"It’s a Date"

The call had come most unexpectedly – only an hour after she’d last seen him down in the tavern. Switching on the lamp on her bedside table, Abby squinted as she picked up the receiver, trying her best not to yawn into it.

"Hullo," she said, sitting up and running a hand through her hair.

"Hi," the male voice on the other line replied, "I hope it’s not too late..."

A smile spread across Abby’s face. "Of course not," she told him, swinging her legs around so they dangled off the side of her bed. "I’m so happy you decided to call."

"I know I just left you down in the tavern, but I just wanted to hear your voice again, I guess."

"Colin, don’t be silly, I’m really happy you called. I had fun tonight."

He was quiet for a moment, then spoke up, "I had fun tonight, too. It’s just, I don’t know...it’s been a while since I’ve done this."

"Done what?" she asked. "Called someone?"

Colin chuckled. "Somethin’ like that. In this context, I guess."

Abby smiled and cocked an eyebrow. "In what context would that be?" She knew very well why he had called but wasn’t going to let him off too easy. Yes, she’d let him squirm a bit first.

Colin cleared his throat. She was playing games with him. He liked that, but still, it didn’t make it any easier for him to say what he had on his mind. "The asking someone out on a date, context," he replied after a moment. Damn, this was harder than he thought.

Abby stifled a giggle. So he was interested in her after all. Good. "So, does this mean you are asking me out on a date, then?"

"Depends."

"Depends on what?" she asked.

"Well, it depends on what your answer would be if I am asking you out on a date," he told her, playing along with the way she was guiding the conversation.

"Depends," she replied.

Now it was Colin’s turn to giggle. "Depends on what?"

"Where and when said date is to take place."

"I’ll leave that up to you. Ladies choice."

"Oh no, you’re not getting off that easy," she giggled. "I’m the newbie here in town, remember? Pick a time and a place and I’ll let you know if it suits me or not."

"Friday night, 7pm, the St. Patrick’s Day Celebration down at the tavern. Sound good?"

"Sounds great. It’s a date."

"It’s a date. See you then."

Abby hung up the phone. "It’s a date," she said to herself, beaming. "It’s a date."