Free Project Date by Kate Perry

frowned as I realized Matt was right—Jeremy did look like he’d spent a considerable amount of time in a one-room shack in the woods. And there were those diaries he always scribbled in... .
    “That was almost ten years ago,” I told myself for reassurance. I’d definitely changed in that time period. It was a given that he had too.
    I hoped.
    As I raided my closet for a robe, I glanced at the clock. I was distracted by its apocalyptic look—I’d wound duct tape around it a couple of times to keep the plastic casing intact. The rattle was still there, but who cared as long as no one shook it? It told time and that’s all that mattered. Right now, it glowed S thirty-five, which I figured meant nine thirty-five.
    I doubted he’d emailed me yet. Not everyone has the email etiquette Matt and I have: respond quickly and often. That’s what email is all about—immediate gratification.
    I jiggled my trackball as I sat at my desk and put in my password. Yes, my screensaver at home is password-protected. You can never be too careful.
    “Oh,” I gasped when my email terminal popped up. He’d responded.

    To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]
Subject: Re: hey
     
    Philomena Donovan??

    Frowning, my fingers flew over the keyboard.

    To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Re: hey
     
    how many philomenas do you know?

    His reply arrived ten seconds later.

    To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Re: Re: hey
     
    Only one. Thank God. I can’t imagine the world with more than one of you in it.

    Jeremy had always thought he was more clever than he really was.

    To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]
Subject: well?
     
    so you want to go out or what?

    I tapped my foot against the leg of the chair while I waited.
    My nerves were jittery. What was up with that? This was just Jeremy. I couldn’t even blame it on excessive caffeine because I hadn’t had any since my second cup of coffee in the morning. I knew desperation when I felt it.
    Fortunately, I didn’t have to wait long.

    To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]
Subject: Re: well?
     
    Why?

    I pursed my lips and wondered how he’d take it if I told him because I was looking for my soulmate, or at least a good facsimile.
    Exactly. So I sugarcoated it.

    To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Re: well?
     
    i was just thinking about you and thought it’d be nice to rekindle what we once had.

    I reread my email before I sent it and grinned. Philomena Donovan: master of flattery.
    Jeremy’s response arrived a split second later.

    To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Re: Re: well?
     
    ROTFL
     
    Frickin’ hilarious, Donovan, considering we didn’t have anything but joint ownership of a bottle of aspirin for hangovers.

    I scowled and typed furiously.

    To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: well?
     
    i could give you a list of all the stuff we had in common.

    Two seconds later:

    To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]
Subject: Go ahead ...
     
    Give me your list.

    I rubbed the tip of my nose, thought about it, and began tapping at the keys.

    To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]
Subject: what p & j have in common: a brief list
beer
darts
salty peanuts

    “Ha! Take that, Mr. Doubting Jeremy.” I sent it and waited.

    To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]
Subject: Pathetic List
     
    Great, Phil. When I decide to open up a bar, I’ll give you a call. Until then, I think I’m safe in saying we don’t have much of a future together.
     
    But, hey—I’m flattered you thought of me. Maybe I’ll dedicate a blog posting to you.

    Take care. And thanks for the laugh.
     
    I glared at the screen. Bastard. I can’t believe I thought he’d be an adequate choice. I considered kicking his computer off the Internet (yeah, I can do that—I’ve got skills). There’s a certain joy in