Love in All the Wrong Places Read online

  Date: November 26, 2012 18:35

  To: [email protected]

  Hi! I'm 25. I'm born ‘n raised in LA, so naturally I have like 10 tattoos. I'm definitely taller. More like 6'5”. Single for too long, so I'm stepping back in slowly. I'd love to be spontaneous and hop in the car and just go find a hotel near a beach. Love good food and finding hole in the wall restaurants just as much as Ruth's Chris. Okay your turn. Send me some pics, too, please.

  She decided to ignore the hotel comment for the moment; he was super cute and she loved his bad boy look. Hesitating only momentarily, she started typing her response.

  From: Annie Chang

  Subject: Love the tats

  Date: November 26, 2012 18:55

  To: Gabe Thomas

  Hey Gabe,

  Nice to meet you. :) My name is Annie and I was also born and raised in LA. I'm about 5’8”, so I am LOVING that you are so tall. I also love the tats. I have wanted to get one for a while now, but still haven't had the guts to do it. I got out of a long term thing last year and have only recently started looking around again. Not sure about Craigslist — there seem to be a lot of crazy whackos on here, lol. No offense. :) Hopefully, you're one of the nice ones? I love good food as well, whether it's eating out or cooking at home. Do you like to cook at all?

  I like a lot of outdoor activities like volleyball, hiking, kayaking, etc., but I also like indoor stuff as well like watching movies, playing video games and cooking. What's your idea of the perfect first date? Here's a pic of me.

  She skimmed through the other messages, but no one else seemed anywhere near as interesting as Gabe. Returning to the kitchen, she tested the potatoes with a fork to check their tenderness. They needed to cook for a while longer, so she stirred everything a few times and then left the curry bubbling gently on the stove.

  She got some Jasmine rice out of the pantry, measured two cups into her rice cooker, then added the water, replaced the lid and pressed the power button. Glancing at the microwave, she saw that it was about seven o’clock. Annie retrieved her cell phone from the docking station so she could text Alex.

  Annie: Hello, love. So I finally got on Craigslist and have posted a few ads since Saturday. Total hottie with tats wrote to me tonight.

  Alex didn’t take long to respond.

  Alex: I wanna see! Forward me his pic.

  Annie complied and forwarded him a picture of her tattooed hottie.

  Alex: Wow, not bad, honey. Not bad at all. Are you going to meet up with him?

  Annie: Not sure, yet. We’ve only emailed back and forth a couple of times. We’ll see after a few more emails. ;)

  Alex: Keep me posted.

  Annie: Oh trust me, I will.

  She set her cell phone back down on the docking station and reached over to remove the wok from the stove as she switched off the burner. Setting it down to cool, she couldn’t help but hurry back to her laptop to see if Gabe had emailed her back, yet, and indeed he had.

  From: Gabe Thomas

  Subject: Need a co-pilot

  Date: November 26, 2012 19:10

  To: Annie Chang

  Yeah, tall is good both ways. ;) I love the outdoors, but I know I don't take advantage enough as doing a lot of activities are more fun with someone else than by yourself. So we can talk about our adventures and what not. I need a co-pilot, so to speak. I’ve been single for a year and a half, so I'm right there with you. Can I cook? I like to think so. I’m attempting a new salmon dish tonight. You’re missing out.

  I never really know what my ideal date is going to be like. I like to play it out depending on the vibe. CL definitely has some whackos, but I don't feel comfortable signing up for a dating site. It’s just weird to me. So this was a shot in the dark I was willing to take. To be honest, I love cuddling on the couch watching the Lakers or a movie. I enjoy the simple things. When going out, I sometimes like the nicer things as well. But I do enjoy a good hole-in-the-wall food joint just as much. So tell me more and please send more pics. ;) I like what I see so far.

  From: Annie Chang

  Subject: I could be your co-pilot

  Date: November 26, 2012 19:15

  To: Gabe Thomas

  Mmm, I love salmon. I like to glaze it with Mr. Yoshida's Teriyaki Sauce and throw it on the grill. Nom! :) I’m making a yellow chicken curry with Jasmine rice tonight. It smells great – can’t wait to taste it.

