The Fight Within by Tiana Laveen

more than his listening ear…but she did ask for time, in her own way.
    Time was something he simply couldn’t spare, but in the case of Sapphire Storm, what began as a self-challenge from a friend who’d called him self-absorbed turned into a willing experience, something that allowed him to relax a bit. He didn’t have to prove anything, and he was accepted ‘AS IS’, regardless of his scratches, bruises and dents. He was the floor model, but she didn’t seem to mind one bit. She treated him like he was the best thing smokin’.
    Are you going to tell me? –Sapphire Storm
    No, I haven’t been married. What else do you want to know? –FINDERKEEPER
    I’m curious as to what you look like. –Sapphire Storm
    Okay, now, here it goes. I knew it was coming. Her trend of staying in her place has ended.
    What do YOU look like? –FINDERKEEPER
    I asked you first… –Sapphire Storm
    I look like Mr. Eugene H. Krabs… –FINDERKEEPER
    What? Who is that? –Sapphire Storm
    The red crustacean that owns the Crusty Crab restaurant on SpongeBob, the cartoon. We are practically physical carbon copies. –FINDERKEEPER
    LOL. You are crazy. No really, what do you look like? Can I see a photo? –Sapphire Storm
    My looks aren’t important and no, you can’t see a pic. –FINDERKEEPER
    Why not? –Sapphire Storm
    You might fall in love. I’d hate for that to happen…it would complicate our intellectual vibe. –FINDERKEEPER
    I’ll take my chances. –Sapphire Storm
    I prefer it this way. –FINDERKEEPER
    Really? So you’re serious about this laying low stuff? –Sapphire Storm
    Yes. –FINDERKEEPER
    Aren’t you the least bit curious as to what I look like? –Sapphire Storm
    Yes, but I’d prefer to not know at this point. It could spoil everything. –FINDERKEEPER
    What? Like if you saw that I look like an ogre? LOL –Sapphire Storm
    LOL. Maybe. I like your personality. We talk, and I’ve created what you look like in my mind. I don’t want anything to change that. –FINDERKEEPER
    Interesting. Well, I chose you because you were anonymous, felt safe. But as we’ve been talking I have to admit my curiosity is getting the best of me. So what do you think I look like? –Sapphire Storm
    Honestly I think you’re probably attractive, based on the amount of dates you get, but you don’t think you’re all that. You come across as pretty down to earth, got kinda a ‘one of the guys’ vibe thing going on. –FINDERKEEPER
    That is a fascinating analysis. So, how long do you plan to not date again? My stories probably scare you. –Sapphire Storm
    Not really. I was already resigned to not dating. Expiration date on this defeatism attitude? Unknown. Besides, dating is overrated. –FINDERKEEPER
    You can say that again. –Sapphire Storm
    Dating is overrated. –FINDERKEEPER
    LOL. Cornball. –Sapphire Storm
    I hate corn. I’m really insulted by being called a ball made of something that I absolutely hate. :P –FINDERKEEPER
    LOL You hate corn? Who hates corn?! LOL –Sapphire Storm
    Me. The texture is weird and it gets stuck in your teeth. –FINDERKEEPER
    It does, but it’s good. Do you like popcorn even? –Sapphire Storm
    It’s ok. Not good for your bowels. The shit doesn’t break down. Ever look in the toilet after eating some? –FINDERKEEPER
    Gross! LOL –Sapphire Storm
    Gross but true. –FINDERKEEPER
    Do you sweet-talk all the ladies like this? You’re a man after my own heart. –Sapphire Storm
    Yeah, all the ladies get these poetic words. Now you see why I have to beat the beauties off with a bat. –FINDERKEEPER
    Well, FINDERKEEPER, you seem like a pretty great guy to me if we erase this last conversation regarding corn from our minds. LOL! In all seriousness though, don’t give up on dating on account of me. If you believe you are a good person, then someone else will think it too. When you are ready to date, I bet you’ll make some lucky woman a great boyfriend. –Sapphire Storm
    Only if she’s good