How could I say no?

“I’m going to say yes, but only because I am really curious as to what that even means.”

“I haven’t figured it out yet, but it’s going to be fucking awesome.”VIRTUAL DATEWas it wrong that my only confidante was a ten-year-old girl? At least, she was mature for her age—that’s what I’d tell myself.

Lilith and I were heading to the park near her house. I was walking while she rode her scooter alongside me.

“Guess what, Lilith?”

“What?”

I twirled around. “I have a date tonight.”

Oh, my. Did I just twirl?

“With Landon? He’s coming here?”

“No, he’s still in California, but he’s taking me on a virtual date. I’ll be here, and he’ll be there.”

Lilith scrunched her nose. “I don’t get it.”

“Neither, do I. But I’m dying to find out how it’s going to work.”

“What are you gonna wear?”

“You know, I haven’t thought about it. But maybe I should dress up, huh? Really get into it?”

She stopped suddenly. “I thought you said you don’t go on dates.”

“I don’t, but this is different because I won’t actually be with him.”

She resumed moving. “What’s the point?”

“I guess the point is that I can experience all of the good parts of a date without having to worry about the scary stuff. It’s perfect for me, really.”

Lilith looked back at me briefly as she scooted along ahead of me. “You’re weird, Rana.”

I jogged faster to keep up with her. “Is that supposed to be news, Lilith? Anyway, enough about me. What’s going on with you? Everything cool?”

“I have to write a paper on someone I admire. I couldn’t think of anyone, so I’m just going to write it about you,” she said nonchalantly.

I was momentarily touched until it hit me that was probably a very bad idea. “Are you sure? There are really many more viable options—like your mom. She’s a lawyer. You should write about her. Or what about like Maya Angelou? What are you gonna say about me?”

She began to scoot away with more momentum and yelled, “You’ll find out.”

Oh, boy.When I arrived home from my time with Lilith, a large box delivered by UPS was sitting outside of my door. Knowing it was from Landon, butterflies started to swarm in my stomach.

A few days earlier, he had asked for my address to send me something. I was really hesitant to give it to him, but he assured me he would never trick me or use it to come visit me without my knowledge. His argument was convincing.

“You’re living with a probable psychopath, Rana. Are you really afraid of ME showing up at your door?”

Truth.

I chose to trust him.

I lifted it up and carried it into the apartment. It was actually pretty heavy.

Lenny was sitting in the kitchen, wearing massive headphones and listening to something on his laptop. He completely ignored me as I walked past him and into my room.

My heart was palpitating as I opened the box, only to find multiple wrapped packages inside. Each was numbered. The words “Open Me First” were written on a folded note reminiscent of the ones he used to make me. That warmed my heart as I opened it.Rana,Don’t open anything until I tell you. This is our virtual date in a box. I’ll “pick you up” at eight your time.LandonP.S. Wear something sexy, or at least tell me you are. I won’t know the fucking difference.My cheeks actually hurt from smiling. The fact that he had put so much effort into this was really touching.

Resisting the temptation to open anything in the box, I jumped in the shower and realized that I hadn’t been this excited about anything in a really long time.

At the same time, I pondered whether I would have felt the same if this were a real date. I knew I wouldn’t have. That would’ve scared me.

Slipping into some comfortable undies and a long T-shirt, I waited anxiously for Landon’s call.

At 8PM exactly, the phone rang, and the butterflies in my tummy began to flutter in full force.

I jumped to answer it. “Hello?”

His raspy voice sounded so sexy. “Hey.”

“You’re right on time.”

“Did you expect me to be late? It’s our first official date. That would be in poor taste.”

“It’s been a while for me. I don’t know what to expect, especially with this scenario.”

“A while since you’ve been on a date?”

I hesitated. “Yes.”

Technically, I’d never been on a real date.

“How long?”

Keep it vague. “It feels like ages.”

“Okay, well, I’m going to ask you to use your imagination a bit tonight, okay? You’re going to have to work with me.”

I got goosebumps. “Alright.”

“What’s the weather like by you right now?”

Leaning my head to look out the window, I said, “It’s dark out and cold.”

“Okay, well, if we were here together, you’d see that the sun is still shining. So, our date is going to take place here. We have about an hour and a half left of daylight. You have your box nearby?”