Chapter Twenty-Seven: Cowboy Speed Date:

Date #2:

Name: Wallace

Wallace took a seat at the table. This was a Monday. He had some time. Rehearsal wouldn’t be in two hours. This was going to be interesting. He looked up when the door open. Morgan walked into the room.

“Hello,” she said.

“Hello,” Wallace said. “Uh… What is this?” The DJ smiled at her.

“This is just a little social experiment I came up with my radio station,” she said. Morgan held out her hand.

“My name’s Morgan,” she said. “And you are?”

“Wallace,” the country boy said.

“Where are you from?”

“Georgia.”

“That’s where I’m from.”

“Where?”

“Excuse me?”

“Where in Georgia?”

“Oh, Atlanta. You’ve ever been there?”

“No.”

Morgan frowned. “Such a pity. It’s a great city. Tell me about yourself.”

Wallace’s eyes shifted back and forth. “I came here to follow my crush.”

“Oh, a love story?” the DJ asked. The country boy’s cheeks turned bright red. Morgan broke into giggling.

“Oh you’re blushing!” she said. Wallace covered his face.

“Oh,” he mumbled.

“No, no,” Morgan said. “It’s fine. Don’t worry about that. What else about yourself?”

“Well, I am acting as an extra in a play.”

“Oh. Is it fun?”

“Yeah, actually.” Wallace tried to dig for something else to say. Morgan glanced down at the table and smiled.

“Well, I’m the school DJ,” she spoke up. The country boy gave her a confused look.

“This school has a radio?” he asked.

“Yes,” Morgan said. “You didn’t know that?” Wallace shook his head.

“Oh, well that’s kind of disappointing,” she said. Morgan noticed the look on his face.

“No offense, of course!” she was quick to say, waving him off. The country boy gave her a confused look, blinking. The DJ cleared her throat.

“Anyway,” she said. “Are you seeing anyone?”

“No!” Wallace was quick to say. His mind went back to Julia. The country boy looked like he was ready to jump and run out of the room. Morgan took the hint and pressed the buzzer.

“Okay, thank you for participating,” she said. She held out her hand.

“Uh… Okay…” he said. Wallace took her hand and shook it. The DJ didn’t seem to want to let go. The plastered smile on her face didn’t make anything easier.

“Uh… can you let go?” the country boy asked.

“Huh?” Morgan asked. “Oh. Sorry about that.” She let go of his hand. Wallace gave her a blank stare for the longest moment.

“I guess that’s it then,” the DJ said.

“It is?” Wallace asked.

“Yes, I will be in touch with you soon,” she said. The country boy blinked.

“Uh… okay…” he said. “Bye?” Wallace got up and hurried away from the table. Morgan watched as she tried to figure him out. Okay, that was a disaster. But she just had to come back to him and see what happened next. Morbid curiosity? Genuine interest? Even the DJ didn’t have an answer for that herself.