“Been there, done that,” he said, throwing his head back to laugh. Several preteen girls turned to stare at him, looking completely entranced before dissolving into a heap of giggles. As we left the viewing area, I could still hear them giggling and chattering away.
“I think you have a fan club,” I said, throwing a look over my shoulder at the girls.
“You think?” he asked, raising his pierced eyebrow, which naturally drew my attention. Everything about him seemed designed to appeal to the opposite sex. I wasn’t the only one to notice as we continued walking through the aquarium. I caught women young and old openly admiring him. There was no denying he was attractive. Obviously, any warm-blooded female would attest to that. Knowing the way the female mind works, I realized I was also being judged by his many admirers as to whether I was worthy to be with someone with his looks. Not that I felt I was ugly, but feeling insecure around guys was never my thing. Being with Justin had a way of making me feel like I was lacking in one capacity or another. It was more my problem than his, and I realized that. The only problem was I was beginning to find I actually enjoyed his company. He was laid back, good-natured, and very easy to talk to. It was a shame I had to end things before they got started.
We were eating lunch when I mentioned it. “Today has been really fun.”
“Why do I sense a but coming?” he asked, dipping a French fry in ketchup.
I smiled slightly at his intuitiveness. At least he wasn’t dense like the last guy I ended it with before the first date was even over. “But, I just think we’re too different.”
“Different? How?”
“I’m sure you’ve noticed I’m not the most open person,” I started, glaring at him when he grinned broadly at my words. “Fine, it’s obvious,” I acknowledged. “The point is you’re the exact opposite. You have a way of making someone feel special even if you don’t say a word.”
“Care to elaborate?” he asked, settling back in his chair with his arms crossed across his chest.
“Like you don’t know,” I answered, exasperated. “A smile here. A wink there. You’re a born flirt. I may have been off on the bad-boy part, but I was dead-on when it comes to your flirty nature.”
“Flirty nature? God, could you emasculate me any more?” he joked, leaning forward so we were closer. “So, I’m friendly. No harm, no foul.”
“Player,” I countered.
“Easygoing,” he volleyed.
“Tease.”
“Affectionate.”
I couldn’t help laughing at his persistence. “Whatever way you phrase it, I’m not looking for a relationship.”
“What are you looking for?” he asked with a more serious tone.
“I’m not sure,” I answered honestly. “I’ve been here a year and a half and I feel like I’m barely scratching the surface. Take today, for example. I’m not sure I would have ever come here if you hadn’t brought me. It’s not like this is a place my friends are talking about. There are so many things I want to do that I’ve never had the opportunity to do before.”
“Strict parents?” he questioned.
“No, it’s not that. It’s just, I’m from a very small town. You know, the kind of place where you sneeze and everyone knows about it. God forbid you actually do something scandalous like make out with Gregory James in Mr. Jacobs’s science lab.”
“Gregory James? Is he someone I have to worry about?”
“Very funny. My point is I’m enjoying my freedom more than I ever thought I would. I don’t feel like bogging it down with a relationship.”
“Don’t you get lonely?”
“Have you met my roommate?” I joked. “Melissa kinda doesn’t allow for loneliness.”
He laughed. “She is something else. I like her, though. Her enthusiasm is cool and Rob seems to dig her.”
“Oh, don’t get me wrong. I love her to death, but she pretty much fills any void I may have.”
“I didn’t realize you two were those kind of roommates,” he teased, his innuendo clear. “Maybe I should come hang out.”
“You wish.”
“You mean you two don’t have pillow fights?” he asked, giving me puppy-dog eyes.
“Strangely, no. We also don’t have wet T-shirt contests or play Truth or Dare every night.”