THE MAN WHOM I LOVED

Coco Parker was always the girl with a plan. She color-coded her notes, organized her closet by season, and had a five-year plan for her career as a marketing executive. Her friends affectionately called her "The General" for her ability to coordinate their social lives with military precision.

But despite her outward confidence, Coco's love life was a mess. She had a string of failed relationships with guys who couldn't handle her intensity, and her last boyfriend had left her for someone "more relaxed." Coco was starting to think she was allergic to love.

Her job wasn't much better. Coco's marketing firm was going through a rough patch, and she was stuck working long hours.

Coco's social life consisted of weekly brunches with her friend Angela,She felt like the odd one out, stuck in a cycle of swiping through dating apps and attending awkward blind dates.

In a moment of desperation, Coco's best friend, Angela, burst into Coco's apartment, holding her phone aloft like a trophy. "I've got the solution to your love life, Co!"

Coco raised an eyebrow from her spot on the couch, where she was surrounded by marketing reports and empty coffee cups. "What is it this time? A blind date with a friend's cousin? A speed-dating event for people with 'unique' interests?"

Angela plopped down beside her, undeterred. "Nope. This is different. It's a new dating app that matches you with your perfect partner. It's called 'HeartYOU'."

Coco snorted. "Sounds like a recipe for disaster."

But Angela was undeterred. "Hear me out. This app is different. It's not just about swiping through profiles. It's about finding true compatibility. And I think it could be just what you need."

Coco sighed, setting aside her reports. "Fine. Show me."

Angela grinned, opening the app on her phone. "Okay, so first you fill out this questionnaire... "

As Angela walked Coco through the app's features, Coco's skepticism slowly gave way to curiosity. Maybe, just maybe, this app could help her find someone who shared her love of order and planning.

But when Angela got to the part about the app's "spontaneity" metric, Coco's doubts returned. "Wait, what? You want me to rate how much I enjoy surprises and trying new things?"

Angela nodded enthusiastically. "Yes! It's all about finding someone who complements your personality."

Coco hesitated, unsure if she was ready to open herself up to that level of unpredictability. But Angela's encouragement eventually won out, and Coco agreed to give HeartYOU a try.

With some trepidation, Coco filled out the questionnaire, answering questions about her hobbies, values, and relationship goals.

It's got to where she's to fill in her impulsive side.., with a doubt look Coco turn to Angela and said "I don't know, Angela..Can't I just say 'no' to all of these?"

Angela laughed. "Trust me, Co. This is the fun part. Just be honest. How do you feel about trying new things, like foods?"

I

Coco shrugged. "I mean, I like trying new restaurants, but only if they have good reviews and I can make a reservation."

Angela chuckled. "Okay, that's a 'maybe'. What about taking a last-minute road trip?"

Coco's eyes widened in horror. "No way. I need at least a week's notice to plan a trip."

Angela grinned mischievously. "I knew it. You're a total planner."

Finally, they finished the questionnaire, and Coco waited anxiously as the app processed her results. A few minutes later, a notification popped up on Angela's phone.

"Ooh, it's your match!" Angela exclaimed, handing Coco the phone.

Coco's heart skipped a beat as she read the profile:

(Austin- Artist, adventurer, and aficionado of all things spontaneous. Looking for someone to share in the chaos.)

Coco's eyes met Angela's, a mix of excitement and trepidation. "This is either going to be a disaster or the best thing that's ever happened to me."

Angela grinned. "That's the spirit, Co! Now go forth and have some heart connections!"

Coco's fingers hovered over the keyboard as she hesitated, wondering what to say to Austin . She didn't want to come across as too uptight or boring, but she couldn't help feeling a little apprehensive about their vastly different personalities.

Finally, she typed out a message: "Hey Austin, so I have to ask... what's the most spontaneous thing you've ever done?"

Austin's response came quickly: "Hmm, that's a tough one. Probably the time I decided to take a road trip to the beach in the middle of the night. Ended up watching the sunrise over the ocean. It was amazing!"

Coco's eyes widened as she read the message. A road trip in the middle of the night? That sounded like her worst nightmare. But there was something about Austin's enthusiasm that was infectious.

She typed out a response: "Wow, that sounds... adventurous. I'm more of a 'planner' myself, but I'm trying to be more open-minded."

Austin's next message made her laugh: "Open-minded? That's just code for 'I'm secretly a thrill-seeker'. I'm onto you, Coco."

Their banter continued back and forth, with Coco finding herself feeling more and more at ease. Maybe, just maybe, this spontaneous artist was exactly what she needed to shake up her life.

As they chatted, Coco realized that she was actually having fun. Austin's carefree spirit was rubbing off on her, and she found herself wondering what it would be like to be a little more spontaneous, a little more free.

