I checked my reflection in the mirror. I didn’t look amazing, but it worked. If I put in any more effort, my mom would start doubting my whole ‘he’s just a friend’ talk. Although she hadn’t said anything, she was still half expecting Steve to show up and beg for me back. I was too embarrassed to admit the truth. Too embarrassed and too angry at myself.

“You look cute.” Mom looked me over when I walked into the kitchen.

“Thanks.” I glanced down at my sundress. “I thought I’d make some effort.”

“Who’s this effort for again?”

“A friend.” I headed for the door before she could ask more questions. It was like I was a teenager again trying to sneak out. Well, except I only snuck out once as a teenager.

“When will you be home?” She stopped me near the front door.

“Not too late.” I couldn’t imagine our dinner taking too long.

“If it’s very late, call please.”

“Really?” I let out a deep breath.

“Yes, really.”

“I’m moving out tomorrow.” I’d shared my plans with my mom, and she hadn’t said much.

“You sure you want to?”

“Yes. You guys don’t want me in your basement forever.” And I didn’t want to be there either. I was feeling down on myself already. Being in my parent’s house made it worse.

“I mean take the job with Clay? Don’t you want to use your degree?” She picked at her nail again.

“I’ve used it, and I need a break.” And I wasn’t going to use it again unless I could use it for something good.

“Well, at least you’ll be making some money and you will have something else for your resume.”

“Exactly.” I kissed her on the cheek. “See you later.”

“Have fun.”

“Thanks.” I waved on my way out the door.

I slipped into my car and took a slow ride over to the same shopping center that housed Mr. Cheapos. I was starting to spend more and more time there. I didn’t want to seem obsessive, so I parked in front of Vino’s instead of the record store.

I checked the clock. I was two minutes early. I stayed in the car. I didn’t want to be that girl waiting for the guy. It screamed over eager and wasn’t what I was going for on this whatever it was. It wasn’t a date exactly, but it was something.

Finally, at exactly six I got out. I still didn’t see Leo, but I decided to walk inside.

Leo stood up from his seat on a bench just inside the door. “Hey.” He smiled, and my chest clenched a little. His smile had a physical effect on me, and that left me both scared and excited.

“Hey, when did you get here?”

“I walked down here about ten minutes ago. You seem to be an early bird, and I didn’t want to leave you waiting. I closed up early.”

“Oh, thanks.” Maybe my waiting in the car game had been a little ridiculous after all.

He glanced at his watch. “But you are exactly on time.”

“Yeah, I guess I am.” No reason to tell him I’d been hiding out in my car.

“Want to do a booth or table?”

“Booth.” It was more comfortable that way.

“Good choice.”

Vino’s was one of those places where you seated yourself, so we did just that.

I slid into one side of a corner booth, and he sat across from me. I picked up the menu from the side. “Do you want to share a pizza or do separate slices?”

“You look really pretty tonight.”

“Oh.” I put down the menu. “Thanks.”

“I like that color on you.” He leaned an elbow on the table.

“Blue?”

“Yeah. It looks really good.”

“Thanks.” I smiled. His compliment had been a random conversation change, but it was a welcome one.

“And if we can decide on the same toppings I say we share.”

“Oh, the pressure is on.” I glanced back at the menu even though I already knew exactly what toppings I wanted.

“And no pretending you like something you don’t.”

I glanced up from the menu. “You really think I’m going to do that?”

“No, but you never know.”

I shot out my absolute favorite to make my point. “Mushrooms.”

“And Italian sausage.”

“Wait. You like those together?” Was I not the only one?

“I do.”

“Ok, we’re sharing.” I set aside the menu.

“That was kind of easy.”

“Very.”

“Before you ask, I haven’t heard from Phil.” He returned my discarded menu to the side.

“I didn’t ask on the phone, so why would I be asking now?”

“I saw it in your eyes.”

“I knew it might take more than twenty-four hours.”

“Are you ready to tell me what’s on that tape?” He leaned forward over the table.

“Are you ready to tell me whose house I dropped you off at?”

“That’s completely different.”

“Is it?” I pressed.

“Yes.” He stood up. “I’ll go place our order. Want anything to drink?”

“Just water.”

“Ok. Easy again.” He walked back to the front. Things had changed. The last time I’d been in Vinos’s there’d been waiters, but that had been at least three years before.

I read the advertisements on the paper placemat in front of me. They were the same personal injury lawyers and real estate agencies that seemed to always advertise on those things.

Leo walked back and set two waters down on the table.

“Thanks.”

“No problem.” He slid back into his spot across from me.

“I’m moving tomorrow.”

He opened his straw. “Where?”

“Remember that job I mentioned?”

“Yes. The one you got from an old friend.” He sipped his water.

“It came with housing.”

“Oh geez.” He shook his head. “I should have known.”

“Excuse me?”

“When I asked whether it was an ex, I should have asked whether it was someone who wanted to sleep with you.” He leaned back.

“He doesn’t want to sleep with me.”

“You sure?”

“He’s gay. No question there.”

“Ok… so the housing isn’t with him?” His face relaxed.

“You care?”

“I don’t like to watch people make mistakes.”

“And you assume I’m making a mistake?” I opened my straw and tried not to let his words offend me.

“You are the girl who trusted a guy she barely knew.”

“And you were the guy who told me you weren’t a psycho.”

“I’m not.”

“Well, clearly I’m not moving in with the old friend, so we can move on.” I tied knots in my straw wrapper.

“Need some help?”

“Help with what?” I wrinkled my brow.

“Moving. You know, moving your stuff?”

“I have almost nothing. I left most of my things back in Philadelphia.”

“You were in Philadelphia?” He asked with interest.

“You already knew that. We talked about my PA plate.”

“Yeah, but that was just the state.”

“Why does Philadelphia matter?”

“I lived there for a few years.” He spoke so casually, but he was opening himself up for a whole lot more questions.

“Oh.”

“Too bad we never ran into one another. Then we could pretend this is serendipity.” His eyes twinkled.

“Pretend? Doesn’t that defeat the purpose?”

“Do you really believe in all that?” He watched me carefully. “That there is anything in the world resembling destiny or fate?”

“No.” I shook my head. “But I wish I did.”

“You and me both.” He sipped his water.

I sat there watching him the way he’d watched me. There was more behind his eyes than I’d originally noticed. “You’re sad.” I spoke my thoughts out loud without really considering how advisable that was.

“I’m sad?”

“Yes. It’s almost overwhelming.”

“Then why are you sitting with me?”

“Because you are interesting. There are far less interesting people around than you’d think.”

“What about me is interesting? I work at a used record store. When coming up with a restaurant I picked an old pizza place. I’d say you should think I’m anything but interesting.”

“But you’re forgetting the fact that you have a friend who works on old 90s gear out of a garage, you had me drop you off at a mysterious house, and you have a different view on human nature.”

“Isn’t it funny how different something can be depending on the spin?” He spun his glass around as though to prove his point.

“It is. I’m sure you can paint me in two different ways.”

“Oh, I definitely can. Should we start with the obsessive girl who wants to fix an old mix tape so badly she risks her life? Or the cool one who’s so dedicated to fixing things she’ll do whatever it takes. She’s sexy in a daring sort of way and has great taste in pizza toppings.”

“Sexy in a daring sort of way?” I liked the way he said sexy. It rolled off his tongue far more naturally than it rolled off my own.

“Of course you’d fixate on the sexy part.”

I was prevented from responding by the arrival of the pizza.

“Thanks.” Leo nodded at the server.

“Thank you.” I accepted the two plates and put them down in front of each of us.

Leo cut a slice and served one to me right away.

“Thank you.”

“My pleasure. Thanks for the company.”

“I’m the one who’s supposed to be thanking you. Which, wait. You ordered, so you probably paid already.” I reached for my wallet.

“It’s on me.”

“Why?”

