Off Sides

with myself because this is not going to go anywhere.
    "Why won't you tell me the name?" He's grinning at me like a Cheshire cat.
    "Why are you being so nosy?"
    "Why are you being so evasive?"
    I decide a rapid change in subject is warranted. "Do you want to order something? I need to get back to work."
    Ryan looks around at the empty diner and then back to me. He arches an eyebrow. It's charming in an aggravating sort of way. I wait patiently for him to respond.
    When he realizes the ball is in his court, he looks down at his watch and stands up from his stool. "I actually have to get going. I'm meeting a few guys at the gym."
    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 Dom 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’s really 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