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Either he doesn’t hear me or chooses not to respond before he gets back to work.

I tear my eyes away from Bailey for maybe five seconds to unpack jars of jam for the display. When I look up again, he’s walking over. No, not here. Oh, fuck, yes. Right to our stand. And up to me.

“Hi,” he says with that perfect smile that could melt the coldest of hearts.

A somewhat pained sound escapes while I raise my hand in a small wave. He watches my hand move, but gestures at the display I’m building.

“When did you guys start selling jam?”

When did we start selling jam? I have no idea. I know nothing anymore. Go ahead and ask my name. I can’t even tell you. After a short yet awkward silence of me gawking at Bailey, Jess comes and saves me.

“Cheryl added it to the store earlier this year.”

And now Bailey seems disappointed I haven’t responded to him. I’m bombing this. So badly. So very, very badly. I can’t help it. On-the-spot social interaction has never been my strength. Not when the person is this attractive. Makes way more sense to figure out everything about them first to ensure the conversation flows in the right direction. How else are you supposed to say the right thing?

“Well… ah.” Bailey smiles and I should go to prison for the crime of thinking he couldn’t get any cuter. Except he can. When nervous. “I guess… I just wanted to say hello to you guys.” His eyes flick to me at the wordguys. “I better get back now. Don’t have anyone to watch my stand.” He smiles one more time and turns to leave.

What’s that saying? I hate to see him go, but I love watching him walk away. Jesse gives me a look when he notices me craning my neck to watch Bailey. Sue me. The guy has a succulent ass. How is one man so gorgeous? Bailey’s perfect in every way, which is why my mind short-circuits around him.

“Dude,” Jesse says with a shake of his head. “That was painful to witness.”

“Great, because it was painful to experience.”

Jesse sighs and grabs the empty crate, then stores it under a table. “You’re not exactly subtle, either.”

“I can’t help it. Even thinking about talking to him makes my brain force restart.”

I take a deep sigh and look over at Bailey’s stand, where he’s talking with his first customer. Cutest goddamn beekeeper in existence. Who could blame me?

“This is why I’m talking to that guy. To like, build up my social skills so I don’t act so much like me.”

Jesse rolls his eyes. “You talk to me just fine, thanks.”

“Duh, you’re straight.”

Jesse rolls his eyes again.

“And I dunno. This guy’s nice. Kinda lonely, too. I get this vibe that he’s older. His partner died, and he’s trying to start all over, but all he finds are these guys who only want a quick fuck.”

“That’s actually really sad.” Jesse frowns. “But taking up his time out of pity isn’t doing him any favors.”

I shrug. I’m not out searching for someone to be a glucose guardian, nor am I soyoung that Mantis will disregard me. At least, I don’t think so. Maybe for the right guy… maybe certain stuff won’t matter as much when we already have a connection. And there is something between us. I look forward to reading his messages and texting him back… whoever he is. Who knows? Maybe we’ll get to the point where we want to share more and take this somewhere. I’m not ready to discount him just yet.

The rest of the workday passes quickly enough. Right after the market ends, but before we load the truck and break down the displays, I get a notification ding. Mantis and I are still messaging solely within the app. His choice, and I don’t mind.

Orchid Mantis:Having a good day?

Purple Puppy:Well, ah, that’s a loaded question. I want to say yes.

Purple Puppy:And really, not terrible right now. But dammit, am I ever awkward in person.

Purple Puppy:Who am I kidding? I’m awkward not in person, too.

Orchid Mantis:You’re exuberant. It’s sweet.

Aww. See, this is exactly why I enjoy talking to Mantis. Even after the unfortunate realization that the stupid app saves each randomized username when two people match so you know who you’re talking to without knowing who you’re talking to—which may be for the best since we haven’t shared our personal info yet—he makes the app worth keeping. Mantis is such a wholesome guy.

And really and truly, we’ve been texting daily for a week, and it’s nice to have someone who wants to… talk. That’s it. Maybe I do need an older guy, since I clearly have some dated expectations. Mantis strikes me as the type who would gladly woo me.