Stacey Rourke

“Why? Why are you asking me out?"His expression was equal parts amusement and confusion. "Because if I don't ask ya the chance of ya actually showin' up on the date in highly unlikely, isn't it?"An abrupt--and incredibly loud--laugh erupted out of me. "True. But why? Why would you ask out the freaky purring girl?""Yar laugh is amazin'." He grinned. Another wave of heat rushed through me. "And because from the moment I laid eyes on ya I knew there was somethin' different about ya. The purrin' just supported the theory. So, would ya like to go out with me?""Yes, I'd like to. Go on a date. With you. Please."Smooth, huh?”

“Truth be known, I found it right flatterin'. And, it gives me the confidence tah ask ya out for Saturday."My head snapped up and my cheeks burned. "Wha...?!" Picture of eloquence. That's me."Saturday. A date. You, me, dinner? Yah've heard of this concept, yeah?”

“Purring wasn't going to be an issue if he kept looking at me like that. I was going to have a stroke.”

“Keni's eyes widened. "You purred at a guy? Really? Why?""Because he scratched me behind the ears, and I liked it.""Huh?”

“Uh, did you run this by Alaina?""I tried." Keni gave a little shrug. "But I don't think she heard me. She was busy trying to figure out the "mystical forces" that make the microwave work.”

“Internally I marveled at what a blathering idiot I'd become.”

“He was a gorgeous testament to the male gender, and I was an average looking gal that could bench press a Volkswagen. Nothing good could come of this.”

“WelcometoNeighborhoodCafewhatcanIgetforyou?" Nerves made my voice alternately squeaky and hoarse as I rambled at top speed. Oh, to sound normal...”

“With an easy grin he peered up at me. It took every ounce of self-control I had not to stare slack-jawed into his eyes. They gleamed like freshly polished emeralds, speckled with tiny flecks of gold. They were so pretty. Almost hypnotic...That's right about the time when I realized he had said something. I missed it because I was too busy gawking at him. Oh, crap! Did he order? Introduce himself? Ask me to marry him? Request a restraining order? I have no idea!How do I fix this and not come off like a total loser?"Huh?"Yeah, no. That wasn't it.”

“Soph, I really don't think this is a good idea. I'm at a point in my life where dating is more hazardous than helpful."She held her hand up and made it move like a chattering puppet. "Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. Say what you want. We had a deal. I picked a guy for you to talk to. Now you're gonna sashay your fanny over there and be the very definition of charming and beguiling.""Shows what you know," I grumbled under my breath. "I don't even know what beguiling means.”

“When the last guy you dated turned evil for reasons you can't explain it makes the prospect of even a casual coffee date seem far from appealing.”

“At certain moments in life, reflection is mandatory. I found being squeezed in the scaly claw of a three story dragon to be one of them.”

“I just got told off by a demon. Hello, rock-bottom. We meet at last.”

“We're the Dark Army Glee Club!"I pressed my fingers against my throbbing temples hard. "The Dark Army what?""Glee Club!" Answered Boil Face. "You know, like the TV show? We love it! That's where we got the idea.""I even shaved my head to look just like Puck!" Eddie tipped his head down and gestured to the mohawk.I held up a finger to interrupt him. "First of all, Puck is hot. You look nothing like him. Second, are you friggin' kidding me right now?!”