Brooke

I can't tell if he's being a huge ass again, or if he really wants to know about my dating life. He's smiling at me, but I think he's in the afterglow of proving his man-card point. I get it, buddy. You're smooth and cute and she totally loves you already. Maybe it's because her first impression of him didn't involve snuffing a cigarette out on a five-thousand dollar glass table.

I type up another quick reminder note in my iPad and put a cute check mark in the 10:00 mtg spot. I put the note in as soon as he told me about it, just so I could check it off. Nothing like feeling accomplished when everything on your to-do list has a nice green "you did it!" mark next to it.

Smiling at my big long checklist, I blink to him for a second. He's still waiting for an answer, brows raised and head tilted slightly to the side.

"What? You think I can't get a second date or something?"

He shakes his head. "No... It was the way you said 'second date.' Like they mean something specific to you."

"Don't they to everybody?" I tap away on my Google tab and look up the term "planned elopement." That's still boggling my mind. "Second dates are the 'fun' dates. You know, the miniature golf, or the picnic in the park, or if it's cold... board games and hot chocolate."

A huge bolt of laughter rocks the iPad from my hands. I give him a pinched grimace, but then remember he made fun of that expression and I quickly flatten it. "What is so funny?" I say, grabbing my iPad off the floor. I'm so glad I splurged for the hardcover case.

His laughter turns into light chuckles. "Oh, I thought you were trying to be funny."

"No..."

"Oh, uh, okay. So, if you do this stuff on the second date, what do you do on the first?"

"Dinner, lunch, some kind of food. Coffee house or someplace simple. Anywhere you can be yourself and still make a good impression. If things click, date number two is set up before the date is out." I smile, even though he looks as though I've just spouted off the Universal Law of Gravitation. "And date number three, well, that seals the deal."

"What deal?"

I throw my head at him, because duh... he should know the answer to that. But he just sits there like he still has no clue what I'm talking about. I blow out a breath and go back to the iPad. Nearly 12:30. Lunch hour. I'm off the clock now and he can't give me crap for not using "work appropriate" language.

I hit the power button and set it down on the table. Folding my arms across my waist, I turn to face him head on because I'm not intimidated. Nope.

"You know... sex. Third date equals sex. It's like the rules of every relationship, right? First date, you see if there's chemistry. Second date, you have fun. Third date, you have sex. Once you have sex, you're exclusive. After all that business, it's bound to lead to love and marriage." I shrug. "Or at least, it's supposed to."

He stares at me for the most uncomfortable sixteen seconds of my life. My fingers twitch toward my iPad, but there's nothing to check off in there yet. "You know your dating life probably shouldn't be modeled after Sex and the City, right? And before you harass me for watching that show, it was because of my mom."

I'm tempted to harass him anyway, but I roll my eyes and try to explain this method in a way maybe a guy would understand. "Okay, you've played video games, right?"

He doesn't answer, but the look he gives me clearly says "duh."

"It's not necessarily date one, two, and three... it's more like levels. When you do as much as you can on level one, you level up to number two, right? Well... when the chemistry in the relationship reaches the point of 'leveling up' that's when I take that step. I was just saying it's usually on date three."

"And after level... uh, three... you get to...?"

"Level four. Commitment, love, the whole package." I let out an involuntary sigh, then snap my lips shut to stop it.

"Well." He leans back again looking both amused and relaxed, making me wonder how I should feel about that. "Seems like you've got it all figured out."

"Love is important. If you're going to do it, you may as well do it right."

"Hmm."

That sound makes me want to take that too-loose tie and strangle him. And because I don't have the personality to drop anything, I fix the bottom of my skirt and ask, "Hmm...what? You think I'm full of it?"

"No, just..." He scratches his forehead a few times before shoving his hand through his hair. "How has this dating routine worked out for you?"

"Well, I'm still single, so obviously, I haven't gotten to love and marriage yet."

"But have you gotten to date number three?"

"Did you seriously just ask me if I'm a virgin in a roundabout way?"

"What? No, that's not what I meant." He leans forward, tucking his tie out of the way. That open top button is driving me absolutely crazy. "Has any guy made it past these hoops you make him jump through?"

It's not like they're difficult hoops. I didn't set fire to them. I'm a fun person when I want to be. It's not torture to go through two dates before I put out. "Yes."

"But, you're still single."

Something flames in my chest, filling my neck and cheeks to the brim. "What are you saying?"

He shrugs, then starts picking at a cuticle.

"You think I should be spreading my legs date one, huh?" Typical male psyche. I can't believe I'm even talking about this with him.

