Her thumbs quivered over the screen, undecided on how she would respond.

And how do I know you’re not an ax murderer?

She was only half joking. Sophie knew better than to give her address to some random guy off the internet, especially when she lived alone.

Guess you’ll have to trust me ;)

Sophie tried not to cringe. Was this how men flirted these days?

Well, even if he wasn’t The One, she supposed going on a date was a good start.

How about I meet you there? :)

It’s a date!

Saturday was still two days away; there was time to back out if she wanted to.

It’s a date :)she replied.

Suddenly filled with adrenaline, Sophie was unsure how she was going to sleep.

How bad could it be?

CHAPTER3

NOAH

The men cheered in unison as their team dunked the ball.

“Let’s go!” Bradley hollered.

They clinked drinks and Noah took a long deep swig.

Only four minutes later, the team scored again and their loud cheers provoked several glances from the bartender and other customers. It was a nice restaurant and it had cost Noah two hundred dollars just to convince the bartender to put the game on for them.

“I told you they were making a comeback,” Noah said smugly.

“Yeah, yeah, we’ll see about that. They still need to earn back my trust after last year’s miserable season.”

Noah laughed before throwing back the rest of his beer. He noticed that Bradley finished his as well.

“Another?” he asked.

Bradley shook his head. “No. I have to get up early tomorrow. I told you that.”

Noah laughed. “Hiking with Keira and her parents? Come on, since when did you ever want to explore the great outdoors?”

“I don’t,” Bradley said. “But it means a lot to Keira. You would understand if you actually kept a girlfriend long enough to meet her parents.”

“Hey, I think I met Sandra’s parents once,” Noah said in a joking defense.

Bradley rolled his eyes. “That was Stephanie and that was an accident. It doesn’t count.”

“If finding a wife is what it takes for my father to give me the company, then I’ll know soon enough. Please, one more drink.”

His friend sighed dramatically. “Fine, but you’re paying.”

Noah grinned and patted him on the back, using his other hand to signal to the bartender for another round. “That’s my boy.”