It's official kid

." I rub a hand over my mouth. "God, he kissed me, too. More like lunged at me." "I saw that," he says, and there's sympathy in his voice. "Didn't look good." "Definitely wasn't." We've reached

or be rescued from awful blind dates again..." I stare at the paper he's extending toward me. Carter, it says. And beneath it are seven digits. "Your phone number?" "The very one," he says. I take it, and wonder why I'm not nervous. He's a man. An exceedingly handsome one, even. But I'd seen the woman he turned down tonight, and she could easily have passed for a model. Looked happy and smiling, too. This thing, him and me, is so clearly a friendship thing. So I don't feel nervous at all, accepting the piece of paper. "Thanks," I say. "Might be good to get a guy's perspective on things." "Anytime," he says, and nods to me. Like an old-time gentleman seeing off a lady. "Get home safe." "Thanks," I murmur again, and walk down the steps. It isn't until I'm halfway home, dizzy from all the impressions of the day, that I realize I never gave him my name. With shaking fingers, I add his number to my phone and give him the glorious name Carter Peanuts. Then I send him a single text. My name is Audrey. Thanks for the peanuts. His response comes just as I've unlocked the room I'm renting on the second floor of a brownstone. I rest against the closed door and read it, feeling endless possibilities stirring around me. Carter: Anytime, kiddo. Pleasure to meet you.Carter: When's your next date with hyperventilation? Audrey: I didn't hyperventilate, not fully. And I've been talking to someone new, actually. Carter: Tell me about this guy. Audrey: It's just someone I matched with on an app. The conversation

me seeds on top? That bothers me. Audrey: Oh I get that. I would never. So, I already know punctuality isn't important to you. But what is? Carter: You forgot rudeness. Apparently I love being rude to waiting staff. Audrey: Oh my god. I'm still sorry I said that. I want to blame it on my nerves but maybe I'm just awful. Sorry!! Carter: That text right there proves you're not. Carter: So. What's important. Th

I'm clearly the mentor here. Audrey: Aaaand now you're obnoxious again. Carter: It'll keep happening. Might as well get used to it. Audrey: I'll consider myself warned. Carter: When are you meeting guy-with-dog? Audrey: Next Thursday. I got a new job, s