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  “How do I like being in a fraternity?” he repeated.

  “Yes.”

  Sam shook his head and began to laugh.

  “What?” Kristy snapped.

  “Sorry, I'm sorry. No, I wasn't laughing at you. I was just laughing at the idea of me being in a frat.”

  “But you're in a frat house right now.”

  Sam shrugged.

  “So are you,” he quipped.

  A torrent of laughter escaped her and Kristy clapped a hand over mouth, folding forward a bit in her chair as she used her free arm to clutch her shaking belly.

  When she'd finally stopped laughing, she sat up with dew drops of tears in her eyes.

  “Oh gosh,” Kristy mumbled.

  Sam grinned and crossed her arms across his broad chest.

  “You think I'm pretty funny, huh?” he asked with one eyebrow quirked.

  “You're alright,” Kristy answered coyly.

  “Thanks. I try.”

  “Okay, then. So you're not in a fraternity. Tell me, what is your deal?”

  “My deal?”

  “Yeah. What do you do? What do you like? Interests? Hobbies?”

  “Am I being secretly interviewed or something?” Sam asked.

  Kristy felt a heaviness hit her stomach. She rolled her eyes.

  “It's fine,” she sighed. “I mean, you don't have to talk to me. I can just go sit in the living room and wait for Lizette to finish making out with your friend.”

  “Oh, come one, don't be that way,” Sam said. “I was kidding. I'm sorry. I didn't mean any disrespect. Okay, check it out; this is my deal. I'm twenty-one. Originally from Ohio. I'm majoring in Urban Development. I want to be a city planner one day. I like pizza, stand-up comedy, working out, and cats.”

  Kristy felt her eyes widen, as a smile lit her face.

  “Cats!” she exclaimed. “I love cats! Do you have one?”

  Sam shook his head.

  “No, I had one when I was a kid. His name was Patches. He was sort of a jerk too. He didn't like anyone and would scratch you if you tried to pet him.”

  Sam lifted his shoulders.

  “I don't know though. I liked him anyway. I used to follow him around when I was a little kid. I remember just thinking that he was really weird and neat.”

  Kristy laughed.

  “That's probably an accurate way to describe them. Cats are sort of weird creatures, and they are really neat. I think it's cool how intuitive they are. They can really sense how you're feeling.”

  Sam's eyes lit up.

  “Exactly. Hey, do you have a cat?”

  “Yes! Oh, he's so cute. My cat's name is Tony. He's my baby doll.”

  “Tony? That's kind of different for a cat name.”

  “Why?” Kristy asked. “Why can't cats have dignified names?”

  “Is Patches not a dignified name?”

  “Oh, it's a fine name,” Kristy answered. “It's cute. I think you have two options when you name a cat, you can go adorable or you can go dignified. Both are great. They have their benefits. I mean, my mom has a cat named Cuppy-cake and I think that's the greatest freaking cat name I've ever heard.”

  Sam laughed once more.

  “Cuppy-cake? I love it. You're right that is an adorable cat name. Does the cat look like a Cuppy-cake?”

  Kristy nodded fervently, as she smiled.

  “Definitely,” she said. “He's really puffy, and then the fur on his back is all white. The fur on his legs and stomach is black. So, it looks like his bottom half is chocolate cake and the his top half is the vanilla frosting.”

  “Oh, no way!” Sam said. “You got a picture?”

  “Yeah!”

  Kristy took a moment to fiddle in her purse. She retrieved her phone a moment later, and after a few seconds of clicking and scrolling, she held the screen up so that Sam could see.

  “There he is!” she said. “Cuppy-cake!”

  Sam laughed and shook his head.

  “Wow,” he said. “That is one dignified young gentleman, and he does live up to his namesake really well.”

  Kristy giggled, as she placed her phone back into her purse.

  “It's so cool that you like cats,” she said. “I feel like I don't meet that many guys that like cats. Or not that many who will admit it, at least. It seems like dogs are the more 'manly' animal.”

  She emphasized the word “manly” with a set of exasperated air quotes.

  Sam crossed his leaned back in his chair and quirked an eyebrow.

