Barry sank down into the old-fashioned plush red couch, gripping his cocktail as best he could without spilling it.

Veronica puttered around the kitchen.

“Thanks for coming over Barry,” she said from the next room.

“No problem,” Barry said, glancing around her small apartment. Even though he’d been there before, he added, “I really like your place.”

Veronica emerged with a glass of wine and small plate of hors d’oeuvres.

“Thank you.” She smiled, placed the tray on the coffee table and sat down next to Barry.

Barry tried his hardest to look comfortable. He had once thought becoming mayor of a major urbanate would make him less awkward around women. But it had not. At least around women who drove him crazy like Veronica DeMolay.

“How long have you been living here?” He managed to croak out.

Veronica leaned back, looking up, “Oh, I don’t know. A few years now I suppose. I really like it up here though.”

“Yes, it’s wonderful,” Barry agreed. He sipped his drink and considered placing his arm up on the top of the sofa, not quite around her but extending into her space ever so slightly. He tried running a sim of what would happen, if she would move closer, cuddle towards him or continue to look at him impassively from the other end of the couch. Results were inconclusive as he didn’t have enough data to go on. He abandoned his plan.

The two sat in silence for a minute or two. Barry cleared his throat. Veronica sipped her dark wine while Barry tried not to stare at her eyes too obviously.

“So what did you want to see me about?” Barry finally cracked the quiet.

“Oh, just a project that I’ve been working on that I was hoping you might be able to give me some feedback on.”

Barry had no idea what she was talking about, “Sounds great.”

“Really, you want to see it?”

“Sure, if I can have another round here first.” Barry drained his glass.

Veronica waved toward the kitchen. “Oh yeah, help yourself! I’ll get things set up in here in the meantime.”

In the kitchen, Barry not only fixed himself a stiff drink, but also spent a couple moments on some deep breathing exercises. He managed to slow his pulse rate a bit and stop his palms from sweating quite so feverishly. By the time he came back into the living room, Veronica had set up a transparent spherical display on top of the coffee table.

Veronica scooted over to make room, and patted the cushion next to her. “Here, sit down close so you can get a good look.”

Barry acquiesced despite the sudden spike in his heart rate the mere idea of sitting that close to her caused. He was about to run another quick sim of the situation first but just sat down instead.

She smelled like honeysuckle, he decided.

Veronica waved a hand and began manipulating the sphere. “Are you ready?”

Barry wasn’t sure that he was. “Absolutely!” He downed a gulp from his drink.

“Take my hand,” she said, reaching a thin arm suddenly towards him. Barry wiped his palm of his pants and accepted her hand in his.

“Let’s go,” she said.