Take Me By The Tongue and I'll Show You {Kateri}

[Kateri Rivera]

She shrugged. He had a point there, just like her power should have technically turned her into a meteorologist. But she liked math instead and so here she was. “Well then. You found something that fits you, for better for worst.” She smiled at him. “Hopefully, you grow to enjoy it or find something that fits you better. You’ve got time.”

That had…almost been a smooth save. She seemed reluctantly impressed by it. And flattered because he did seem to mean it. “I was young,” she said. “And stubborn. I don’t know about the kid part.” She shrugged. “Everyone else seemed to think so.” Did she want to bring up the question of why he was divorced? What had led to that? Nah. They’d already gotten in pretty heavy for a first date.

“There’s SOME good things about being sober,” she pointed out, wondering what had made him say that in the first place. That buzzing must really be getting to him. But her lips curved into a smile of her own as he leaned forward. This guy had some nerve to think that there was going to BE a second date. “I like having a good time as much as anyone. Maybe I’ll give you a call after all. ‘Cause I bet you’re good for more than just letting loose.”

Mm…that was the whiskey in the Irish coffee speaking. Oh well. She leaned back as he brought back up porn and rolled her eyes. “We don’t call them chaps. You Americans. But yes. Usually they think it’s impolite to bring up your collection while talking to a girl.”

She grinned as he nearly choked on his drink, then shook her head. “I wouldn’t believe it just showed up there, but if you’re going to start referencing Disney movies, I think I might let you. Especially that one. What, have a younger sister or something who makes you watch them with her? Or do you enjoy them? I wouldn’t have thought of you as the type.”

[Tim Lyne]

"Might happen," said Tim, halfway conceding. He added a shrug. He'd only been working there for a few months, really. It was probably too early to tell. The people were good, at least, but there were just times.

Thankfully, things kept going, though moved from "awkward for Timothy Lyne, Jr." to "awkward for Kateri Riveria." Follies of youth and all that good stuff. Not like Tim didn't have loads of those hidden away in the back of his closet. He just generally tried not to remember that they actually existed, and he certainly wasn't going to bring them up on a date. Definitely time to steer this ship into safer waters. There were enough holes in the hull already.

"Man, that explains a lot," said Tim. He slapped his forehead. "I kept wondering why they were always running away. Clearly I've been doing this all wrong."

He leaned forward, smiling. In Tim's mind, there was definitely a second date coming. Hey, his persistence had won him out before, and he was definitely enjoying Kateri's company. She had that whole sly thing going for her. There might have been a bit of him that was still busy thinking "she's hot and the accent just makes her hotter," but could you really blame him? Really?

"It's one of those things they show on long car rides," explained Tim. "Sometimes we have to drive the kids home. And I totally watched Disney movies when I was a kid. Who didn't?"

He laughed. "But yeah, I'm an only child. Except the twin brother. He looks just like me, only there's this mustache thing. His name's Jim though, and if this totally doesn't work out, I'll have to set you up."

A wink. Like she couldn't figure that one out on her own.

[Kateri Rivera]

Time to leave this topic alone. This date was already going badly enough as it was. She’d managed to flub the last part. She was half-tempted to order another drink—an even stronger one—to make sure that the whole thing completely went down the drain. Or she could behave herself and try to make it back to the apartment she shared with Janice. Maybe that would be the better idea. And think no more about flirty and sexy (and yes, she did think he was even if she also thought he was very strange) Tim Lyne. Maybe then her life could get somewhat back to normal.

“Clearly,” she agreed, but with only a hint of a smile. No, Tim, Kateri was not impressed by your mention of your porn collection. But the smile was still there, so he wasn’t entirely out of the running yet.

“I never did.” She grinned. “My mother believed they didn’t show enough strong female leads. My father didn’t disagree with her, because he was a wise man. So I got to watch Star wars and…” She paused, then laughed. “I can’t actually remember. So once I got into secondary school my friends made me catch up on them. I liked the Rescuers the best. And you?”

She was startled into a laugh again. “Oh, is that the case? And what makes you think I’d trust you enough to set me up with someone? Even if it is someone as charming as I’m sure your twin brother is.” And she winked back. Odd, yes. But he was fun to tease and he wasn't bad company once he stopped ogling the waitresses.