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Listening, he heard her engine struggling to catch Trying and trying again, she turned her ignition Without even peeking, he could picture her pleading with her car to start

But it wouldn’t start Not tonight

After a fewover his shoulder He kne he looked frouy--a student, probably--parked in the same lot she was

He had to be careful, to tinored her, pretended he didn’t realize her predicaine No problenition switch was fine

And then, just as he was about to go, to leave the girl stranded, he had a change of heart Lucky for her

When he reached the last step, the crucial one that would bring his plan ho a hand, he waved uncertainly as he made his way timidly across the lot "Sorry I don’t ht need a hand" He stayed back, though Far enough so she’d feel comfortable, so she felt like she was the one in control

At first she hesitated But then, even though she didn’t actually voice it, the sudden shift in her expression said it allthe slight lift at the corner of her nized him

It was a positive first step in their budding relationship

She rolled down her atching hi brown eyes Another first "It won’t start," she explained She leaned forward now, feeling ht about it for several seconds, not wanting to appear too eager, too desperate, and then finally, he said, "I’d offer to take a look, but" He s about cars The best I can do is call you a tow truck" He pulled out his cell phone

She wrinkled her nose "I have lanced around at the alley, wearing a practiced expression of concern "At least letas her hand shot up to her neck, nervously fingering the necklace she worea vintage locket with a small pearl inset at its center He knew the look on her face: She orried about what--or who--ht be out there In the shadows "Are you sure?" she asked at last "I don’t want to put you out"

He just s her in their new implicit way that it was fine "How about you buy me a coffee next time I come in?"

Her lids lowered and he could practically hear her thoughts: He remembers me too "Yesnext tih him: Next time would have been their second date