Tyler gets bolder

Tyler goes next.

"I dated a nice girl when I was 14. It didn't last long, but we did hold hands. But I haven't--uh, never have I ever asked out someone in Bible Study Club."

Laughter all around. Isabella says, "Tyler, you're really special, can we go to a movie this weekend?"

"Ethan." Alyssa speaks up faster than you do. "I've been thinking of checking out that new church on the edge of town. Want to ride with me Sunday?"

"Wait!" You tug on Ethan's sleeve, with more **** than you meant to. "I-I-I was going to ask you out! Go with me instead?"

"You could keep your options open," says Dylan. "Kaitlyn, how about I take you to dinner?"

Miss Shelby joins with, "You're causing quite a fuss, Ethan. Maybe you should come hang at my place instead."

Ethan, blushing deeply, responds with: "Oh but Miss Shelby, wouldn't it be more fun if I took you to the new Italian restaurant on King street?"

She leans back and puts her arms around the back of her chair, which tightens her shirt against her breasts. Your gaze returns to Ethan in time to notice his eyes searching up and down her body.

She smiles sweetly. "That's a lovely offer. Let's do that."

Everyone laughs again, but it's not quite as joyful.

It was all a joke, right? This is just a fun game that you all agreed to after your group's scheduled talking points concluded too quickly. There's nothing serious about it.

Everyone was just joking.

You weren't, really, but they must have been. Nobody here would be so bold as they just were, not if they meant what they said.

Why is Alyssa glaring at you? Did you just catch Dylan checking you out? Why are Ethan and Shelby--Miss Shelby, the university staff member--still eyeing each other? Why do you feel hints of frustration?

Tyler speaks up after several very long seconds. "I guess that's a no. I'll go again."