2

Adam

I continued to watch this beautiful woman for the rest of the time she was in the store. She only bought a few pairs of jeans and a black blouse that looked stunning on her. After checking out, she waited for her friend to finish her shopping. I laughed at how annoyed she looked as she began to sway from side to side.

I wished I could approach her and say, "Hello," but this strange feeling prevented me from doing so. I didn't like feeling nervous; I wasn't used to it. I always felt confident and in control.

My nervousness was accompanied by doubt and endless questions like: what kind of men was she interested in? What did she want in a man?

Her friend finished checking out and walked toward her.

"Finally," she told her friend.

"Jeez, Daphnie, relax," her friend said annoyedly.

So that was her name. It suited her.

I continued to follow the two. They spoke about work, school, and plans for the future. It was all beneficial information, but that was information I could learn while spending time together. However, it was nice to know their words didn't revolve around boys.

After visiting six more stores, Daphnie only had two bags, while her friend had about seven. Daphnie was responsible with her money; that's hard to find in a young woman.

"Should we go eat now?" her friend asked.

"Yes. I'm starving."

"Where should we go?"

"Let's try Home Run Inn. I haven't eaten there in a while."

"Sounds good."

They started walking to the restaurant, and I ran ahead of them without being noticed so that I could pick our seats. When I walked in, the host greeted me, and I gave him a generous tip and instructed him to sit Daphnie and her friend in a booth and leave the booth behind Daphnie open. He nodded his head, and I walked out. I grabbed my phone and called Ben; he had gone alone to buy a few things, so much for being my wingman.

"Did you talk to her yet?"

"No. Meet me at Home Run Inn. Now"

"We ate pizza last night!"

"I said, NOW."

"Alright, calm down. I'm coming."

I sighed as I hung up the phone, but the nervousness returned when Daphnie and her friend arrived at the restaurant. I stood to the side so they couldn't see me. I watched as the host showed them where to sit. Daphnie sat down and placed her bags next to her against the wall. Very smart.

"God, she's beautiful," I kept thinking to myself.

My thoughts were interrupted by Ben walking up to me.

"Did you finally make a move? Will I witness you go on a date?"

I looked at Ben and rolled my eyes as I approached the host. He grabbed two menus and led us to the booth behind Daphnie. Ben looked at me when we sat down and said, "Seriously?"

"Don't question me. Let's order our food and shut up so I can hear her."

The waiter came by to take our order. I ordered a personal pizza, and Ben ordered chicken wings. Daphie and her friend ordered a small pizza to share. I listened for any talk about boys, but they discussed politics, sports, and their opinions on recent police cases. They were both brilliant women.

"So.... have you met anyone at school who has caught your attention?" I heard Daphnie say.

Finally!

I wasn't interested in her friend's answer, but perhaps a discussion about her friend would help me learn more about Daphnie.

"Well, there is this one guy."

"Go on..."

"He's in my calculus class. He's brilliant, we have the same interests, and he wants to be a police officer! He asked me to hang out for lunch, and he's treating me."

"That's great! I know he said it's his treat, but don't take advantage and order expensive food. Also, make sure you offer to pay for yourself; you don't want him to think you're a gold digger.

Just like her wardrobe, Daphnie's personality was modest.

"I know, I know! I'm so excited! He seems like a great guy."

"When are you two gonna have lunch together?"

"Monday, after class. We've been working on a class assignment together, and it's due that day, so we thought it would be a nice way to relax after enormous amounts of hard work."

"Awww, that's sweet."

"So, how about you?"

My heart rate quickened as I was about to hear what I had been waiting for this whole time. I hoped she would say there wasn't a man in her life.

"No one has caught my eye."

Good.

"Seriously? Why?"

"Well, all the men where I work, they're just not my type."

"And what is your type exactly?"

I leaned closer to make sure I wouldn't miss anything she said.

"Well, aside from the obvious, I'm looking for a mature, financially responsible, hard-working man who is mature and disciplined but can also be loving towards me. He also needs to be older than me."

"Seriously? You set your standards way too high. You're not going to find a man like that nowadays."

"Well, a girl can always hope. I won't settle for less."

"Dude," Ben said. "If you don't make a move, I will."

"You have a girlfriend," I said, glaring at him.

"Yes, a girlfriend who is driving me to insanity and will possibly put me in an early grave. I need to find someone new."

Ben wasn't joking; I knew he was serious. That meant I had to do something quickly.

Daphnie

Once we finished eating, Amber and I decided to get ice cream. As we stood in line, Amber debated what flavor to get; I already knew what I wanted, so I mindlessly looked around.

Every sound seemed blocked out as I felt something telling me to turn around. I turned around, and there I saw him.

