Sherry watched as Jin and the man exchanged phone numbers. Then Jin opened his door and slid back into his seat.
“Is the car ok?” she asked.
He nodded. “There’s a little damage to the bumpers, but thankfully I was driving slowly enough that it’s not bad. Nothing else looks damaged.”
She looked sideways at him. “Did he recognize you?”
Jin shook his head. “I don’t think so.”
“I sure hope not. I would hate to see someone sue you just because they thought you were their ticket to becoming rich.”
“I think it’s ok. He didn’t even seem worried about his car, but since this is a rental, I may end up paying a bit to fix the bumper on this car.”
“Your insurance should cover it.”
Again, he nodded.
“I—I’m sorry, Jin.”
He looked over at her, but her face was obscured by the shadows in the car. “For what?”
“For distracting you. If I hadn’t touched you, you wouldn’t have hit that car.”
He shrugged. “No. No. That wasn’t your fault. I know to keep my eyes on the road. I let myself be distracted.”
Which reminded him of the current of electricity he’d felt when she had touched him. He wanted to pursue that. For the first time tonight, he wondered what it would feel like to kiss her.
He had the strangest look on his face. His countenance was dimly illuminated by the light pouring through the windshield from a streetlamp. What was he thinking about?
“What is it? Jin? What are you thinking about?”
He turned abruptly away after panic crossed his face momentarily. “Nothing. It’s nothing.”
Clearly, it hadn’t been nothing.
“Look, I totally understand if you don’t want to spend any more time with me. This evening has been a disaster from start to finish. I can even call an Uber if you want to leave me here.”
Appalled, Jin turned towards her. “Abandon you in downtown Chicago alone in the dark?”
She glanced out at all the lights illuminating the night. “Jin!” she laughed. “You make it sound like I’m a child! I flew all the way from India with only my friend for company. And we’re both girls! I think I can walk down a street alone after nine o’clock.”
“I would feel better if you didn’t,” Jin responded, a note of concern in his steady voice.
Sherry turned to look at him in wonder. “Jin, are you worried about me?” She couldn’t hide the astonishment in her voice.
Side-stepping the question neatly, Jin commented, “I’m not ready to say goodnight to you yet. Would you – would you go out for dessert with me?”
She turned wide eyes towards Jin. Had her bias just asked her out on a date?
