The next morning, I call Kieran.
He answers on the first ring. His voice is filled with relief. “Hey, you.”
“Hey.” My own voice is… guarded. “Listen, if we’re going to do this, I think we need to slow down.”
A brief pause. Then, “I heard you hung out with Lindsay yesterday.”
“I did. We went mini-golfing. We had a nice time.”
“Was the taking it slow thing her idea?”
“No, Kieran. The giving you another chance thing was her idea.”
Another pause. Then a sigh. “Okay. Slow down how, exactly?”
“I think we should go on another date. Not a fancy show where we have our own booth or… or anywhere where things can get so… physical.”
“I’m not going to do it again, Emerson. I’m capable of restraint, you know. I just thought… I mean, you said…”
“I know. I said I could handle it. I’m not mad that
