The outdoor tables were small. Knowing this, Norah had worn jeans and single-strap sandals, along with a peasant blouse. As she crossed her legs, at an angle that would give him a view, she asked, "Anything you want to tell me?"
Alan's eyes clicked up to meet hers. "I already did 'hello' and 'nice to see you.'"
She smiled. "About yourself," she said. "What you like." She waited until his eyes drifted away, then added, "What isn't in your profile."
"That doesn't say much," he admitted smoothly, eyes up. "but I have eclectic tastes. I don't want to rule out someone I might like, before meeting them." He smiled. "I like you, so far. The complete you, not just one aspect."
She gave her visible foot a slow ankle rotation. Sunlight caught the contrast of peach skin and red nail polish. Alan's eyes aimed there again, and Norah felt smug.
On his own, he looked up and asked, "How do you feel about the time you've spent with me?"
"It's been fun," she said lightly. This could count as their third date. First was a movie they agreed on through dating-app chat, second was his invite (and treat) to a new restaurant. She had now asked him to meet here for coffee (her treat) and talk about where things were going.
"I'd like to spend more time with you," he said in a softer tone, "If you're up for that."
"I might be," she said, all flirty. Then, more seriously, "But I'm not ready to be exclusive."
"That's cool," he said at once.
He leaned back. Norah took that to mean he wasn't pressuring.
She asked, "Do you want to get closer?"
She read insecurity in his expression. His looks were on the blah side of plain. "I'm a single guy," he said, managing a friendly flippancy. "I like to get closer to single women. But as Alan, I hope to learn more about Norah, and hope she'll like what she learns about me."
