Carrie and Keith 9

Carrie walked until she was out of his sight, then she ran home. She burst into the side door and ran up the stairs.

"What's wrong?" Kim called after her.

"Nothing," Carrie called back and rushed into her room. "Can I borrow your fax again?"

"Sure."

Carrie moved frantically around, gathering her papers. Then, she flung open the closet door.

"What's going on?" Kim asked from the doorway.

"He asked me to dinner and I only have an hour to get ready and copy all of those pages." She pointed to the bed where she had set them.

"Invited you to dinner? At his house?" Kim asked.

"Yes. He's ordering pizza." Carrie pulled a jean skirt and a pink short-sleeved blouse from the closet. "What do you think of this?" She held the clothes in front of her.

"That looks cute," Kim said.

"OK. 'Scuse me." she said and ran past Kim and down to the bathroom.

Carrie tore off her clothes and jumped into the shower.

"What's the occasion?" Kim asked from the doorway.

"I didn't ask. I was afraid if I said too much, he'd change his mind."

"Just be careful. It's not like you'll be in a public place..." Kim's voice trailed off.

Carried turned off the shower and grabbed a towel. She sighed.

"First of all, I've already been in his house. Second, I like him. A lot. And he seems to like me. I think I can trust him to act the gentleman."

"Still. Even nice guys are capable of date rape." Kim said dourly.

Carrie stepped out of the shower. "Kim, I'm really nervous and could use a few words of encouragement. No more fear-mongering, OK?"

Kim sighed. "OK. You're a strong, capable woman. Have a good time. I hope it ends up the way you want."

"I hope so, too."