equipment’ to the register. Mark didn’t say anything when I left with Nic, but his expression revealed that there was a lot that he wanted to say. Nic guided me out the door as Mark locked up behind us. It was dark out but the parking lot was brightly lit as we made our way to his truck. The temperature had dropped with the sun to what felt like thirty degrees. I stuffed my hands in my pockets. Once again Nic helped me up into his truck again, and I found his chivalry charming. No one had really watched after me for such a long time. “Have you had dinner yet?” Nic asked climbing into the driver’s seat and starting the engine. I fastened my seat belt. “No, and I’m not going to let you buy me anything.” I stated firmly. He grinned. “I was just going to ask if you would like me to stop anywhere for you.” I shrugged. “That’s okay; I’m going to have something when I get home.” I really couldn’t afford spending my cash on eating out. I could have asked him to stop at the cafeteria, but I didn’t want to put him out. From the expression on his face he might know the reason I’d refused, so I decided to lay it out there. “Actually, I really need to watch my spending and that’s why I try not to eat out.” I admitted. I wasn’t going to be embarrassed about it. He nodded as though he were familiar with the practice― which I doubted ―or he could see why I would need to do that― which was way more likely . “That’s fine.” He threw me a sideways glance as he pulled out onto the road. There was barely any light in the cab of the truck so I couldn’t read his expression. “But it’s not going to stop me from asking you out to a meal every now and then. My treat.” “Friends don’t take advantage of other friends like that.” I said softly, unsure of what he was trying to convey. I was so bad at this. His hand reached over and clasped mine, and I sighed inwardly at his warm touch. “Carrie, I like spending time with you. How about every once in a while you take pity on me and let me have my way.” He held up our entwined hands. "Or you will force me take extreme measures.” I breathed a little easier. Spending time together wasn’t that bad. “Extreme measures, huh? I guess we’ll just take it one day at a time.” He rubbed his thumb over mine. “That sounds really good.” My breathing escalated again at the caress. “I could always take you out to lunch at the cafeteria, my treat.” I joked nervously knowing that as a scholarship athlete he most likely received free food like I did. He laughed. “It’s a date.” My heart skipped even though I knew they were just a play on words. Nic held my hand the entire ride to my apartment and we exchanged comments on our day. It was nice. When we arrived he put his truck in park but kept it running. “I don’t suppose you’d let me walk you up?” My heart quivered. I didn’t want him anywhere near my mother. “No, that’s okay, really Nic.” I unbuckled my seatbelt. “Thank you for the ride though…again.” “You know, this is the second time I’ve driven you home and I still don’t know your last name.” Nic declared suddenly. I tensed at the thought of him knowing my last name. He could find out so much about me; the information was out there for him to look up. However, there was no way I could avoid telling him without it seeming odd. “Harper, Carrie Harper.” I waited anxiously, but he only smiled and I almost slumped in relief that my name wasn’t familiar to him. His hand reached out and squeezed mine. “Well, goodnight Carrie Harper.” “Goodnight, Nic Stanford.” I slipped from the truck an overload of emotions rolling through me.