Page 17 of The Handoff

She raised an eyebrow as she spoke, and her voice was shaking. “So, you’re a gentleman then?”

I nodded. “I try to be. We going to stand here all day or have something to eat.”

She sighed. “I’ve worked up an appetite, that’s for sure. I really need to be cutting down on my calories. The little jog we did just now had me so out of breath.”

I put my hand on her shoulder. “Don’t be hard on yourself. You’re perfect the way you are.”

She blushed, and I smiled at her, realizing her problem wasn’t going out with me. She wasn’t experienced and for some reason, being with me made her feel nervous.

“I don’t make you feel nervous, do I?”

She shook, then nodded her head. “Just a bit.”

“Don’t. I’m human, just like you. Nothing special.”

She mumbled something under her breath. I paused, thinking she would tell me what was on her mind, but she didn’t, so I laid down the towel and placed the food next to it. We sat facing each other as if we’d known each other our whole lives. I felt relaxed with her as she took out the hand gel and we prepared to eat. Then she took out the serviettes, and we automatically took out our rolls as we placed the spread on the towel. We knocked our bottle of Cokes together as the food was ready for us to tuck in.

“Cheers!” I said.

“Cheers. Now, let’s eat. I’m starving!”

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