  I like the idea of being your co-pilot. I've caught a few of the Lakers games so far this season. They were off to a pretty rough start there. What do you think of this new coach, D'Antoni? My friend is a pretty big fan and she was swearing to me that this was going to be the BEST season for the Lakers and then they lost the first several games, Lol. So just to piss her off, I'm rooting for the Clippers this year. Haha.

  I enjoy the simple things in life as well, but there's something to be said for occasional opulence when you can afford it. Here's another pic of me taken recently at a friend’s party. What about me? Do I get another picture of you? I also like what I see so far. ;)

  Quickly she scampered to the kitchen to get some rice and curry and then ran back to the laptop, shoveling a bite of food in her mouth as she sat back down on the couch. She felt a little giddy as she saw another email from him already waiting for her and couldn’t stop grinning like an idiot. But her excitement quickly turned to wary caution as she read the brief message. He had included his phone number and wanted to text with her — said it was easier than emailing.

  From: Annie Chang

  Subject: Not yet

  Date: November 26, 2012 19:20

  To: Gabe Thomas

  Mmm, I'm not quite ready to give you my number, yet. Okay if we stick to email for now?

  From: Gabe Thomas

  Subject: No rush

  Date: November 26, 2012 19:22

  To: Annie Chang

  Yeah for sure. Definitely not rushing. :) Trade some more pics?

  She didn’t mind sending him more pictures as long as he was returning the favor. Attaching a picture of herself and Teresa, one of her girlfriends, looking hot and sexy at a club in Vegas, she sent her response.

  From: Annie Chang

  Subject: Another pic

  Date: November 26, 2012 19:25

  To: Gabe Thomas

  Sure. :) I have to admit, you are pretty cute. How did your salmon turn out?

  From: Gabe Thomas

  Subject: Long legs

  Date: November 26, 2012 19:29

  To: Annie Chang

  You're very pretty, but I wanna see all 5’8”. :) I have a thing for girls with long legs. I'm already enjoying this little connection we have going here. Salmon was great. You should have tried it! BTW, Clipper fan, it'd be fun to check out a game together. Okay, more picture trading...here’s one of me with Lakers shooting guard, Kobe Bryant.

  From: Gabe Thomas

  Subject: Good night

  Date: November 26, 2012 19:35

  To: Annie Chang

  I enjoyed talking to you tonight. I'm gonna try and get to sleep. I'm looking forward to hearing from you soon. We'll pick up where we left off tonight. Sweet dreams, pretty girl.

  From: Annie Chang

  Subject: Full body pics

  Date: November 26, 2012 20:38

  To: Gabe Thomas

  Okay. So hey, do you work for the Lakers or something? Just wondering since you're wearing a Staff shirt in one of the pictures you just sent and just sent me a picture of you with Kobe, lol. I don't have a ton of full body shots, but here's a couple where you can see my legs, hehe. ;-) It was nice getting to know you a bit tonight. Talk to you later.

  She attached a picture of herself sitting cross-legged on her bed and one of herself and Katie, another of her girlfriends, posing in swimsuits for a photo shoot. Yawning, she stretched out her arms and took her dish to the kitchen to rinse it out and place it in the dishwasher. It was getting late and she was exhausted. Bed sounded really good, but she re
turned to her laptop to check her inbox one more time just in case he had responded anyway. To her delight, he had. She quickly opened the email and read his reply.

  From: Gabe Thomas

  Subject: Wowza

  Date: November 26, 2012 20:43

  To: Annie Chang

  I work for their summer camp coaching kids. Been coaching with them since I was 17. So I got to meet players and coaches. Wow, those pics! Just wow. You're beautiful. And your legs are perfect, haha. :) I'm having fun trading pics. So what do you do? Model? Is that really you in the picture with the other girl? You look simply amazing. Here are some more pictures including one of me at a Clipper game (I am NOT the bald guy). ;)

  There was another picture of him attached to the email. He was sitting in the bleachers in what appeared to be excellent floor seats at the Staples Center, watching a Clippers game with his face turned towards the camera. There was an older gentleman with a receding hairline sitting in front of him, but he was facing the court.