But just as things were starting to feel comfortable, Austin dropped a bombshell: "So, Coco, want to meet up for coffee this weekend? Maybe we can plan a spontaneous adventure?"

Coco's heart skipped a beat. Meet up in person? Already? She wasn't sure if she was ready for that... but a part of her was curious. Very curious

As Coco hesitated over her response to Austin's invitation, Angela stood up from the couch, stretching her arms over her head. "Well, I'm going to leave you two lovebirds to your messaging. I have a date with a certain someone... namely, my bed."

Coco laughed, feeling a little grateful for the distraction. "Night, Ange. Thanks for the setup."

Angela grinned mischievously. "Anytime, Co. Just don't forget to have a little fun, okay?" And...

"Good luck, You're going to need it with that spontaneous artist!"

Coco rolled her eyes, laughing. "Hey, watch it! I can handle a little spontaneity."

Angela chuckled, already halfway out the door. "That's the spirit! Just remember, I told you so... if things get too crazy!"

With a final wave, Angela hurried home, leaving Coco to wonder what she had just gotten herself into.

As Coco turned back to her phone

She took a deep breath, her fingers hovering over the keyboard. What did she have to lose?

"Okay, Austin. Coffee sounds great. But don't expect me to be too spontaneous."

She hit send, feeling a thrill of excitement mixed with a little bit of fear. What had she just gotten herself into?, she saw Austin's response: "Haha, don't worry, Coco. I promise not to scare you off... too much."

Coco's heart skipped a beat. What had she just agreed to?!

She headed to sleep, her mind still racing with thoughts of Austin and their upcoming coffee date. She flopped onto her pillow, burying her face in its softness.

As she drifted off to sleep, she couldn't shake the feeling that her life was about to get a whole lot more interesting. Spontaneous adventures, artistic expression, and a healthy dose of chaos... what had she gotten herself into?

Just as she was starting to relax, her phone buzzed on her nightstand. She groggily reached over to silence it, but not before seeing Austin's name on the screen.

"Goodnight, Co," the message read. "Sweet dreams of spontaneity"

Coco smiled, feeling a flutter in her chest.

.....

Coco's eyes fluttered open, and she was greeted by the warm sunlight streaming through her window. She stretched, feeling a sense of excitement and nervousness about her coffee date with Austin.

As she got ready, she couldn't help but wonder what the day would bring. Would be as charming and spontaneous in person as he was online?

Just as Coco was finishing up her hair, her phone rang. It was Angela.

"Hey, girl! Just wanted to check in before your date," Angela said, sounding bubbly and excited.

Coco rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "Ange, I'm going to be fine. Stop worrying."

"I know, I know. But I just can't help it! Austin seems like a total wild card. Are you sure you're ready for this?"

Coco took a deep breath. "Honestly? No. But I'm also kind of excited. Maybe this is exactly what I need - a little shake-up in my life."

Angela squealed. "That's the spirit! Just remember, spontaneity is good for the soul. And if all else fails, you can always call me for an emergency extraction."

Coco laughed. "Will do. Thanks for checking in, Ange. I'll fill you in on all the details later."

With that, they hung up, and Coco headed out the door to meet Austin. She felt a sense of anticipation building in her chest. What would the day bring?

When she arrived at the coffee shop, Austin was already there, sipping on a latte and sketching in a notebook. He looked up and caught her eye, flashing a bright smile.

"Hey, Co! You look beautiful," he said, standing up to greet her.

Coco felt a blush rise to her cheeks as she took in Austin's eclectic style - a bright yellow shirt, ripped jeans, and a paint-splattered jacket.

As they ordered their coffee and sat down, Coco couldn't help but notice the curious glances from other patrons. Austin seemed to be drawing attention wherever he went, and Coco found herself feeling a little self-conscious.

Coco: "You're an artist? I thought that was just a euphemism for unemployed."

Austin: "And I thought 'Type-A personality' was just a nice way of saying 'control freak'."

"I really love your dress though. It's so... structured."

Coco: "And I love your shirt. It's so... wrinkled."

and... "I don't do 'spontaneous'. I do 'planned' and 'organized'."

Austin: "That's like saying you don't do 'breathing' because it's too unpredictable."

(laughs )"You're so uptight, you make a straight line look like a curve."

Coco: haha "And you're so laid-back, you make a sloth look like a type-A personality."

"I can't believe I'm on a date with someone who thinks 'dinner' is a taco truck."

Austin: "And I can't believe I'm on a date with someone who thinks 'fun' is a spreadsheet."

But as they're talking, Coco's nerves began to fade. Austin was easy to talk to, and their conversation flowed effortlessly from art to music to their shared love of adventure. Coco couldn't help but notice how naturally they fit together. Their conversation flowed effortlessly, and they found themselves laughing and joking like old friends.