Go inside

"Sure, that'll do" you said, opening the door for the young woman, who smiled.

"Such a gentleman" she said.

"Just doing things how they are supposed to be done" you said with a shrug, following her in. You looked around and pointed at an empty booth. "There?" you asked.

"Sure!" Rose said, walking there after a glance over her shoulder to see if you were following.

"You go right ahead. I'll order us something to drink. What are you having?" you asked.

"Red wine, please" she said as she walked over to the booth and took off her coat, putting it on the bench next to her. You nodded and ordered red wine for Rose and rum for yourself, got it, then went to join Rose, sitting across from her.

"So" you said as you put the wine in front of her, "happy you guys won the auction?"

"Well, that remains to be seen" Rose said.

"True enough" you said, nodding. "But so far?"

"Hey, you paid for my drink. It's a start" Rose said with a grin. You laughed and shook your head.

"So, what made you get into volleyball?" you asked.

"My mom used to do it too. She's coach Billingsley's sister" Rose explained.

"Huh. So does that mean you're always sure of a starting position?" you asked.

"Ha! As if. Because he's my uncle, I have to work that much harder" the brunette replied. You smiled.

"That means you are always doing your best, though" you told her, "that counts for something."

"Sure, but my mom's my worst critic and every mistake I make is magnified a thousand times" Rose said, a little sadly. "Don't get me wrong, I love uncle Roy and playing volleyball, but sometimes I'd like to be able to take it easy, you know?"

"Hey, I get it. Sometimes you don't want that pressure" you said, nodding before taking a sip of rum.

"Exactly! Have you ever felt pressure like that?" Rose asked.

"A little" you said. "My mom put her hopes on me when Rebecca quit college. I mean, I didn't do too badly, but I haven't found a job yet in the field."

"And that's where Dawn came in" Rose said.

"Oh, no, not at all. She needed very little prompting. She's just smart, that one" you said with a smile.

"You're really proud of her, aren't you?" Rose asked.

"Of course I am. She's going to make it far, just you wait" you told her.

"I bet" Rose said, nodding. "She could be anything she wanted. Think she'll be in politics one day?"

"I should hope not" you said with a laugh, "she'd be horrible. She can't lie very well."

"I've noticed. Oh well" Rose replied, grinning and taking a sip from her wine.

"So, what's up with the pixie cut?" you asked.

"Oh, it's just something I felt like getting" Rose said with a smile. "You like it?"

"Yeah, it looks nice, but didn't you use to have longer hair?" you asked.

"Yeah, but, you know, I felt like something else" Rose said.

"Hey, I'm not knocking it. Just curious" you said.

"Good" the brunette said, "because I'm not taking any shit about my hair." You laughed and nodded.

"Trust me, I know. Don't forget I'm the only guy in an all-girl household" you told her.

"Oh, that's right. How is that?" she asked.

"Hey, it's not that bad. They're all quite nice" you said. "But one lesson I learned when I was pretty young was to not question fashion choices like haircuts or outfits."

"Oh yes, that's true. Do not EVER criticise a woman's clothes or haircut" Rose said, grinning.

"Well, I like your top" you said.

"Flatterer" Rose giggled.

"Hey, I'm just trying to get brownie points" you said.

"So you don't actually like it?" she teased. It was then that Rose gasped.

"What?" you asked.

"That's my song! I can't sit still! Come on, let's dance!" she said, getting up and taking your hand, pulling you to your feet.