“Of course I feel it! I can /taste/ it. But it just isn’t worth it to me to be used and tossed aside.” Summer clenched her hands in her lap. It hurt so much, to think how close she might be, how much her own fears and doubts were holding her back. “After all,” she whispered, “how can I believe you see me, really see me, if I become just another notch?” She pressed her lips together hard, trying to deny the tears swelling up.
“Persuade me, make me believe what you say. I can’t /be/ just the most recent girl you tumbled into bed with, I just can’t.” Not again, she thought. I need to be able to bond to someone, to know that they truly care for me. I can’t go on just giving myself away. But the little voice at the back of her mind knew if he asked again, she’d give in.
Tony threw his arms up a few inches and sighed. There was so much conflicting in his mind right now. But he knew there was some truth to her words, even if he didn’t want there to be. An idea came to mind but he held it back a moment. “I’m sorry, Summer,” he sighed, getting up to stand before the couch. His eyes met with hers once more just briefly before his voice filled the room again. “How about…we go to dinner. Or to the park. Not a date, but just a meeting among friends. If it gets to be any more than that then…well then I’ll take you out for a real date…,” he let his voice trail off, looking to her and awaiting a response.
“Please don’t — it’s not you — I’m just …” Summer stumbled over apology, denial, something before giving up. “Dinner. Yes. Okay.” She nodded a little, watching him, then stood up, head tipped back to keep her eyes locked on his face. “Maybe … not step quite so far back. First date, yes?”she said, trying for brave. She reached out, lightly resting her fingertips on his chest. “After all, that tension is there. I, um, I’m worth at least a dinner beforehand,” she tried to joke.