Diane observed carefully Sam's interaction with Lisa. He was polite, courteous, welcoming and warm. Those traits only served to make her even more curious about the mysterious Malone, although she wasn't quite sure she was ready to discover more. Most of what she had learned about Sam was via his interactions with others. How he related to them, how they related to him. Of course, she was an attractive female and he would put on this machismo act in front of her. She'd seen guys like that before. But there was something different about Sam, she had a feeling there was more to him than meet the eye. But unless she was willing to explore their relationship even further, she would just have to learn more about him by observation.

At least Lisa was the one woman that Sam would never try to hit on. Apparently he did have some boundaries, which was more than what she'd initially given him credit for. As much as he loved women, Diane had a feeling he loved Coach even more, and would never do anything to hurt his former coach. He did have respect- whether or not he had self-respect was a different story. But there was one thing for certain- Sam was a fascinating case study in human behavior.

What made him act the way he did? What was it about his personality that made him crave attention so? He reminded her of the little boy in fourth grade who was always pulling on her ponytail. He might have liked her, but he sure had a funny way of showing things. So what if Sam did like her? What would that mean?

She scoffed. Sam-liking her as anything more than a plaything? The thought was ridiculous. He'd never be anything other than the big man on campus, even though he was starting to show hints of humanity. There was no way she could let her guard down around him, for he was smart enough to know when to take advantage. So for now, she'd just have to watch and wait.

What was she waiting for? Was she waiting for a crack in his exterior? And for what? The thoughts troubled Diane greatly, for it had been some time since she'd analyzed a male for whatever reason. Usually none of them interested her enough to take the time to analyze them. But Sam, however he had done it, had captured her attention, and that thought alone was enough to drive her crazy.

"Coach's daughter sure is something, isn't she?" Diane asked as they were closing down the bar for the evening.

"Yeah, she's great. Coach did good by her."

"Well. Coach did well by her."

"Isn't that what I said?"

"Not exactly. But anyways, you're right. I'm sure Coach is a wonderful father."

"Who'd have thought it, ey?" Sam laughed as he wiped out a glass mug.

"Now now, I should think you of all people should know what kind of a father Coach is."

"I dunno. I never really thought about it."

"Well," Diane asked. "How was he with you?"

"You really want to know?" Sam asked in return.

"Sure. Why not?"

"He was tough, stubborn, and a pain in my butt. He kept after me long after I'd stopped caring about myself. He pushed, and he pushed hard. When I was done with baseball I swore I'd never have anything to do with him again."

"So then you brought him to the bar."

"Yeah," Sam laughed at the irony. "So I did."

"Well I think you did a remarkable thing by giving Coach a chance. While he's not without his faults, he's one of the dearest men I've ever met. There isn't anything I wouldn't do for him."

"He's all right," Sam conceded. "I'm surprised you would feel that way about him though."

Diane was taken aback. "Why would you say that?"

"Let's just say he's not the type of person I envision you going out to dinner with on a Friday night. Can you imagine the conversation if you took him to one of your French restaurants?"

"How dare you! How dare you insist that I'm that shallow that I would fail to appreciate Coach. Why, I have nothing but the highest regard for that man. I will…"

"So would you do it?" Sam asked.

"Do what?"

"Would you take him to one of your restaurants?"

"Of course I would. I would be honored to have him escort me."

Sam laughed, to Diane's chagrin. "You're a hypocrite, you know that? You say you would be proud to dine with Coach, but secretly you look your little nose down at me. "

"I do not."

"Do too. Would you take me to one of your restaurants?" Sam challenged.

She started to say something, but words had failed her. Sam was right. She was a snob. But, be that as it may, that was no reason to give in to Sam's attempt to ask her to dinner.

"No, I would not. And the reason is that I've seen you eat. You have the table manners of a barnyard pig!"

"Care to find out for yourself how well I clean up?"

"No. By the way, my shift's up. I'll see you tomorrow."

Sam watched her walk away, knowing that he'd gotten somewhere with her. She'd better be worth it, he thought to himself as he started to place the stools on the bar. Somehow, he already knew that she was.