Why did I get stuck sitting with Rudy? I act stupid around guys I kinda might sorta like. "So Abbie You have a job?" Mike asked. I shook my head. "I quit." I said. "Why?" Ellie asked. "Filing papers and answering phone calls is boring it doesn't matter how big your office is." I said. "Secretary?" Rudy asked.

I nodded. "Yup, for a little while." I said. "Were you anything before that?" Mike asked. "Leasing consultant." I said. "Really?" Mike said. "Yeah apartments." I said. "Cool. Why'd ya leave?" Ellie asked.

"I moved." I said. "Where to?" "Well when I was a leasing consultant I lived in California. Then I moved to Vegas and now I'm here jobless." I said. "You like to write?" Mike asked. "Sometimes." I replied. "Oh Because my sister has an opening at the newspaper maybe you can apply." Mike said. "Maybe I will." I said. A young Blonde maybe Zane's age walked in. She was coming towards us.

"Hi Mike." She said and leaned over and kissed his cheek. "Hi Sam!" Mike said. What the heck? Mike blushed when he saw the puzzlement on my face. "Abbie this is my sister Samantha." He said. "Sam." She corrected him and stuck out her hand. "Abbie." I said and shook it. She looked to be a spunky cute little kid. "Where's Zane?" She asked. Zane was behind her and put his hands on her eyes and whispered, "Guess who?"

I saw the concern in Mike's eyes. She elbowed him in the stomach and said, "Zane dang it don't do that!" "Sorry." He said. "You of all people." She snapped. He wrapped his arms around her and buried his face in her hair softly whispering "I'm sorry. I'm sorry." over and over again.

He kissed her cheek softy. I expected her to bitch slap him. She didn't. They walked off. Ellie accidentally hit Mike's arm. "Ow Ellie be careful please." He whined. "Let me explain." Mike said. "Ok see a while ago Sam got kidnapped by this crazy lady. The crazy lady shot my arm. That's why everything in the last 5 minutes worked out the way it did." Mike said. "So that's why Sam freaked out when Zane came up behind her and you snapped at Ellie." I said. "Right." Rudy replied.

I nodded. Hazel came and cleared our plates and refilled our drinks. "Thanks Hazel!" I said. "Uh huh." She said. "Thank you." Rudy said very low. "No prob." She said and walked off. Mike whispered something in Ellie's ear. She started giggling like a little girl. Then she said "No way you're kidding me right?" Mike shook his head.

Rudy stood up and walked out. I was quick to follow. "Hey what's wrong?" I asked. He was sitting in his car. "I know who they're laughing at." Rudy said. "Who?" I asked. "Well Ellie is laughing at me and I don't think Mike thinks it's funny." Rudy said. "Now why were they laughing at you?" I asked.

"Well," He looked embarrassed. "I wanted your number and I told Mike when you and Ellie went to the restroom. He said you wouldn't give it to me and then he told Ellie right then and I have a feeling that's why she's laughing." Rudy finished.

"Here." I said and scribbled down my cell number. He smiled. "C'mon." I said. He got out of his car and came and sat. "Sorry Rudy." Ellie said. Rudy just nodded. I picked dup the check and saw our dinner was $14.56. I opened my wallet and pulled out a 20 put in the check and let it lie.

Rudy began to protest, "I'll take that." He said. I shook my head. "Alright guys." Mike said. "I'm heading out." He added. "Bye you two." I said. "Bye Mike Bye Ellie!" Rudy added. Alone. Great! This can't get any worse I thought sarcastically. This can only get better.

"What's up?" I asked. "Nothing really." He said. I smiled. "Thank you." He said. "For?" I asked. "Dinner." He said. "No problem." I said. "You ready?" He asked. I nodded. "You?" I asked. "Yup." He said. He pulled me to my feet. "Thank you." I muttered. He nodded. We walked out to the parking lot. "Bye." I said. "Bye. I'll call you ok?" He said. "Sure. Tonight." I said. "Ok Drive safe." He said. "You too Rudy!" I said!

I drove home. I looked at my watch 10:03 pm. Joy! I walked up the stairs. I took a nice hot shower. When I got out and dressed I realized the I had voice mail. I clicked the button. "Hi Abbie It's me Rudy. I'm on duty at the station so I'll have to get a hold of you in a little while. Call me back at 456-9123." Rudy said.