“Because I haven’t had the opportunity to take a girl out for dinner in a while. Let me have it.”

“And you get to do it for a sexy, dangerous girl.” I curled the slice of pizza in my hand and took a bite. Delicious.

“You haven’t had a slice of New York pizza in a while.”

“That obvious?” I went in for a second bite of the cheesy goodness. The crust was perfectly crisp. I’d have to make visits to Vino’s more frequent.

“Your face gave you away.”

“Why haven’t you taken other girls out lately?”

He took a bite and set his slice down. “Are you always this forward?”

“You’re forward too.”

“Not usually, but you bring that out in me.”

I took another satisfying bite of pizza before answering. “Is that a good thing?”

“Maybe.”

“And you’re doing it again. Avoiding my question.”

“Why do you care about my dating life? The only reason you’d care is if you wanted to date me, and we both know that’s not what this is.”

“Then what is it?” I couldn’t ignore the uncomfortable feeling in my chest his words created. I knew this wasn’t what one would classically define as a date, but hadn’t he been the one to talk about taking a girl out?

“I haven’t figured that out yet.”

“A dinner between friends?”

“But we’re not friends really.”

“We’re heading in that direction.” Otherwise why were we eating pizza together?

“Is there a three hangout rule with friendship too?”

“If so, we are there.” I’d seen him twice at the store and twice out of it.

“You’re counting the visits to the store?”

“Of course. They were lots of fun.”

“I’ll give you the drive to see Phil. And this counts. I still think we need one more after this to make it three.”

“Ok, so when and where? I’m anxious to hit friend status.” I was only half teasing. I wanted to be Leo’s friend. For whatever reason, I enjoyed his company.

He smiled. “Maybe we can plan something after you move in.”

“Or maybe we’ll get to pick up the tape tomorrow?”

He shook his head. “I can’t do it tomorrow.”

“But you offered to help me move.”

“Yeah, and I just realized I can’t. Good thing you don’t need the help.” He took another two bites of pizza.

“You’re weird.”

He polished off his first slice. “I thought I was interesting.”

“Right now you’re being weird.”

“It’s called mysterious. Remember?” He helped himself to a second slice of pizza.

“I’m holding you to the third hang out. It’s going to bother me to be so close to the friend level but not make it.”

“You are the type that likes to finish things.”

“I am.” I would stay up all night to finish a jigsaw puzzle even when everyone else gave up on it.

“Then you better get moving on the pizza.”

“There’s no way I’m finishing my half.” The pizza was a full 18” pie. It wasn’t happening.

“Then it won’t be finished.”

“I can finish it tomorrow. In my new place.” Maybe then there’d be something in the fridge. I hadn’t made it to the store yet. All I had was a handful of things I took from my parents’ pantry.

“I’ll give you that.”

“How generous.”

“So tell me more about this job.” He put another slice on my plate even though I didn’t need it yet.

“It’s doing some clerical and organizational work for a construction company.”

“Sounds like it will keep you busy.”

“It will, which is good. I think.”

“Now there’s some confidence.”

“Is it bad if someone thinks your identity is tied to having a job?”

“Who thinks that?”

“The old friend.” Clay had been adamant about it, and it bothered me more than I liked.

“Well, what do you think?”

“I think I like to be employed.”

“But is it because you like having money or because you like having a particular job?”

“I guess it’s the first thing I use to define myself.”

“It’s not how you defined yourself to me.”

“That’s true, but I was being the ‘obsessed with a tape’ girl.” I smiled as I repeated his assessment.

“Still you. You didn’t tell me what you used to do for a living until I dragged it out of you.”

“Because I’m out of a job. If you’d met me last week I would have told you.”

“Are you sure?”

“Ok… maybe not right off.”

“Wanting to feel accomplished and that you’re doing ‘your part’ so to speak isn’t a bad thing. It’s your thing.”

“How do you manage to spin everything positive?” I tied knots in the straw wrapper again.

“It’s easy to do for everyone but myself.” He looked down at the table.

