I was stressed at work all day. Being a new detective in the LAPD had been a challenge, especially with having to prove myself. That stress had me eager to get home quick and grab a drink, so I was rushing out of work.

I stopped paying attention when I got past the front desk; Tim was texting me about plans for the game tonight, and I was too busy reading his texts to notice my surroundings. And then, I felt myself bumping into the woman and the hot liquid spilling on my plain clothes.

"Fuck, I'm so sorry, I should have been paying attention," I told the girl. I was really embarrassed about not paying attention, and she was pretty which made me that much more embarrassed. Her black hair was tied back, two strips of hair framing the front of her face. I guessed she was Hispanic by her skin tone, but, there was one thing else he noticed. She was young, pretty young, probably under twenty-one.

"Watch where you're going, goddamnit." She looked pissed at first, dropping down to pick up her purse, but when she looked up at me as I was going down to help her, she smiled for some reason. "Well, hello there. I'm Tamara, and it is very nice to meet you," she said.

We both stood up, and I was very confused by her sudden change in attitude, but it was welcome that she wasn't mad at me. "Um…I'm Will," I replied, still a little nervous, "I am really sorry about bumping into you, I was distracted."

She smiled. "Don't worry about it; it's just a little accident, right?"

"I guess so. Thank you for being so forgiving."

"I mean my forgiveness tends to come with a cost," she said to me, smiling.

At this point, I was both confused and extremely nervous. She was cute and seemed to be flirting, but it's been so long since I had dated anyone that I couldn't tell. I really couldn't think of how to reply to her statement, but my best try was, "And that cost would be?"

"Take me out to dinner. Just once, if you don't care to go out again. Doesn't have to be fancy and you can pick. I'll give you my number, if you want it." She was smiling cheek to cheek.

Now, her youth was really bothering me. She looked young, maybe not very young but still youthful. "Uh, Tamara you seem sweet, but you look way too young for me."

She looked at him, and she frowned for a second, and then she turned very serious. "You don't have to worry about me, I just look a lot younger than I am. C'mon it'll be fun."

I looked her in the eyes and could feel the corners of my mouth pressing into my cheeks. "You know, why not? I guess I'll take that number and get you those plans later."

She started smiling again. "Sounds good. Pass me your phone and I'll put my number in."

I was a little concerned with handing my phone over to someone I just met, but I decided I have to give a little trust. I slid my hand into my pocket and pulled out my phone, handing it over to Tamara. She opened it and got me to unlock it, and she started moving her fingers around the screen then began typing. Tamara handed my phone back a minute later, and I found her contact in there, with a picture, as "Cute Girl," and smiled. I looked up at her and she winked at me, spinning on her heel and walking past him into the station.

I looked at her as she walked into the station, and even though I didn't want to, I had to make sure she was supposed to be there. "Look, Tamara," I shouted. "I trust you and all but do you have reason to go into the station? I'm truly sorry, but I have to make sure."

She giggled a little. "No worries, I understand. I'm visiting a friend in the station: Lucy, I think she's right in here."

"Chen? We were rookies together."

"That's cool. You and Lucy are the same age then?" She looked concerned.

"Not exactly, I'm a little younger. I should really get going now, but I hope your visit's good."

"Oh, thanks. See you later."

"See you later." I walked out of the station and hopped into the driver's seat of his Camaro. My phone buzzed and I pulled it out and saw a text from Tim.

Do I need to bring anything for the game?

I think I have everything we need. Look, I know it's intrusive on our football night, but do you mind if I invite another guest?

I mean it's your house, so I don't mind. Just tell me, who is it?

A girl I bumped into on the way out of work. We kinda arranged for a date and I know it's not a great first date, but I think it would work.

With a friend there?

Damn it, you're right. Think you could bring a date?

To game night?

I could use a different day. I thought a game with other people might be more comfortable.

Fine, I'll see if Chen is free.

That works perfect. Chen is friends with the girl.

Her name wouldn't happen to be Tamara, would it? Young Hispanic girl?

