The One After [SHAWN MENDES]

Chapter 122

I woke up early and reached for my phone right as a reminder that I had plans that night with Stephen, the Bumble cowboy, appeared on my screen. We'd messaged back and forth for a week before he suggested dinner, and after a little panicked deliberation, I agreed.

During our online convos I'd learned that he was originally from Alberta and that his family owned a cattle ranch, so my cowboy hunch was spot-on. He'd moved to Toronto to go to school and stayed when he got a great job in programming, which indicated that his farm days were in the past even if he still looked the part.

As I lounged in bed trying to figure out what to wear, my phone buzzed.

Looking forward to coffee

See u soon xx

Did I have plans with my ex on the same day as my first date with Stephen? Yes, though I hadn't planned it that way on purpose. I forgot to add the coffee with Shawn to my calendar, so when he messaged me to confirm it two days after I'd made arrangements with the cowboy, I became aware of the mistake. I didn't want the stress of having to reschedule either thing, so I decided to keep both.

I sent him a quick reply.

Can't wait!

I climbed out of bed and went straight to the bathroom for a shower, where I also shaved my legs. It was unlikely anyone would be touching them, but this was part of my standard pre-date routine. I did my hair and make-up before putting on a pair of leggings and a hoodie since it was still chilly out most mornings. I'd wear something nicer tonight, of course.

Parking was a bitch on Adelaide Street, but I eventually found a spot a couple blocks away. I saw Shawn sitting outside the cafe waiting for me. "Hi! Sorry I'm late," I said as I sat down across from him. "I should have given myself an extra ten minutes to park."

"No worries. You could have parked at my garage and walked over since that might have been easier."

"After the credit card mishap, I'm not comfortable using your code to get in. Didn't you change it anyway?" I asked.

"Naw. Stanley reminded me once, but I never got around to it. Lemme get our coffees. Do you want your usual? How about something to eat?"

"I'll take whatever the highest calorie hot coffee drink is but no food. I'm not hungry."

He went inside and I admired his cute outfit from behind. He was wearing a pair of cream-colored fleecy pants and his favorite Old Navy pullover that had bears on it. He also had on moccasins and the black Nike socks he wore with everything. It was an ensemble I'd seen him in many times, and I loved how non-celebrity it was.

"Here you go." He placed my drink in front of me. "This is a large Nutella latte made with half and half instead of milk. The barista told me that it's at least six hundred calories."

"Sounds divine," I said before taking a sip of the sweet rich drink.

"How are you doing?"

"Pretty good. I've been feeling better psychologically since they eliminated a stomach issue. I find that eating four to five small meals a day helps me, and I gained a pound last week. I want to hear all about your time in California. Is a new album coming soon?"

He chuckled. "I don't know about soon, but it's coming along pretty nicely. I've got studio time booked next week, and I'm sure I'll write more songs while I'm in Europe. Zubin and I jam a lot, which often leads to something cool."

"Studio time here?"

"No, I'm leaving again. That's one reason I wanted us to get together; it could be a while before we see each other."