“For yourself, you stay mysterious.” Despite how frustrating it was, I was willing to put up with it for the time being.

“I’m not mysterious to myself.”

“If I make it to friend territory, are you going to fill me in on some details?”

“I don’t know, should I?”

“I can fill you in on more of mine.” It would be worth it to know more about him.

“What more is there to know?”

“Lots. Maybe we can work something out. Once we’re friends that is.” I smiled.

“We’ll see how the third test goes.”

“Tests? Now there are tests?” I set down the slice of pizza I’d just picked up.

“Aren’t they for me too? Isn’t that how all early encounters are? We size people up and decide if they’re worth allowing into our lives.”

I thought about what he was implying. Did I test people? Absolutely. “I’m glad I’ve passed your tests so far.” Leo had my attention, and I wanted to get to know him better.

“I’m not sure why.”

“Should I be offended by that statement?” I seemed to frequently have trouble discerning his offhand comments from insults.

“No. It’s more that I don’t generally expend the energy to get to know people anymore. You seem worth it.”

“Glad to hear it.”

“Are you in a rush to get home?” He ate another bite of pizza.

“No. I have nothing going on.” There was no reason to pretend otherwise. He already understood how pathetic my life was at the moment.

“Want to go for a walk?”

“A walk?” That wasn’t the question I was expecting.

“Yeah, but do you mind doing a short drive first?”

“No, but what was all that about a walk?”

“The walk I want to take will require a short drive.” He took a long sip of water from the side of his glass.

“And is this walk safe?”

“Does that matter?”

“Not really.” I took a bite of my second slice.

“Take your time. Neither of us are in a rush.”

“But it’s going to get dark soon.” I didn’t care if I sounded like a worrier. I was one.

“And we want to be there right before dark.”

“Remember, no being a psycho.” I had a dark sense of humor he seemed to share.

“Let’s go with the assumption that’s always the rule. If you’re considering me for friend status, it should be a given.”

“I won’t be a psycho either.”

“Thanks for clarifying the rule went both ways.”

I laughed before finishing the pizza. Afterward, I tossed down some cash on the table as a tip before he could do it himself.

He shook his head, but otherwise said nothing. We walked out to my car forgetting all about bringing home the leftover pizza. “I hope you don’t mind driving.”

“Not at all. I guess I’ll drop you off here to get your car.”

“I actually have my bike.”

“As in motorcycle?”

He shook his head. “As in bicycle.”

“Oh.” I felt some relief. After dating one guy who was more into his motorcycle than me, I wasn’t a fan of guys who rode them, and I wanted to be a fan of Leo. “You can put that in the rack.” I pointed to the bicycle rack I’d spent hours installing the year before.

“Yeah, I was going to suggest that.”

“Do you bike to work every day?”

“I don’t have a car right now, so yes.”

“That’s cool.”

“It’s cool that I don’t have a car?”

“No, it’s cool that you bike to work.” Either I was putting my foot in my mouth, or he liked to be argumentative. “I tried that once. I showed up at work so sweaty I had to go home and change.” It had been humiliating. My blouse looked like I’d been caught in the rain.

He headed in the direction of the record store, and I followed. “But that’s because you had to dress up for work. I wear this.” He gestured to his worn jeans.

I looked him over. He made jeans and a t-shirt look way better than I ever did. His shirt was fitted enough to give a hint of the muscles underneath, but not in that in your face sort of way.

We walked back around to the other side of the shopping center. I waited while he unlocked his Trek bike, and we silently walked it back toward my car. He quickly attached it to the rack, and we got in.

“Where am I driving to?” I idled right before the exit.

“Turn right at the light.”

“You’re not telling me?” I was hit by a jolt of excitement mixed with nerves.

“It’s a surprise.”

“A good surprise?” I wasn’t necessarily a surprise person.

“Do you think I’m going to purposely surprise you with something bad?”

“Maybe not purposely.” Now accidently, sure. That happened more often than not. Maybe it was my own fault for setting unrealistic expectations.

