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I know I turned a shade brighter than crimson My eyes darted fro like a Cheshire cat

"Not a bad thought, eh Clayton?" Harrison Keiser followed quickly

"No, sir"

"Well then," his father coaxed, nodding in my direction

Clayton looked up from his plate at me as if he had just realized I was there, too He dabbed his lips with his napkin and cleared his throat

"Yes Hoould you like to go to dinner and to the gallery opening, Olivia?" Clayton asked in front of the entire table It es of the local newspapers

Nevertheless, for a moment I couldn't speak It was as ifat s to utter a response Of course it was yes What else could I do?

The conversation then turned to as the best restaurant for us to go to before the opening Clayton had no opinion and neither did I In fact, our entire evening was planned by our parents as if ere pieces on a chess board Clayton's father suggested he go to his ht he should do so different with his hair My mother talked about a dress she had just seen, a dress that she decided would be perfect for me for such an occasion

The four of theed date without once turning to either Clayton or lanced at me a few times, but for most of the dinner, he sat with his eyes directed doard, concentrating on eating as he lifted the spoon and the fork with his father's precision, blotting his lips with his napkin almost in synchronization with his father They were so alike, it was frightening

At the end of the evening, before the Keisers left, Clayton finally turned to h the prince was about to utter some royal edict

"I'll coht with you," he said "It will take fifteen et to the restaurant, which will leave us an hour for dinner and then it's about twelve allery"

I felt as if I should synchronize ether, which was his best effort at a smile, and then turned to join his parents at the door Everyone said good night and they left

Immediately, I spun on Daddy

"Why did you do that? I felt like I was trapped and I had to say yes"

"He's a fine youngmen are not so easily found these days, Olivia"