résumé attracts a certain kind of person, let’s say. And in case you haven’t noticed, I’m actually a huge nerd.

A point in the win column if you ask me.

Well, you’re in the minority. Most people want a good time with the himbo jock, and that’s just not me. They lose interest when I start nerding out about anything deep.

I love a good nerding out.

See, again. Minority.

You said it yourself earlier: don’t let sample size bias your perspective. The nerdily inclined exist aplenty.

You’re right, I did say that. But I’ve unfortunately got more than a sample size of one to go off here. Plenty of dates have tanked thanks to my inability to connect.

I think you’re being a little hard on yourself.

You’re talking to a man who was fake numbered, remember?

Again, point in the win column. For me.

He paused, and Emmy wondered if he was smiling like she was.

You’re right. This is an unexpected connection.

I see what you did there.