Valentine's Day

Chapter 22

Maddie yawned as she settled herself into the corner of the cough with a cup of hot ramen noodles to watch her recorded television shows. She had been slacking the last couple of weeks and she had a few episodes of Bates Motel to catch up on. 

Her cell phone chimed on the coffee table and it had been so long since it rang at all, she pulled it out and stared at it for a few moments. She didn't recognize the phone number and she hit the message bubble with her thumb. There was one text.

Any good cupcakes in the oven?

Her brows drew together. Brian. Who else would ask about cupcakes? But did he think he was being funny? And how did he get her number? She hadn't given it to him and he'd certainly never asked. As a matter of fact, she hadn't really expected to hear from him outside the business atmosphere. She was surprised he'd contacted her at all. It was a text..which meant he was probably unsure if her feelings were hurt that he'd run out on her.

Who is this?  she giggled as she texted back, just to be bitchy.

Her cell chimed again and she opened it anxiously. 

How many men do you have texting you about cupcakes???? :(

She chuckled to herself again and almost spilled the hot soup on herself. She put the styrofoam container of the table and typed back.

At the moment, just one.

He texted back immediately.

If the guy has what it takes, you only need one.

She smiled. Yeah she could choose to be mad at him but why. They never had any expectations and she'd used him just as much as he used her. Maybe they could call it a truce. 

Good point, she replied and waited. It took a bit longer for him to reply and she began to worry she'd left her reply to vague. She was relieved when the phone chimed again.

Was thinking...Maybe cupcakes when I get back in town tomorrow?

Sorry. Out of commission for the next few days. She hoped he got her meaning and she didn't have to go into details.   

 A few minutes later he texted back, Are your jaws out of commission?

She sucked in a breath and her thumbs flew across the tiny keyboard in a texting fury. Seriously? she wrote. What a jerk. I'm not going to blow you just because I started my period. 

She tossed her phone beside her her angrily. She had thought he might actually be an adult but then he typed something so crappy. What a jerk.

After several minutes he wrote back.

I was just going to ask if you wanted to grab some dinner. What kind of men have you been hanging out with while I've been gone?   

Maddie felt her face turn red. Dinner...of course. How stupid if her to think he'd meant anything else...

Apparently the kind that come and...eat my...uh...cupcakes and don't call the next day. You can see my confusion.

She hit send quickly and waited. So much for no expectations she told herself. Maybe he'd be mad and wouldn't text her back at all. She'd just screwed herself if she had any intention of seeing him again.

She was ready to go into panic mode but the chime of the text stopped it.

Not my finest hour. I apologize. Let me make it up to you.

She considered before she answered. What do you have in mind?

Dinner,for sure to keep those mouth muscles in shape, but after that, your choice. Whatever you want to do. :) Any ideas?????