Annie stared at the restaurant's neon sign. "Um, look Jimmy… Maybe this isn't such a good idea."
He paused and turned to look at her, the smile disappearing from his face and then dropped his gaze to the ground. "Oh… I see. I suppose I have been a bit pushy, insisting that you go out with me. I-I'm sorry about that. But I really like you, Annie and when I like someone-which isn't very often-I tend to go a bit overboard. No wonder I'm alone most of the time. If you want to leave, I'd be glad to take you home. I just…. Wanted to show you that there's more to me than just my IRS employee persona, but perhaps that's all I am. Come on. I'll take you home."
Her heart went out to him; this strange, handsome man who was trying so hard to win her affection. Even though she wasn't sure of her feelings, if she had any feelings for him at all, something inside of her felt for him. Sure he was different and not at all her type but maybe that was a good thing. He wasn't even Caroline's type and that was saying a lot, but she found herself strangely drawn to him. And the sad look on his face pulled at Annie's heart strings; strings she had no idea existed. Her hand reached for his, surprising them both and when he looked into her eyes she was compelled to speak.
"Jimmy, it's all right. It's not you. A-and I- I don't want to go home. I'm sorry for acting like a total bit-."
His fingers on her lips stopped the swear word before she could say it. "Please don't talk about yourself that way, Annie. You're not a…well, what you said."
She smiled at his boyish innocence, they way he couldn't even bring himself to say the so-called swear word and she couldn't help blushing. "I-I'm not?"
Slowly he moved closer, reaching out to brush a fallen lock of hair from her forehead. "No, not at all. You're wonderful."
Once again he managed to make her feel loved. How was that possible? "Jimmy..."
"Come on, I'll take you home." He said for the second time. His hand still in hers, warm and soft, tugged gently, coaxing her to go with him but she stayed right where she was, smiling shyly. "I-I don't want to leave." She said, startling herself. "I-like this…. being with you."
She stared at him in disbelief while he stared at her in the same manner. "Y-You do?" He was asking now. "You really want to be with me?"
She took a deep breath and smiled… a genuine smile. "Yes."
Even though she was still apprehensive about his choice of restaurants, she couldn't deny that she wanted to be with him, no matter where they were… even here, at Remo's.