Huffing because of yet another inane argument between the main characters of the novel I was reading, I slid my hand in the bowl with potato chips and grabbed a handful. The chips ended up stuffed in my mouth as my eyes soaked in the lines in which two people refused to communicate once again, letting assumptions ruin what they worked so hard to build.

My godfather knew what kind of book to get me - so much angst and emotions were enough for me to nearly fling the paperback across my bedroom more than once this morning.

Shaking my head at one more chapter that ended without a kiss, I ate more chips and let my hopes soar as I read on.

The buzzing of my phone on the comforter by my side made a groan escape my mouth. There was only one thing I hated more than frustrating main characters - interruptions.

I took the gadget and pressed the answer icon, eager to be done with whichever of my friends decided to intrude on my reading time.

"Ava."

The deep, smooth voice on the other end of the line didn't belong to any of the girls.

"It's Jim. Do you remember? The hospital, the coffee..."

I froze and then chewed frantically. Answering with my mouth full wasn't a skill I mastered.

"Ava?"

I managed to swallow and took a deep breath. "Yeah, it's me. Jim, Jim...Ah, Jim!" I said, fighting the urge to laugh.

"Yeah, the coffee guy. Look, I'm sorry it's taken me so long, but-"

"Jim, I'm so sorry, but I'm in the middle of something. Could you call me in an hour?"

"At twelve."

"Yeah, twelve. Sharp," I added and sank my teeth into my bottom lip, getting ready to hear Jim's answer.

"Sure. Of course. Twelve it is. Sharp."

"Thank you. Bye," I said, disconnecting the call before Jim could hear me squeal.

Then, the realization of what I'd done hit me like a freight train. I told the guy I'd been hoping to hear from for weeks to call me later. What if he didn't?

Heaving a sigh, I grabbed the phone to make an important call.

"Doctor Lincoln, it's an emergency unless you're busy."

Harper chuckled. "I have a few minutes for a cup of coffee. What's up?"

"I was reading, and-"

"Tell me they kissed. It's been thirty chapters."

"They were about to."

"I'll tell Doctor Jennings to choose better. Are you sure it's not one of those young adult ones?"

"No, it's very much adult, trust me. Harper, the coffee guy called."

"Did he now?"I imagined Harper squinting at me and couldn't help smiling.

"Yes. And I told him to call me back in an hour to see if he's really interested."

"So, what's the problem?"

"What if he doesn't call?"

"Then he's not worth the trouble. You did well. Now, read on because I want to know if the book is good. I have enough sentimental frustrations in my life. Give me hearts and flowers in fiction."

"I'll give you all the details."

"Good luck with Mister Coffee."

I hung up and went on reading. My phone vibrated at eleven fifty-eight.

"I know it's not sharp," Jim said, "but I needed the two-minute margin in case you took longer to answer."

"It's okay. Hey."

"Hey. So, let's start again. Hi, Ava. This is Jim, the coffee guy. Sorry I took so long to call you, but I stayed at the hospital with my friend and his girl until she was okay."

"Is she okay now?"

Jim sighed. "Yeah. They went back to Paris cause that's where they live. Anyway, I was wondering if we could meet for coffee and lunch. What do you say?"

"Okay, I guess. When?"

"How about today?"

"Today? I don't think I can, sorry. How about tomorrow?"

Jim chuckled, and the sound made me feel strangely warm. "I had to try. Tomorrow it is. Where do I pick you up?"

"No," I blurted out.

"No?"

"I mean, I can drive myself, thank you very much. Just tell me where."

"I can pick you up; it's not a big deal at all."

"I know you can, but I like my car and my music, and-"

Laughing, Jim said, "Cautious, I get it. I'm not a serial killer. I'm a good boy, Ava." He paused and then sighed. "No, not a good one. Not a bad one, either, just an ordinary guy who made a girl wait weeks before he called. So?"

"I'll drive. Tell me where to go."

"Do you know where Grill&Chill is?"

"Not really, but I can look it up."

"No need. I'll text you the address. What time works best for you?"

"Twelve?"

I could feel the grin in Jim's voice when he asked, "Sharp?"

"Is that okay?"

"I'll be waiting. You'll recognize me by an idiotic smile because I'll most definitely be staring at you."

"Smooth, Jim."

"I can be, Ava. Hang up first unless you want to talk some more."

"Aren't you busy?"

"Not right now, but I know you are."

I glanced at my book. "Yeah. See you tomorrow?"

"Looking forward to it."

As I ended the call, a text from Jim materialized on the screen, making me smile and then panic. Our meeting would be the closest thing to a date I'd had. I had no idea what to wear or how to behave. Hopefully, Harper would help me out.

***

The red Chevy Blazer was my graduation gift and the thing I missed the most when I was living in France. Driving relaxed me and gave me invaluable thinking time. As soon as I got out of my car the following day, I searched for Jim.

My gaze roamed the bustling sidewalk, pausing on a couple of passersby until I spotted Jim's tall frame. He stood at the restaurant entrance, almost hidden from view by the brick column, with his eyes lowered to the phone in his hands.

I smoothed the lapels of my coat and took a tentative step forward. A coat paired with jeans, a cozy sweater, and sneakers was my preferred outfit choice. Harper told me to be myself. I surely didn't want to feel uncomfortable in clothes that would seem as if I tried too hard.

