The Date (Single Wide Female in Love #1) Read Online Free Page B

as I glanced around the restaurant—lots of beautiful couples, lots of wedding rings and engagement rings.  
    “I’m sure you will. I just think you should try it out the old-fashioned way. Get to know somebody local. Meet people.”  
    I laughed. “And how am I going to do that, Max? You’re the only one who ever takes me out to dinner.”  
    “I’m not such bad company, am I?”  
    I smiled and did my best not to let him know that he was terrible company. Not because he wasn’t witty, or intelligent, or attentive, but because when I looked at him I thought of things I shouldn’t.  
    “Not at all.”  
    “Well, just promise me you’ll be careful.”  
    “I promise.”  

    After breakfast I took a stroll around the park. I made it a point each day not only to exercise, but to be around people. It helped me to get more comfortable with being seen. Too much of the past few years was spent trying to be invisible.
    The park was dotted with dog walkers, moms with toddlers, and people feeding the squirrels. There wasn’t much to draw my attention. I could hear my phone chiming in my purse. I couldn’t resist any longer.
    I cut my walk short and sat down on a bench. Then I began looking through the notifications from men interested in meeting me. A few that I connected with sent me messages. I read over them. One was flirty. I sent a playful quip back. He immediately responded with a kissy-face emoticon.  
    “Kissing already?” I laughed.
    As I sent a message back my hopes lifted. No, this guy wasn’t Blue. He never would be. But he was someone who thought I was worth his time and attention. So far that put him in a better category than Blue.
    I sent a few more flirty texts back and forth with him, then he said he had to go but would love to talk later in the day. I agreed. It felt good to look forward to a conversation with someone new.
    Blue knew just about everything there was to know about me. He’d been reading my blog ever since I started it. He knew about my struggles as I checked off items on my bucket list. In some ways that was a wonderful thing. In other ways, maybe it wasn’t. If he didn’t know so much about me, he might make more of an effort to actually meet me.

Chapter 8

    I left the park with mixed feelings about what to expect next.
    When I arrived home, I headed straight for my computer. For the first time in months I did not check my e-mail right away. Instead, I logged into MatchMe to tweak my profile. Once I was done with that, I checked my e-mail.
    When I saw an e-mail from Blue, I expected he intended to cancel the date. I clicked on the e-mail and gritted my teeth.  

    Samantha,  

    I’m really looking forward to our date. I hope that you are too. I know that I’ve been more than a little elusive. I’m sorry if that’s made you feel insecure about me. You astound me every day with your insights and determination. I only wish that I could be half as brave as you. You may not realize how much you inspire me, but you do.
    I have a lot to tell you when we get together. I know you’ve been waiting for some answers to some questions, and I plan to give you those answers. Thank you for being so patient with me while I sort through some things. I can’t wait for us to finally take the next step.  

    Blue  

    The first time I read the e-mail I was flooded with warmth and desire. To hear Blue’s opinion of me was a huge compliment. However, I could not overlook the fact that it was still very vague. A part of me wondered if he had somehow seen my profile on MatchMe. The thought worried me and at the same time I hoped it was true. Maybe he would see that I was serious and manage to make it to our date this time.  
    I read over the e-mail again. At least it wasn’t a cancellation. But it was a reminder that Blue kept things from me. What were his secrets? Was he a spy? I laughed a little at the idea. There were so many things that I could imagine. But I didn’t want to imagine