  “Yeah, but I'm plenty manly,” he replied with confidence. “I don't think that admitting I like cats can deduct enough man points to get me to worry.”

  “You're too much.”

  “Too much to take you out this weekend?”

  Kristy stopped mid-chuckle and she felt her jaw pop open.

  “What? You want to take me out?”

  For a moment, Sam's confidence seemed to falter. He sat straight forward and cleared his throat.

  “Yes, um, if that's okay. You seem cool. We could go to a movie or something?”

  Kristy felt her heart flutter in her ribcage. Her blood nearly seemed to speed through her veins.

  But before she knew what she was doing, she was answering in the affirmative.

  “Yes,” she said. “Yes, that would be wonderful. I'd love to.”

  Sam wrote down his number for her, once again wearing that confident and charismatic grin.

  Kristy took the slip of paper with trembling hands.

  “What's wrong?” Sam asked. “You're not gonna be nervous and awkward now, are you?”

  Kristy laughed at his candor.

  “I'll try not to,” she said. “Okay, tell me more about your classes. What are you taking this semester?”

  Sam grinned and began telling Kristy about his drafting classes. They chatted the rest of the night and were still engrossed only in each other, even hours later when Lizette shimmied back into the kitchen, wearing a wet bathing suit and a devilish smirk.

  Chapter Four

  “You're sure this shirt is good?”

  “Yes.”

  “I don't know. Maybe I ought to go with the green one.”

  “Dude!” Brad groaned in exasperation. “Seriously, you're like a chic right now. She said she'd go out with you, and you were wearing a thousand-year-old T-shirt covered in mustard stains when you asked her. I don't think she's gonna care if you wear the blue button-up shirt or the green button-up shirt.”

  Sam sighed.

  “I know, dude. You're right. I'm just wicked nervous right now. Like my hands are sweating and everything.”

  “I thought you weren't even looking for a lady. What made you change your mind for her?” Brad asked.

  Sam kept his eyes on his reflection as he answered, tucking his shirt into his freshly-ironed jeans and fussing with his short hair.

  “I don't know,” he said. “She's just cool. I mean, obviously the first thing I noticed was her body. I don't want to sound like some superficial jerk, but she was hot. I think she might be into working out. Did you notice her biceps?”

  “Oh, she does, man,” Brad replied. “Liz goes running and does cardio yoga with her.”

  “It shows,” Sam sighed. “She was also just so sweet and easy to be around. We had a lot of fun talking. I really want to learn more about her.”

  “You should,” Brad agreed. “Liz talks about her a lot. They're roommates. They live over in Saint Mark's. Liz really likes Kristy. She says she gets along with everybody and she likes to dance. I think Liz said she's been doing ballet since she was a kid.”

  “How did you meet Liz again?” Sam asked.

  “Oh, she was in that English course I took last year. Naturalist writers. Of course, she's an English major, so she loved all that. I was not enjoying that class, at all. But Liz is a cool girl. She sat next to me, and we got to talking. When I told her how much I was struggling, she offered to help me out. We've been chilling since then.”


  “You into her?”

  Brad shook his head.

  “Nah, she's cool. She's just not my type though. And I don't think I'm her type either. Did you see the beeline she made for Jay the other night? She's all into scruffy, punk rock dudes. Long hair and heavy metal. She likes the irresponsible slacker type.I mean, the second I admitted I was worried about passing a course, I entered her friend zone.”

  Sam laughed.

  “She likes a bad boy, huh?”

  “Right, and I like nerdy, introverted girls. Girls who are shy are freaking cute as hell. And any woman who can write code or hack a network...yeah, those are my sort of ladies. Seriously, 'must love C++'. That's what my dating ad would read.”

  “I guess that would explain why you've been working your way through the Computer Science department?”

  “Exactly” Brad quipped. “I'm looking for the lady nerd of my dreams.”

  “Okay,” Sam sighed. “I need to get going if I'm going to pick her up by three. I can't believe how nervous I am. I'm freaking sweating here.”

  “Don't worry about it,” Brad replied. “You got this man.”

