Taking a seat on a stool just opposite of me, he gives me a huge smile. "Shredded anyone with philosophy lately?"
I actually burst out laughing and start shaking my head. "Nope. Not today at least."
"Well, I was running by and saw you standing in here. Thought I would stop in and thank you."
My eyebrows rise. "Thank me?"
"Yup. Those twenty seconds where you were thrashing Angeline with your knowledge of philosophy was the most fun I've had in a long, long time."
It's not very lady like but I can't help snort in response. "Then you must lead a pretty dull life."
"I'm Ryan Burnham, by the way." He sticks his hand out and I shake it. His hand is much larger than mine and warm. I can feel callouses on his palms and fingers.
"Danny Cross. Nice to meet you...officially."
He releases my hand. "Likewise."
My skin is tingling where he held my hand and I immediately try to squelch those feelings. I have no business getting googly-eyed over a guy, much less one that is clearly out of my social stratosphere. I have too many other important things going on right now, or so I seem to be reminding myself a lot lately.
"So, Danny," he begins. He's looking at me with amusement, and something akin to curiosity. "You're clearly a very smart girl. Are you enrolled at Northeastern? I saw you wearing a school t-shirt the other night."
He had noticed and remembered the shirt I was wearing that night? Even I can't remember what I was wearing, and the knowledge that he held on to that detail pleases me for some reason.
"I just started this fall but I'm only taking two classes right now."
"Just two classes and you know who Ockham and Descartes are?" He's skeptical I can tell.
"I attended another school before Northeastern. I'm technically a junior."
"Where'd you go to school?"
"Nowhere important." I don't offer and decide to be elusive. I'm not sure why but I think I want to see how much interest he really has in me. It's a sick game I'm playing 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 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 fuck does that matter?" My words come out harsher than I intend but I don't apologize.
Holding his h
ands 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.
She's still wearing what she had on earlier...jeans, a t-shirt and sneakers. Her hair is pulled up in a ponytail again and I wonder what it would look like down. I find the lavender highlights at the bottom fascinating and I'd be lying if I didn't admit I found her facial piercings kinda hot. And I suddenly realize why I'm so captivated by her. It's because she looks innocent as hell but the colored hair and face metal add a bit of rebel to that sweet exterior.
Danny glances up and sees me standing there. She holds up her index finger for me to give her a minute and I nod back. I'm happy right now just to observe her for a few minutes.
I'm struck by her easy grace. She's laughing with the customer who is paying right now and her smile literally lights up the room. The cook behind the service counter says something to her and she grimaces, throwing a towel at him that catches him square in the face. He laughs at her and all of the customers at the counter hoot and holler. She's in her element here because she is without a doubt a people-person.