University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, MI – August 1984

I do not have a chip on my shoulder, Lisa Cuddy attempts to convince herself as she walks out of the college bookstore; he doesn't even know me.

"Hey! Girl Who Thinks She Has Something To Prove!" Lisa stops abruptly at the shouting but doesn't turn around. The guy calls out again. His voice is closer this time, "You forgot your biochem book!"

At that, Lisa turns around. The guy who had insisted not two minutes ago that she has 'something to prove' but 'knows how to party' is jogging across the pavement walkway, a thick textbook tucked under his arm. When he reaches her, he holds it out. Sure enough, it's the book she just purchased for her biochemistry course. Lisa grasps the book with her fingers but can't get it from his grasp when she pulls back. Looking down, she sees his long fingers wrapped deliberately around the edge, holding onto it firmly. She looks back up and narrows her eyes at Bookstore Guy.

"Aren't you going to thank me?" He asks. Lisa doesn't know much about this guy aside from the clues she picked up in the bookstore, but she can recognize arrogant mockery when she hears it. She can also recognize a guy attempting to flirt when she sees one. She decides to indulge him.

"Why should I thank you for deliberately holding one of my textbooks so you'd have to run out here and give it to me?" Lisa asks smartly, her gaze holding his steadily.

Bookstore Guy doesn't waver. "Because it gives you an excuse to talk to me again. Girls have committed coldblooded murder for the chance to do that; the least you can do is say 'thank you.'"

Lisa's eyes roll instinctively and her grip on the book tightens, but she can't help the upwards curl of her lips at the ridiculousness of his comment. "Thank you for returning my book," she concedes.

Bookstore Guys grins, revealing deep dimples. He lets go of the book and turns abruptly. "Good luck this semester, Girl Who Thinks She Has Something to Prove!" He calls, waving over his shoulder.

Sufficiently intrigued, Lisa watches as the twenty-something walks back to the bookstore.