She smoked in the car on her way home from work Friday afternoon. She smoked again out back on her patio before getting in the shower. Elise knew she would still be a hot mess by the time Danny came to pick her up for their date in 2 hours, but she didn't dare risk the chance of smelling like cigarettes around him. She was aware of how irrational she was feeling, but Elise was scared to death of doing anything to fuck things up with this man she barely knew. But why?8964 copyright protection305ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWSuHnxtmm 維尼309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgilKnNrRUx

Would it really be the end of the world if they didn't hit it off? If they found they had nothing in common? Continued on with their separate lives, seeing each other briefly in passing at work for who knew how long? Months? Years? Always wondering what could have been? The heavy ball in the pit of her stomach said it would.8964 copyright protection305ＰＥＮＡＮＡSt1zl8TEY3 維尼309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0782M4Hwc

She tried not to sweat as she dressed after her shower. Elise chose a red sweater and skinny blue jeans. Everyone always said red seemed to make her green eyes even more dazzling as well as bring out the natural red highlights of her auburn brown hair. Though she still felt a little self-conscious wearing them, Elise would have been lying if she said she hadn't chosen them on this particular occasion to show off her ass. She curled her mid-back length hair in big, loose curls and pulled it backon one side with a large clip with tiny little silver rhinestones on it. She applied her make-up more deliberately than usual, pausing at her lips, the final touch. 8964 copyright protection305ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTvRLICGxC 維尼309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZ26QSXlCk

Elise couldn't help herself from thinking about Danny's lips. Her own reminded them of his, in a way, as she stared at herself in the mirror. Not too big, Not too thin. Just right. She finished with the lipstick and took a deep breath, continuing to look herself over in the mirror, secretly hoping some wise, subconscious part of her brain would suddenly make itself known and give her the best pep talk she had ever had. Elise resigned herself after no magical genies or shoulder angels popped up after a couple of minutes. She made her way to the living room and waited on the couch.8964 copyright protection305ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOvREilmok 維尼309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnyySVkOdf

"Hey, Elise," she opened the door 20 minutes later. Reading a book while she waited to calm her nerves proved to be an effort in futility. She was fairly certain she couldn't remember a single word she had just read.8964 copyright protection305ＰＥＮＡＮＡCk72fVMtty 維尼309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3VOqdeNeI

"You look...wow," Danny trailed off, staring at her, mouth slightly agape. Elise's cheeks began to burn. 8964 copyright protection305ＰＥＮＡＮＡscXZamEsOJ 維尼309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsiycHfzXcm

"Sorry," he shook his head after what felt like an eternity of him looking at her in this way. "You look amazing."8964 copyright protection305ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWBFu4BCSC 維尼309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84HDStjgB3

"Come in," she said shyly, standing to one side, making room for him to enter. 8964 copyright protection305ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhvWoJAwRM 維尼309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUTH6Fx0RV

"Thanks," he said, still staring at her with an amused smile on his face as he stepped into her living room. 8964 copyright protection305ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4mBpwutuA 維尼309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEy8m7MCaKn

"What?" Elise nervously asked as they stood awkwardly together near the door.8964 copyright protection305ＰＥＮＡＮＡthRluTjm09 維尼309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcYrEkvrkb

"I'm sorry," Danny apologized and shook his head again. "You just look so different than you do at work."8964 copyright protection305ＰＥＮＡＮＡTraPkxfKJk 維尼309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7QDCKTYwJ

"Yah," she laughed softly.8964 copyright protection305ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfTNMG1rDm 維尼309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDvxx6bFi8

"Not that you look bad at work. Just different. Wow. I really need to stop talking," they laughed nervously together.8964 copyright protection305ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxU5OIqzNb 維尼309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7izGfPwKFl

"Are you ready for a fun-filled night of me sticking my foot in my mouth?"8964 copyright protection305ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ww80Ng4DH 維尼309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYmVdbd7At

"Yes, I just need to grab my coat," she pointed to the wall behind him where it was hanging.8964 copyright protection305ＰＥＮＡＮＡwso6Dd9eLY 維尼309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvMeMNxwvu

"Which one?" he asked, turning to get it for her. She indicated her black pea coat to his left and he helped her slip it on. 8964 copyright protection305ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbVQATvnPD 維尼309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXaI4ToWj8m

"Thanks," she replied bashfully. For some reason, he was surprised by his manners, thoughtfulness, whatever you wanted to call it. She wasn't complaining, though. Elise only hoped it wasn't just part of an act to win her over. She deserved someone genuinely nice, didn't she? 8964 copyright protection305ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOrbHH7Tv9 維尼309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0VNDhgzNJ

They ended up talking for hours. They talked about anything and everything. It had taken Elise a surprisingly short amount of time to relax once they started chatting at the restaurant. By the time they left, it was nearly 10 o'clock. 8964 copyright protection305ＰＥＮＡＮＡP29pNjrsIy 維尼309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7cBc1cPXH

"How about a walk?" Danny suggested as he helped her with her coat once again. "Or are you ready to call it a night?" he made an anxious-looking face. Elise wondered if he realized his brow was furrowed in an almost scowl, deep in thought, it seemed.8964 copyright protection305ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHBJyrNmRJ 維尼309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjb7LMOlRYJ

"A short one. My parents will be here in the morning, remember?"8964 copyright protection305ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaq7JEGWCk 維尼309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1nfOmiI0E

"Right, right, right," he nodded his head vigorously. "Totally up to you then. I know it's getting late."8964 copyright protection305ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmzYm8W5ue 維尼309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6e7FkeGBh

"No, I'd like to," she smiled at him wanly. 8964 copyright protection305ＰＥＮＡＮＡYiCHwgLHnX 維尼309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEg9AwtJenv

"Brr!" Danny rubbed up and down his arms when they stepped outside. "Sure got cold while we were in there."8964 copyright protection305ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfWjN6rwP3 維尼309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiw3Iv8bYAH

"It has been like 4 hours," Elise chuckled.8964 copyright protection305ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPULJCPaXD 維尼309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxDZ6aKMcd

"True," he joined her as they started off down the street towards the main part of town. 8964 copyright protection305ＰＥＮＡＮＡLksfFUlITp 維尼309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡud1s1lOeBo

"Still. Why couldn't you have moved here when it was warmer out?" he joked.8964 copyright protection305ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNN8og5LGU 維尼309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMgz5lzHPG

"I did. You just didn't know me," a small smile played on her lips. Her face was beginning to hurt from smiling and laughing so much all night. In fact, she couldn't remember the last time she had laughed so much. That was one of her new favorite things she had discovered about Danny that evening: How easily he could make her laugh. 8964 copyright protection305ＰＥＮＡＮＡUG3ouMhaP2 維尼309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfRGqnl63A

The late October air was taking on a bitter coldness. She searched her pockets for a pair of gloves, but came up empty-handed.8964 copyright protection305ＰＥＮＡＮＡKp8EyjBt7F 維尼309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXfTB5nnPO

"Damn," she mumbled.8964 copyright protection305ＰＥＮＡＮＡy35JIu3SjW 維尼309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0Sm80SG89

"What's wrong?"8964 copyright protection305ＰＥＮＡＮＡhENRDd6ZOQ 維尼309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSQudNelZn

"I must have forgotten my gloves." 8964 copyright protection305ＰＥＮＡＮＡWR8YOlmIVJ 維尼309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLZo0Mceao

Suddenly, without asking, Danny took one of her hands in his. Normally, she probably would have tried to jerk it away, but she welcomed his touch. Their hands had already brushed against one another several times on their short walk. She savored the warmth of his strong, slightly rough hand enveloping her own small one. They both looked down at their entangled hands fleetingly before looking up at each other, stopping momentarily. Danny still didn't ask if it was ok, but he didn't need to: His eyes said it all. 8964 copyright protection305ＰＥＮＡＮＡBiBiHFSuuH 維尼309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6DdLRzoVW

