Chapter 3

Daniel had stood directly behind the lady in red, and wondered what her life was like.

Was she as lonely as he was? He was not the type to approach a woman. Certainly not in a nightclub. And this woman was so far out of his league he didn’t hold much hope that she’d ever want to talk to him. Hell, she didn’t even know who he was.

As soon as the man who hit on her left, the lady in red’s head dropped, and she let out a soft sigh, Daniel knew what he had to do. He had overheard the short exchange between them. He knew how she was feeling. He gathered all the courage he could muster up and stepped to her.

“Lady? I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation with that man. Are you okay?” he stared unblinkingly into her eyes. Daniel’s voice was full of care and empathy. “I know how it feels being alone.”

His dark brown eyes were curious as they rested on her.

“I’m not okay,” Georgina shook her head without saying another word. She was too sad to lie. She felt far from okay. In fact, she felt like she would never be okay again.

Daniel handed Georgina a Star Trek hanky he always carried with him.

She didn’t realize she had been crying. She wiped the tears from her eyes and did her best to compose herself. “Thank you. It’s not like me to cry like that. At least, not in a public place. I’ll be okay, thanks for caring.”

Daniel nodded. “Do you mind if I join you?”

Georgina eyed the man and nodded to the seat in front of her. He was obviously a nerd. Harmless. His T-shirt and his look gave him away.

Every man she had met since her breasts grew wanted only one thing from her: to get laid. Most men that approached her were cocky, overconfident, or sleazy, but not this man. He was different.

Georgina had wished for a kind and caring man. She had said that the look didn’t matter. And there he was. He wasn’t looking to get laid with her, he truly cared for her, and there was no ring on his finger. An endangered species: a decent single man just in front of her. Wish granted.

Someone up there had a wicked sense of humor.

Georgina could tell he was making the effort to look into her eyes instead of staring at her cleavage. His eyes were kind and soft. She decided to give him a chance. It was better than being alone and miserable.

“I know I’m just a stranger, but sometimes talking with someone helps. You can talk to me if you want,” Daniel offered.

She nodded.

“I’m Georgina Eastland. I work as a gym teacher in Middletown High. Sorry about the pity party, you caught me at a bad time.”

“It’s okay. You don’t need to apologize. I have my days too. I’m Daniel Cohen. I work as a Computer Support specialist and a coder for different companies. I assist non-IT users who are having computer problems.”

“Nice to meet you, Daniel,” Georgina extended her hand and gave him a soft smile.

Daniel wiped his sweaty palm on his shirt before taking her small hand into his and giving it a firm handshake.

“I must look awful,” Georgina said.

“Nah, you look cute, like a panda. I’m not saying that because you look fat because you don’t. You look great actually ... but you don’t need me telling you this,” Daniel sighed and shut his mouth. He talked too much when he was nervous.

Georgina couldn’t help but laugh, and Daniel stopped talking. He had never reached so far with a girl. Usually, they said ‘Get lost’ after he introduced himself.

“You’re nice, caring, funny, and easy to talk with. A rare combination.”

“Well,” Daniel said like he was considering his words with care, “my mom always says, I am incredible.”

“I never said incredible.” Georgina laughed, and then Daniel laughed, too.

“You’re not what I expected,” Daniel said taking off his glasses to clean them with a napkin.