The next night came, as all nights eventually do. Stacey, dressed in usual date clothes: a short black dress without sleeves, matching shoes, and her long hair pulled up on top of her head, with a long ponytail flowing down her back. Wes had picked her up and they went to Quilty's, as planned.

"So, really, what inspired you to go into teaching?" Wes asked. "I know it wasn't me. You were just saying that."

"Well, I've always loved children. And I thought I could put this God given talent of numbers, I always think of it as talent since it came so naturally, to some good use. Have you been reading about the teacher shortages?" Stacey said, taking a sip of her water.

He nodded. "I have been. I've been concerned about it too. But, I know a lot of teachers who have left on account of bad pay. Which is what's causing the shortages. I've been doing this for almost eight years and make hardly nothing, but it's what I've wanted to do since I was seventeen. Bad pay isn't going to stop me now."

"Is the pay really...that bad?" Stacey asked.

"No," Wes said laughing. "But teachers who have been teaching for a while think they deserve raises larger than what they're getting. Your pay will start out low, believe me, but the longer you do it, the pay does get better."

"Yeah, but money isn't the reason I'm going into it. It's just one of the perks."

"Amen to that." He said raising his glass to her. Setting it back down, he asked "What do you recommend?"

They had lovely conversation over dinner, and when Wes mentioned dessert, Stacey told him of a place which would be better. Not only in flavor, but for her to find something sugar free. "It's only a fifteen minute cab ride, I promise." She assured.

Wes went to get a cab, while Stacey stood on the curb, watching him, she heard a voice. "Stacey?"

She turned and with clear shock in her voice she said in disbelief. "Sam?"

He grinned. "You remember me."

"Oh my god, Sam Thomas. What are you doing in New York?"

"Visiting a friend. I guess I shouldn't ask what you're doing here. College, right?"

She nodded. "It's amazing to see you here."

"Stacey, I got a cab." Wes said, touching her arm.

She turned and looked at him with a jump. She'd almost forgotten he was there! "Wes, I want you to meet my...friend, Sam Thomas. Who I haven't seen in years."

Sam and Wes shook hands.

"Come on, the cab won't wait forever." Wes said gently.

"Right." Stacey said. She turned to Sam. "It was great to see you. Say hi to Kristy for me, if we don't see each other again while you're here in the city."

"I'll do that." Sam agreed. And just as Stacey went to turn away, he shouted over the bustle of the sidewalk. "You look great!"

She flashed him a grin. "Thanks, you too." And then she got into the cab.

"Old friend, I'm guessing." Wes said after Stacey gave the driver the address.

"Brother of a friend. Actually, we used to date a little back when we were in high school. Nothing ever came out of it. You know high school romances."

"Seems like such a long time ago." He said with a laugh.

She smiled. "Right. A long time ago."

Too soon, the night was past them. "I wish this night wasn't over." Wes said with a small sigh.

Stacey tried to keep her grin under control. "Me too. I really had a great time."

"I wish I could see you to the door. I feel like I'm abandoning you here out front."

She shrugged. "House rules. Stupid, I know. It's not even like I'm in sorority house or anything."

"Hey, I'm a teacher. I'm big on rules."

She giggled.

Then he leaned in and kissed her on the cheek. "I hope that isn't inappropriate for a first date." He said softly.

"No. This would be inappropriate." She said giving him a short kiss on the mouth.

"I'll keep that in mind." He replied smiling. "Bye." He walked away.

She unlocked the door and ran up the stairs. "Oh my god, you will not believe what I just did, Nat."

Natalie looked up at her. "What's that?"

"I just kissed him. Oh my god, I just kissed him."

"Calm down. I don't know what's been with you lately. You've been really...high schoolerish, and it's annoying."

"I'm sorry, Nat." Stacey said sitting down on her bed. "I just can't help it. Wes makes me act that way. It's like he's put some wonderful spell over me. And I'm sorry if I'm irritating you."

"Apology accepted. Now you have to tell me all the details." Natalie said, leaning forward.

Stacey grinned. "We went to Quilty's, you know, over on Prince Street."

"Never been there."

"You will have to go sometime. It's fantastic."

"Okay, so what happened there?"

"We had dinner and we talked. I could have sat there just talking with him for hours. We talked about movies, teaching, the city, and oh, just stuff. You know, first date stuff. And then we were going to go and get dessert -"

"I bet I know what you had in mind." Natalie said, grinning mischievously.

"Shut up! I wouldn't think that. Not on the first date anyway. Next time I'm not so sure. Look out Wes." Stacey said, grinning just as mischievously

"So, that was it? You talked, went to dessert and came back here? Nothing of any importance besides those three things?"

"Ran into an old boyfriend, which is really embarrassing on a *date.*"

"Did Wes go into a jealous rage?"

"About what?" Stacey wanted to know. "There was nothing to be jealous about. Sam and I dated a little in high school. Come on he was a friend of mines' brother. There was just nothing there."

"Oooh, war of the three-letter-name boys!" Natalie said laughing.

Stacey laughed as well. "Hey, I'm going to go shower before I go to bed. Stay up for me, okay? We'll talk more."

"Great, but if I remember correctly, don't you work Saturday mornings?"

"Shit. Right. Bed for me after my shower. I'd rather sleep late and have it out of the way."

"Good thinking."

Stacey gathered up her things to take to the shower. As she walked down the hall, she wondered if anything would really come out of this newfound, refound relationship with Wes.

As she got to the showers, she finally came up with an answer.

Yes.

TBC...