Page 16 of Tito

“No,” I said. “How about something like this: Just wanted to let you know I haven’t found out anything about the hat yet, but I’m still hopeful. I’ll keep you apprised.”

“No,” he snapped. “For one, nobody should ever say the word apprised in a text message. And, that doesn’t mention your date. Isn’t that why we’re having this conversation?”.

“The date goes without saying. For me to mention it makes me look like I don’t have an ounce of self-esteem.”

“Well, if you’re not going to mention it, you should at least have fun with whatever it is you say. You know, use something with a double meaning. Add a winky face at the end.”

“Winky faces are dumb. The wink is implied by the content.”

“People wink,” he argued. “Especially in texts.”

“I don’t wink.”

“You should. People can’t see emotion in a text, so a winky face softens the blow of what might be perceived as pretentious, overbearing, or out of line. The winky face emoji is flirtatious and apologetic at the same time.”

I shrugged. “I don’t wink. In person, or in texts.”

“Ever?”

“Ever.”

“That’s awful,” he said. “I wink all the time. Sometimes without saying a word. I think it’s mysterious.”

I laughed. “What’s mysterious about a wink?”

“The reasoning behind it, I guess.”

While he stared back at me waiting for a response, my phone beeped. He screeched like a startled eleven-year-old girl and tossed it on the counter.

I exhaled a breath of exasperation and reached for my phone. A text from Tito brought a smile to my face.

I opened it.

Reggie. Just wanted to see if you were up for a motorcycle ride on Saturday? We can ride it to dinner if it’s alright with you.

Without thought, I responded. Depends. Is it a Harley, or a sport bike?

I have both, he replied. What’s your preference?

Harley, I responded.

His response was immediate. Out of curiosity, may I ask why?

The gods were watching over me. It was my chance to express myself without seeming needy.

Because, I replied, I was once told that sport bike riders were unpredictable maniacs and that Harley riders were only after one thing. Sex. Although the former might be fun, on Saturday, I’d prefer the latter.

Harley it is ;) he replied.

I stared at the winky face, wishing he wouldn’t have sent it. If Raymond’s interpretation of the emoji was correct, it’s existence could mean one of two things.

Tito was either flirting with me or apologizing for wanting to fuck me.

Both options made me feel slightly uneasy.