Be brave, I told myself. Take the opening. “I’d like there to be a next time. When’s the next soccer match?”
“Is it just Annie you want to spend time with?” She looked directly into my eyes, and my stomach dropped through the floor, possibly hitting the dishwasher toiling away in the basement.
“What are you asking?” I held my breath, waiting for an answer.
“It’s obvious Annie’s trying to put us together,” Delphine said. “And I want to know if you know that too.”
“I guess so,” I said, evasively.
She shifted, resting her cheek in her hand, watching me. “And how do you feel about it?”
“About Annie matchmaking us?”
She nodded.
“I feel … that it would be nice to … go out on a date. Just the two of us.” I swallowed, feeling slightly ill. Why had I said it? Now I couldn’t take it back.
“What would we do?” Delphine asked.
“What’s your favorite activity? If you could do anything?”
“A picnic on the beach. Or a night at home, cooking, watching a movie maybe?” She sighed, sounding exasperated. “I don’t even know. It’s been so long since I entertained the idea of a date.”
“Would you like to go out tomorrow evening? I’ll plan something.”
She didn’t answer for a moment, and when she did it was not exactly what I’d expected. “Can I be honest with you?”
“Please.” I went back to holding my breath.
“I think you’re handsome and intelligent. A little quiet. A little unnerving how closely you seem to observe everything, but also intriguing. Like there’s more to you, under all that reticence. I’m astounded to admit I want to know more.”
I let my breath out, tugging on one ear. What was she saying? “Would you like to go out tomorrow evening?”
“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but yes. No promises that I won’t run away screaming, but yes.”
A server returned with my credit card. I signed the receipt. Soon, we were ready to go. I slid from the booth first, offering her my hand. She took it, looking up at me. Sparks of electricity darted through me. For a moment, I imagined my hair standing on end, which made me smile.
“What?” Delphine asked as she stood, just inches from me.
“You’re pretty.”
“I used to be.”
“You still are. Trust me.”
“Some days I just feel like the casing of sausage with nothing inside.”
I laughed. “That’s strangely specific.”
“But do you know what I mean? The way the casing is just a soggy nothing without the filling?”
“I’m sorry that’s how you feel. And the metaphor’s kind of disgusting. However, I do get it. I’ve felt that way myself at times.”
We stood for another moment in front of the table, as if neither of us were capable of moving.
Finally, she gestured toward the entrance. “We should go.”
“Yep. Let’s do it.” I followed her, then raced ahead to hold the door for her. We stepped out into the glorious summer evening.