  Anne felt a tingling in her stomach and sat there gazing at the picture for a few moments. She was starting to feel like she could really imagine herself with this guy and that made her feel a little self-conscious and vulnerable as she wasn’t sure if he would really like her in return if they met up in person. It wasn’t that she wasn’t confident of her appearance and personality, but you just never knew how you’d click with someone until you really spent time together, face to face. For that matter, he could turn out to be a huge disappointment to her and she might not really like him in return either. She just hated to get her hopes up too high and then have them crushed if things didn’t work out.

  From: Annie Chang

  Subject: Strike a pose

  Date: November 26, 2012 20:48

  To: Gabe Thomas

  I thought you were going to bed, sir? :) My full-time job is at a law firm doing administrative work, but I have done a tiny bit of modeling on the side. Yes, that's me with the other girl — I'm on the right and that's my friend Katie on the left. It was actually her photo shoot and the other girl who was supposed to be modeling with her cancelled last minute, so Katie called me in a panic and luckily, I was able to fill in for the other model. That's cool that you teach summer camp for kids. So what do you do when it's not summer time?

  From: Gabe Thomas

  Subject: Travel

  Date: November 26, 2012 20:54

  To: Annie Chang

  Ehh, I'd rather stay up and email you. You’ve got me waiting anxiously for your next email, hehe. So you’re a little professional, huh? That's really cool. Basketball camp’s for fun with the kids — I do it cuz I enjoy coaching and the kids are really great and awesome. They crack me up. During the year, I do real estate full-time. I’m usually either searching for investments or checking on my properties. The nice thing is that it leaves me with a wide open schedule, so if I wanna go to New York or Hawaii or anywhere else for a week, I can. I want to travel more. I've been to like 30-35 states, Spain, Paris, Israel...traveling is fun. What's your schedule like? What neighborhood do you live in, if I may ask in a non-threatening, non-stalker way? ;) Haha, and now back to you, my new model aka lawyer friend.

  Feeling like a love struck teenager, she couldn’t help giggling out loud as she started to write back to him again. She imagined herself going on a trip with him and shivered at the images that thought brought to mind. He was very tall, looking as if he could easily pick her up and have his way with her, and she would be quite happy to let him.

  From: Annie Chang

  Subject: Travel’s fun

  Date: November 26, 2012 21:00

  To: Gabe Thomas

  No, not a professional at all. I've never really wanted to model, but I've gotten dragged along to a few shoots with my friends. That's really great that you enjoy working with kids. I'll take that as affirmation that you're not a creep. ;) I work a full-time office job from 9 to 6, Monday-Friday, so traveling is not as easy for me. Plus my pockets aren't that deep. But I do agree — traveling is a lot of fun. I've traveled to a few places...I’ve been to several states on the west side including Hawaii and I went down to help with an orphanage in Mexico when I was in my teens. I've also been to England a couple of times. I loved it there except for the gloomy weather. But mostly it's just going to Vegas or San Francisco for the weekend — you know, the more affordable trips. :)

  Hmm, I don't know if I should tell you where my hood's at. ;) I suppose I can tell you I live in the valley at the moment, but that I've been considering moving down closer to work, like maybe to the Mar Vista/Palms area.

  Giving him some time to respond, she walked back into the kitchen to retrieve her cell phone and texted Alex again with an update.

  Annie: OMG, Alex. I think I am in love. Or in lust anyway.

  Alex: So when are you going to meet him?

  Annie: I’m not sure, yet. I’ve never done this before. I’m so nervous.

  Alex: Well, you’re never going to meet anyone if you just sit there in front of the computer.

  Annie: True. I’m thinking about it, I promise.

  Alex: Don’t wait too long. Men get impatient – trust me.

  Annie: Okay okay…soon, I will think about meeting him very soon.

  Alex: Let me know when you decide. Be safe whatever you do.

  Annie: I will. TTYL.

  Eagerly, she returned to her laptop and pulled up the new email Gabe had just sent her. There was something about him that she couldn’t quite put her finger on, but whatever it was, she liked him…a lot.

  From: Gabe Thomas

  Subject: Day trip?

  Date: November 26, 2012 21:10

  To: Annie Chang

  What a coincidence. I live in the valley, but I'm looking at Venice/Santa Monica/Mar Vista area, too. I'm all over Westside Rentals every day, but I haven't found anything that intrigues me, yet. So SF sounds fun — how many times have you been there? I haven't been there in maybe 10 years or more.