I followed his directions until we reached a dead end on a small side street. I pulled up along the curb and looked into the dense woods a few feet from where we were. “What are we doing here?”

“Going for our walk.”

“Ok…” Despite my apprehension, I got out and locked the door. There had to be a reason he’d taken us there.

“You coming?” He crossed the grass next to the curb and entered the tree line.

“Um, where are we going?”

“I told you, it’s a surprise.”

“And you’re taking me into the woods right as it gets dark.” I glanced back toward where my car waited.

“And I told you the timing will make it better.”

“You better be right.” I glanced down at my flip flops. Had I known we were going for a hike I would have dressed more appropriately. That’s what I got for trying to look nice.

He moved further into the woods, and I followed against my better judgment. I wasn’t against spending time in nature, but I’d have preferred to have done it in the middle of the day, not around dusk.

We were walking alongside a tall chain link fence. It had to have been at least 12.’ He came to a sudden stop. “You know how to climb these?”

“Uh, why would we need to climb a chain-link fence?”

“I’ll take that as a no. There’s another way.” He continued on.

“Come on, where is this place?”

“We’re so close, I’m not ruining the surprise now.”

“If you say so.” I noticed a worn white ‘No Trespassing’ sign. I started to second guess my decision to follow Leo.

He stopped again, and this time he held up a piece of chain link that had been cut. Clearly Leo wasn’t the first to sneak into this place. “You’re going to have to get close to the ground.”

“Seriously?” I looked at the small space I’d have to slide under. Even if I crouched down I’d end up getting dirty.

He nodded. “Yes.”

“I shouldn’t be doing this.” Trespassing wasn’t something a twenty-seven-year-old attorney was supposed to do.

“Do it, and it will count as our third friend hang out.” He quirked a smile.

“Do you realize how weird it is you’re using that to convince me to trespass?”

“Not any weirder than wanting to become my friend inducing you to do it.”

“You had better be a really good friend.” I bent down and carefully made my way under the fencing.

“Aren’t I proving that now? Pressuring you to break the law?”

I laughed, as I managed to squeeze through the small space. I expected him to follow, but instead he climbed the fence and jumped down next to me. “Show off.”

“I have had practice.”

“Ok, we’re in. Now tell me where we are.” Part of the where was obvious. We were still in the woods, but I wasn’t sure what the giant fence was for.

“You need patience.” He started walking down a steep slope further into the woods. We weren’t on a path, but the ground was well worn from other people taking the same route.

“I have patience.” I followed right behind him.

“Then use it right now.”

“Fine.” I carefully made my way down the slope. Despite being careful, I still managed to slip, but before I could fall Leo caught my arm and steadied me. His touch sent a wave of warmth through me.

“Maybe I should hold your hand until we get there.” He entwined his hand with mine.

I smiled. “Maybe.” I couldn’t ignore the jolt of warmth that came from the contact, but more important was I had no idea where we were and exactly whose property we were trespassing on.

“We’re almost there.”

“Ok, if you say so.” I followed along beside him, glad he’d slowed his pace.

“Close your eyes.”

“Uh, what?”

“Close your eyes.”

I thought about it. I’d already come this far. I closed my eyes. “I’m trusting you.”

“As you should. We’re almost at friend status.”

I concentrated on the feel of his hand and the feel of the rocks beneath my flip flops as we continued down the path. I was close to giving up and opening my eyes when he let go of my hand.

“Okay, open them.”

I blinked a few times. We were standing in front of tranquil blue water that reflected the surrounding autumn foliage. “It’s beautiful.”

“I told you it was worth coming.”

“Where are we?” I stared out at the pond.

“The park.”

There was only one park in this part of town. “Wait, this is the state park? Why didn’t we just park in the lot?”

“It closes at dusk, and the point of coming is to watch the sunset. They close the lot right when the sun goes down.” He sat down on the grass next to the pond. “Hope you don’t mind getting dirty.”

“I’m already dirty.”

