B. Dalton

As usual she was checking out her romance section at B. Dalton when she noticed someone was looking over her left shoulder. Without turning her head, she mumbled, "I'm sorry," and shifted over just a bit over. She continued to read the backcovers of the books.

After putting back a few books, she realized that the person next to her was still watching every little move she was doing. Getting a little unnerved, she casually lifted her left wrist and glanced at it. Then moved toward the cashier to pay for her selection.

As she was paying for her them, she saw the person who had followed her. He stood 6 foot tall with short blond hair. In his hands were the books she had put back onto the shelf. Surprised, she looked up into his beautiful blue eyes.

"Ma'am?" She broke out of her trance and looked at the clerk. "Your change?"

"Oh. Thank you," she said and went for the nearest exit. SHe put on her headphones and turned on her CD player, then cursed herself when she realized she had forgotten to put a CD in.

She was trying to stuff her books, CD player and headphones back into her beatup red JanSport when she felt him approach her. How she knew that was something she didn't have answer to.

He spoke, "Betty?"

Instinctively she turned toward his voice. "Yes?"

"These are for you," he said as he held them forth as if they were flowers.

"Do I know you?"

"Maybe you've seen me on TV or heard me on the radio."

"Oh? OH! I'm sorry I can't accept your gift. I'm really flattered, but you might want to return them."

"No, they're for you, and I'm not taking a no for an answer."

"Really, I can't."

"Really, you can."

"I can't be bought."

"Is that what you really think I'm trying to do?"

"Why else would you be trying to pick me up?"

"You seemed like a nice person to talk to, and I thought this would get you to talk to me."

"You could have simply said 'Hi!'"

"So let me start over. Hi Betty."

She smiled. "How'd you know my name, Nick?"

"It's on your Exploratorium badge. How'd you know mine?" he asked jokingly.

"You looked like a Nick to me and so I guess Nick." She peered past his body and saw her bus. "Look Nick, I have to run. You know, work."

"Oh yeah. I wouldn't want to get in your way."

"It's been great meeting you. Maybe we'll see each other soon."

"Yeah, maybe."

Her bus came to a complete stop in front of her. "So I'll be seeing you around," she said knowing that it would be impossible to do that.

"Yeah."

She stepped onto the bus and the doors closed. Finding a seat in the back, was a picnic. She looked out the window just to see if she could catch one last glimpse of him. But to her disappointment, he wasn't there.

She sighed thinking it was too good to be true. Just then someone plopped down right next to her.

She looked up and smiled and got his world famous smile in return. "So what's an Exploratorium?" he asked.