That’s me. Harper smiled. Your date just arrived. Sophia Lauron. And Sophia heard her own name and looked up and saw the mechanic’s face and watched him turn and see her.
And they both just froze. You’re Jake. Sophia’s voice came out way higher than normal. You’re Sophia. Jake sounded just as shocked. The blind date. They said it at the exact same time and then both started laughing because this was absolutely insane.
They just spent 20 minutes together on the side of the road, and neither of them had any clue they were about to meet each other. Anyway, Harper was grinning like she’d planned the whole thing.
« Well, looks like you two have already broken the ice. Your table’s ready whenever you are. » They sat down across from each other in a corner booth and just stared for a second before Sophia shook her head.
« So, you didn’t know it was me when you stopped? » Jake ran his hand through his hair. My sister didn’t show me a picture. Just said her name’s Sophia. Be nice now.
Don’t screw it up. Sophia laughed. Mia didn’t show me anything either. Just said you were a good dad and I needed to give this a shot. The absurdity of it hit them both at once.
How they’d been heading to the same place. How his help had literally saved their date. And Jake leaned back in the booth. So, should we start over then? Sophia felt herself smile for the first time all week.
A real smile that wasn’t forced for investors or employees. Hi, I’m Sophia. My car broke down on the way to a blind date I didn’t want to go on. Jake’s grin matched hers.
Hi, I’m Jake. I stopped to help a stranger so I’d be late to a blind date I also didn’t want to go on. Harper appeared with coffee pot. Can I get you two started?
And Sophia and Jake both said coffee at the exact same time, looked at each other and started laughing again. And maybe, just maybe, this night wasn’t going to be a disaster after all.
