The Valeditztorian (31 page)

“Umm…I had no idea
. Which I guess makes sense, since it’s usually pretty hard for me to see my back.”

“Good point
. Say, since you’re looking so…hot, would you like a drink?”

“I’d love one.”

David walked me over to the bar, his muscular arm wrapped around my shoulders.

“What can I get
you guys?” asked the bartender, a young guy with a green Mohawk.

“Ginge
r ale like usual?” inquired David.

“Sounds good.”

“The lady would like a ginger ale.”

“And how about you?”
the bartender asked.

“Oh, I think I’ll have the same,
” said David.

“Can I interest you in a beer?”

“No thanks,” said David.

“Why not?
” said the bartender. “You don’t need two designated drivers.”

“In this city,” I said
, “you don’t need any designated drivers. The public transportation is excellent.”

“Then why no alcohol?”

“Alcohol makes me sick,” I said.

“And I’m allergic to it,” said
David.

“Allergic…really?”
said the bartender.

“Yeah
. Even if I drink just a little bit,” David explained, “I get this really bad allergic reaction.”

“What happens?”

“First, my nose gets stuffy. Then my eyes start tearing, and my face swells up.”

“D
on’t forget the vomiting,” I said.

“Right
. After all the facial symptoms, I lose my lunch.”

“Oh, that’s nasty,” said the bartender
. “Now I definitely wouldn’t sell you a beer, even if you asked for one. But do you know what the good news is?”

“What
?” I asked.

“It sounds like you two
are a match made in heaven.”

“Yo
u are so right about that,” said David, leaning over to kiss me.

For a moment time stopped, as his lovely, full lips me
t mine.

When we reluctantl
y separated, I whispered in his ear, “That was a great kiss.”

“I agree,” he said
.

“You know what?” I asked
.

“What?”

“I love public displays of affection.”

“In that case, do you think
we should do it again?” he asked.

“Oh,
yes,” I said.

Cupping the back of
my neck with one of his strong hands, he pulled me in close.

“After we finish with the public stuff,
though,” David murmured, his breath warm in my ear, “do you think we could move on to some private displays of affection, back at my apartment?”

“Most definitely,”
I replied, as he reeled me in for another kiss.

Incidentally, the calluses
on David’s hands were acquired from weight lifting, and he’s got quite the body to show for it. Of course that’s not why I like him. Beyond his fabulous physique, David is a genuinely caring person, who’s not afraid to verbalize his feelings for me. Okay, I’ll admit that the man does have a number of interesting items in his closet (at this point in time, he’s asked me not to reveal any details—that’s a story for another day), but as far as I can tell, they’re not a reflection of any significant psychological problems. In light of my previous relationship, dating David is like sipping a cold drink of water in the desert—completely refreshing. Most importantly, my daughter insists that he’s a keeper, and above all others, I trust her opinion. Who knows where she gets it from, but Aimee is one smart cookie.