Val and Adam texted sporadically over the next few days. They talked about how his parents still doubted his career choices, what his childhood was like, and how it was to be home as an adult. He asked her what she liked about DC and why she chose to live there over someplace else. He seemed to be getting restless as the days went on and his questions about DC encouraged Val that he was looking forward to seeing her again.

They were connecting over the digital divide. Val revealed more about herself with each conversation, including how she was struggling to break out of her routines. Adam shared how he wanted to connect with someone but being in Rwanda limited those opportunities. Val really liked Adam. She could see herself falling for this strange guy that she had barely met.

Talk about getting out of her comfort zone—spending a few days with someone she had met in person once was definitely not usual for Val, but she was excited about it. She couldn’t wait to see him again and figure out if their real life chemistry was just as strong as online.

Heading to Africa required shots, exotic ones, so she killed time early in the week by visiting the travel clinic nearby. Val arrived at a nondescript office on the first floor of a tall building. As soon as she entered the door, she fell in love with the vibe of the small clinic, which had travel posters on the walls and pamphlets about travel safety in the waiting room. They even had a few mementos from what Val assumed were staff trips scattered around. Val gave a quick look at her phone, wanting to text Adam, but wondered if she was coming off too strong.

Her name was called quickly and she followed the nurse down the hall to the examination room. While she waited for the doctor, Val texted Bri.

How do I know if I’m coming off too strong?

Too strong? Bri texted back. Are you throwing yourself at him?

I don’t think so. But we’ve been texting a lot. Maybe I’m texting him too much?

Is he quick to respond? Is he revealing as much as you are?

Yes to both.

Then I think you’re fine. As long as you’re both responding and opening up, just enjoy it. If it starts to be one sided, then you might need to dial it back.

Got it. Thanks, Bri.

The doctor came in just as she put her phone back in her purse. She was very kind as she gave Val three shots and talked to her about how to stay healthy in a far-off country before wishing her well on her journey.

Val paid her bill at the front desk and left with two sore arms and a smile on her face. This was happening. This trip was real. She couldn’t wait. Once she left the office, she texted Adam.

Well, I’m official now. Three shots done.

Hope they took it easy on you. I’ll be sure to be gentle when I see you in person, Adam teased.

Wednesday arrived at a snail’s pace. Val awoke suddenly that morning. Sitting up in her bed, Val shook off the remnants of sleep and checked her phone right away to see if Adam was up. No messages yet, so she headed to the shower to get ready for the big day, the day Adam arrived in DC. She was a little nervous but mostly excited. They hadn’t finalized the plans for today, so she wasn’t sure how long she’d have to wait to see him.

As she arrived at work, coffee in hand, to start the day, Val saw she had a text waiting.

Good morning! It’s finally here—the day I get to DC, Adam texted. She could hardly contain her excitement and anticipation.

I know. So excited to see you! They texted a few details to coordinate times and plans for the evening before finishing up the conversation. Val couldn’t wipe the grin off her face. She’d been struggling with that a lot lately. But she couldn’t help that s

he was thrilled that she only had to get through one last day of work before seeing Adam.

She spent some time that should have been reserved for typing up a work report on hunting for a restaurant on the internet instead. She picked an Italian place. It was new and modern with good food. The chef had become famous for appearing on a top-rated cooking reality show on TV, but, according to the reviews, the restaurant deserved the accolades it had received.

Val debated what she was wearing: She could try to zip home at lunch or leave early to head home to change into regular black work pants, a white tank top, and a bright pink cardigan. She had on yellow flats that were just crazy enough to work with the pink top. No scarf today but dangling earrings. She could try to zip home at lunch or leave early to head home to change. She thought about her wardrobe and didn’t come up with any good ideas of what else she could wear for a date. Maybe just swap the pants for jeans?

Val decided to race home at lunch and pick up jeans and a necklace. She zipped out of the office and drove home a little quicker than she usually did. She dashed into her apartment and stopped cold in front of her closet. Would jeans be enough? she wondered. She grabbed her phone out of her bag for an emergency fashion consult.

Bri, HELP.

What’s the trouble?

I’m staring at my closet, hating all my clothes. What do I wear tonight for Adam?!?

How fancy are we talking?

We’re going to that new Italian place near Chinatown. So casual but nice enough for a date. Something that will seem like I made an effort.

Easy. Jeans, heels, nice top, and something fun. Do you have a nice necklace? Earrings?

Hmmm. Heels? Do I have to?

No, but I think they come off sexier than flats. Go with what makes you comfortable. You don’t want to feel awkward all night.

Got it. Thanks! You’re a lifesaver.

For a guy who wore cargo pants to a work meeting and carried a hiking backpack, Val didn’t consider Adam to be a metrosexual fashion plate, but she still wanted to make an effort to look nice. She put on her darkest pair of jeans, a cute pair of flats, and a fun necklace. It was fancier than what she normally wore for a date, but this night felt special.

Having decided on her outfit, she grabbed her bag and sped back to work. She had taken longer than her usual lunch hour, but no one at her office was a stickler for time and she felt better having picked a new outfit for the date.

She wrapped up her work in the afternoon and walked to her trusty SUV. The time had come. Val drove into the city—no traffic going that direction—and arrived at the Topaz Hotel. The hotel was in an older DC building that had been modernized to appeal to today’s traveler. The outside was a mix of concrete and industrial metal. It was small but chic. She parked under the small portico and got out.

“Don’t worry, I’m not parking there,” she told the attendant. “I’m just picking someone up.”

She walked in the revolving door and saw Adam. He was standing in the lobby waiting for her. She watched him turn his head and smile as soon as he saw her. He walked over to her and wrapped her in a hug. She hugged back, noticing how tall and strong he was. Maybe Bri’s nickname of tall, dark, and handsome Adam would start to stick.

He pulled back from the hug. “I hope that’s not too forward, but I’ve been wanting to do that since Friday,” said Adam. “After the visit with my folks, I am very happy to be here with you.”

Val blushed. “Me too. I’ve got the car outside if you’re ready to go.”

“Yep. Lead the way.” Val walked back through the revolving door and Adam used the next space in the door to spin through. They both got into Val’s SUV, and Adam asked where they were going.

“I picked an Italian place for our first DC experience. It’s supposed to have great food, and the place is modern and new. It’s near Chinatown.”

“Sounds great. I’m famished.” Val turned the SUV onto the road and clicked through a couple of radio stations while they drove down the street.

Adam smirked. “I forgot about your radio habit, always searching for the next song.”

“I’ve never been able to break the habit. I tried a couple of times, but I figure, why bother? I’m usually the only one in the car, so it’s not bothering anyone but me. I’m either impatient or I have good taste in music. I’ll assume the latter.” She smiled.

It was relaxing being in the car with Adam. She could smell his cologne and the fresh scent of a recent shower. It was a mix of exotic musk with a touch of fresh green grass. Just like he was a mix of exotic travels and casual attitudes, his smell suited him. She breathed it in, committing it to memory.

He was dressed in a light gray button-down shirt and dark jeans. Both were cut to show off his figure but not too close to the body. She could see the curve of his muscles under his shirt, making her wonder what they would look like without the shirt on. His boots looked like they had been recently cleaned.

She pulled her attention off of his appearance to drive them safely through the city. She loved having him here in person and couldn’t stop from sneaking glances over at him. His hair, his hands, the way he sat in the seat—Val tried to soak in every detail.

They drove a short way through the city, and Val took the opportunity to draw his attention to several old buildings and explain the history of various places they passed. She played the role of tour guide and pointed out some of the major museums and government buildings. When they arrived at the restaurant, Val found a street parking spot and expertly parallel parked into it.

“Nice parking. I have to admit that might have taken me a couple of tries. Parallel parking is not something I’d put on my list of strengths,” said Adam.

“Thanks. I’ve been parallel parking forever, so I’m used to it. I’m glad we found a spot so close,” said Val. They walked in the door, Adam holding it open for Val, and checked in with the hostess. Once they had been seated at their table, a booth by the open kitchen, Val looked directly at Adam.

“What would you say is on your list of strengths?”

