I stood outside staring up at the sign, some random diner chosen between point A and point B. I felt so nervous. "Just Breathe" I whispered to myself before reaching for the handle to walk in. The smell of brewing coffee filled my nostrils as I entered.
This place was quaint with a little bustle but not overly crowded. I was a half hour early, making sure I had enough time to survey the place and decide where I should wait for him. I asked for a back booth tucked away in its own little corner sanctuary.
The server asked for my drink order. "Coffee please, and a water."
She left menus on the table as she walked off. When she returned, I put my straw in my water glass and nervously twirled its wrapper around my index finger.
I settled in and pulled out my phone.
I typed him a message, "When you get here, I'm in the back booth to the right."
I slightly hesitated as I pressed 'send', a reflex nagged by my nervousness. We had been messaging for some time, becoming intimate through sharing ourselves with each other. Details about our lives, sharing erotic fantasies, and sexting all the things we wanted to do to each other.
So why was I so nervous? I thought as I recalled all the long chats. The comfort that had been built in this time we've shared should make me at ease, as if I'm just meeting an old friend.
Truth be told, I had come to crave this man. The curiosity of meeting him had been building for some time after learning when I'd be in his area. I made sure to wear the description I had given him, as if he wouldn't recognize me from my photo anyway. Snug faded blue college t-shirt which made my eyes appear grey, long grey and blue striped skirt with slits up both sides to the knee, and my Chucks. I felt comfortable, not sexy, although I assumed, he would disagree.
I see my inbox bubble light up... "Ok, I'm almost there." My body felt a jolt of exhilaration, an excited anxiousness I knew would take me over as this day drew closer.
When he arrived, he surveyed the area in search of her. She couldn't wait for him to find her, so she got up to go greet him.
"Mark?" Her smile is infectious, "I'm Charlotte."