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First Dates and Infinity Scarves

He shut off the engine to his car and sat staring at the little rental house. It had been easy to find and he was ten minutes early. Should he go to the door now? She wasn't expecting him at this time. She might get mad if he showed up early. She'd think he was a total geek and too eager. She might think he was inconsiderate, too. He drummed his fingers on the wheel and continued to stare at the house. What if someone saw him sitting there watching, and thought he was some kind of stalker? What if they called the police? She'd be furious. He pushed back his hair, rubbed his hands together and straightened his tie. He swallowed hard, coughed into his hand and got reluctantly out of the car. He walked up to the door with the distinct feeling that someone in one of the other houses was watching him and laughing. They must think he was pathetic. He stopped and turned around. He should go back to his car before she looked out window and saw him. She'd be angry if he didn't show up, but she'd get over it. He turned again and looked at the house. She was his friend. He could do this. For once in his life, he'd take a chance and maybe, just maybe, he'd be normal for a change.

His heart began to slam in his chest after pushing the button to ring the doorbell. It was too late to run away.

"Hi," JJ said when she opened the door.

She smiled at him and his hands began to sweat. She wore her hair back in a ponytail. It was like a golden waterfall down her back. She wore a new pair of jeans with a Washington Redskins sweater in the team colors. He liked the red and yellow near her pale skin and blue eyes.

"Um, hi," he finally squeaked. "I'm sorry I'm early."

She grinned at him and took his arm, "Only a couple of minutes. I'm glad because I'm so excited that I've been ready for half an hour."

"You have?"

He felt faint, but he managed not to pull away from her hand on his arm.

"Yeah, this is going to be an awesome game."

"Oh…"

This was a bad idea. She'd only said yes because she loved the football team, not him. It was stupid to think otherwise. He swallowed against the urge to cry like a baby and made his mouth smile at her.

"I guess we should go.'

"Yeah," she said and her eyes sparkled.

He decided it didn't matter if she only said yes because she liked the game. It was worth it to see her smile. Maybe, though, if he acted just the right way, she'd like him.

CMCMCMCMCMCM

When the game was over and he'd taken her back to her little house, his palms began to sweat again. What now? Should he kiss her? He remembered that the boys in school used to brag about kissing or more on the first date. He also remembered some of the girls didn't like it when boys thought they could kiss them. She didn't like him that way, so she'd be mad. They had to work together so it wouldn't be good for him to make her angry. She was his friend and he didn't want to mess it up. He decided he'd give her the gift he bought and see what happened.

"Hey," she said as she joggled his arm. "What are you thinking?"

"Oh, um, I have something for you." He reached into the back seat. "I guess I should have given it too you before the game."

"Spence, you didn't have to -"

He pulled it from his messenger bag and gave it to her. "I didn't have time to wrap it up."

"This is gorgeous," she breathed. "Where did you get it?"

"I had help from a friend," was all he would say. "It's call a L-love P-print Infinity S-scarf," he stuttered.

The scarf was red with the Washington Redskins logo printed all over it.

"Spence, I-"

"It's okay," he interrupted her hurriedly. "I can tell from your body language that you're uncomfortable. I'm not trying to make you feel like you have to like me or -"

She stopped him with a hand on his shoulder. "I like you, Spence. You're a good friend."

"Just a friend," he squeaked.

"I'm sorry, I -"

"It's okay," he said. "I didn't mean to pressure you. I just wanted you have a gift and say thanks for going to the game with me. I know you don't like me that way."

She smiled and rubbed his arm. "You're the sweetest, kindest man I know. I care about you a lot."

"I know," he tried to smile for her, but didn't quite succeed. "I think you're really great."

"Thanks," she said. "It's nice to hear that."

"I'm sure you have lot's of guys that want to go out with you."

"Guys ask me out, but most of them are jerks that love themselves or their fancy cars. I'm still looking for the right one."

"You deserve someone great," was all he could say.

"So do you. I'm sure she's out there somewhere. I just hope I get to meet her when you find her."

He finally smiled at her. "Thanks."

"Now, I'm going to put on this scarf and see what it looks like."

"I should have given it too you before the game, but I was really nervous," he admitted.

"It's okay."

She leaned over and kissed his cheek. "Thanks for taking me to the game. It was fun."

"Yeah, it was fun. I didn't think it would be, but it was."

"Do you want to come inside for some coffee? It's still early I have leftover pizza from last night."

"I don't think that's a good idea, JJ."

"I really am sorry, Spence."

He smiled for her even though he was beginning to feel like crying again. Some man he was that all he could do was go home and cry.

"Thank you for the scarf," She said. "I really do love it."

"You're welcome."

"Can we still be friends?"

"Yeah, I'd like that."

"I'll see you at work," she said and opened the door to the car.

"Um, wait, I'll walk you to your door."

"You don't have to do that," she said.

"Yeah, but my mom taught me that a gentleman always walks a lady to her door."

"Your mother's a smart woman."

He walked her to her house. She hugged him and waited just inside the door until he returned to his car and drove away.

He'd just had his first date. It wasn't all that he hoped or even half of what he'd dreamed, but at least she hadn't laughed at him or tried to humiliate him. She didn't hate him. He hadn't messed it up because she still wanted to be his friend and that had to be worth something. Right?