"I didn't let go, did I?" This seemed to appease him and they continued walking, crossing Main Street, headed back toward the parking lot where Danny's truck awaited.8964 copyright protection305ＰＥＮＡＮＡICMMM2s1p5 維尼309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8jKSfcXkx

"I'm sorry," he said after they walked in silence for half a block. 8964 copyright protection305ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSxmy5ZSam 維尼309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzYa1YOD2H

"For what?" Elise looked to him. 8964 copyright protection305ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUjw1I5HtY 維尼309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFPfHHAMyf

"I'm not usually this forward. Well, not with a nice girl like you."8964 copyright protection305ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJ13Nt5Uss 維尼309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7v1b73L2dS

"What if I weren't a 'nice girl'?" she instantly fired back.8964 copyright protection305ＰＥＮＡＮＡuG2YvOUYWK 維尼309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCIXRCyBSk

"You probably don't want to know," he gave a nervous laugh. 8964 copyright protection305ＰＥＮＡＮＡRupxKZwEjS 維尼309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbb2NeRXMA9

"You might be surprised." Elise kept her eyes forward, not wanting to see his reaction. It would likely only lead her to more inappropriate thoughts.8964 copyright protection305ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZleH0oh6V 維尼309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgI20z2I8KZ

"You're treading on thin ice," Danny laughed.8964 copyright protection305ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBejTJVFQV 維尼309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdT0OiIU33

"I might not be as nice as you think I am. Never confuse shyness with niceness," she let his mind wander.8964 copyright protection305ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyLy8cIu80 維尼309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡniJV3shTyq

He burst out laughing as they neared the parking area.8964 copyright protection305ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxcXULdzCU 維尼309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4E2u7okN7

"You are something else, Elise Roberts. Hard to read, if nothing else, but certainly something," amusement filled his face. 8964 copyright protection305ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqfkOy1zDf 維尼309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbl9gAdbqk

"And you are exceedingly charming, but I must get some sleep," she said this while resting her other hand on the side of his face, looking him in the eyes.8964 copyright protection305ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKwWxpIHRK 維尼309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNTJ6dEg4D

"Besides, you're parking ticket is going to be outrageous. Are you sure I can't give you any money for it? It's the least I can do. It's not as if you talked to yourself all evening," they both chuckled.8964 copyright protection305ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRuB6EDTmt 維尼309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FqN7RlnP5

They each fidgeted nervously in front of Elise's apartment door upon returning. She didn't dare invite him inside. Her brain was telling her to behave herself, but every square inch of the rest of her body was telling her otherwise. Not that she had much experience in the dating department, but she was trying hard to resist the urge to rush into things. She had a sinking feeling she was going to fail miserably at this in the end. 8964 copyright protection305ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBYt2hC1jo 維尼309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpuQzzZWgHc

"I had a really good time," Danny offered. 8964 copyright protection305ＰＥＮＡＮＡdf2w5OH4SZ 維尼309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUaF6Spg7U

"Me too." How had they ended up standing so close to one another? 8964 copyright protection305ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8b2A2kQ12 維尼309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZlBHh8D6k

"I guess I'll see you at work Monday."8964 copyright protection305ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHn3s2dCKJ 維尼309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuomb8bCwju

"Yah," she tried to keep the disappointment out of her voice. She didn't want to see him at work next. Elise wanted to spend more time with him now.8964 copyright protection305ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGVhIfh89J 維尼309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YyeNWE0eu

"Oh. And happy early birthday," Danny finally made the decision to kiss her, but confined it to her cheek, the "safe zone". Beggars couldn't be choosers, though, and she took what she could get. Unfortunately, the feel of his warm lips against her skin just added more fuel to her pre-sleep daydreams, fantasies, what have you later that night.8964 copyright protection305ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRiFKHC2h2 維尼309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSY1d3CRKHg

"Thank you," Elise squeezed his hand before letting go. "Goodnight."8964 copyright protection305ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WyzKoiVJL 維尼309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrd4OpvVrJq