  Whatcha think about a day trip down to San Diego? The beaches are so nice and it's been a few years for me. I have been feeling all adventurous the last few weeks — like I wanna get out for a weekend soon. Here's another one: I always say I wanna go camping, but then I never do.

  Okay, no more “where's your hood” questions. But where’s your fave place to eat in the SFV? Do you go out to bars/clubs? And if your friend's the model, why does it look like she's the one filling in for someone? That's clearly your shoot.

  From: Annie Chang

  Subject: Good eats in the valley

  Date: November 26, 2012 21:15

  To: Gabe Thomas

  Haha, well aren't you the smooth talker? Thanks for the compliment, but I'd rather use my brain than my boobs and booty to make a living. :) Yeah, I haven't found the right place to move to, yet. So I’ve decided that I'm going to take a little leap of faith and reveal to you that I live in the Tarzana/Encino/Reseda area of the SFV. My favorite breakfast place is More Than Waffles on Ventura, but my favorite place to eat and grab a drink is probably Laurel Tavern in Studio City. What about yourself?

  A day trip to San Diego sounds intriguing. I don't go clubbing too often these days, but I still enjoy the occasional night out dancing with my girls. Can you dance? ;)

  From: Gabe Thomas

  Subject: Want my Co-Pilot NOW

  Date: November 26, 2012 21:18

  To: Annie Chang

  It's obvious you’re using your brain, Ms. Law Office Full Timer. I used to live in the same area as you. Thanks for sharing. I admire your security and patience with this random thing we've started. I don't club much either. I’ll enjoy a beer with friends at a local dive bar or Madbull Tavern, which is located in Sherman Oaks where I currently live. Do you live with your family? Okay dancing, uhh umm well, hmmm no bueno. But if I'm in the mood, I’ll try and hop out there. Lip synching as I strut. Yeah, I've been on a SD kick lately. So hurry up and know me already so I have my co-pilot ;) j/k

  From:
Annie Chang

  Subject: Getting to know you

  Date: November 26, 2012 21:22

  To: Gabe Thomas

  Oh no, white boy can't dance? ;) I've never been to Madbull, but I've heard it mentioned by my friends who work in that area. I live by myself at the moment, but I'm probably going to have to get a roomie if I move further south. Sorry, I am just super paranoid about this whole online dating thing. I've heard both success and horror stories from my friends, so I'm just wary about giving too much information too soon. Hope you understand. But I'm enjoying getting to know you. ;)

  From: Gabe Thomas

  Subject: Goodnight for real this time

  Date: November 26, 2012 21:24

  To: Annie Chang

  I totally do. I think it shows maturity on your part — something I haven't come across too often. Well, I am finally getting sleepy, but I’ll definitely be messaging you tomorrow. Sleep tight. Very cool that you live alone, too. ;) Talk to you tomorrow.

  From: Annie Chang

  Subject: Goodnight

  Date: November 26, 2012 21:25

  To: Gabe Thomas

  Sweet dreams.

  Annie had no clue how the hell she was going to fall asleep now. She had been so close to giving up on the whole online dating idea, but now she couldn’t wait until Gabe emailed her again. Hell, she couldn’t wait until she got to see him face to face for the first time. If he had this much effect on her already before she had even met him, she could only imagine it being magnified tenfold in person.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  When she woke the next morning, the very first thing on her mind was Gabe. The alarm had gone off and pulled her from a pleasant sleep, but instead of feeling tired and annoyed, her eyes flew open and she sat straight up, slapped the alarm and rocketed from her bed to the laptop.

  From: Gabe Thomas

  Subject: Good morning, sunshine

  Date: November 27, 2012 6:35

  To: Annie Chang

  Good morning, beautiful. Hope you slept well last night. I really enjoyed exchanging emails with you last night and hope we get to meet in person soon. But again, no pressure. I know you want to take things slow, but I would be lying if I didn’t tell you how intrigued I am by you. I have a busy day planned, but I wanted to shoot you a quick note and wish you a pleasant day. Looking forward to more emails with you tonight…and I wouldn’t complain if you sent me some more pictures of you and your gorgeous legs. ;)