"Just the opposite actually." He works on the cuticle on his thumb. "I don't think any date should have the pressure of sex over it. First, third, tenth, fortieth... none of 'em. That part should be natural. Never planned. Makes it awkward. And I bet if you do see a guy after that third date, or after 'level three'"-he does the air-quote thing-"it's for a quickie because he's short on time. I dare you to tell me I'm wrong."

Is that why sex is so awkward for me? Is that why they all run after I put out? No way am I letting him know that. I compose my expression because I'm pretty sure my face totally agreed with him.

He smirks, and damn it, maybe I wasn't quick enough on hiding my initial reaction.

"Sometimes, if you feel the pressure, it's good to... you know... spend some time alone before the date so you're not amped up the entire time. Works wonders." He stops picking his nails and shrugs again. "Just a suggestion."

"I take it you'll be getting off early today, then." Oh crap, that came out wrong. Way wrong. His lips pop open in a half smile like he can't believe that came out of my mouth. I slam my hands over my flamed face. "I meant work. You'll be getting off work early. Should I plan on rescheduling something or do we have any other appointments I need to move, or do you expect me to run them on my own or...or...um..."

He laughs, leaning back in his chair. I love that he gets a kick out of this. Not. I want to bolt from this room.

"We're good on this afternoon. I'll be here till six. If I need to get off between now and then, I'm not scheduling it," he teases.

"Okay," I say through my fingers. Then as if things couldn't get worse, my stomach rumbles like a level five earthquake. How attractive.

"I need to eat something." I fumble for my iPad and stick it in my bag.

"Even your stomach has an alarm."

I laugh, because that actually was funny and it's driving us away from the love life topic. He looks surprised, and I wonder if I've laughed a real laugh around him yet. Probably not. I make a point to do it more, because he already looks far more comfortable around me, and we have to work together. I will not screw it up by being a tightass all the time. Only some of the time.

"Anything good within walking distance?" I ask, swinging my bag over my shoulder and standing. He gets up with me.

"Yeah. There's a Baja Fresh around the corner. I'll head there with you, if you don't mind."

Why the hell not? "Sure."

He opens the door for me, and he gets close enough I smell his aftershave. Hmm... not bad. Smells sort of edible. And he looks good in that jacket. If it weren't for that darn button at the top, he'd be in perfect interview attire.

"One thing though..." he says, stopping me lightly by the elbow. "No iPad or phone during lunch hour. It's not paid, so don't work."

Am I that predictable? My hands already want to go for my schedule and I just put it away.

"Okay... if you let me do one thing." I reach up to his tie and tighten the sucker. It pushes that top button closed. Even though it's not done up properly, it already looks a million times more professional. "There. That was driving me crazy." I smooth the front of the tie down and smile, satisfied with my work. He grimaces like a ten-year-old whose mom is making him go to church.

I turn on my heel and walk in front of him even though I have no clue where I'm going. When I glance back, he's loosening his tie.

***

Always wear jeans on date number two. I own one pair, and this is the only occasion I wear them. They're comfortable, casual, and make my ass look like a rockstar.

I examine myself in the mirror again, bending over and doing several different poses like I'm having fun, so I make sure my hips move in the right place and my body language says, "Hey, I'm into you. Let's make a date three after this."

And Nate will totally ask me on date number three. I kick ass at date number two.

Whoa, not Nate... Nick. N names getting all swapped in my brain.

My doorbell buzzes, and I wipe the corners of my mouth to get rid of excessive gloss and put on my date smile. 6:53. The guy is early. Perfection.

I open the door, and a wave of AXE cologne smacks me in the face. I'll probably get used to it as the night goes on. Good thing we'll be out in the fresh air.

Nick smiles, gives me a good up and down and smiles bigger. Damn, I'm awesome, because I haven't even said anything yet and I'm nailing this.

And he looks awesome too. Casual tee covered with a grey pullover. Loose jeans, with no holes and clean walking shoes. His blond hair is spiked and gelled, looking like he just stepped out of a salon catalog. Someone prepares for a date the right way. I give him a quick hug, loving the feel of the fabric on his pullover.

"Hey," he says, and I step back to let him in.

"Let me grab my purse. I'll be right back." This is also date two protocol. You answer the door, and then make them wait while you retrieve something. That way they can see you wiggle your hips as you walk away, and you get a feel for how they respect your place while you're not looking.

I give myself a speed pep talk in my room before heading back out, purse over my shoulder. Nick is looking at the pictures on my wall, and I smile because that's exactly what I wanted to walk back to.