“Well, giving a presentation. Living simply. Wanting to make a difference in the world. Juggling.” Adam paused, and Val jumped in.

“I’ve always wanted to learn how to juggle! It seems like a very fun talent to have,” said Val.

“Ok, your turn. What are your secret skills?” asked Adam.

“Secret skills? I’m a fast reader, and I read a lot. I’m a pretty mean baker, and I’m really good at organizing the shelves at the food pantry where I volunteer on Saturdays,” Val said with a smile. “Though, I will admit I can overthink things, especially when I’m stressed.”

Adam asked her more about her volunteering and her reading. Val learned that he wasn’t much of a reader, but his time in Rwanda, without electricity or the internet, had made him rekindle his enjoyment of books. They ordered drinks and food and enjoyed easy conversation about Adam’s travels. He hadn’t been to many places, but the places he had been were far from the normal tourist locations. A spring break in Prague. A summer helping count sea turtles in Costa Rica.

“So I strapped on my headlamp, newly purchased for the trip, and headed out of the guesthouse toward the beach. It was pitch dark, so I turned on the lamp to light my way,” Adam continued the story.

Val was enthralled with his words, wanting to hear more about each place. She leaned in, resting her chin in her hand, not wanting to miss a single beat.

“As I get closer to the beach, I see some people but I can’t tell who they are. I start to call out the names of a couple of people I was supposed to meet—Javier! Anna!” Adam reenacted the scene as he told it. Val smiled.

“All of a sudden, the figures freeze and take off down the beach. I stop short. What the heck? If I’m supposed to be meeting them, why are they running off?” Adam mimicked his perplexed look and continued on. Val was practically holding her breath in anticipation.

“As I’m standing there wondering what just happened, someone steps out of the trees next to me. PSSST! I must have jumped a foot; they had snuck up on me so easily. Turns out it was Javier. Turn off your light, he says. And be quiet. Follow me.” Adam kept on with his lively tale, and Val was captivated and hardly noticed anyone or anything else as he talked.

“I follow him down the beach a little farther, and we finally see it: a huge mother turtle laying eggs in a hole on the beach. As it happened, I had scared off poachers looking to make a quick buck by taking the newly laid eggs. My total ignorance had worked out just right. Javier cracked up when I told him what happened when we got back to the house.” Val chuckled along with Adam as he wrapped up his story.

“They never let me live it down the rest of the summer, but I am glad I scared those guys off. It’s not every day you can save baby turtles by being completely clueless.” Adam smiled at Val. The waiter approached the table carrying their food, but Val barely tore her attention away from Adam. She could listen to his stories all night.

Once the food was laid out on the table, Adam and Val both offered a taste of their entrée to the other person.

“Good to know you’re amenable to sharing food,” said Val. “I love splitting things so I can try more than one dish at a time.”

Adam smiled. “I’m not too territorial about my food. In Rwanda, many of the meals are served out of large pots, like beans and rice. We eat with our hands, so offering a bite here and there has become no big deal.”

They finished their meal and came to the most important part of any date for Val: dessert. Anybody that was not into ordering dessert was most likely not going to work for Val. It seemed like a small detail, but she wanted someone to share dessert with in her life, not someone to watch her eat it every time she went out.

Before Val could bring up dessert, Adam beat her to the punch.

“Let’s get dessert,” he said. “I’ve got a sweet tooth thanks to a mom who baked all the time when I was growing up. Sweets in Rwanda are not the same as here, so let’s get one and enjoy it. We can split if you want.”

“Add another point to the tally of things we have in common. Yes, I am all for dessert. I’m so glad you suggested it. I’ve had too many dates with men who didn’t eat sweets or offered to sit with me while I ate one. Nothing makes you feel crappier than eating a slice of cake with your date watching.”

Adam let out a little laugh. “Not to worry. On our dates, dessert is always an option. Exactly how many of these men are there, and should I be concerned?” he asked lightheartedly. He didn’t seem concerned with her dating past.

“Not that many. Besides, I’m sure the mighty Adam has quite a dating history that includes many beautiful women,” Val joked.

