"Thank you, but I don't drink alcohol."
"I know and I respect you for that, but there's no alcohol in that and unless you're allergic to strawberries I'll bet you'll like it."
She was turning to go, "Anna?"
She looked at me and I struggled for words, "This has all been very confusing and I could understand if you've changed your mind about me. I'll just go if you want."
Her smile returned and she leaned forward kissing me on the cheek shocking me in the process, "Well, aren't you the chivalrous stalker. I'll admit your occupation is a bit of a tough one to swallow, but our deal stands. You may continue stalking me, just don't kill me please."
She finished on a somewhat nervous sounding note. She winked at me and moved off down the bar. My shock, over the kiss to my cheek, disappeared as I seized on the last part of what she had said.
Who on Earth would even think of doing that! I studied her closely, as she served other patrons at the bar; already deciding I was going to press her about what she had said later.
I picked up the cold glass and took a sip. It was actually quite good. I stayed until just before closing and then I put my hat on and left only to wait across the street from the bar in plain view.
She saw me when she came out of the bar and smiling she boldly crossed the street to me. Her eyes in the dim light given off from the street lamp asked the question of what I was still doing here.
"I wouldn't be much of a stalker if I don't know where you live." I said by way of an explanation, as to why I was still here, even though that wasn't the whole truth.
She burst out laughing on the spot. Her laughter was rich and full and one of the best sounds I'd ever heard in life. Still laughing softly she looped her arm through mine and started off toward the right.
"Come along Mr. Tyre, but I want you to know that I'm not happy having to do all your leg work for you. Sheesh! Even the stalkers are half lazy anymore!"
I smiled.
"So you can smile! I was beginning to wonder." She said studying my face closely.
This woman with her free smiles and implied innuendos was breaking me down in ways that torture experts had never succeeded. What was I getting myself into with this woman? Everything that had happened tonight had happened way faster than I liked change to come, but that was life, either adjust to it or be mowed over by it.