"Hey," I said once I was next to Jim.

His lips stretched in a smile as his green irises paused on my face. "Ava."

"Jim."

We both laughed. Happy to skip the first-meeting awkwardness, I followed Jim into Grill&Chill.

He led me to a table for two in the back of the restaurant. I tried not to blush and failed when Jim helped me take off my coat and pulled a chair out for me.

I scanned the aesthetically pleasing interior of the restaurant. Framed pictures of city landmarks dotted the exposed brick walls, and the small lit candles on each table made the atmosphere relaxing and inviting for a conversation.

A server stopped at our table with two menus and placed them in front of us after smiling at Jim, who gave the man a barely detectable nod.

"I've just realized I might have put my foot in it," Jim said, skimming through the selection of appetizers. "I didn't ask you if you ate meat, and the best dishes they have on the menu aren't vegetarian."

"I eat everything. It's okay. Any preferences? I guess you've been here before."

Jim leaned back in his chair, grinning. "Do you trust me?"

Shrugging, I closed my menu and put it aside. "Should I not?"

"I'm gonna order some dishes for us to share and hope for the best. Stop me if it's something you don't like."

After I nodded, Jim motioned to the waiter and asked for a shrimp cocktail and a chip and dip platter.

"Are we going to eat all of it?" I said.

Jim winked at me. "I'm a big boy. So, Ava, what do you do?"

Strangely, the most straightforward question was the one I didn't have an answer to.

"I came back from France on the day we met," I said. "I took a gap year after graduating from high school and went to Marseille to learn French."

"That must've been exciting."

"It was." I nodded. "And now I have to figure out what's next. I'm nineteen, and if I want to go to college, waiting for much longer isn't smart. What about you?" I asked when Jim said nothing, observing me with his head tilted to the side.

"I...Nothing special, really. I have a degree in Audiovisual Communication and do stuff freelance. I'm twenty-two."

"Do you like what you do?"

Jim's eyes sparkled when he answered, "Yeah. A lot, and my parents are the epitome of supportive. Dad has his bike repair shop, and Mom's a teacher. My brother's your age. What about your parents?"

"It's only my dad. He's a doctor," I said, studying Jim's expression. "Mom died in childbirth, and I have no siblings."

Sympathy flickered across Jim's handsome features. "God, I'm so sorry."

"It's okay. I guess you can't miss what you've never had. Dad and I are very close. I never felt like I didn't get enough affection."

Thankfully, the server brought our food. We ate in silence for a while until Jim broke it.

"I was wondering, and please, don't take it the wrong way."

"Wondering what?"

"Why did you approach me at the hospital? I know it looked like I needed coffee and your number, but still."

My cheeks warmed. I was about to cover them with my palms when Jim reached across the table and touched my jaw with his fingertips.

They felt calloused. A mix of bewilderment and excitement rushed through my bloodstream because I'd never felt the buzz and the voltage from just one innocent caress, and now, all my senses became attuned to Jim. Jim and his handsome face. Jim and the smell of his cologne, faint enough not to be overpowering, but impossible not to notice.

Jim's voice brought me out of my trance. "Don't," he said, smiling. "I'm the one who should blush because I was such an idiot, idiot, idiot."

"Oh my God," I whispered, and this time, I did bury my face in my palms, making Jim shake with laughter.

"It's true," he said. "I was slow, and I didn't even realize what you wanted. Plus, it took me weeks to call you, so the idiot was me."

"I can't believe you heard that," I muttered into my glass and took a sip of water.

Jim grinned from ear to ear. "It was cute. So, of all the guys, why me?"

"I have a journal with a daily challenge on each page. That day, the challenge was to do something daring, so I went for it."

The light from the small candle in the center of our table made Jim's eyes sparkle before, but now, they were twinkling with undiluted mischief.

"That wasn't daring, Ava. So, we need to rectify the situation if you agree to go out with me again."

I pretended to be deep in thought.

"Please?" Jim peered into my eyes. "I promise not to be an idiot, idiot, idiot."

"I should say no because of how you tease me," I grinned. "But okay, why not? I'd love to see your definition of daring."

"I won't disappoint," Jim said, and somehow I knew he was telling the truth.

***

It was getting dark by the time we left Grill&Chill. Highlighted by the warm, yellow lights, the façades of the historical buildings downtown made everything look infinitely more beautiful. Perhaps the euphoria coursing through my veins made me see the city I knew like the back of my hand with different eyes.

Jim accompanied me to my car. We stood next to it, looking at each other, unsure of what to say.

"I loved spending time with you," Jim spoke, breaking the silence. "And I wish you hadn't driven here because this way, I would've taken you home and had more time to talk to you."

"I like driving my car. And likewise. I had fun, Jim."

"That's good, isn't it?"

"I think so."

The corners of Jim's mouth tipped up. He hesitated, but then cupped my face with his hand. "I'll call you, Ava."

"You'd better. If you don't want to look like an idiot, idiot, idiot."

Jim boomed with laughter. "I learned my lesson. Drive safe, okay?"

"Okay," I said quietly.

We looked into each other's eyes for a long, intense moment. I was the one to break it when I unlocked my car and got inside.

Jim didn't move from his spot on the sidewalk, watching me reverse out of the parking spot with his hands in his coat pockets and a smile on his lips.