Spookychild’s writings

Zoe’s eyes came back and rested on the hand. She didn’t want to touch it. She was sure he hadn’t washed it recently. But it would be rude not to shake. It was the social norm. Finally, she took a deep breath, stretched out her hand, and let him grasp her in a warm handshake. To her surprise, her hand began to tingle.

Her fingers were cold and thin. Victor grasped them tightly and squeezed. She didn’t flinch, only stared at her hand in his. Victor thought he detected a hint of surprise, but he didn’t have the chance to speculate. He realized at that instant he had goosebumps and felt his stomach twist. He wondered at it. He hadn’t had any such thing since his last serious relationship years before.

But did that mean he liked her? He knew nothing about her; she was a stranger; how could he like her already? He let her hand go abruptly, feeling his hand numbed and confused.

But he did want to press forward with the usual plan. Zoe intrigued him. He hadn’t met someone this interesting in a long time. He was still watching her. She turned her face to the doors and still hadn’t touched the drink. No, he was sure he had never met such a woman, at least never downtown.

“You can drink it.” He said suddenly. “It is safe.”

She glanced at him and then at the drink. Then she looked back at him. “I Don’t drink.” She said, pushing the dripping glass towards him with the hand he had touched.

His eyebrows went up in surprise. “Really?” He had never met someone downtown at night who didn’t drink.

Zoe nodded; she brought the hand back under the table. Her fingers were damp now. She used the water to wipe her hands off her shirt. She glanced at him quickly. Then she looked back at the door. She couldn’t relax her guard.