"I can't believe you did that," Keith said.
"Well, I only save people I really like," I said.
He gave me a half smile. "Want to know something?"
I nodded.
He stopped at a red light and leaned over to whisper in my ear: "I really like you too and not just because you saved my life."
I grinned. "You do?"
"Yeah. And I was hoping that since you saved me I could take you out to dinner."
"I'd like that."
"How about tomorrow, when you feel better?"
"I can't wait!"
He laughed. "You're really cute all drugged up."
I laughed. Of course that's why I was able to say what I wanted too without worrying; well that, and my brush with death. Life was short, too short not to tell people how you feel. Too short not to live fully and take risks. So, I had taken one and it had paid off. "So, it's a date."
"Yeah."
I yawned and suddenly felt sleepy.
"We have to keep you awake and we are almost there. So tell me a little about yourself and then I'll tell you about myself."
I nodded and began rambling. "I'm twenty-eight. I have a computer science degree from Georgetown. Um, my mom lives in Baltimore. I have one sister Melissa and a cat, Stuart. You?"
"I'm thirty. I'm an ex-Marine sniper division, with advanced degrees in computer science. My parents live together in Baltimore. I have a sister, Amber and a brother Anthony they live in Baltimore too. Oh and I have a dog, Bailey, he's a German Shepard."
"I love dogs but my apartment is too small. So, favorite movie?"
"Umm...Die Hard or any Bruce Willis film. You?"
"It Could Happen to You."
He nodded. "Nicholas Cage. Good choice. Let's see . . . what kind of music do you like?"
"I listen to all kinds of music from country to rock."
"I listen to rock too, Matchbox 20, 3 Days Grace, 3 Doors Down, Dashboard Confessional, stuff like that." Keith turned right on 16th St.
"I love Matchbox 20! We have a lot in common."
He smiled. "We do. Favorite food?"
"Pizza, with ice cream and Pepsi."
"Pepperoni?"
"Of course. Um . . . what else? " I paused. "Okay, what do you like to do in your spare time?"
"I like to go running to help me relax after a hard day. I also like to play basketball."