Get to know her better.

As much as you’d like to lean over and kiss Tina right away, you decide that it’s best to get to know her before letting your lust run wild.

“So, tell me more about yourself. What’s your story? What’s your family like?” you ask.

“Well, I’m Tina,” she says with a giggle. “I’m 18, I’m from Potomac, Maryland.” You nod as you watch the movie together. “My dad died when I was 7 years old.”

You look at her. Jesus. You hold eye contact with Tina until she breaks it. She wears a smile that you assume she reflexively puts on in these kinds of situations. You slide your hand across the sofa and place it on hers.

“You don’t have to continue. I didn’t know.”

She tilts her head and smiles through the cringe. “I’m fine. It’s been years since he passed. The grieving is over.” You pat her hand and slide yours back. “I have a step-father. He married my mom shortly after my dad passed. He has... provide for my mom and I.”

“It takes a good man to raise someone else’s daughter.”

“Yeah”, she says as her head sinks. She props up her forehead on her palms. Something’s wrong.

You decide to change the subject, seeing as how Tina is clearly working through some issues. “What about college? Where are you going? What do you want to study?”

“I am taking a gap year.” She leans back on the couch cushions. “I’ll be... staying home. I’ll volunteer and maybe pic up an internship. I love writing, so I might work on a manuscript or two before I head off to college.”

“That sounds like a great plan!” you say. “I’m going to major in Political Science, but I’ve always enjoyed writing. You sound like you know way more about publishing than I do.”

“Well, maybe you’ll learn a thing or two from me,” Tina says with a wink.