My chest tightens. I remember how sad she looked the day I found her crying in her grandmother’s room, and imagine her burying her father at such a young age. I want to wrap my arms around her and hold her again.

“You still there?” she asks.

“I’m here. I’m so sorry you had to go through that.”

“All right, enough of this doom and gloom. Let’s talk about something less grim.”

“Ready for my dick pic now?”

She laughs. “Tell me about your job.”

I’m about to tell her how much I love being a principal when I catch myself. “I’m, uh … an accountant.”

“Do you enjoy it?”

I think back to the times I’ve heard Josh talk about his job. “I like working with numbers. Helping people save and invest their money. It’s not as meaningful as your job though. That must be fun.”

“It can be. It’s a tough job but I love what I do. I love working with kids.” She pauses. “We got a new principal at my school this year so that’s been interesting.”

My stomach drops. “Man or woman?”

“Man. It’s the first time we’ve had a male principal since I’ve been at my school.”

“Do you like him?”

“He’s good with the kids. They love him.”

“And you?”

She sighs. “I don’t know. He’s a little arrogant.”

“Arrogant?” I choke out, trying to regain my composure. “How so?”

“He has this way of ordering people around. He forced me into being the school’s mascot during an assembly once, and he signed me up for a voluntary dodgeball event. He’s kind of a bully.”

I stifle a laugh. “That’s rough. The guy sounds like he’s on a power trip.”

“You have no idea.”

Oh, I do. “About that first date … how does next Friday night sound?”

“I mean, I’ll try to fit you into my schedule.”

“You can cancel with all the other Joshes. I’ll be the only one you need.”

“You’re confident. Careful now. You’re starting to sound like my boss.”

I sit up straight and clear my throat. “Uh, how does dinner at seven sound?”

“Sounds good to me. Just text me the address of wherever we’re going and I’ll meet you there.”

“Will do. I’m excited to meet you, Raegan.”

“Me too. Glad you’re not a sixty-year-old man.”

I chuckle. “Same here.”

She yawns. “I’m going to call it a night.”

“Okay. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

“Goodnight, Josh.”

I let out a breath and toss my phone onto the coffee table. That went better than expected.

Let’s hope our date next week goes just as well.

Days Left Until Summer Break: 119

Raegan

I haven’t seen much of Jaxon the week leading up to our date.