I think of the date I’m supposed to go on with Jake. What terrible timing.
I reach my car and open the door. Anne stops walking, waiting at the rear of my car, watching me.
“I do need to figure out Luca’s address,” I say.
“Imagine how shocked he’ll be when you send him a letter. I don’t think he’ll be expecting you to go all the way to San Diego to figure it out.”
“You’re right. If I don’t figure it out, he’ll just keep sending these letters to the news station, taunting me.”
“He probably thinks he’s already won after getting rid of his Facebook profile. Are you going to let him win?”
I shake my head. “Hell no. Let’s go to San Diego.”
Anne doesn’t try to hide her excitement. “I’ll call you when I get home.” She jumps up and down like a little girl who’s just been told she’s going to Disney World.
I laugh, and get into my car as she heads to her own car. I love how invested she is in trying to find my pen pal.
When I walk into my building, I spot Jake checking his mail. He looks over his shoulder when he hears the front door, then does a double-take when he sees me. His mouth widens into a grin, making my heart rate pick up. It’s been a long time since anyone has looked this happy to see me. His dark hair is a little bit messy. I have this weird desire to run my fingers through it. I tuck my hands into my pockets to keep myself from doing anything embarrassing.
He’s wearing another T-shirt that hugs his biceps. I’ve never felt so jealous of a shirt. He closes his mailbox and turns his whole body to face me. I start to regret committing to going to San Diego this weekend. I wonder if it’s too late to cancel, but I know that Anne is probably halfway done booking tickets by now.
“Hey,” I say as I step toward the mailboxes.
“Hey.”
He maintains eye contact with me as I step toward him. I notice that one side of his mouth lifts a little higher when he smiles. His eyes also seem bluer, but maybe it’s just the lighting. It’s hard to look away from him. I don’t think I’ve ever met a guy as physically attractive as this one. I realize that we’ve been standing in front of the mailboxes, staring at each other without a word for several seconds. I clear my throat.
“So, uh, about this weekend.” I don’t realize how hard this is going to be until I’m forced to say it. “Something else came up. Can I take a raincheck?”
“Oh.” His smile falters. Both sides of his mouth are now even with each other. The smile is still there, but it’s not as bright anymore. “Yeah, of course. I hope everything is okay.”
“Everything is fine. I’m just going on a last-minute trip to San Diego.” I roll my eyes in an attempt to convey that the meaning of the trip is no big deal. “But we can go out next weekend. Or, I mean, whenever you’re free.”
“Next weekend should work. San Diego, huh? Is it a work-related trip?”
“Not exactly. Well, not at all, actually. I’m going with Anne.” I don’t want to make him feel jealous by telling him that I’m trying to find another guy, especially when I’m postponing our date because of this. I try to think of another excuse. “She, uh, she wants to see what the beaches are like. She thinks the beaches might be better there than in Miami.”
It’s a half-truth, but I still feel bad for saying it.
“Ah. So it’s a research trip.”
I laugh. “You could say that.”
“I hear the sand is whiter here.”
“I wouldn’t know. I’ve never been to the west coast. I can’t imagine they have as much seaweed on their beaches.”
“You’ll have to let me know what the consensus is.”
“I will. See you around?”
The corner of his mouth tilts back up, completing his crooked smile. “I’ll walk you upstairs. Unless you want to join me in the elevator?”
I laugh. “Not a chance.”
We head into the stairwell. I don’t realize until we’re halfway up the first flight of stairs that I forgot to check the mail.
“It must suck having to go up and down these stairs carrying your groceries in,” he says.
