6. Date Prep: Larry

Getting Todd to agree to go out with me on Saturday was a win, but it would be a long date. I'd spent the morning working and was taking a needed break in my favorite spot. It was like a cross between a balcony and a four seasons room with a set of super comfortable chairs, small table for drinks, and, more importantly, the most spectacular view in the place. The water stretched for miles, with the Tampa skyline rising to the left. I sat back and texted Todd some of the details. I'll pick up sandwiches from Bricks and pick you up at 1:30 pm.

He immediately texted back. 1:30? I thought dinner movie?

I chuckled. He had no idea who I was and how I did things, but he would learn. Yes. But it's in Safety Harbor, so I figured we could hit the park first. My phone immediately rang, and I answered it. "Hi, fake date."

"Uh…that seems like a super long date. You know, you can back out of this."

"What? No. I think we need this. If you want to pull this off, we need to get to know each other. People who date know each other, and we don't."

Todd huffed. "You have a point. If we're ready to strangle each other by the end of the night, we'll know this is a bad idea."

"Or…we'll get along fine and be able to do this thing." I waved my hand as if he could see me.

"Okay. But I'll pick up the sandwiches. Text me what you want."

What I wanted was to argue with him more, to get under his skin, and see who he was beneath that quiet exterior, but that wasn't going to get me anywhere. I sighed. "Fine."

"Fine."

"See ya Saturday, fake boyfriend."

"God. Larry, you gotta stop saying that. It'll become a habit, and the wrong people will hear you."

"Oh, all right. Saturday then, boyfriend?" I stressed the boyfriend playfully.

"Yes. Fine. Bye." He clicked off, but I heard him laughing as he did, and what a sweet, sweet sound. I couldn't wait to get more of that.