“You'll see..." she teased, glancing back at me with an impish grin.

“Oh, and DON'T tell your roommates. I want this to be a surprise."

“Hiiii David!" Amber said brightly as she deliberately bumped her hip into me as she joined me down the sidewalk.

“Morning,” I replied in a friendly manner.

“Coffee? My treat this time."

"Sure!" she beamed. We chit-chatted and managed to get our drinks without incident. Amber even smiled at the barista. And then an uncommon awkward silence settled in for just a brief moment.

“Hey...” Amber drawled out while Looking at the ground.

“You... uh, you doing anything tonight?"

“Why? Whatcha got in mind?"

“Oh... it's nothing. It's just that E-Beth is going off to this thing she does every month. She wanted to bring me along with her but I'm not sure it's my kind of thing..." her voice trailed off as she looked a little lost in thought. Then Amber swiveled her eyes up to me. "But anyways, I thought we might be able to hang out?"

I laughed, "Like a date?"

“Well... Amber waggled her head and put an index finger between her lips in a coyly flirtatious manner.

“I guess you could call it that.”

But then memory kicked in and I slapped myself on the forehead.

“Oh,

DAMN. I forgot, I already promised someone I was going with them to a party tonight.”

Amber's face fell.

“I'm really sorry," I apologized.

“I would have loved to hang out with you."

"No big deal," she tossed it off. Instantly, the haughty, slightly arrogant Amber was back.

“I've got lots of other options.”

And before I could come up with a new response, we were at the classroom. Amber walked right in and took her seat, the conversation over.

Again I wondered, Amber couldn't have any interest in me, could she?

Despite my dating experience, I still didn't know how to read women.

And then I remembered my roommates. After all, who better to ask for girl advice than Danielle and Cherys?