“What is your company’s name?” I asked. I would have to look it up. Maybe they were hiring. “Are you still running it now that you’re living here?”
Before he could answer my question, our phones vibrated. We both glanced down at the same time to see the Monster GO app flashing on the screen.
“There’s a Buugybuug nearby,” he said. He put his hand on the small of my back to turn me in the right direction. “It’s not a rare monster, but you should catch it anyway. Anything you can do to get experience points will help get you leveled up.”
Talking with Jacob, I had forgotten we were playing a game. I lifted my phone, and so did at least five other strangers around us. With a swipe, I caught the little cartoon creature. The catch gave me a grand total of five monsters in my inventory.
“See, it’s easy,” Jacob said, holding up his phone. His inventory screen looked way fuller than mine did.
“I’m still shocked at how much of a worldwide craze it’s started. It’s insane.” As much as I fought it at first, I was starting to see how this game could be fun.
He laughed. “You're telling me. I never would have expected this game to become the cultural phenomenon that it has.”
“Maybe that’s all I need to do,” I said with a laugh. “If I can create an app like this, I’ll become a millionaire and not have to work ever again.”
“Sounds easy,” he replied. “I expect you on the cover of Forbes any day now.”
Our conversation was interrupted when a group of younger kids nearby screamed out in excitement. The noise was quickly followed by the familiar tune of the local ice cream truck. It turned the corner and pulled onto the frontage road that ran alongside the edge of the park. The kids all scurried away, running frantically toward the utility truck carrying their favorite treats.
“You know, I wouldn’t normally want something like ice cream at ten in the morning,” he said, tipping his head toward the screaming. “But sometimes a craving hits and you just have to get an orange creamsicle.”
“I love orange creamsicles,” I said, grinning like a kid. “Especially for breakfast.”
“It’s settled then.” Jacob grabbed my hand and we walked quickly toward the ice cream truck.
My heart skipped a beat as our fingers intertwined. I wasn’t expecting to be holding hands with him so quickly, but I liked it. I didn’t want to pull away. His touch felt right.
We joined the back of the line, holding hands the entire time until we finally got to the window to place our order. I actually hated letting go of his hand, even though I was rewarded with a delicious sugary treat. He ordered three of the orange treats and paid with cash.
“I haven’t had one of these since I was a kid,” I said, carefully opening the plastic wrapper as we walked away.
“I have to be honest…” Jacob replied, taking a big bite out of his. “I actually get one every time I see an ice cream truck. I would have screamed out like those kids did, but I didn’t think that would make a very good impression.”
I laughed. “I wouldn’t have judged you. Everybody has their quirks and maybe yours is ice cream in the morning. Do you also need two of them for yourself?”
He shook his head. “One's for Athena.” Before I could object, he held the ice cream out. Athena took two big bites before I squealed, “Stop!” and pushed away the ice cream. Jacob dropped it and Athena licked it up off the ground, obviously not stopping for anything. I thought it was adorable.
We strolled back to the fountain side by side. I kept hoping he'd reach for my hand again. The song from the ice cream truck faded into the distance as it pulled away, looking for the next group of sweet-tooths to profit off of. We took a seat on a wooden bench near the fountain and Athena sat on my feet, leaning into me.
“Do you really like playing Monster GO?” Jacob asked after a moment. “You said you can see the appeal, but I’m wondering if you actually enjoy it. If you're not having fun playing it, then we don’t have to. There’s obviously no pressure to play.”
“I like it well enough. I think if I had designed the app, then I’d probably have done a couple of things different.” I shrugged and took another bite of my morning dessert.
He lifted his eyebrows and faced me. “Really? Like what?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know. It would be nice for the streets to have their names on them, like a real map. It would also be nice to have a searchable map, you know so that you could see if something were going on at your destination or even plan a trip based on what you can find on the map.”
Jacob nodded in agreement. “I heard that the developers looked into it, but decided it would be too much of a drain on people's limited data plans.”
“It could if you did it the traditional way,” I told him. “But, if you just adjusted the interface a little, it wouldn't take much data at all. There's another app, it's actually for driving directions, that has something similar that would work perfectly.”
“Sounds like they should look into it again.” He smiled again. “It's a good idea. I hadn't even thought of looking at non-game apps for ideas.”
“It’s just the way my mind works,” I replied. “I’m always analyzing things like this. Sometimes I do it to websites, or to computer programs. I try to think about what I’d change to make something better or more enjoyable. I know I’m making myself sound like a total nerd here. It’s just something I do.”
“I love it and totally understand,” he confessed. “I’m a bit of a nerd myself.”
“Without your glasses, you don’t look like it.” I teasingly narrowed my eyes and took another bite of my ice cream with a grin. It was cold and delicious.
“Neither do you,” he replied with a smile. “You have some on your face.”
He reached over, gently wiping a smudge of orange from my cheek. I wasn't even quite sure how it had gotten there, but his touch sent a chill through me and I felt my heart flip flop.
“Thanks,” I said, my voice coming out breathless and girlish.
Jacob had his creamsicle in his right hand as he reached his left over my shoulder. His fingers dropped down, gently touching the top of my arm. I scooted a little closer to him, his magnetic eyes drawing me closer.
Everything stopped. The kids laughing in the background faded out, the birds quieted down. Even Athena’s panting seemed to silence. All I could hear was my heartbeat, thudding inside of my chest. There was tension in the air, but it was the good kind of tension. The kind that made my hands and feet tingle with delight, adrenaline bursting into my veins.
He leaned in a little closer. I could feel his breath against my cheek. The smell of his cologne wafted off of his shirt. My eyes closed halfway as I anticipated Jacob making his move. He went in for a kiss, bringing his lips toward mine slowly and sensually. We almost touched. There was a centimeter at most between us. It was going to be amazing and incredible and the best kiss of my entire life.
“Hey, what are you guys doing?” a voice said from behind us.
I didn’t even have to turn around to know who it was. I’d have recognized that annoying little voice anywhere.