Page 19 (1/2)

His features are as advertised, a classic profile set off by straight, perfect teeth and an adorably crooked nose

A blue sweater, the fabric snug around a h that I can wear heels and still be shorter

I rise, and extend a hand "Hi You ood handshake, fir about hily conservative "Please, sit down"

He pulls out the opposite seat and settles into it, and there is a moment of aard silence, one where I sip lasses, and I can’t, for the life ofto say Our eyes h despite myself

"This is my fifth blind date," he ad aside frohth" I smile "You look like you recently bathed, so you don’t really have to say anything You’re already ahead of the rest" It’s a lie, and he knows it, but he leans forward and conversation begins to flow

"So you work in retail?" He tucks his hands into his pockets as alk, his head down, ear cocked to arh-end chains"

"Undergar back my hair into a low ponytail "Yes Less hosiery and arters, babydolls The sexier stuff Our lines are fairly provocative"

Trey would have made a sly comment, worked a compliment in, but Stephen only nods, his face a mask of concentration "And what do you do for the company?"

"I model"

The joke falls flat, and he only nods, as if I am serious, as if there is any chance of ," I hurry "I’m the Creative Director; I’m responsible for the overall vision and the execution of it" I feel the burst of pride that comes whenever I say my title

"That’s nice" We take the path into the park, a canopy of trees providing a break from the sun His arm brushes mine, a reminder of where I a stretches of silence, but thisto think of so have you been there?"

I relax a bit "A year and a half"

"Do you enjoy it?"

"I do," I say honestly "Trey is very good to work for We get along well"

"That’s nice"

I ask hieon A fancy dentist, as he says He travels two days a week, has a rescued dog, and a mother in Chula Vista We both love sushi and hate Star Wars We are both Words With Friends enthusiasts, and--unless I a the look in his eye--we both want to see each other again

We end our walk at the parking lot Ahead of us, ift frooal He reaches into his pocket and a new Volvo SUV beeps "That’s me"

He turns to me and smiles It’s a nice smile, one warm and friendly He steps forward andWould I remember how to do it properly?

He extends a hand "Thank you for h, and take his hand "Agreed I was actually planning on being a serial killer but decided against it My day is kind of full Meetings" I s