Through the door, Dani said, “Get the shorts.”
“They exceed the sponsor credit.”
“I’ll pay.”
“No.”
“Please.”
Herpleasewas soft, not flirtatious. I changed back into my jeans. When I exited, Dani held the shorts folded over one arm.
“I can buy my own clothes,” I said.
“I understand.”
“Then why?”
“Because you looked happy.”
I stopped.
“I looked at the mirror,” she continued. “You looked happy before you noticed me.”
I refolded the waistband.
“I was evaluating the outfit.”
“You looked like you saw yourself differently.”
Dani understood too much. It was one of the things I liked about her. That thought arrived fully formed. I did not reject it fast enough.
“You don’t have to buy them,” I said.
“I want to.”
“It is outside the assignment.”
“Yes. This is not a date.”
“Yes.”
Her agreement sounded like disappointment. I examined the folded shorts.
“Then I will buy dinner after the challenge event.”
Dani’s head came up.
“Dinner?”
“To maintain balance.”
“Financial balance?”
“Yes.”
“Not romantic balance?”
I adjusted the folded shirt in my hands. Dani’s questions were playful; my pulse was not.
