Elise did end up spilling the beans about her high school relationship with Jeremy on their date Saturday. They sat at a little round table in the locally-owned coffee house on the corner near where they had their first date. The fireplace made it feel even homier, a toasty reprieve from the harsh November cold outside.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWD106O7Pv
"You really haven't dated anyone since then? That was 8 years ago, Elise," Danny said disbelievingly.
"Yes, thank you for the reminder," she stuck her tongue out at him. "I just never met anyone I found interesting enough to take the time and effort to date," she shrugged. "I haven't really clicked with anyone. And I don't see the point in dating someone if you go into it knowing or having an inkling that it won't work out. I'm a die hard romantic, I guess," she laughed softly.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvuktYMmUJ
Danny seemed to ponder this for a minute, nodding his head slowly, clearly lost in thought.
"But you find me interesting enough to put time and effort into? I clicked with you?"
"You're just fishing for compliments now," Elise laughed.
"No, no...Well, maybe," he chuckled. "Just feeling...lucky, I guess," he smiled.
"Don't ruin it by gloating," she teased. Danny smiled and threw his hands up in surrender.
She and Danny went out almost every weekend over the cold winter months. One week in December he finally invited her over to his place.
"I don't think that's a good idea," Elise felt a pit of despair growing in her stomach. She was scared to death she was going to drive him away by refusing his offer.
"Oh...ok. Too soon?"
"No, no, it's not that. Well, maybe. I don't know. I guess I'm afraid of how I would act," she wasn't sure what else to say.
"Because I'm sure you're such a rude house guest," he teased. She couldn't help but smile too.
"I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to...behave." Elise really didn't want to say what she was really thinking. It took Danny a few seconds to catch up.
"Oh," he drew out. She could practically see the lightbulb lighting up in his head.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOFY0XG3PS
"Oh," he said again. "Really?" he asked, both surprised and flattered.
"Really," she admitted, both of them blushing now.
"Well, I didn't mean to put you on the spot."
"It's ok. I just didn't want you to think I didn't want to. Or whatever," she looked away.
"You're cute when you're flustered," he whispered close to her ear.
"See? Right there," her head shot up as she pointed at him accusingly. "That is not helpful and you know it. That is exactly why I cannot come over yet."
"Yet," Danny replied, not missing a beat, pointing back at her.
"You heard me," she smiled in spite of herself.
"I can wait. I'm patient," he said with a shit-eating grin. "Whenever you do want to...come over...just let me know," he looked down at her, amused.
Elise rolled her eyes and smiled.
Danny had actually been a gentleman and hadn't asked her over any more, as promised. Elise was surprised one week in February when they hadn't made any plans for the weekend yet. It was already Friday. She had become comfortable enough with him by then to call him out on it.
"You seeing your other girlfriend this weekend?" she joked over lunch.
"What?" confusion spread on his face. "I have National Guard training this weekend. Didn't I tell you?"262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpiOKa17Ge
"No," she said plainly.
"Oh. I thought I had. I'm sorry."
"Well, next weekend," Elise forced a smile. She hoped it was convincing. In actuality, she was kind of hurt that he had forgotten to tell her. She could understand if they had just started dating, but it had been nearly 4 months of going out every weekend.
"I really am sorry," he looked at her sincerely. Elise wasn't sure if he was just saying it because he meant it or just for her benefit. Maybe her face was giving her away.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuoHwAYifh
She involuntarily backed her foot away when he tapped his against it under the lunch room table. She didn't look up from her food.
"Damn it, Elise, I said I'm sorry. I love you," he leaned forward and whispered angrily under his breath. This got her attention.
"What?" she was in shock, not sure if it was from the words or the fact that there were several of their co-workers nearby.
"You heard me," a hint of anger still tainted his voice. "I. Love. You," he spoke slowly, gentler.
Elise's eyes stung.
"You do?" she whispered.
"Of course," his features had softened now as well. "You know I wouldn't say it if I didn't mean it," he paused. "I only regret blurting it out here," he gave her a sideways smile. "Sorry for not being more romantic about it. I can't win today."262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qOPzSZiza
"Please stop apologizing," Elise shook her head. "You do win. Everyday," she whispered, barely audible. "You win my respect. You win my heart. You win my laughter...You win my love," tears slid silently down her face. The fact that they were still in the lunchroom hung in the back of her mind. Danny looked like he was on the verge of tears himself.
"Let me see your hands."
"What?"
"Just do it. Please."
Elise slowly moved her hands from her lap to the tabletop. He took both of them into his own.
"Danny," she slightly hissed, looking nervously around the room.
"I don't care," he didn't look away from her. "Look at me. I love you. And I'm sorry I forgot to tell about my National Guard stuff this weekend. I'm an airhead."
"It's ok," she spoke quietly. "I'm sorry too. It just...hurt my feelings. I'm just having a 'girl' moment."262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rc1CqofXv
"Stop," he squeezed her hands before letting go. "I promise I'll make it up to you."262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGWaAIcdfH
