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 protection363ＰＥＮＡＮＡQealRMfT3i 維尼367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnwkIgr8XY

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 protection363ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69dOuRlNOe 維尼367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESs6xdaGnM

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 protection363ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIUsqKMa9N 維尼367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyQ2Pe4H2i

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 protection363ＰＥＮＡＮＡXk1mOWhzDD 維尼367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVkyEqUN0S

"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 protection363ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjzMWzfXoN 維尼367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxHzPBY7Is

"You look...wow," Danny trailed off, staring at her, mouth slightly agape. Elise's cheeks began to burn. 8964 copyright protection363ＰＥＮＡＮＡt589bcnvU4 維尼367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ954S47WcUG

"Sorry," he shook his head after what felt like an eternity of him looking at her in this way. "You look amazing."8964 copyright protection363ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwySBUCTwK 維尼367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vevioDjwP

"Come in," she said shyly, standing to one side, making room for him to enter. 8964 copyright protection363ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8SeytDSTx 維尼367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62hjbVoatX

"Thanks," he said, still staring at her with an amused smile on his face as he stepped into her living room. 8964 copyright protection363ＰＥＮＡＮＡalySoV9sdV 維尼367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0mVGdHSIn

"What?" Elise nervously asked as they stood awkwardly together near the door.8964 copyright protection363ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfBL2M9clt 維尼367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQY5Tma83OC

"I'm sorry," Danny apologized and shook his head again. "You just look so different than you do at work."8964 copyright protection363ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxEtXuDHkM 維尼367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIoX1tn57S

"Yah," she laughed softly.8964 copyright protection363ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1s1H2rcCA 維尼367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMzqLXvErZ

"Not that you look bad at work. Just different. Wow. I really need to stop talking," they laughed nervously together.8964 copyright protection363ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJIPn51HGl 維尼367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpYlDRTpmC

"Are you ready for a fun-filled night of me sticking my foot in my mouth?"8964 copyright protection363ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZotjOzAoO 維尼367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPu6AXWvTN

"Yes, I just need to grab my coat," she pointed to the wall behind him where it was hanging.8964 copyright protection363ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsNw6YpfJX 維尼367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxHNKF05Qq

"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 protection363ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbj88Pl4Tc 維尼367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEZ9RcmIXH

"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 protection363ＰＥＮＡＮＡGe5sOKuP1h 維尼367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhDIh5Z5hH

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 protection363ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgYH32fZ4M 維尼367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0SQwYJUB9

"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 protection363ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGbd0Pm6Tr 維尼367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7jZqrOhK8

"A short one. My parents will be here in the morning, remember?"8964 copyright protection363ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyVBke6beT 維尼367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzBSEEDksS

"Right, right, right," he nodded his head vigorously. "Totally up to you then. I know it's getting late."8964 copyright protection363ＰＥＮＡＮＡopUbyMdvL7 維尼367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaswD72QS6b

"No, I'd like to," she smiled at him wanly. 8964 copyright protection363ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOxdafxRFi 維尼367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlOijZrnmR

"Brr!" Danny rubbed up and down his arms when they stepped outside. "Sure got cold while we were in there."8964 copyright protection363ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFEzriHs8u 維尼367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbd9DtTKxt

"It has been like 4 hours," Elise chuckled.8964 copyright protection363ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48ul1LW7HY 維尼367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7sMRFIGmq

"True," he joined her as they started off down the street towards the main part of town. 8964 copyright protection363ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlDLsMPjSM 維尼367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2z89ZflR4a

"Still. Why couldn't you have moved here when it was warmer out?" he joked.8964 copyright protection363ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tnRzdtJ19 維尼367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtfvMzLNYd

"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 protection363ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZxdMaHaOx 維尼367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOGsxQzM7T

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 protection363ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKkMHodwWa 維尼367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRg3lciPijP

"Damn," she mumbled.8964 copyright protection363ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zXfFNaImP 維尼367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ruhAfVFqT

"What's wrong?"8964 copyright protection363ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5JcWIJUMg 維尼367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCAZj1FRaP

"I must have forgotten my gloves." 8964 copyright protection363ＰＥＮＡＮＡfem4OjjfM1 維尼367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgA1SvC0r57

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 protection363ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fWxNvmhrn 維尼367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn76ZsOY0iF

"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 protection363ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09o1LvlJMI 維尼367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQ252JifcP

"I'm sorry," he said after they walked in silence for half a block. 8964 copyright protection363ＰＥＮＡＮＡIobeuVUTah 維尼367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJmTixuAz2

"For what?" Elise looked to him. 8964 copyright protection363ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVqTscZ8sO 維尼367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTSVunRWWQ

"I'm not usually this forward. Well, not with a nice girl like you."8964 copyright protection363ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZl8rcbi8W 維尼367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOetlcRtMmx

"What if I weren't a 'nice girl'?" she instantly fired back.8964 copyright protection363ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4ae2PInK9 維尼367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAH1PY3HQK

"You probably don't want to know," he gave a nervous laugh. 8964 copyright protection363ＰＥＮＡＮＡbaSaCiaDfu 維尼367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZguvAa8nA

"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 protection363ＰＥＮＡＮＡknRSHVMWMS 維尼367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePDV20u0Hj

"You're treading on thin ice," Danny laughed.8964 copyright protection363ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNYCIgCZ70 維尼367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03nnR5L4MV

"I might not be as nice as you think I am. Never confuse shyness with niceness," she let his mind wander.8964 copyright protection363ＰＥＮＡＮＡpa9sEPQbDD 維尼367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRoRHsyDiH

He burst out laughing as they neared the parking area.8964 copyright protection363ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAtE0Kr919 維尼367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcATwkeeUgN

"You are something else, Elise Roberts. Hard to read, if nothing else, but certainly something," amusement filled his face. 8964 copyright protection363ＰＥＮＡＮＡUeGdap5P84 維尼367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnKzPL0Qln

"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 protection363ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6rjNBXlno 維尼367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTJ1bTBQA0

"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 protection363ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqzuEcRJKF 維尼367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFcE0T6HUN

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 protection363ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJSnEfcShb 維尼367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf366jSlXH1

"I had a really good time," Danny offered. 8964 copyright protection363ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIfwYgWCUb 維尼367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKciGdRNGV

"Me too." How had they ended up standing so close to one another? 8964 copyright protection363ＰＥＮＡＮＡAL84RJKhgM 維尼367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lsLJcawiN

"I guess I'll see you at work Monday."8964 copyright protection363ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9VQV18yuy 維尼367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlOzri93dY

"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 protection363ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UyGKinYUl 維尼367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHN9GmoqEDl

"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 protection363ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTDYCoc8tk 維尼367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02Oq58pjXJ

"Thank you," Elise squeezed his hand before letting go. "Goodnight."8964 copyright protection363ＰＥＮＡＮＡyk8cB5r7R6 維尼367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZaeZHRsjmZ