Eric, grappling with a bundle of nerves, had hesitated to call Kaitlyn. Since receiving her number just yesterday, he’d mustered the courage to dial her number only once. His primary aim during that brief exchange wasn’t so much to indulge in lengthy conversations but rather to sidestep potentially awkward pauses. Thus, he tactfully navigated the call toward securing her instant messaging details, a medium he felt would shield them both from the discomfort of silence.

Josh’s Unannounced Visit

Without so much as a knock, the front door swung open, and in strolled Josh, embodying his usual cavalier attitude toward the concept of privacy. “Hey, man, what’s up?” he called out, making himself at home as if it were his own.

Eric, only mildly surprised by Josh’s sudden appearance, minimized the chat window. “Just chatting with Kaitlyn online,” he replied, a hint of excitement in his voice.

Josh, perching himself on the edge of the desk, raised an eyebrow. “Online? Why not just call her?”

“We’re just talking about possibly going to the Crawfish Boil in Birmingham next weekend,” Eric explained, reopening the chat window to show Josh the ongoing conversation.

The Crawfish Boil & Their Musical Tastes

“Oh, man, Nicole is dying to go to that,” Josh exclaimed, his interest piqued. “John Mayer is playing, and you know how she is about him.”

Eric chuckled. “Yeah, I heard about that. I’m more interested in seeing Remy Zero, though.”

Josh made a face, his musical tastes clearly differing. “Remy Zero? They sound too much like U2 for my liking. I’ll probably show up after their set.”

This sparked a playful debate between the two friends, with Eric defending Remy Zero’s unique sound and Josh staunchly maintaining his comparison to U2. The back-and-forth continued until the soft ping of an incoming message drew their attention back to the screen.

Kaitlyn’s Answer

Kaitlyn’s response was waiting for them, her words lighting up the monitor: “Yes, I would LOVE to go with you, Eric.”

The room fell silent for a moment as both men stared at the message, the earlier debate momentarily forgotten. Eric’s heart skipped a beat, the possibility of their first date suddenly transforming from a hopeful plan into a thrilling reality.

Josh, breaking the silence, clapped Eric on the shoulder with a grin. “Well, looks like you’ve got a date, buddy. This Crawfish Boil is shaping up to be quite the event.”

Eric, a smile spreading across his face, quickly typed back his enthusiastic agreement to Kaitlyn, the excitement for the upcoming event now doubled. Not only would he have the chance to enjoy live music from one of his favorite bands, but he would also be doing so with Kaitlyn by his side, marking the beginning of what promised to be an unforgettable journey.

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