We walked to the end of the block to cross the street at the light. Jared guided me forward with his hand on the smal of my back, and looked al around us as we crossed. I stifled a giggle; he reminded me of the President’s security detail. The only thing missing was a communication device in his ear and standard issue black Ray-Bans.

Jared once again opened the door for me. I had seen the restaurant several times, with it being close to campus, but I’d never ventured in.

“You’l like it,” he assured me. I paused in a thought wondering if I’d said anything out loud.

“Welcome to Blaze,” the hostess said, motioning to us that she could seat us immediately. The waitress appeared a few moments later, and Jared waited for me to order.

“I’l have a Dr. Pepper.”

“Make that two,” Jared said, raising two fingers. His eyes didn’t stray from mine.

The waitress nodded and left us to each other. I was curious if he would have ordered a beer had he not asked a toddler to accompany him.

“I don’t think I thanked you for getting me home.”

“Actual y, you did,” he said, putting his elbows on the table and crossing his arms.

“Oh. That night is sort of a blur,” I grimaced.

“I’m sorry you lost your dad, Nina. I’m glad I was there.”

I tucked my hair behind my ears. “I’m glad you were there, too.”

“It probably wasn’t the safest idea…sitting alone in the dark. Lots of crazies out there,” his tone was casual, but underneath I caught a hint of anxiousness.

“I grew up in that neighborhood. It’s safe, I assure you.”

He laughed and shook his head. “It’s always safe until something bad happens.”

The waitress brought our drinks and asked if we were ready to order. Once again, Jared waited for me to begin.

“I’l have the Greek salad,” I said. I glanced over at Jared, who studied me with raised eyebrows and a wry smile. I wasn’t about to be one of those girls, “And the linguine.”

The waitress turned her attention to Jared. “For you?”

“I’l have the house salad with blue cheese and the Shrimp Scampi. And would you bring us some of those sweet potato fries, please?” he said, handing the menu to the waitress. Once she left I looked around the restaurant and then peeked over at Jared, who stil hadn’t taken his eyes off me.

I floundered for conversation under his stare. Jared’s eyes were an incredible blue-grey; they almost glowed against his lightly bronzed skin. His thick brown eyebrows sat atop his almond-shaped eyes and were just slightly darker than his strategical y messy dark blonde hair. His natural highlights glimmered in the early afternoon sun that broke through the windows. He was clearly more than just attractive. I wondered again why he was stil speaking to me.

“Sweet potato fries?” I asked.

“They’re famous. Wel , they’re famous to me. You have to dip them in these little sauces they give you to ful y appreciate them. It’s an experience.”

“Sweet potato fries,” I said, stil unsure.

He smiled. “Trust me.” His cel phone vibrated, and he flipped it open. It was more than a text message this time; he masked an irritated look and pressed it to his ear.

“Ryel,” he answered.

Righ-el? I was fairly sure that was his last name, but I couldn’t be certain. He lowered his voice and tilted his head away from me. He was unhappy with the cal er, but it was only the tone I could understand; he was speaking what I guessed to be Russian. He was devastatingly handsome, kind, and spoke a second language. If the sweet potato fries turned out to be al that he’d promised, I might have fal en out of my chair.

He became impatient with the person on the other end of the line and hung up the phone.

“Sorry about that,” he said.

I shook my head, fielding his apology. “No, it’s fine. I just inadvertently learned two new things about you.”

His eyes were stil focused on mine, but they were a bit fogged over as if his attention was divided between me and the problem with the cal er.

“Ryel?” I asked.

“My last name.”

“And was that….Russian you were speaking?” I raised my eyebrows.

“Yes,” he sighed. His shoulders relaxed as he exhaled. “Doesn’t everyone speak a second language these days?”

“You only speak two?” I said, feigning dissatisfaction.

He laughed, and a new twinge formed in my chest. I couldn’t get over his smile and how remarkable it was, as if he had come straight out of a magazine.

“I took French in high school. It didn’t stick,” I said, feeling inferior.

