Ferris Wheel Chapter 7 Ryan's
"It isn't a date." She argues with Lori as she changes her outfit for the third time that day.
"Okay, sure. You are always so indecisive about what to wear to lunch." Her eyes arch up to her hairline.
"It isn't. It is just.."
"Yes?" She folds her arms as her friend shoots her a helpless look.
"I don't know!" She cries out.
"Ruth, it is okay to like him. Even, like him a lot. Now, lets find something that will knock his socks off." Ruth's laugh is shaky.
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"What do you think?" It is his forth choice He had put on and took off a suit. To stuffy. The jeans and t-shirt were to casual. The dress pants and polo shirt to country club. He now wears a pair of chinos and a button down shirt rolled up above his elbows.
"I think you are aweful fussy about dressing for a lunch date that isn't even a date." Mark says with a.grin.
"Shut up Mark. You know that I want it to be a date, date."
"Yes, but she doesn't. Keep that in mind."
"I will. So," he gestures back to his clothes.
"It is very nice. Perfectly dress casual."
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She arrives at 11:50 and waits on the bench in front of the resturant. She fiddles with the calf-length shirt and pleasant shirt Lori and her had settled on. Her hair is french braided back and her face has just a touch of make-up. Not a date but, no sense not looking her best, she justifies.
He walks in and sees her right away. She is turned away, allowing him to look at her for a minute. Lord, but she is stunning! "Ruth?" She looks around and jumps up.
"Hey David. You look very nice."
"Thank you. You are a vision." He regrets the words as soon as they pass out of his mouth. True as they are, it isn't the kind of thing you say to someone who you are just getting to know.
"I...ahhh...thank you." She blushes turning her from beautiful to earthreal. He catches his breath.
"Are you two ready to be seated?" Thank God for the hostess.
"Yes. Thank you." David says and follows her and Ruth. She sits them at a table near the back. She takes their drink orders and leaves.
"So, did you get any chemistry studying done?" He asks.
"Yes." She regains the ability to breath with the change of subject. "Thank you. Quite a bit. I believe I am ready."
"When is the exam?"
"Two days from now. Do you have any tests on the horizon?" They fall into an easy discussion of their respective classes. Their waitress brings their drinks and the both choose the buffet. They continue to chat as they fill their plates.
"So, the defense disregarded the eyewitness. It was harder to dismiss the presence of defendent's footprint outside the window." He is telling her about the mock trial he played prosecutor in.
"And how did you prove it was his footprint?"
"He went barefoot and left the same muddy footprint on the floor of the dorm, his dorm."
"Ahh brilliant. Score one for the State." She leans in and he losses his breath again.
"It was a team effort. The forensic team and..." He loses his train of thought as wipes the corner of his mouth.
"A bit of sauce, Counselor." She says. Her voice isn't steady either.
"Thank you." He drifts closer and the waitress comes over.
"Everything okay? Need anything?" She asks as Ruth pops back down on her side.
"We are fine." He says as inside he screams. But, just friends is getting harder to keep straight in his mind.
"You want to be a prosecutor?" She asks when she leaves.
"Not sure. Some days yes. And then, I think of all the people that need a.good defense. But, then I think of those I wouldn't feel comfortable defending. You have to be willing to defend all." He shrugs.
"Well, you could do corporate or tax law."
"Eh gads! Please no." He says as he pretends to faint. She laughs, long and loud and he joins her.
"So, that is a no?"
"A huge one."
"Family law. You could represent abused children." He looks at her with wide eyes.
"Ruth that is...wow! That is an excellent idea."
"Really? I really just helped?"
"Helped a lot. It is a simply brilliant idea. It takes all the best part of the laws defense of the innocent and justice for the guilty." He takes her hands and brings them to his lips. He kisses her knuckles. "Thank you. Sincerely."
"You are most sincerely welcome." He walks her to her car a bit later.
"Dinner, Friday night?" He asks. "We can celebrate you acing your Chem exam."
"You have a lot of faith in me."
"I do. What do you say?"
"I say yes. Call me with the details." He opens his arms and she steps into them. He doesn't want to let her go but, does after a a minute. She looks up at him as he steps back.
"I have to...ahh...go." Her heart is pointing and her cheeks flushed.
"Yes, call me."
"I will. Good bye David."
"See you later Ruth."