  Sam set his jaw and nodded.

  “Right. Right. Course I do. She liked me. This is gonna be fine.”

  This is what Sam said aloud, but as he left the house, worries and anxiety still nagged at him.

  Could this really work with Kristy? Could she accept him for who he was?

  Sam hoped so. He really hoped so. He always had so much trouble in the romance department. It was tough to find a woman who was understanding of his past. Women were usually anxious and nervous about getting involved with him. They were afraid of getting involved with him.

  Sam fidgeted with his belt and class ring, as he hurried down the road. There was no reason to get all worked up about that yet. First, he had to go on a date with Kristy and see if the two of them were even compatible. Then if they were, well he would just worrying about telling her the truth later.

  Chapter Five

  Sam was right on time. Kristy had been ten minutes early, but because of Sam's promptness, she didn't have to stand in front of the theater for long.

  She was shuffling back and forth, fidgeting with her dress and kicking up her feet, when she saw Sam approaching. He was several yards down the sidewalk, and Kristy took advantage of the distance between them to steady herself and put a stop to her ridiculous body language. Even she could see that the tightening of her nerves was causing her to act strangely.

  Sam gave a brisk wave as he approached, and when Kristy waved back, he broke into a jog. He was grinning as he reached her.

  “Hey there!”

  Kristy gave a soft smile, that didn't reveal her teeth.

  “Hi, yourself,” she murmured.

  “You, ah...you look really pretty,” Sam stammered.

  “You too!” Kristy said. “I mean-oh gosh!”

  She threw her hands up and winced.

  “Not pretty. I'm sorry. I meant that you look nice.”

  Sam gave an easy laugh.

  “I knew what you meant,” he chuckled. “It's okay. Don't be so nervous.”

  Kristy blushed. She kept her eyes on her feet, as she answered.

  “I'll try,” she whispered.

  “Hey.”

  Sam placed his fingertips lightly beneath her chin and tilted her face upwards. Kristy felt a tremor reverberate through her. He was standing so close to her. Their difference in height was undeniable and significant. He was about six inches taller than her. He must be at least six foot three.

  “Don't do that,” Sam whispered.

  Kristy's eyes widened, as a breath hitched her chest. She tried to speak and felt a sudden dryness in her throat. She swallowed loudly; so loudly that it was nearly a gulp. She prayed he hadn't heard it.

  “Do what?” she asked.

  He smiled down at her.

  “Look at the ground. You're too pretty for that. I'm taking you out for a nice evening. I think the least you can do is let me look into those beautiful brown eyes all night.”

  Kristy felt herself begin to blush again. The pleasant sort of hotness was creeping into her cheeks, warming the space below her eyes and behind her ears.

  “You like my eyes, huh?” she asked.

  Sam grinned.

  “I sure do.”

  Kristy bit her lip and cocked her head to the left.

  “That's nice to hear,” she said.

  “Should we go in?” Sam asked. “I know we've still got a bit before the movie, but I wanted to buy you some popcorn and soda. Or you know, candy? Whatever you want, let me buy you some movie junk food.”

  “Oh! Movie junk food is the best!” Kristy exclaimed. “It's almost as good as Seven-Eleven dinner. Do you ever do that?”

  “What? Seven-Eleven dinner?”

  “Right.”

  “I guess, as the name implies, that would be when you buy your dinner from Seven-Eleven?”

  Kristy took Sam's arm and allowed him to lead her into the theater.

  “Yes,” she answered. “It's disgusting and I'm a monster for doing it, but sometimes I just go buy a whole meal at Seven-Eleven. But definitely not like normal dinner stuff. Not frozen dinners or even those little sandwiches they sell. Nope. I get hot dogs, taquitos, nachos loaded with that fake nacho cheese, chili, and jalapenos, and then, of course, a bunch of candy. Reeses and M&Ms, and Twix bars.”

  “That definitely sounds like a feast,” Sam laughed.

  “Well, I don't do it all the time, because you know-” Kristy smirked and gave a comical shrug. “Because I'd die.”

  Sam chuckled.

