Painted Memories Read Online Free Page B

inquired since he showed no hesitation when he changed my flat tire the other day.
    Tyler grabbed the bar and pulled it down in front of me so I could grasp its ends. “No, that's a one-of-a-kind service.”
    He squatted over the bench and sat down on the edge of the seat in front of me. I focused on his dark brown eyes. I didn't dare look down at the small space between our spread legs, or glance at his knee, when it touched mine. I definitely never expected the training lesson he was giving me to be so personal, but I straightened my back and pulled my chest up, determined not to let him see how nervous, and surprisingly, turned on I was. What was wrong with me? I didn't act bravely around guys, and I absolutely wasn't the flirty type.
    “Is this the kind of service to be expected at this establishment? I'm sure it's something a girl could get used to.”
    Tyler smirked and his brow lifted with a question in his eyes before he shrugged his shoulders. “Probably not, but for you, I would make an exception.”
    He changed the subject when he grabbed the bar and began giving me instructions. He showed me how to hold it and the proper level for my arms when pulling the bar down behind my head. It wasn't rocket science, and I was sure this type of instruction wasn't necessary, but I let him guide me anyway. The thrill he sent through me when he slid his fingers underneath the length of my arms and pulled them to the correct level, delighted me. I had to tighten my grip so I wouldn't let the bar go. His touch was soft and it tickled my skin, sending goose bumps down my arms. I hoped he didn't notice .
    After a couple of repetitions, I let the bar go. “Thanks for the lesson.”
    Tyler's hand briefly patted my knee. “Easy enough, right?”
    “Actually, I have a question.” I paused, half debating, half daring myself to continue. “Do you want to get a drink or have dinner with me sometime?” I don't know why I asked. I've never asked another guy out before, because... well, I don't know. Wasn't that usually a guy’s job? Or maybe I was too chicken to do it before? Forget that now. I was becoming adventurous. It was about time I started living a little.
    “Isn't the guy supposed to be the one that asks the girl out?”
    I leaned in a little and laughed. It sounded foreign and flirty to me, a kind of pent-up fun that I had ignored for too long. It felt good. “Well, it is the twenty-first century, and sometimes you have to take matters into your own hands.”
    I sat on the bench and waited for Tyler to find a piece of paper and a pen. I was still blown away at my own words. I felt like a completely different person. I looked around the room and noticed Andrea walking on the treadmill, staring at me. She grinned and arched her brow as if questioning what was going on. Only yesterday, we were drooling over his hotness, and just a few minutes ago, I was practically in his lap!
    Tyler came back and handed me a card with his cell phone number written on it. I took the pen from him and wrote down the address to Toni's Café on the bottom of the card before I tore it in half. “Meet me here tomorrow at six,” I said handing him half the card. 
    “Are you sure? We can go someplace a little nicer. It may be the twenty-first century, but I can take you some place better than a café.”
    “Nope. They have the best food around. I'll see you at six.” Toni's was quite on most days, hardly crowded, and the food was awesome. It was the perfect place to talk. I had to stay after school tomorrow for a meeting, so it worked out better if we met there. Plus, I wasn't stupid. I didn't know this guy and there was no way I’d let him come to my apartment. Not yet anyway.
    After he left, I took my place on the treadmill beside Andrea. I figured I could do at least thirty minutes of cardio before I headed home. She gazed at me with a confused look and I knew what she was thinking. “So, how was your class today? Looks like I'll be able