I don't say anything—just give him a polite smile—but I am a little disappointed he's leaving so soon. He looks like he wants to say something else but he's hesitant. And as soon as I realize why he is stalling, he leans across the counter a little closer to me. "Danny...can I take you to dinner tonight? I'd really like to get to know you better."
Ah, damn. Why did this scrumptiously hot and completely charming guy have to ask me out? I was enjoying our banter, our flirting, but I never thought he'd act on it. I mean, he's Doom Perignon...and I'm Coca-Cola. And as if our differences aren’t enough, I really don’t have time to complicate my life with something like this.
"I can see the wheels turning in your head, Danny. I'm not asking you to marry me...just dinner."
I start shaking my head. "I don't think so. I just have a lot on my plate right now."
As I'm trying to rationalize my refusal, I'm feeling better about my decision to turn him down. I saw the friends he hung with the other night. I couldn't help but notice the expensive clothing and jewelry. The sense of entitlement that hung in the air. It really is just not my thing and why bother getting involved with someone, even just for dinner, when I will eventually never fit in. It’s like taking Cinderella to the ball, but then telling her she has to go back to being a maid the next day.
Before I can start to say no again, he reaches across and takes my hand. Stroking his thumb across my wrist, he murmurs, "I didn't peg you for a chicken, Danny. Come on...just dinner tonight and we will go anywhere you want to go."
Anywhere? This could have potential. I can take the time tonight to go out with him, on my terms, on my turf, and then he will see what a bad idea this is.
The stroking of his thumb across my wrist is causing my pulse to flutter. I pull my hand away. "Anywhere I want to go, huh?"
He smiles at me brilliantly, knowing I'm about to give in. "Yes, anywhere you want."
"Okay. Meet me back here at 6:00 p.m."
He reaches back for my hand and grabs it. Before I can think to pull away, he brings my knuckles to his lips and places a soft kiss there. "See you in a few hours."
Dropping my hand, he turns and walks out the door. I watch him break into a jog and he disappears from sight. And the skin on my hand is burning slightly from the touch of his lips.
CHAPTER 3
Ryan
"Why are you getting all dressed up?"
I look over at Mike who is lying on his bed with his hands behind his head.
"I've got a date tonight." I reply.
"No, shit? With who?"
I hesitate for a second before I answer and then I mentally slap myself for doing so. I am not ashamed to be going out with Danny so there should be no hesitation. Still, I'm elusive when I respond. "Her name is Danny. She's a junior here."
Mike doesn't say anything so I take it he isn't interested in hearing further. I reach into the closet and pull out a brown sport coat. I'm not sure where we are going tonight but since I told Danny I'd take her anywhere, I want to be prepared for a nice dinner if that's what she wants. I debate on a tie and then decide against it. My parents force me to wear one to so many functions that any time I can get away without one, I'm going to take it.
"So, where did you meet this girl?"
Apparently Mike is more interested than I thought. But he has been my best friend since the beginning of high school and we've been frat roomies since we started at Northeastern. There really isn't anything I can't share with him.
"She's the waitress from the other night at Sally's."
"The hot one with the purple hair that completely knocked Angeline down about ten pegs?"
I snicker. "Yup. That's the one."
Mike lets out a long, slow whistle and is shaking his head back and forth like he pities me.
"What?" I demand.
"Come on, dude. She doesn't exactly swing in our social circle."
That just pisses me off even though I know deep down that Mike doesn't really mean anything by it.
"Why the f**k does that matter?" My words come out harsher than I intend but I don't apologize.
Holding his hands up in apology, he smoothly replies, "It doesn't matter to me, buddy. I'm just thinking about what your parents would say. I can see your mother now, 'Oh dah-ling...she has purple hair. Is she just out of prison?'".
I bust out laughing because that is exactly what my mother would say and Mike nails his impersonation of her perfectly. This causes me to frown. Mike is correct that Danny will be shunned by my family and friends just because of how she looks. And that pisses me off all over again. And it pisses me off that I'm pissed off. I don't know this girl. I just find her interesting and want to hang with her a bit. I can't be getting angry over what my friends may or may not do in her presence when they will probably never even meet her.
"Relax. It's just dinner. It's not like I'm not bringing her home to the 'rents."
"That's what I thought. You're just trying to bang her, right?"
I angle a sharp look over at Mike and he’s grinning broadly. "No, that's not what I'm trying to do. Get your mind out of the gutter, man." I grab my keys and wallet to head out. "But if she chooses to throw herself at me, I'm not going to say no."
Mike's laugh follows me out the door.
***
Walking into Sally's I realize I'm slightly nervous. The diner is packed with the dinner crowd and I immediately see her behind the counter, ringing up someone's check.