Unauthorized Match

Mid-day Dec 23rd

Kendall swiped through the dating app, half-interested, half-bored. Holiday leave was supposed to be relaxing, but mostly it just reminded him how little he had to do outside of work. He exhaled and tapped on a new match.

Kendoll86: Hey there! I'm Kendall, 25, and I live in Fayetteville. Been here a few years now. What about you?

MysteryG1rl: Hi Kendall! Nice to meet you. I'm Sarah, 28, also in Fayetteville. Been here for a while, but always looking to meet new people.

Kendoll86: It’s nice to meet you too, Sarah. So what brings you to this dating site?

MysteryG1rl: Before I get into the weeds here with you I just wanna let you know I don’t deal with any creeps on here.  I’ve had WAY too many run ins on this stupid app to deal with more.

Kendoll86:  Whoa whoa, pump your breaks, I’m no creep, just looking for some conversation and maybe some company if it leads to that. 

MysteryG1rl: That’s what they all say….

Kendoll86:  Give me a chance and I’ll prove it to you

MysteryG1rl: Heard that before too, so if you get weird, I’m out

Kendoll86: I’d expect nothing less.

Kendoll86: Back to my original question.  What brings you to this dating site? 

MysteryG1rl: Well, to be honest, I’m a bit bored during the holidays. Most of my friends are out of town visiting family, and I don’t have any close relatives nearby. You?

Kendoll86: Same here. Just trying to find someone to chat with and maybe hang out.

MysteryG1rl: Yeah, sometimes Fayetteville can feel pretty small if you don’t make an effort to meet new people. What do you do for work?

Kendoll86: Oh, you know, something that keeps me busy. Lot of structure to it. You?

MysteryG1rl: Same. Kind of a demanding job, but I like the challenge. Keeps me disciplined, you know?  

Kendoll86: Yeah, discipline is key. Keeps life from getting too chaotic.

MysteryG1rl: Exactly. But at the same time, it's nice to break away from that structure once in a while.

Kendoll86: Absolutely. Which is why I figured I'd give this app a shot. Who knows, maybe I'll meet someone who understands the balance.

MysteryG1rl: I get that. It’s kind of refreshing to talk to someone who gets it without over-explaining.

MysteryG1rl: Sorry I Gotta ask, you’re not stationed at Bragg are you?  I’ve sorta made it a point to not date any soldiers. 

Kendoll86:  Funny you should mention not dating soldiers because I’m actually doing the exact same thing.  I’ve dated a few and to be honest, female soldiers seem to get around.

MysteryG1rl:You could say that about Male soldiers too Mr…. let’s not be sexist buddy.  

Kendoll86: Yeah I guess you’re right.  Sorry.

Kendoll86: Let’s change the subject.  So, what do you do for fun?

MysteryG1rl:I know it sounds like a lame canned reply to this question, but I’m a bit of an adrenaline junkie. I love hiking, rock climbing, and anything outdoors. What about you?

Kendoll86: That’s perfect because I’m into all those things too! Keeps life interesting.

MysteryG1rl: Exactly! Gotta stay active, right?

Kendoll86: Definitely. So, when are you free to meet up?

MysteryG1rl: Hold on there Honcho, I’m not about ot meet up with anyone until I’m a little more comfortable with them.  Ya know what I mean?

Kendoll86:  Sorry.  I’m just REALLY not trying to spend the Holidays by myself this year.  It can get to you, know what I mean? 

MysteryG1rl: Ugh, yes I do unfortunately.   I’m actually in the same exact boat.  Like I said I run into a lot of creeps on here. 

Kendoll86:  I’ll do my best to reassure you that I’m not one lol. 

MysteryG1rl: Lol ok fine, let’s pretend we ARE actually planning to meet up then.  

Kendoll86: Sure, well first off I’d ask you when you would be free and if you had any places in mind.  You know, that puts the ball in your court that way you don’t have to feel like I’m some stalker who is trying to set you up for something nefarious.

MysteryG1rl: Thank you for that explanation lol. How about tonight? We could grab a drink at The Wine Cafe on Hay Street.

Kendoll86: That sounds great! I've always wanted to check that place out. How about we meet there at 8 PM?

MysteryG1rl: Perfect! I’m looking forward to it. Hypothetically...