Yeah that's actually it. You know her?

I've talked with her a few times and I've seen her when visiting Chen. Will, you know how young she is?

I figured she was pretty young but she said she just looked it.

Will, she's 19. You got 8 years on her.

And you got 10 on Chen.

Me and Chen aren't dating.

You sure? That stern Tim-flirting all day says otherwise.

Real funny, West. I'll see you tonight. Good luck with the teen.

Teen? Looks like someone else is trying humor.

I mean she is a teen, Will. Just tread lightly.

I get you, Tim. See you tonight.

See you.

I started the car and drove through thick LA traffic, and I somehow got home before five. Tamara's age was still bothering me. Nineteen felt like a lifetime ago and going out with a girl that age just seemed wrong. And my experiences at that age would be different from her's, too. I was overseas getting shot at by the Taliban, and she is probably going to college, partying, going to clubs. It just seemed like all odds were stacked against me when it came to this date. However, when I got home I texted her about the game.

I know it's nothing fancy, but how'd you like to come over for the game tonight?

Rams vs. Cowboys?

Yeah.

Sure, I'll come. Wait hold up, do you have any of your guy friends over for this thing?

Yeah. Officer friend from work. I asked if he'd bring a date, if that makes you more comfortable.

I mean I don't see why not. Thanks for the invite.

Thanks for accepting.

See you tonight. At 6 I'm guessing?

Yeah 6 is good. See you tonight.

I sighed in relief. That could have gone a lot worse, and double dates aren't the best first date but it might at least give me an impression of her.

The next hour leading up to the game was just preparing appetizers for when we watch. Beers and whiskey cooling in the fridge, homemade fries and onion rings cooking in the air fryer. I set up some wings on the coffee table, too, and put some sodas in the fridge in case Tamara wanted something to drink. Twenty minutes to kickoff, around five fifty-five, Tim was at the door. We talked a bit, and then he got settled down. Five minutes after him Lucy walked in, thanking both me and Tim for the invite and taking her place, also exclaiming at the sight of food. Then Tamara was at the door right before the game started.

"Hey," I said, still a little nervous, "Come on in, the game's just about to start."

"Thanks," she replied, pulling off her jacket, then letting me take it and hang it on the wall mount. "Before we go in, I'm figuring your other guests are already here, I just want to talk. I know you're a little concerned with my age, so I figured I'd be honest with you. I'm nineteen, and I known however old you are, you're probably not comfortable with that, but I'm just asking for a chance."

I smiled. "Don't worry, Tamara, we'll figure it out. Also, I'm twenty-seven if that concerns you."

She grinned. "I'm fine with it."

I walked Tamara into the living room, and Tim and Lucy looked up when we went to sit down. Tim nodded towards us, but Lucy's eyes were darting between me and Tamara; Tamara also looked nervous when she saw Lucy. Lucy gave both of us a dead stare for a little while, but Tim grabbed her attention. We focused on the game for the next two to three hours, and there wasn't much movement or speech other than me wrapping my arm around Tamara, or Lucy sending a threatening stare our way. Eventually the game ended with a loss for the Rams, a disappointment to both me and Tim, but Lucy and Tamara seemed more concerned with each other. Tim didn't like the situation so he quickly said bye and got himself out of my house. Lucy invited to take Tamara back to their (turns out they're roommates) apartment, but she said she wanted to stay for a little bit longer, and that she'd be home within the hour. Lucy told her to be careful, which I assumed was a warning about me. Lucy left, and now it was just me and Tamara.

"Will, I had fun, even with the whole thing between me and Lucy."

"Me too. What's with y'all anyways?"

"She's just a bit protective. Dating someone so close to her in age doesn't sit right with her."

"She could be right."

Tamara shook her head. "I don't think eight years makes much difference."

"Maybe not," I replied, still doubting.

But then, she did something unexpected. She pulled my chest into her and kissed me on the lips, and then we ended up on the couch, intensely making out. Now the alcohol from earlier was starting to get to me, and I now forget exactly what happened after we started kissing.