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Bullseye:Nothing wrong with confidence.

Tulip:Why don’t you have a girlfriend?

Bullseye:What makes you think I don’t?

My heart deflated.

Bullseye:I don’t have one.

My heart immediately felt full again. Oh, God, I was like a teenager unable to control the bliss.

Tulips. Why?

Bullseye:Waiting for the right one.

Tulips:Define that.

Bullseye:Then you have to tell me your perfect guy too.

Tulip:Deal.

Bullseye:A woman who I can fish with.

I paused a moment. HeknewI enjoyed fishing. Was he teasing me? Was I reading too much into his message?

Tulip:That’s it? I’m sure you can find someone like that.

Bullseye:I don’t know anyone.

Was he tossing out bait to see how I would take it? Was it possible to be attracted to someone I didn’t even know? I knew Bullseye’s personality from the chat, but I didn’t know what he looked like. Could this be a good way of knowing if you like someone despite their appearance?

Maybe Bullseye was some antisocial weirdo who never went out and spent all his time online. Was he an online predator? My intuition told me no, but I couldn’t trust myself right now.

Tulip:What other traits are you looking for?

Bullseye:Intelligence. A kind heart.

I noticed how he didn’t say beauty or wealth. Maybe he knew the online game and knew exactly what to say. I was trying to make him look bad to discourage this growing attraction.

Bullseye:Your turn.

Tulip:Someone I can share my burden with.

Bullseye:You’re stressed? Gimme.

My smile grew. He knew exactly what to say. Bullseye was either a dangerous man or a nice guy.

I had to change the subject.

Tulip:Why do you like to fish?

Bullseye:Clears my head. Practice patience.

Tulip:Are you not patient?

Bullseye:Sometimes.

Tulip:What do you fear most?