Wrong Number 💙

Chapter 4

L sat in her favorite local coffee shop the following morning drinking her coffee when she got a response from Chris.

Chris: My favorite color is blue 
I have one brother and two sisters. You? 
I'm running out of names. Lana? Loraine? 

She laughed, shaking her head. She had given him more than one clue, and he still didn't seem to grasp it. Letting out a sigh, she was about to reply when her name caught her attention, causing her to look up. "Pete? Hi," she greeted, standing up to give him a friendly kiss on the cheek before gesturing for him to take a seat across from her. "How are you?"

He shrugged nonchalantly. "Okay, I guess. I had expected a call from you after our date, but I never received one."

She let out a groan of realization, her suspicions confirmed. "I'm sorry, Pete. I actually tried to message you when I got home, but it seems like you gave me the wrong number."

Pete chuckled in response. "Oh my god. I'm sorry. So I'm just an idiot." He pulled out his phone and handed it over to her. "Why don't you give me your number this time?"

She couldn't help but smile and nod, quickly entering her number into his phone and sending herself a text to ensure she had his number saved correctly. Comparing it to a previous message from Chris, she noticed that the last two digits were switched. Amused, she remarked, "You're not an idiot, Pete. It's really no big deal. I'm actually glad we crossed paths again."

Pete's smile was warm and sincere, and he brushed his dirty blonde hair away from his amber eyes. "Good. Me too. I had a nice time. Since I'm already here, can I ask you out again?"

A playful laugh escaped her lips. "Well, sure, you can ask." She watched a charming blush creep onto his cheeks due to her teasing. Leaning slightly forward, she rested her hand on his. "And I'd love to go out with you again, Pete."

His joy was evident as he stood up, his smile widening. "You would? That's great. I'll call you then? I should get going now."

She stood up alongside him, giving a confirming nod. "Yes, I definitely would." As he left, she settled back into her seat, contemplating the whirlwind of emotions she had experienced over the past week. Just days ago, she had felt a similar spark for Pete that she was now feeling for Chris, someone she hadn't even met in person. Letting out a sigh, she reminded herself that she should invest her attention and emotions in the tangible world, focusing on Pete rather than Chris, who remained confined to her phone screen. Gazing back at Pete's messages, she began composing her response.

L: My favorite color is orange. Like a sunset/rise 
I just have one older brother 
And I'm sorry. Wrong again
You'll be happy to know that I ran into Pete 
He put his number in wrong on accident so we're going to go out again 

***

She didn't hear from Chris for the rest of the week, though he had already mentioned he wouldn't be available anyway. Two weeks had passed since their last conversation, and now it was time for her to visit her brother Liam and his family. Stepping through the door, she was immediately pounced on by her enthusiastic nephew and niece. "James, Becca! Can I at least get inside first?" Their laughter accompanied their release as she addressed them. Looking up, she noticed Liam entering the entryway. "Hello, brother."

Liam's smile was warm as he took her bag and guitar case. "Hi there. How are you?"

Letting out a sigh, she replied, "I'm here. Where's Meagan?" She followed his gesture towards the kitchen. Walking in, she found her sister-in-law tidying up after dinner. "Hey, Meg."

"Hi! I'm so glad you're here. The kids have been asking about you all week." Meg motioned towards the fridge. "We just finished dinner, but there are leftovers in the fridge if you're hungry."

Shaking her head, she declined the offer. Her attention was caught by a cake box on the counter, and she lifted the lid to reveal a Captain America cake inside. "Still into superheroes, I see?"

Meg chuckled. "Oh, yes. He's absolutely crazy about Captain America. Doesn't help that he's friends with his nephew."

Taking a seat at the counter, she asked, "Whose nephew?"

Meg glanced at her with a smile. "Captain America's, or rather the actor who portrays him. James goes to school with Ethan, who happens to be the nephew of Chris Evans, the actor who plays Captain America."

Nodding in understanding, she remarked, "Ah, got it. I may not be too well-versed in superhero stuff, but I've heard of him. Just haven't really watched him as Captain America."

Liam entered the kitchen, playfully scoffing. "Despite the multi-million dollars those movies make worldwide, my sister can't spare a few hours to watch any of the Marvel films."

With a laugh, she defended herself, "That's not true. I did watch Fantastic Four. He was in that, right?"

Liam's groan was accompanied by a playful roll of his eyes. "That was over 15 years ago, and it's not quite the same thing." He let out a sigh. "Anyway, moving on. Have you gone on another date with that Pete guy?"

She shrugged nonchalantly. "Yeah, I did. It was alright. Not as exhilarating as the first time." Resting her chin on her hands at the counter, she mused, "Maybe something's wrong with me. I just can't seem to feel a strong connection with anyone. There was one guy I found interesting, but he's gone silent now. Haven't heard from him in over two weeks."

Liam chimed in with a reasonable suggestion. "Maybe he's just busy."

She looked up at Meagan, who offered an encouraging smile. Though it felt more like pity to her. "Yeah, maybe."

Taking a seat beside his sister, Liam added, "Who knows, you might meet someone new tomorrow."

Her laughter was tinged with skepticism. "At a kids' party, right." She noticed an exchanged look between Liam and Meagan, sensing they were up to something. However, before she could ponder it further, her phone chimed, capturing her attention and causing her heart to race. Quickly grabbing her phone, she saw Chris's name on the screen and his messages waiting for her.

Chris: Sorry that I haven't responded
Have you gone out again with Pete?
Can I admit I'm jealous?
I want to see you

He was jealous? Of Pete? Her cheeks burned a bright shade of red, and the presence of Meagan and Liam only exacerbated her embarrassment. To her relief, Liam's hand found its way to her back in a reassuring gesture.

"What's going on? Who's texting you?" Liam's curiosity prompted him to ask.

She hesitated, uncertainty filling her words. "It's the guy I mentioned who seemed to have ghosted me. He's asking to meet up." Rising from her seat, she began pacing nervously, all while hearing Liam's amused laughter behind her.

"Isn't that a good thing? He's showing interest," Liam remarked, his tone carrying a note of encouragement.

Her groan revealed her inner turmoil. "I don't know, Liam. We've never met in person. I initially texted the wrong number, thinking I was messaging Pete. So I've been talking to this complete stranger. We've developed some sort of connection, but it's all virtual. He doesn't even know my name. He's been trying to guess, but so far, no success."

Amusement danced in Liam's eyes. "You're having him guess your name? That's quite a challenge. I doubt he'll figure it out."

She nodded, a laugh escaping her lips as she paused her pacing to face her brother. "I've given him hints, but he's still stumped. And now he's proposing that we meet."

Liam couldn't help but chuckle at her flustered state. "You're genuinely nervous, huh? It's kind of adorable. Why not just meet him and see how it goes?"

Frustration led her to swat at Liam's arm. "It's not adorable, Liam. What if he doesn't find me interesting in person? What if our real meeting falls short of the expectations we've built through our messages?"

Her brother's response was casual and pragmatic. "You won't know unless you give it a shot."

Reluctance colored her tone as she sighed, "I'll think about it."