hoping he couldn’t tell how worried she’d been for a moment. “Show me what?” Sabrina joked, hoping to cover up her momentary surge of doubt.
Jimmy mock-frowned at her. “I think you know what I mean, Sabrina. But to be perfectly clear, I would like to date you this summer, and make love with you, not just answer questions.”
She stared at him. “Really?” she asked like a ninny, then wanted to smack herself in the head. He wouldn’t have asked if he didn’t mean it!
Jimmy nodded, face serious but not grim. “I care about you a lot. I realized for certain after this morning. I want you, but it’s more than physical attraction. I really like you. You’re not just a hookup. And I don’t think I could stand to talk to you about sex without wanting to make love to you. I want you to be happy, not just feel one night’s pleasure.”
Sabrina was speechless.
Jimmy took a deep breath. “Would you be my girlfriend?” he asked formally.
“Oh, wow,” Sabrina breathed, beaming. She couldn’t come up with anything more coherent than that in the face of such an incredibly romantic proposal. For years she’d been the nerdiest girl in school, and despite her newfound confidence (thanks to contact lenses and newly tamed hair), she often still felt ugly and uncertain. Yet here was this gorgeous man asking her if she would be his girlfriend! She nodded slowly, still trying to understand what had just happened.
“Is that a yes?” he asked her gently. The hand on her thigh tightened nervously. Could he be worried about her answer? Jimmy waited, shifting in his chair as Sabrina stared at him.
She gathered her courage. “Yes,” she said, reasoning that the simpler the response, the better at this point.
“Wonderful,” he said, smiling. Then Sabrina felt her heart knock against her ribs as the smile dropped from his face and his eyes darkened. She’d thought the day couldn’t get any better, but then he leaned forward and kissed her, sliding his tongue gently into her mouth for just a moment before he moved his lips to her cheek, where he stopped, breathing her in. She nearly cried. She’d been fooling herself. This was more than a crush. She brought her hands to his face and pulled him back to her mouth. She kissed him lightly before leaning back and running her thumb over his lips. He nipped her and sat back in his chair.
“I was worried that you were going to say no,” he said. She looked at him in disbelief. “I thought you might think I was too old for you—”
“Too old? Are you nuts? You’re only five years older than me, Jimmy.” She rolled her eyes at him, and he laughed, looking relieved. “I think this is going to be a fantastic summer,” she said and he nodded. She felt overwhelmed. Jimmy looked at her as if he were about to say something when a burst of raucous laughter echoed across the tables.
“So much for our nice, quiet breakfast,” Sabrina said, trying to see who was making all the noise. She looked around and to her disgust, Darrin and a few of his friends sat a few tables away, talking and laughing loudly. She wrinkled her forehead as she heard what they were saying.
“Then she let me kiss her, and let me tell you, her tits are gorgeous! Who knew that nerd-girl was so hot?” Darrin laughed loudly as his friends guffawed. “Maybe you can show her a good time, too,” he continued. “I bet she’d let us—she seemed eager enough last night! Why don’t you guys come along on our next date?”
Sabrina sat in silent dismay, listening to his boasting. It never occurred to her that Darrin could be so cruel after their date. Suddenly she was glad she had slapped him and told him in no uncertain terms that she would never go out with him again. Not to mention, she couldn’t believe guys actually talked like that! They sound ridiculous , she thought, pissed.
“Please tell me they’re not talking about you,” Jimmy said, interrupting her thoughts. He frowned, and she could