LITMIR.BIZ

      Chapter Three

      Beware of sentimentalities. Stick with concrete facts when assessing your man. The contemporary woman of today doesn’t have time for trivial overromanticizing.

      Elise waited nervously in the front seat of her car, glancing at the boat dock every few minutes. She was early. Zane said six o’clock, but she’d left work at five to run to the store.

      Unable to suppress her delight, she glanced down at the bright white tennis shoes she was wearing. She’d been able to find an ancient pair of jean shorts and an old T-shirt in the bottom of her closet, but she’d been at a loss as to what to wear on her feet for this date. She had running shoes, racquetball sneakers and cross-trainers, but nothing suitable to wear on a boat.

      On impulse, after work, Elise had stopped at the dollar store near the office and bought a pair of plain white tennis shoes. Only five dollars. She’d never been in a dollar store in her life and had enjoyed herself thoroughly. She’d come out not just with the tennis shoes, but a set of hot mitts, a refrigerator magnet and a box of Post-Its. The grand total of her purchases had been eight dollars. She hadn’t realized having fun could be so cheap.

      Elise glanced up at the sound of tires on gravel and saw the now familiar Ford pickup pulling a boat that, like the truck, had seen better days. Zane waved out the window. Well, it was more like a salute.

      Elise didn’t usually date men who waved or saluted out windows.

      Delighted, she waved back. He didn’t act like a man who just wanted to talk about real estate.

      Zane pulled the truck around and began to back the boat down the ramp into the water. Elise grabbed her cell phone and her purse, but as she locked the door, she hesitated. What did she need her purse for? They would be out in the bay. She popped her trunk with her key fob and tossed her purse in. She hesitated with the phone. She never went anywhere without the phone. What if her boss needed her? Or a client? “You don’t need it,” Zane hollered across the parking lot, seeming to know just what she was thinking. “Ringing phones scare away the crabs!”