Me: Point for me (note to self: delete dick pic)

Me: Unless you want to see it. This way you know what you’re getting yourself into

Raegan: That sounds like a warning … does that mean it’s really big or really small?

Me: Guess you’ll have to ask me for it to find out

Raegan: I think I’ll pass

Raegan: But why don’t you call me so I can hear your voice instead?

Shit. Now what? I could make an excuse but that would only work for so long. She’s right to ask to hear my voice with all the creepy dudes on the internet out there. What are the odds she’ll recognize me?

Me: I’m visiting with family at the moment. What about tonight?

Raegan: Tonight works. How’s 8:00?

Me: It’s a date

I tuck my phone under my clothes and head into the pool with Grandpa.

You look happy, he signs.

I smile and nod.

Raegan’s not mad at you anymore I take it?

Things are getting better, I sign. I’m going to ask her on a date soon.

Grandpa lifts his eyebrows. Do you think she’ll say yes?

I think so. I shrug.

Guess I’ll find out tonight at eight.

Leading up to the phone call with Raegan, I’m so nervous I don’t know what to do with myself.

I’ve folded and put away all my laundry. I hand-washed the dishes in the sink instead of putting them in the dishwasher. I even Swiffered the floors. I needed to keep my hands busy.

I twist the cap on a bottle of Jack Daniels and take a swig. I gargle before swallowing. Then I cough a few times. Maybe if my voice sounds raspy, Raegan won’t realize she’s talking to her boss.

You might think this sounds crazy, but I can promise you, it’s nothing compared to how crazy I feel doing this.

At 7:59 I hit the green call button.

Raegan’s soft voice sounds in my ear after two rings. “You’re a minute early.”

I chuckle. “I was excited to talk to you.”

There’s a pause and I hold my breath, hoping my cover isn’t blown.

“Well, you don’t sound like a purvy sixty-year-old man, so that’s a relief,” she says.

“Were you really expecting that?”

“I didn’t know what to expect. This is my first time with online dating.”

“Same here.”

“Were you worried I was going to be a sixty-year-old man too?”

“I was hoping for it. I’ll be honest, I’m a little disappointed.”

Raegan laughs. The melodic sound sends a shiver through my body. “Good thing you found out now and not on our first date.”

“Already thinking about our first date?” I ask.

“Isn’t that the whole point of this?”

“It is. I’m glad we’re on the same page.”