" I tried to look apologetic." I tried to look apologetic. "Sorry if that's blunt, but you asked. I sure wasn't avoiding you, though." "Really? As bad as that?" She looked annoyed. "There was another guy in the neighborhood, he looked so lonely when his wife went out of town for a month. I tried to invite him over for dinner with us, just being friendly. He got real nervous and turned me down, and it seemed like he was avoiding me after that. I never even thought about Jerry making other men skittish. Shit." She gave my leg an emphatic little push with her feet. "Mike, I'm sorry. I never thought about it like that." "No problem," I said. "I've always made it a policy to avoid guys who routinely carry automatic weapons. Besides, I'm here now." "Yeah," she agreed, as her toes curled against my thigh. "You are." The smile was softer this time and freighted with possible messages and meanings, if I only had a Secret Decoder Ring. I was never any good at flirting like this. Maybe I should just be honest about it. "Carol, I'm afraid you're going to think I'm hopeless." I took a chance and stroked the top of one foot; she didn't draw it back. "I don't date very much -- never did, really -- and even then it's just social. Someone to go see a movie with -- you know." She was watching me sympathetically so I went on. "What I mean is, I'm completely out of practice at this kind of thing. I like you, I really do. I guess I'm just not sure where the boundaries are anymore. You see my problem?" My expression must been something because she laughed a little and her eyes danced with tolerant amusement. "You're very refreshing, you know that? All I ever hear at work is bragging and stupid pick-up lines, mostly from guys who are already married anyway. |