  “You probably would yeah. That nacho cheese probably isn't even technically food. But I hear ya, it is so delicious.”

  “It is. I work pretty hard to be healthy, most of the time. Sometimes I can't help gorging a little bit though. I'm probably processed food's number one fan.”

  Sam smirked.

  “What? You think that's gross, don't you?”

  Sam closed his eyes and shook his head.

  “Absolutely not. I think it's adorable. I can just see you with your little face covered in cheese sauce and hot dog bits.”

  “Oh gosh! What a picture!” Kristy laughed.

  They reached the concession counter and Sam ordered the two of them a plethora of snacks. Kristy fought to keep from giggling, as she watched Sam attempt to juggle a tub of popcorn, two jumbo-sized drinks, nachos, and an assortment of candy.

  “Sam, here, let me help!”

  “No, no. Let me be a gentleman. I want to. Besides I need to prove my skills as a potential mate by showing off how many items I ca carry at once.”

  Kristy couldn't take it anymore and burst into a fit of unrestrained laughter. It was both the honesty and the absurdity of the statement that she found amusing.

  She was still chuckling as they walked into the theater.

  From behind the pile of refreshments that he juggled, Sam quirked an eyebrow at her.

  “You found that amusing, huh?”

  Kristy choked down the last of her laughs and wiped a tear from her eye.

  “Yes,” she said. “You're a pretty funny guy. You should be a comedian.”

  Kristy followed Sam to a seat at the back of the theater.

  “Do you mind this?” he asked. “I really like the back of the movie theater.”

  “Yeah, this is fine,” Kristy replied. “The back is okay with me, I'm just wondering why it's your fist choice. You're not trying to get fresh with me are you?”

  “Of course not.”

  Sam set down the numerous snacks on one of the empty seats and placed the drinks into the cup holders. He turned and looked down into her eyes.

  “I wouldn't try to make a move on a first date. It's not my style.”

  Kristy felt her heart give a tiny shudder in her chest.

  “Oh,” she replied. “That's good to hear. We have that in common. It's not my style either. So, I won't be putting
any moves on you either.”

  She gave a flirty wink, during which she was sure that she looked more confident than she felt.

  Sam winked back and Kristy's heart was still engaged in various state's of palpitation as the two of them took their seats.

  Throughout the movie, Kristy let her arm gently brush against his every so often, as they shared the limited space of the armrest. She could feel the warmth of his body and smell the fragrance that he wore. It was most assuredly some variation of axe body spray, and Kristy smiled at the cliché of it. It was adorable the way he had obviously put so much effort into his grooming. It flattered her to think that he wanted to impress her.

  She thought back to his earlier joke about wanting to prove himself as a potential mate. It was an odd and quirky thing to say on a first date, but then again, maybe there was some truth to it. Kristy was starting to realize that she very much hoped that there was some truth to it.

  After the movie, Sam brought her to a lovely French restaurant. Kristy didn't think that she'd ever dined at such an upscale establishment. The conversation between them flowed easily and they both laughed and smiled frequently. Sam asked her questions about herself and Kristy answered. She told him about how she dreamed of dancing in the New York Ballet Company, and that was why she had chosen to attend college in the city. She had danced since she was nine years old and ballet was her passion. She knew that her dream was unrealistic though, and she was majoring in Art History. She figured that securing a humanities undergraduate degree was, at the very least, a bit more practical than hoping to become a professional prima ballerina.

  “So you like art?” Sam asked.

  “Yes!” Kristy gushed. “I've been able to get a student pass and I get discounted admission to both the MET and the MOMA.”

  “Which is your favorite?”

  “The MET, because of all the Danse Macabre and Memento Mori paintings. I know that sounds a bit gruesome, but it's really just the aesthetics that I love. I'm not morbid or anything. You know, I do also like the MOMA though. They have a wonderful Impressionist exhibit. Lots of Monet. It's not as good as the exhibit in the MFA though. That's in Boston. Lizette and I went up there once to see their Degas exhibit. Of all the impressionists, he is my favorite. Mostly because he painted so many ballerinas!”