“My dad spoke fluently. I learned from him.”

“Oh, your family is from Russia?”

“Er…no,” Jared said, looking uncomfortable with the question.

“It was beautiful,” I said. “You’re very popular. Business must be fantastic.”

His eyes tightened as he studied my face. “Business is…,” his eyes softened and he leaned in a bit towards me, meeting my gaze, “better than it’s been in a long time.”

I forced myself to breathe. It felt unnatural when he looked at me like that. “So you enjoy what you do?”

“Some days more than others,” he shrugged.

“And today?”

He smiled again. Something was amusing him about our conversation, and I wasn’t in on the joke. “Today’s a good day.”

My attention was diverted to the waitress walking up behind him, bringing our sweet potato fries and salads. Jared looked down at the table and then to me with a calculating grin.

“Feeling brave?”

I leaned over to get a better look inside the woven bowl. “You’re making me awful y nervous over a basket of fries. These should be some earth shattering potatoes.”

“Truly, potatoes that deserve an introduction.” We both laughed. He picked up a few and dipped them in a cup of strange looking goo.

“No ketchup?” I asked, eyeing the misshapen spear in my hand.

Jared wrinkled his nose. “Ketchup is for those who don’t want to taste their food.”

“Ketchup is for suckers.” I concentrated on the basket, my eyebrows pressed together.

Laughter erupted from his throat, and I plunged my fry into the sauce. He took a bite and watched me raise my hand to my mouth. His expression grew playful y anxious as I chewed.

“Not...bad. Pretty good, actual y,” I said, nodding as I swal owed.

His face was triumphant. We joked and laughed as we eliminated the remaining fries, and politely discussed the weather through our salads. After we finished our entrées, he eyed my empty plate and nodded his head in satisfaction.

“I like a girl with an appetite.”

“I have a feeling we’l be good friends, then,” I laughed. “That’s the first non-Ratty meal I’ve eaten since I’ve been back to school. Thanks for bringing me here.”

Jared beamed. “It was absolutely my pleasure. I’m glad we ran into each other.”

The waitress brought the ticket and Jared scooped it up, placed his card in the pouch and handed it back to her. He looked as if he’d just won the lottery. I couldn’t believe that my enjoyment of some alternately flavored french fries had made him so cheerful.

He helped me with my coat. I wasn’t the type of girl to enjoy gal antry, but the casual way he went about it made me a tad giddy. I picked up my Urban Outfitters bag, and he fol owed me outside.

“You walked?” Jared asked.

“I walked.” I tucked my hair behind my ears and waited for him to be chivalrous again.

“It’s getting colder. Do you mind if I drive you?” he asked, shoving his hands in his jeans pockets.

The grin that swept across my face was uncontainable. “Do you remember where I live?”

“Andrews, right?” he said. I nodded, and he seemed pleased that he could give me the correct answer. “I’m this way,” he said, directing me down the street.

Jared parked beside the curb next to my dorm, and I subliminal y wil ed him to ask for my number, for another date, anything. I didn’t want to have to wait so long this time before I saw him again.

“Thanks again,” I said, stal ing.

He smiled, but it wasn’t as broad as it was during lunch. He seemed to be as disappointed as I was that our brief encounter was over.

“You’re welcome. Truly, the pleasure was mine.”

He stepped out and less than a second later, opened my door. I stood to face him and after a smal pause, began making the walk to my dorm. A sense of urgency overcame my nervousness and I turned on my heels.

He hadn’t moved. Standing in front of his black Escalade, he looked exactly like a security guard. The glass was blacked out, and it looked more like a scene in the Middle East than on a quiet Providence street.

“Jared?” I pul ed my cel phone from my purse to ask for his number, but the words left me. I gulped as his eyes pierced through mine. I didn’t know if the attraction was mutual, but on my end at least, it was intense.

“We’l run into each other again,” he said, grinning. I started to argue, but what could I say? If I wondered aloud how soon that would be, I would sound more desperate than I wanted.

“It was good to see you again, Nina,” he said, before disappearing behind the dark tint of his windows.

