Page 103 of Shhh…It’s A Killer Story

"I was wondering..."

Here it comes.

"...if maybe you'd let me take you to dinner sometime."

There it was. Not a question. Not really. More like an expectation wrapped in polite language. As though all I had to do was smile and say yes.

"I'm flattered."

I wasn't.

"But no."

His eyebrows lifted.

"No?"

"No."

"Why not?"

Interesting. Most people accepted rejection. The ones who questioned it always fascinated me.

"I prefer eating alone."

"You haven't even thought about it."

"I thought about it."

"And?"

"I still prefer eating alone."

Another smile. Smaller now. Tighter.

"You know..."

He reached toward me. Slowly.

Like someone approaching a nervous animal. His fingertips brushed the sleeve of Elias's jersey. Just above my wrist. A feather-light touch. Nothing anyone walking past would notice. Everything inside me noticed. My heartbeat didn't change. My smile didn't disappear. I simply looked down at his hand. Then back up at him.

"I'd appreciate it if you didn't touch me."

His fingers disappeared immediately.

"Oh."

He laughed.

"Sorry."

He wasn't.

"I forget sometimes."

"I don't."

The silence that followed stretched between us like fishing wire. Thin. Almost invisible. Strong enough to cut skin if you walked into it.