Dave shifted his feet nervously outside Abby's door. He was officially about-to-puke nervous now. She opened the door and saw him in his khakis and t-shirt, holding a single red rose. He handed it to her and smiled. "Hey Abby." was all he could manage to say to her.
She pushed her short brown hair out of her eyes and smiled at him. "Thanks Dave! I'll go put this in some water. Come sit down, I'll be ready in a second."
She walked to the kitchen and filled her favorite glass vase with water, wiping her sweaty palms on her skirt so she wouldn't drop it. Only when she went to place the flower in the vase did she notice that the many tiny thorns along the stem had been removed. From the stubby remains and uneven cuts, it looked as if Dave had done it himself. She sighed and ran her fingers over the bumpy stem.
Dave sat on the couch, leaning forward. He knew he would never be able to get comfortable, so he didn't try. He was too anxious. He looked around the room at the furniture and odds and ends. All well arranged and nicely matching. He saw a photo of her brother, Eric, standing with her at what seemed to be his high school graduation. He was wearing a cap and gown and Abby was grinning at him. She looked proud. But she looked proud the way moms usually look standing with their kids at graduation. Dave's thoughts were interrupted when Abby appeared from the kitchen. Her black skirt moved slowly with her legs, and Dave couldn't help but watch it. His eyes travelled to her smile and he smiled back. She placed the vase on a small table by the doorway and looked up.
"Ready to get going Dave?"
"Abby, I picked you up. Wouldn't I have to be ready to go?"
"Stop being such a smart@ss."
"You love it when I'm a smart@ss." he replied, grinning.
"Well, you're cute when you're a smart@ss."
"Face it, Abbers, I'm just cute all the time!"
"No Dave, you're just a smart@ss all the time."
"Same thing." Dave said, mock defensively.
"You wish! Come on, we've got reservations, and you being a smart@ss...however cute you may be...is only going to make us late!" She smiled and put her arm around him, taking it away just long enough to lock her door before they exited the apartment and got onto the elevator. They left the building and Abby turned to Dave in the warm summer night.
"I saw what you did to that flower, Dave."
"You mean the thorns?"
"Yeah. That was sweet Dave. Thanks."
"It was nothing." he replied, clumsily freeing himself from her grasp and walking a few feet ahead of her. She quickened her pace slightly to catch up with him.
"Yeah, but it was sweet." She put a hand on his arm, and this time he let her, knowing she wouldn't leave him alone about the flower. They arrived at the restaurant, which was only a few blocks from Abby's apartment. Dave reached out to open the door for her. She noticed a small band-aid on his left index finger. "Cut yourself?"
"Abby, it was no big deal. I just didn't want you to get your hands all pricked up."
"Admit it, Dave. It was a sweet thing to do. Don't be so...embarassed about it. Take the compliment so I don't have to bug you all night!"
"I give up, Abbers. You're too stubborn for me." His face was bright red with embarassment. He didn't like Abby making such a big deal of it, he had just taken the thorns off of a rose. But he saw that she was blushing too, and he kissed her cheek. "Now you're making us late. Let's go eat."