“Fewer than you’d think. After finishing school, my dating life was like everyone else’s. Once I decided to work for ESAG and wanted to go overseas, those prospects became even fewer. Since living in Rwanda, I’ve had a couple of long-distance relationships, and those ended pretty quickly. It’s tough to maintain relationships when the internet is spotty and electricity is unreliable—not to mention the time difference.”

“Being half a world away would be tough,” Val said, but she was ready to change the subject. Thinking of Adam dating other people was not fun. She had no claim on Adam, not yet anyway, but she wanted to be a part of his dating future.

They ordered a dessert to share and talked about their favorite foods. After Adam insisted on paying the bill, they left the restaurant and Val suggested they walk around for a bit. The night was warm, and she loved walking through the city, watching people and seeing the different restaurants and businesses.

By the end of the first block, Val shivered a little. She found that she was always cold. Adam reached over and put his arm over her shoulders. It felt like the natural thing to do. Their conversation flowed, and they were relaxed around each other. How could she feel so comfortable with him already?

As they walked, Val mentioned some things they could do to round out the evening. “There’s an independent movie theater near here, or we could find a club if you like dancing.” Adam laughed at that.

“No dancing unless I have to or if I’m too drunk to refuse. Not a dancing guy,” he said.

“Ok. We could find a bar and get a couple of drinks. Theater and comedy clubs are out—we’d need to have tickets already.”

Adam interrupted her suggestions. “Let’s just walk a little more and see where we end up.”

They walked together, hand in hand, until they found themselves in front of an artsy movie theater. Val loved movies, so this was perfect for her. Again, before she could say anything, Adam jumped in.

“Movies it is. You pick the movie; I have no idea what any of these are,” said Adam.

Val picked a movie about a man searching for happiness by traveling the globe and interviewing people about what happiness means to them. He ends up in some tight spots and has some unexpected adventures. In the end, he finds happiness is his quiet life at home.

Adam and Val held hands throughout the movie. At one point, Val put her head on Adam’s shoulder. His presence was comforting, and she felt herself warming to him more than she expected to.

After the movie, Adam and Val walked back to her car and got in. “Not to cut our date short, but it is a school night and I have work tomorrow,” said Val. “Will you be stopping by the office to see John?”

“No, this is my vacation, so no presentations or talk of ESAG. Just me trying to have fun. I find it hard to relax most of the time, so it will be a challenge. Although to be honest, being around you is really helping,” said Adam.

Val blushed again, and Adam grinned in response.

When they arrived back at Adam’s hotel, he said, “Ah, the awkward part of the date night: the ending. I feel very comfortable with you, Val. I don’t know what it is, but I know I want to see you more to find out. And I want to kiss you right now.”

He reached out and caressed her neck while he leaned forward. Their mouths touched in a soft kiss. Adam looked in her eyes. Val gave a little smile. Adam kissed her again, this time with passion. Her soft lips parted, and he used that opening to go deeper. As the kiss escalated, Val’s hands found their way to his strong shoulders. The kiss ended, leaving them both a little breathless. Val was having trouble gathering her thoughts as Adam turned to get out of the car.

He paused and looked back at her. “How about tomorrow night?” he asked. “Dinner? I want to spend as much time as I can with you, but tell me if it’s too much.”

“It’s not too much. Tomorrow sounds great. I’ll text you.” Adam smiled, got out of the car, and walked toward the hotel. He turned back before walking in the door and gave Val a little wave.

Val drove home in a daze. She found herself in her apartment parking lot with little memory of her drive home but big memories of the kiss she had shared with Adam. She wasn’t surprised that he kissed her. She was surprised at how she felt. Tingly and warm all over, the kiss had robbed her mind of coherent thought and replaced it with Adam. How his lips felt, his smell, the warmth of his arms around her. If this is how one dinner and movie date with him was going to make her feel, she was going to be helpless against him after a week of dates.

She got ready for bed and texted him a quick goodnight before trying to fall asleep. All she could think about was the kiss and what he said right before it. He wanted to spend time with HER. He wanted to kiss HER. She felt special with his attention turned all on her. Adam was something altogether different for Val.