Free Speed Dating by Natalie Standiford Page B

her a funny look, as if there might be something wrong with her. Then they turned their attention to Quintana. Mads
     hoped she and her boy, Jason, would be so into each other, they wouldn’t realize they were being eavesdropped on.
    “Of course I take showers when I have to,” Quintana said. “When I’m in a hurry or after gym or whatever. But I really love
     a good, long soak in the bath. With almond-scented oil, that’s my favorite. Just lie back, naked, the sun streaming in through
     the window, making me all warm… .”
    Did Quintana know what she was doing to this guy? His mouth hung slack as he absorbed what she said. A drop of saliva appeared
     at the corner of his lip, grew bigger, then dripped down his chin.
    “You’d think she was talking about food,” Mads said.
    “From now on, I’m switching to baths,” Dave said.
    “Jason, why are you staring at me like that?” Quintana said. “Just because I said the word ‘naked’?”
    “N-n-n-naked,” Jason stammered.
    Let me try that,
Mads thought. She tapped Dave’s hand to get his attention. “Hey. Dave. Listen to this.” She paused, licked her lips for maximum
     effect.
“Naked.”
    Dave didn’t seem to hear her. He was still mesmerized by Quintana. Mads tapped him again. He turned toward her groggily. “Huh?”
    “Did you hear me? I said
naked.”
    “What? Yeah. Is time up yet?”
    Mads sighed. Why didn’t it work for her? Was it her voice? Her intonation? The context?
    “Time’s up!” Lina called.
    Dave got up to leave. “Uh, I’ve got to—” He walked away without finishing the sentence. It was as if his mind had melted.
    “Nice knowing you, Dave,” Mads called after him.
    “I’m bored,” Quintana said as the next boy took his place.
    “You don’t seem bored,” Mads said.
    “Don’t I?” She frowned. “These boys don’t have much to say, do they? I’m doing all the talking!”
    She turned to her new partner. “Is it hot today? Or is it me?” She pulled her sweater over her head, leaving only a white
     tank top. “There. That’s better. Now, who are you?” She reached across the table and smoothed theboy’s rumpled shirt so she could read his name tag. “Jason. I just had one of those.” She glanced at the first Jason, who
     was now sitting across from Mads but still riveted to Quintana. “Are all Jasons as good-looking as you two?”
    Mads sat through more of this, boy after boy after boy, making mental notes, until Sean finally reached the chair across from
     Quintana. Mads told her boy—nameless, faceless, at this point she hardly cared who he was—to sit down and be quiet if he knew
     what was good for him. She didn’t want to miss a word of the Sean-Quintana bout.
    Quintana: Hi, Sean.
    Sean: Hi, Quin. Tana. Anyone call you Quin?
    Quintana: Sure. My family. Old friends. But what are you doing here? I thought you were taken.
    Sean: Hey, I’m not married. Anyway, Jane’s pissing me off. She’s been hanging with this college dude, so I thought I’d make
     her jealous.
    Quintana: Oh. Well, how’s it working so far?
    Sean: Not so good. Till now.
    Quintana: I’m not sure I want to be used to make another girl jealous.
    Sean: Then I won’t. I’ll dump Jane altogether if you’ll go out with me.
    Quintana: Just once? You’d dump your girlfriend for one date with me?
    Sean: That’s what I said. You in?
    Quintana: Well… okay. Why not.
    Sean: Excellent. I’ve got another date this Friday, but she’s got a curfew. What if I pick you up afterward, say, eleven?
    Quintana: You’ll dump your girlfriend, but you won’t cancel your date with another girl?
    Sean: You’re right. I can always see that girl another night.
    Lina: Time!
    Sean: See you Friday?
    Quintana: I’ll think about it.
    Sean: Okay. You think about it, and I’ll see you Friday.
    He moved over to Mads. He was the first boy of the day who didn’t have to be forced to drag himself away from Quintana. He
     grinned at Mads and said, “Hey,