Free Like You Read About by Mela Remington Page B

that’s the plan.
    That’s right, he not only asked her on a real date, but did it through run of the mail email at work. If he was doing this he was doing this whole hog.  He started a new project, pretending not to be anxiously awaiting her response.

Chapter 13
    *tap tap tap tap tap*
    “Seriously, if you don’t stop I’m going to take away that fucking pen,” Kaelyn growls while throwing the stink eye across the conference room table. “What the hell is up with you today?”
    “I don’t think this is going anywhere . We’ve been doing this awesome flirty email thing for a week. But he still hasn’t suggested an actual date or even coffee, and he hasn’t stopped by my cube, and… oh I don’t know, I’m probably being paranoid.  And then there’s the other problem, with all we’ve told each other in these emails I haven’t mentioned my Mom, or the giant barren elephant in the room.  I know it’s too early to start having the heavy conversations, like do you want to have kids someday, because if you do you shouldn’t be dating me.” And with a sigh, Cora went back to tapping her pen.
    “Giving birth isn’t the only way to have a baby, and if he loves you in the end t here are ways to move past that; but like you just said you haven’t even had a real date yet. There’s time for the heavier shit if a relationship comes out of this, but now is not the time to second guess yourself or chase him off because you’re scared.”
    “I’m not scared ,” Cora huffed.
    “Oh please, don’t try to pull that shit with me . I’m your best friend, I know how you like to self-sabotage and that’s usually most evident when you’re scared.”
    “I just don’t want to be fifty, and alone living with three cats and eating ice cream while I watch '80s movies trying to recapture my youth.”
    “We’re not getting anything accomplished here . I’m going back to my desk, reschedule when your head is screwed on.” With that, Kaelyn picked up her things and left.
    Shaking her head at herself and sighing a deep, depressed sigh Cora picked up her notebook and coffee cup and trudged back to her desk.  She’s had three voicemails; two were cold sales calls. Apparently word is out they are looking for a new HR vendor software rep, but she isn’t making that choice so those get forwarded along. The third is her mother, it rambles on for about ten minutes.  It’s the same type she gets at least once a week, even though Mom knows she isn’t supposed to call the office phone unless it’s an emergency.  It’s one of the boundaries Cora set up with her, but as always her mother tends to trample all over the boundaries and borders of Cora’s life, especially because Kathleen is so far away and she isn’t allowed to make long distance calls.
    Logging back in to her email there is an email from Dan, she moves her mouse and hovers the cursor over it. Her initial excitement tempered, he’s emailing her at work, so this is not fun and flirty and she doesn’t like the pouty way it makes her feel.  
    To: Cora O’Malley
    From: Daniel Santagata
    Date: January 23, 2008, 11:30a.m.
    Subject: biting the bullet
    Cora,
    I have been enjoying our emails immensely . I honestly cannot remember when I’ve had as much fun, but now it’s time for me to man up.  That’s right, Cora, I’m making the bold move, and asking you on a date, a real live I pick you up, take you out to eat, see if we’re as interesting in person date.
    Are you free Friday night?  Dinner, I can pick you up at six thirty, and then I thought maybe we’d do something fun.  How do you feel about bowling?
    So, what do you say bonnie lass, are you brave enough to try this whole thing in person without all these circuits and wires between us?
    Dan
     
    Was she brave enough?  Ten minutes ago Kaelyn had basically called her a chicken, and as a species chickens are not known to be a brave bird.  But fear was for the birds, she was a grown woman, so she