“Look at that, focusing on the bright side.”

I sat down next to him before deciding to get the full effect and lean back. He did the same thing.

“I haven’t been in this park in years.” I’d barely been home in years. All my trips had been short and for holidays or other special occasions.

“You came as a kid?” He shifted slightly closer.

“With my brother.” He went to get away from everything, and when I was lucky he let me tag along.

“Where’s he at now?”

“He’s around. I haven’t seen him in months.”

“Really?”

“I thought he was annoyed at me, but I’ve been told it’s his girlfriend.” I needed to meet Melinda. I wanted to make my own assessment of her.

“He should ditch the girlfriend.”

“I haven’t met her, but I agree.” I looked out at the pond again. “Do you come here a lot?”

“Sometimes when I need a reminder.”

“A reminder of what?” I turned my head to the side to look at him.

“There’s still beauty in the world.”

I could have pushed him. I could have asked why he needed the reminder at all, but I didn’t. I said nothing and watched as the sun began its slow gradual descent.

We lay there in silence, inches from each other, but miles apart in how little we knew each other. Yet it didn’t matter. We were sharing that moment, and somehow for the first time in years I felt something other than alone.

I watched intently as the sun slowly disappeared behind the trees. I was glad we weren’t running back to the lot.

When we were left in darkness aside from the moon, I leaned up on my elbows. “I guess we should go.”

“I guess so.” He sat up. “We should do this again sometime.”

“I agree. Sometimes I need the reminder too.” I stood and brushed some leaves off of my dress.

He took my hand as we headed back up the slope. Maybe he was doing it because it was dark or because I was wearing flip flops, but I didn’t ask. I didn’t want to know. It was nicer to pretend he was doing it because he wanted to. Because he enjoyed the touch as much as I did.

I made my way up the path. I wasn’t in a rush, and he didn’t seem to be either. “Does this mean we’re friends now?”

“Yeah, I guess it does.”

“Good.” I looked away when I smiled.

“I’ll try not to make you do too many more illegal things.”

“If they are things like this, I’m game.” I’d needed it. I needed to remember there was more to life than what was right in front of me.

“All right.” He stopped, and I watched him in the light of the moon. “I have a new spin on you.”

“Oh yeah?”

“You’re adventurous when you want to be, as long as it’s for a reason. It’s why you’re trusting me. It all started with the tape.”

“I like that spin.”

“Good.” He started walking, and I kept pace beside him.

He moved slowly and slipped under the fence, holding the broken piece up for me. I was in such a good mood I didn’t mind this time.

“This was fun.” He smiled and walked around to the back of my car.

“Where are you going?”

“To get my bike.”

“I’ll drop you off at home. It’s late.” I knew I sounded over protective, but I didn’t care.

“I can make my way home, but I appreciate the concern.”

“I’m in no rush to sit in the basement. I can manage.”

“You sure?” He walked back toward the front of the car.

I’d won. “Absolutely.”

I got in before he could change his mind.

He took his seat. “I live off of Parnell road.”

“Oh, that’s really close to my parents.”

“Nice. I guess I won’t be too far out of the way then.”

“It won’t require scaling any fences though?”

“Nope. No more fences tonight.”

“Great.”

We chatted about nothing of consequence as I drove slowly toward his place. I rolled the windows down, taking advantage of the cool yet refreshing weather before it became too cold.

He directed me toward a wide street with sidewalks. “I’m the third driveway on the left.”

I followed his instructions and pulled into a long concrete driveway lined with brick. “Nice place.”

“I live over there.” He pointed to a detached garage. There was a staircase on the side of it that I assumed led to an apartment.

“Oh cool. How are the landlords?”

“It’s my brother and his wife. They’re decent.” He smiled.

“Nice.”

“Thanks for the ride.” He reached for the latch.

“Thanks for dinner and the sunset.”

“I do what I can.” He got out and closed the door.

I waved as he wheeled his bike toward the garage. For a non-date, the night had been rather memorable.