"That's my kitty, Snickers." I point at the middle picture on my bookshelf. "He's around here somewhere. You're not allergic, are you?"

"Nope."

"Good." Extra good. Nothing could break the mood more than a runny nose and watery eyes when I'm on date three. Then I wonder, maybe date three won't equal sex anymore. Nate had a point I guess, to let things go naturally. But I think if I satisfy myself before the date, the sex could be even more awkward. Then my mind goes to Nate and his date tonight and what he's probably doing right now to release the pressure, and I want to smack my head to knock those thoughts right out of there.

"Should we head out?" he asks, eyes flicking over me, then they dart to the hallway that leads to my room. No, no, no. Fun date on date number two. I prepared for that, so that's what's going to happen.

I put on a playful grin and grab his arm. "You are going to get your ass kicked."

He laughs, but I can't help but notice the slight disappointment that we aren't staying at my place. Well, play your cards right, buddy, and you'll see more of my place next time.

***

Sixth frame and tenth gutter ball. I know I talk a big game, but those balls are so heavy! How am I supposed to roll an eight pound giant ball with these scrawny arms? The Wii didn't give me that problem.

"I want the bumpers." I fake pout at Nick, who shakes his head as my pins reset. Why they need to reset when I didn't hit a single one, I have no idea.

"I already asked. They said only kids under twelve get them."

"Well, that's just mean."

I pull my bright green ball up to my chest and frown at the pins. Maybe I should aim for the gutter. The ball will magically turn and hit something.

Warm hands hit my hips, and goose bumps shoot up my neck as he talks in my ear. I love date number two.

"Don't look at the pins. Look at the arrows on the floor instead."

There are arrows on the floor? I flick my gaze to the lane, and would you look at that? He's right.

"Okay...?"

"Just roll it down along that middle arrow."

I can do that. "Okay," I say with more confidence. I set my jaw, and he lets go of my hips. Bending at the waist, I set the ball on the floor, next to the middle dot. I open my legs, and I wiggle my butt a bit because I know he's watching, then I push that eight pounder as hard as I can down that middle arrow.

I swear I thought I launched it like a rocket, but it takes twelve and a half seconds to finally reach the very right side of the set of pins. They sort of sway and wiggle, but I manage to tip one enough it knocks over two more.

"Yay! I got three!" I fist pump the air and turn around, getting my victory moves on. Seriously, that was my fourth point this whole game, but it wasn't a gutter ball! And I'm pretty sure I looked damn cute doing it because Nick picks me up by my waist and twirls me around as if I got a strike.

"Those pins didn't know what was coming," I say when he puts me down. I point at the pins, motioning back to my eyes. "Better watch out. Brooke is getting her bowl on."

It's Nick's turn, and I give him a playful smack on the ass when he steps up. His score is already past the one-hundreds, but I'm proud of the little four by my name.

We end the game at Nick: one-sixty-two, Brooke: eleven. I broke into double digits. And Nick hasn't let go of my waist since we left the bowling alley. I call that a successful night. Chemistry is flying off us. Definitely leveling him up.

He walks me to my apartment, and I stand outside my door because this is not date three, it's date two, and it went awesome and perfect. See, my method is just fine, thank you.

"This was fun." I give him a big smile, because it was fun. "Next time, we should play on my Wii. I guarantee I'm much better on that." Even though I haven't unpacked it since I left my last place a year ago.

"That sounds like a good plan." He leans in, and I'm so glad I prepared my gloss in the bathroom at the alley because licking your lips is a sign you give on the third date. "You free tomorrow?"

Yes, but that's not what I say. "I'll have to look at my work schedule. It should be open, but I want to make sure."

"Okay."

A tiny beat of awkward silence wraps around us, but I break it with the key fumble in the door. "Great. I'll give you a call tomorrow."

His hand settles on mine, and I look up at his closing in lips. Quickly going through my second date kiss protocol in my head, because I don't have much time, I open my mouth slightly so he knows I'm good with his tongue if that's his style.

His kiss is sweet, nice, sort of passionate with a little bit of tongue, but not like he's going to shove me into my apartment. He knows he's going to walk away and we'll end the night here. Good boy. He'll be rewarded for it tomorrow.

We part, saying quiet goodbyes, and the minute I shut my door, I slide down the back of it with a knocked off my feet sigh. My cat, Snickers, rubs up against my leg as I pull my phone out and put a little check mark next to Get a date three! Love rocks. I'm totally going to fall in love with this guy. He's perfect, following the rules, and tomorrow we'll launch this baby into exclusive relationship status.

Well, after I check my schedule.