Chapter 12

A couple hours later David came back out of his room looking a little tired.

“Are you alright?” I asked.

“Yeah. I took a nap so I’m a little groggy, but it’ll pass,” he said with a yawn. “So, when do you need to leave?” I glanced at the time on my phone.

“In about fifteen minutes.”

“I’m headed out soon too, want me to give you a ride?”

“I would like that!” I replied with a smile. He’d never offered to drive me anywhere before!

“Cool! I’ll be out in a few minutes.” He left for his room, and he came back out with a backpack just before it was time to leave.

“Alright, let’s go!” He exclaimed with a grin and I followed him out the door and to his truck.

“I’ve never actually ridden in a personal vehicle before,” I said excitedly.

“Are you serious?”

“Yes. I’ve only ever ridden buses and on occasion a train. Taxi’s have always been too expensive to me.”

“I see...” he trailed off. “Well, I can’t promise the answer will always be yes, but if you ever want a ride somewhere, just go ahead and ask. It’ll help you save money on fares.”

“Really?”

“Yep!”

“I appreciate that very much,” I replied quietly.

A couple minutes later we arrived at Serafina’s diner. I exited the truck and saw Sara waving at me from just outside the restaurant. I waved back and then turned toward David for a moment.

“Thank you for the ride.”

“No problem!”

I left David and walked up to Sara.

“Hey girl, looking good!” She exclaimed. “I love the new outfit!”

“Thank you,” I replied with a grin.

We entered the diner and were seated quickly.

“It was nice of David to give you a ride.”

“Yes, it was,” I replied. I smiled for a moment, remembering his offer for future rides. “Though he was acting a little strangely this afternoon.”

“How so?”

“He started staring at me for some reason when he got home from lunch.” Sara smirked.

“I think he was checking you out because you look fabulous!” My smile fell.

“Be serious.”

“I am!” She squealed. “He was checking you out when you were walking away from his truck too!”

“Sara, please!” We stared at each other for a few seconds, but then I sighed. “He did say I looked great today.” I couldn’t help smiling a little bit again.

“See.” I exhaled quickly, flaring my nostrils. “I’m starting to think that he might like you.”

“He already said that he liked me when he moved in,” I replied, confusion evident in my voice.

“Not like that, I mean like you, like you!” My stomachs knotted and I squirmed in my seat.

“Oh ... I hope not...”

“Why? Maybe it’s not such a bad thing.” I snorted in derision, and I started flicking my tail in irritation.

“How would that not be a bad thing?” Sara leered at me sideways. It me a little uncomfortable.

“For one,” she held up a finger, “you were all smiles while telling me the whole gum story a few weeks ago.” I squirmed in my seat again. “Two,” she put up a second finger, “you couldn’t help smiling again when you told me about him complimenting you.” I let out a low growl of frustration.