Page 278 of Ruthless Court

I stare through the bookstore window.

A guy with purple hair is shelving paperbacks while an orange cat sleeps on a chair beneath a handwritten sign that says NOT FOR SALE.

Perfect.

I type again.

Me: I want to take you on a date Friday.

This time I send it before I can edit myself into an idiot.

Three dots appear almost immediately.

Disappear.

Return.

Hannah: A date.

Me: Yes.

Hannah: Define date.

I smile.

Me: Two people who are attracted to each other intentionally spending time together.

Nothing.

Then:

Hannah: You appear overly confident about one portion of that definition.

Me: You asked why I wasn’t kissing you.

Hannah: I was conducting a policy review.

Me: Your policy seemed frustrated.

Hannah: Where?

I send the picture.

The typing bubble appears.

Stops.

Appears again.

Hannah: Is that a bookstore?

Me: Used bookstore.

Hannah: There is a difference.

Me: I’m learning.

Hannah: And an open mic?