Page 17 (2/2)

So I ultih I hate it At least no one who knows me will think to look for me here

I could live in a bigger place, but this is fine I don’t want a lot of things cluttering up s

My phone still sits on the floor, and the invisible heartbeat has died down Time to call Katelyn

Time to call off the date

I pick up the phone It’s no longer icy I’ht ined because, as much as I know I need to call it off, I absolutely do not want to

But I will

I pull up Katelyn’s number and hit call

One ring Two Three Then,

“Hello”

Her voice Soft and sweet and innocent No as the woman ever an escort

I clear …Katelyn This is Luke Johnson Froht”

A minor pause “Hi, Luke How are you?”

“I’ym” Like she cares Why did I say that? It’s not even true Hitting the gy in the park I can’t actually go to a real gym It’s too risky

“Oh That’s nice”

Yeah, this is going well “Hey, Katelyn, it turns out that…”

“Yes?”

“It turns out that…” I inhale Do it Just do it “It turns out that I couldn’t get a reservation for the restaurant I wanted for our dinner tonight”

“Oh I’m sorry to hear that”

“So…you knoas thinking…”

“Yeah?”

I ht time for me

My God, I’ue, hovering there, ready to flow, but…

“I was thinking we’d try a different place”

I hit myself on the side of the head I couldn’t do it Just couldn’t I want to see this woood idea

“Sure Okay I’’s new to me”

My heart is gunning rapid-fire

“Okay So I’ll text you with the details Unless you want et you”