Trust Read Free

keep this machine going."
    I laughed. "I imagine it does."
    She led us to a sofa, and there we sat, side-by-side. I turned partly sideways to face her. She was already watching me, and her look was a little hungry.
    I didn't mind that at all. I offered a smile.
    We made small talk for a while. The more she talked, the more I liked her. I wasn't sure I was attracted to her, but I liked her. How could I not be sure? For me, attraction is more cerebral than physical. I'm attracted to a woman who makes me think, who challenges me.
    And who treats me the way I want to be treated.
    But while we talked, I tried to envision us together. And I just wasn't sure.
    We finished our coffee. The conversation slowed down. She stated the obvious before I could. "We seem to have stalled."
    "I suppose we have."
    "I wouldn't suppose you'd let me take you to dinner."
    "What if I want to take you to dinner?"
    She smiled broadly. "I asked you first."
    "So that's how it is, hmm?"
    "Yes. That's how it is."
    "Where did you have in mind, Vic?"
    She looked me up and down. "You eat like a rabbit, don't you?"
    I laughed. "Where did you want to go?"
    "Outback Steakhouse?" She made it a question. "It's not fancy. Maybe you prefer fancy."
    "Fancy is nice once in a while," I said. "But I like comfortable. No blooming onion, though."
    She smiled and stood.
    * * * *
    It wasn't even presented as an option that we'd drive separately. She walked me to the passenger door of her car. I was expecting a cliché -- a pickup. Instead, she led me to a cute BMW Z4 Roadster.
    "Why, Vic!" I said. "You are full of surprises."
    "My other car's a pickup," she said with a grin.
    She handed me into the car, holding the door and then closing it once I was properly seated. As she got into the other side, I lamented, "I wished I'd known about your car. I'd have worn my hair in a pony tail."
    She grinned at me then reached past me to open the glove box, withdrawing a scarf and dropping it into my lap. I laughed, and by the time I had my hair under cover, the top was down. I spent the entire 10-minute drive laughing. I'd never ridden in a convertible with the top down before, and I enjoyed it immensely. As we parked in the restaurant parking lot, I exclaimed, "I have got to get me one of these!"
    "It's impractical for much of the year," Vic replied. "But I admit, it's great in good weather. I don't like it much on the freeway though." Then she began to close the roof again.
    "Why is that?"
    I watched as she latched the roof, and then we climbed from the car. She came around to my side, and I took her arm.
    "It's loud," she replied. "And drafty. I think I can get a hard top for it. That would probably help."
    "Do you ride with the top down in the winter?"
    "No, but the roof is only fabric. There's a fair amount of highway noise."
    "Oh, I suppose." I thought about it. "I still liked it. Is that why you have the truck?"
    "I was kidding about the truck," she said, opening the restaurant door for me. "That's my only car. It drives like a dream though. And no, you can't drive it."
    I put on a fake pout, but in reality, it was fun just riding in the passenger seat. But then I caught Vic staring at my mouth.
    "What?" I asked.
    "You have very kissable lips," she said.
    I couldn't help but smile at her words.
    * * * *
    Dinner was lovely.
    Once outside, Vic slipped an arm around my waist. She was warm, which was good, as the evening had turned chilly. She led me back to her car. The scarf was waiting on the seat where I left it, and I fingered it as she climbed in.
    "We can lower the top if you want," Vic said gently, "but it will be chilly."
    "No," I replied. "But thank you."
    She nodded, started up the car, and adjusted the heater. I thought she was stalling. It was about to be one of those awkward moments on a first date. I continued to play with the scarf, running in between my fingers.
    "My place isn't far," she said finally.
    Ah. I'd wondered if she'd suggest that. I looked over at her. I