Fred's clothing was on the coffee table when he awoke about dawn. Anita's bedroom door was closed. He dressed quickly and headed out, not bothering to do more than relieve himself and take a navy shower. He saw a note taped to the front door when he left. It was a phone number.
He got a lot of ribbing at work about hooking up with Anita and his unshaven state, and compliments about the presentation. He smiled a lot and hummed to himself as he worked.
They got the project more than half done, so after work, his buddies talked him into going to Clay's Tap with them, promising not to pressure him into having a beer. When they got there, all of them ordered cokes, which Fred appreciated, even though he had resolved not to get a beer no matter what they did. Suddenly all six of them began to cheer and give wolf whistles, and Fred looked around, puzzled. Anita was walking through the door, a smirk on her face, wearing a thin tight sleeveless white blouse and short shorts.
"Okay, boys," she dismissed them "I have eyes only for our musicologist here. Maybe you'd get lucky with someone if you learned to read." The guys were getting ready to pretend disappointment when she turned to Fred. "You haven't called me!" She pouted, to hoots from the welders.
"Well, uh, I have your number right here," he stammered, "I was gonna wait until I got a shower and cleaned up my apartment a little. I didn't want to be dirty when I called. I almost called you during lunch, but didn't think I'd know what to say," he trailed off.
"Dirty apartment, eh? Maybe you need to have me over to give you some lessons in cleanliness!" She batted her eyelashes at him.
More encouragement from the guys.
Fred ignored them. "Uh, yeah, sure, sure, if you'd like to do that," he stammered. "I could probably use some help. But I warn you, it's a pretty humble place." He started to recover and pulled up a bar stool for her. "Have a seat. Want a coke? That's what we're having. Care for a Reuben? They're tonight's special."
Anita took the seat. "Sounds good. She turned to the bartender. "Clay, what's gonna happen to this place if everyone starts buying soft drinks instead of beer?
Clay had been following the conversation and was putting Anita's drink in front of her. "Well, lemme see. Fewer fights, less vomit to clean up, and the margin on soft drinks is more than for beer. So I think I'd do all right!" He returned a few minutes later with Reubens for everyone.
They all moved to a table and supper turned into a dinner party. Anita admitted that she enjoyed being the only lady at the table, but wouldn't object if next time she had some female companionship.