A Normal Girl Part 2: Look Before You Leap

Ryan

Dinner with Sylvia is everything and more than Ryan hopes for. She comes dressed to kill in a little red dress with matching high heels, with her black hair hanging in perfect ringlets, framing her heart-shaped face. She isn’t overly aggressive with any topic and gives him time to pause and think about his answers to her questions. She has interest in his technology apprenticeship and even a little more knowledge of computers than is common for most people. Pleasantly surprised, Ryan never feels he is forcing their conversation, and even an awkward moment or two with his chopsticks doesn’t feel overly embarrassing. Sure, Sylvia’s an exotically dark bombshell, but other than her looks distracting his eyes and thoughts from time to time, dinner is very, very normal.

“Let’s have another bottle of wine,” Sylvia giggles.

They’ve already gone through one together, but the soy sauce and spices of their ethnic cuisine demand a thorough washdown.

Ryan laughs easily with her. “I’m not a big drinker, but I do like this white stuff,” he says, pointing at the empty bottle. He knows he’s had enough, but he wants the mood to continue. More relaxed and at ease with himself because of the drink, he’s able to speak a bit more openly, feel less self-conscious, and have a great time, while still inside his usual skin.

Sylvia giggles again, and Ryan feels a foot rub up and down his calf under the table. At first he thinks she’s just adjusted...