Dying to Live

between bites. I glance up from my plate of pasta, eyeing the dis

oward Alexander for a split second. I'd also be lying if I said I hadn't snuck many more glances

him to go on. "I'm just saying that you swiped on me, so you obviously know a

ent? Doesn't seem like you're the perfect modeling candidate ei

be an attorney who could support you. Go

irst date and we're already speaking way too far into the future, n

ke fantastic tips. I did it for a while during college," I explain. Max

pretty girl. It'

toward this man. In an effort to steer the conv

ou decide on

moment to

New York and I knew I wanted to follow in

appy to be far away from

omment, taking another bite of the pasta. The creamy a

sly. I'm top

ogant smug response. I resi

man behind the bar, amidst a joyous conversation. The trace of a smile lines my lips as I wat

el

ality and notice Ma

ha

are engineering, but clearly

comment and keep a

y first pc when I was twelve and I started taking some free coding cour

hen. My Dad bought me my fir

, th

He was setting me up for s

y water and set t

n't you ever feel like it's your dad

n shifts as he

different from your

g. I chose to learn code. You can't

ax rolls

ause I want to. End of dis

t ever discussing mine. I count down the minutes until it's over. Finally,

, offering a smile. Max smirks and

Come back to my place," he sugg

aking my head a

, receiving an offended expression from Max. He eyes m

u dinner and just spent an hour with you! I

he accusation and I

because we had dinner. That's not h

r you sa

ar now, and I feel a com

ords under his breath and walks out, leaving the two of us in the bar.

that

nfirm, finally allowing a chuckle to escape. I

wine?" Ale

ple

ds later and I take a sip, the cool

" Alexander points out, leaning against

talking about him and all his 'cool'

er says suddenly. I eye the man, trying not t

endly' with each other," I explain, using quotation marks to frame hi

app really knows

y mother than the app.

nder

very excited you

rning a chuckle from the

reason, i

chug the res

gh reason,