I smiled and waved, then continued my trek to Andrews.

Chapter Two

Invitation(s)

“It’s raining again,” Kim grumbled. “That’s something new and different.” She lit her cigarette and jostled her knees back and forth to ward off the cold. I gave her a disapproving look. “What?” she asked.

“That’s real y disgusting. My father smoked cigars. I just don’t get the appeal.”

She shrugged. “There is no appeal. I’m a non-conformist.”

“You’re a masochist,” I said, rol ing my eyes.

We waited outside for Beth to finish her class, planning to kidnap her to the nearest coffee shop off campus. A group of students emerged in mass exodus, and I scanned each face. I noticed a shaggy-haired boy break away from the river of students and smile at Kim.

“Hey, Josh,” Kim said.

“Hey, Kimmie. Did you get the calculus homework finished?”

Kim shrugged. “I’l do it before class.”

Josh’s friends meandered closer to us and talked among themselves.

“Nina, this is Josh. We went to high school together in Quincy. He wants to be me when he grows up,” Kim teased, playful y punching him in the arm.

Josh laughed and shook my hand. “Only if I get to wear a hat like that.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Josh.”

Josh pointed to each of his friends. “Tucker…Chad…Ryan.”

Tucker and Chad nodded in typical boy fashion, but Ryan reached his hand out, first to Kim and then to me.

“Hi… hi,” he said to each of us. His eyes lingered on me for a moment.

“So, we’re going to The Gate later for pizza if you want to come,” Josh said.

“We’ve already made plans with another girlfriend of ours, but maybe next time,” Kim said.

Josh nodded and Chad fol owed him as he left. Ryan stayed for just a moment and then trailed behind them.

Kim looked at me with her eyebrows raised. “Wel . Who says there’s no such thing as love at first sight?”

“Quit it,” I murmured.

Beth joined us a few moments later.

“It’s about time! Gah!” Kim said in her typical dramatic fashion.

Beth laughed. “Who’s he?” she asked just as Ryan turned to look at us again.

“Ryan. Friend of a friend. Isn’t he dreamy?” Kim said as she nestled against Beth’s shoulder.

“You’re so…weird!” Beth giggled, pushing Kim away.

Beth and I huddled under an umbrel a while Kim walked in the rain unaffected. We reached Kim’s elderly Sentra and climbed in, Beth taking the back seat. Kim pretended to say a little prayer and turned the ignition. After a few sickly whirring noises, the engine erupted and Beth clapped.

“Thank you. Thank you,” Kim said, ducking her head in little bows.

We crowded the counter and Beth and Kim both scanned the menu.

“I’l have a Grande Café Misto, please.” I heard Kim sigh beside me. Unlike me, she refused to have the same drink twice.

I settled into my chair, cupping my drink with both hands. The wind and rain had picked up, and was intermittently beating against the large glass window. Just as Beth sat beside me, the bel above the door clanged and I automatical y glanced up.

It was him.

Beth noticed me staring past her and she twisted to see Jared walking to the counter. “Are you okay, Nina?” she asked.

Kim sat down and traded glances with Beth, then pivoted in her seat to see what I couldn’t peel my eyes from.

The girl behind the counter cooed. “Wel , if it isn’t Jared Ryel. Long time no see. How have you been?”

“Things are good, Katie. I’l have the usual,” he replied, indifferent to her flirting.

By the time Jared casual y turned our way al three of us were staring at him. I was expecting an uncomfortable expression at our gawking, but he smiled.

“Who is that?” Beth asked, clearly impressed.

“That’s Jared,” Kim said, leaning in and grinning from ear to ear.

“Jared. Who’s J –?” Beth whispered.

“Sssh!” I hissed.

“Nina?” Jared cal ed. I thought I detected uncertainty in his voice.

As soon as his eyes met mine, I immediately felt lost. As usual, Kim saved me.

“You must be Jared,” Kim said with an impish grin.

“I am,” he confirmed, slowly walking the few feet to our table.