He was the most handsome man I had ever seen. If every celebrity I ever had a crush on were to see him, they would feel intimidated. What first got my attention was his Green eyes. Most girls prefer crystal blue, but I'm a sucker for Green. He had dark hair that was faded on the sides and short on top. He was clean-shaven and had a sharp, square jawline. He had muscular arms and walked with perfect posture as he walked toward us. There was something mysterious about him. The closer he came, the more I could smell his cologne: Calvin Klein, Eternity Air, was a refreshing fragrance. I looked back at the menu; I didn't want the handsome stranger to catch me gawking at him.

"Excuse me," he said. His voice was deep and robust yet soft.

Where had this man been all my life? Had I met him sooner, my heart would have been spared some pain, and I would probably have a ring on my finger by now.

Amber and I looked at him as he continued, "I was wondering if I could buy you ladies ice cream."

I was speechless while Amber said, "Sure! We would appreciate that."

"Next!" the cashier called out.

The man gestured for us to step forward.

Amber quickly ordered, "Since he's paying, I'll have a triple scoop of the chocolate fudge brownie in a chocolate waffle bowl, the one with sprinkles on it."

My jaw dropped at Amber's order; the woman did not understand the concept of consideration.

"What would you like?" The handsome stranger asked me.

"I'll have a single scoop of Oreo in a wafer cone, please."

"That's all?" The stranger asked. "I don't mind if you order more."

"That's all," I smiled. "I'm a simple person."

"I'll have a scoop of pistachio on a wafer cone."

"Eighteen fifty-six," the cashier said as another worker scooped our ice cream.

The handsome stranger opened his wallet and pulled out a twenty, handing it to the cashier.

"Well, thank you," I said as we were handed our ice cream.

"Yeah, thank you so much," Amber added with a mouth full of ice cream.

"It's my pleasure." The stranger looked at me with a smile. "Should we sit down?"

"Sure."

"You two go ahead," Amber said as she walked away. "I want to go make a wish at the water fountain."

"I'm Adam, by the way," the man said. "Adam Carter.

"Daphnie." I smiled. "Daphnie Hanson."

We shook hands and smiled at each other as we found a table to sit at.

"So, what brings you here?" Adam asked.

"My friend and I are going to a concert later, so we came here to do some shopping and get a bite to eat."

"A concert? Don't most concerts start at like six or seven?"

"It's an outdoor concert downtown for amateur bands."

"Oh, okay."

"How about you? What are you doing here?"

"My best friend and I hang out once a month, and he decided he wanted to hang out at the mall."

"Where is he?"

"I'm not sure. I think he went to flirt with a worker at Victoria's Secret."

I started to laugh.

"My best friend abandoned me to flirt with someone once."

"Really?"

"Yeah. I was so mad at her."

Adam and I continued to make small talk as we ate our ice cream. Surprisingly, I felt a strong connection with him; it was lovely.

"Excuse me," Amber cut in. "Sorry to interrupt, but we have a concert to get to.

"Oh, right!"

I quickly stood up and looked at Adam, who stood up as well.

"Thank you so much for the ice cream."

"You're welcome," Adam smiled. "May I have your number?"

I bit my bottom lip, unsure if I should give Adam my number.

"Of course you can!" Amber cut in. I scowled at her but nodded.

Adam smiled and reached into his pocket, and pulled out his phone.

"Here," Adam said as he handed his phone to me.

After entering my name and number, I handed Adam his phone back.

"I'll text you later."

"Okay."

"Alright, come on," Amber grabbed my hand and led me to the front entrance.

"Wait! I have to use the restroom."

"Okay, I'll take your bags and meet you at the car."

"Okay."

After taking care of my business, I checked my makeup and headed out.

Walking to the car, I heard someone giving me a catcall. I rolled my eyes and kept walking.

"Hey, baby, come here," the man said as he approached me. I quickly reached for my pepper spray, but the man grabbed my arm before I could hold it.

"I said, come here!"

"Let go!" I shouted as I kicked the guy in the crotch, making him release my arm.

I turned to make a run for it, but another man caught me.

"Where are you going, beautiful?"

I felt someone pull me out of the creep's grip and saw that person punch him. It was Adam. The first man who grabbed me tried attacking Adam from behind, but Adam quickly turned around and punched him, knocking him out cold.

Adam walked toward me, and I immediately threw my arms around his waist. He wrapped his strong arms around me.

"Oh my gosh! Are you okay?" Amber asked as she ran up to us.

"Yeah," I said. I was shaking a little.

"I'm so sorry," Amber cried. "I shouldn't have left you alone."

"Hey," Adam firmly said. "Just get out of here before these dipshits wake up. I'll take care of them."

I looked up at Adam.

"Thank you."

Adam nodded and gestured for us to leave. Amber and I quickly rushed to the car and drove off.