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

“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.”

“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.”

“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?”

“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?!”

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

“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.”