Kendoll86: Me too, Not Hypothetically. 

Later around 5pm

Kendoll86: Soo about that hypothetical date…? 

MysteryG1rl: What about it? 

Kendoll86: Don’t suppose you’d wanna make it real one would you? 

MysteryG1rl: …..  I’m really going against my better judgement here, but I guess it’s a public place and I’ll be letting a friiend of mine know when and where I’ll be and to expect me to check in, so what the hell. 8pm? 

Kendoll86: 8pm it is.  I won’t disappoint, I promise. 

MysteryG1rl:  We’ll see. ; )

8PM at the Wine Cafe

Kendall arrives at The Wine Cafe a few minutes early, choosing a table toward the back where it's quieter. The warm, low-lit atmosphere is a nice change from his usual spots. He checks his phone just as a message pops up.

MysteryG1rl: Great, I just parked and I’m walking in now.

Kendall glances up, expecting to see a new face from across the cafe. Instead, his blood runs cold as he recognizes the woman stepping through the entrance. He knows that face. He knows that walk. He sees her almost every damn day at work.

Sarah froze mid-step, eyes widening as she took in the man sitting at the bar. “SSG Kendall Johnson, you’ve got to be kidding me!” Kendall let out a slow breath and rubbed his temple before looking up. “You’re Sarah, 1LT Sarah Blane.”

Sarah crossed her arms. “YOU SAID YOU WEREN’T STATIONED AT BRAGG!” Kendall shrugged, the corner of his mouth twitching. “Well, Ma’am, you also said the same thing… soooo.”

A heavy silence hung between them, stretching just long enough to be uncomfortable. Then, almost at the same time, they both burst out laughing.

Sarah shook her head. “Well, this just got interesting. And don’t call me Ma’am outside of work, please, it makes me feel old.”

Kendall smirked. “Sure thing, Ma’a… I mean, Sarah. And yeah, I didn’t think I’d be meeting someone from work for drinks tonight. Like I said in our chat, I REALLY just didn’t want to spend the holidays alone this year.”

Sarah sighed, some of the tension easing from her shoulders. “Believe me, I’m just as surprised. And I get it. But since we're both here, why don’t we make the best of it? What do you say?” Kendall hesitated for half a second, then smirked and gestured to the chair across from him. “Sure, why not?”

Sarah slid into the seat, still shaking her head in disbelief. The tension between them shifted, no longer stiff and awkward, but something lighter, more amused. The initial shock faded, replaced by curiosity.

“I must say,” Sarah mused, taking a sip of her drink, “you look different out of uniform.”

Kendall leaned back, grinning. “You do too. Less authoritarian and… possibly a little ‘cute’ if you don’t mind me saying.”

She laughed, shaking her head. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

Kendall tilted his glass toward her. “So… what now? Do we pretend we never saw each other here?” Sarah arched a brow. “Or we could see where this leads.”

His smirk deepened. “Secret’s safe with me.”

She leaned back in her chair, studying him. “That’s a tempting proposition. But let’s be honest, this could get complicated.”

“Complicated, sure,” Kendall admitted. “But it’s the holidays. Maybe we don’t overthink it tonight.”

Sarah considered that for a moment, then slowly lifted her glass. “To unexpected encounters?”

Kendall clinked his glass against hers. “To unexpected encounters.”

Hours later, after laughter, drinks, and a conversation that flowed far too easily, Kendall and Sarah stepped out into the crisp night air. They paused at the edge of the sidewalk, both aware that something had shifted between them tonight.

Sarah tucked her hands into her coat pockets. “I had a great time tonight, Kendall.” He nodded, watching her closely. “Me too, Sarah. So… where do we go from here?”

She exhaled, a thoughtful smile playing on her lips. “That’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it? We could pretend this never happened... or we could see where it goes.”

Kendall held her gaze, the cold air thick with unspoken possibilities. “Your call, Lieutenant.” Sarah bit her lip, then took a step closer. “Let’s not overthink it.” Kendall nods slowly.

And just like that, the night wasn’t over yet.

They linger a moment longer before heading off in the same direction, disappearing into the quiet night. Whether it was the wine, the holiday spirit, or something else entirely, the night wasn’t quite over yet.