Eye Candy by R.L. Stine

following me?
    He wore a white shirt and yellow tie over black dress slacks. The tie flew up to his shoulder as he jogged up to me, waving and smiling.
    â€œI thought that was you!” he cried.
    You’ve been following me for blocks. And now you’re acting surprised to see me?
    â€œJack! What are you doing here?” I tried to sound like it was a happy surprise, but I didn’t quite pull it off.
    â€œI had some business and stuff,” he said. His eyes locked on mine. “What a coincidence, huh? I mean, running into you here.”
    â€œWell . . . yeah.”
    He pulled the tie into place, then stuffed his hands into his pockets. “Were you going into this bookstore? It’s for kids, right?”
    â€œYeah. I—”
    â€œIt’s so funny running into you. A real surprise. Hey . . . maybe we could get a drink or something. Coffee, maybe.” He nodded toward City Bakery across the street.
    â€œWell, actually, I’m with someone.”
    Jack’s expression changed.
    Colin stepped out of the store, carrying some books wrapped in a plastic bag. I quickly took his arm and introduced him to Jack. They nodded at each other. We made awkward conversation for a few moments.
    â€œGuess we’d better get going,” I said, still holding on to Colin’s arm.
    â€œGreat running into you,” Jack said, flashing a half-hearted smile. “Small island, isn’t it?”
    Colin and I started walking to Seventh Avenue.
    â€œLindy, I’ll call you!” Jack shouted.
    At the corner, I turned and glanced back. Jack hadn’t moved. He stood in front of the bookstore, staring after me.
    He seemed so normal and boring.
    Am I going to have a problem with him?
    Well, Colin said he was used to getting what he wanted, and I guess he got it this afternoon. We ended up back at his apartment and made love, self-consciously at first, then passionately, with the bedroom windows open and sunlight streaming in, and the blanket and sheet kicked off onto the floor. . . . Sex in the daytime with someone you barely knows seems so much more decadent . . . and delicious . . . and . . . other adjectives.
    What am I saying?
    What am I
doing
?
    No, Lindy. Dumb question. You really like him.
    I didn’t get back to the apartment until a little after six. Ann-Marie was in our tiny kitchen, searching for ingredients to make a sandwich. “Are you hungry?” she asked. “I’m not meeting Lou till late. I’ll put this away and we can order out or something.”
    â€œI . . . don’t know,” I said, dropping my bag on the white Formica counter. “I—”
    Ann-Marie stared at me. “Your face is all scratched up.”
    Colin’s bristly beard.
    I could feel my cheeks turning hot. I knew I was blushing.
    â€œWhere’ve you been? You said you were coming back at—ohmigod.” Ann-Marie’s mouth dropped open. She always was a good mind reader. “Lindy, I don’t believe it. Who was it? That guy who took you to the comedy club? Brad?”
    â€œNo, I—” I tugged at my hair. I realized I’d forgotten to brush it before I left Colin’s apartment. “Colin O’Connor,” I said, avoiding her eyes. “Last night, Colin and I—”
    Ann-Marie let out a scream and rushed forward to hug me. “You found someone you like? Someone you
really
like?”
    â€œYeah. I guess. He’s very nice. He—”
    She screamed again, clapping her hands. “I knew it! I knew you’d find someone. When can I meet him? Maybe Lou and I can go out with you two next weekend.”
    Another hug. I’d never seen her so excited.
    â€œNo. Colin said he’ll be away next weekend.”
    She squinted at me. “Away? He isn’t married—is he?”
    I laughed. “I don’t think so. He has to travel for work.”
    â€œLin, I’m so happy for you. What does he do? What’s