”No kidding?!” I answer back with good-natured sarcasm, unable to restrain laughter myself.

We proceed to shake off the dirt from my shirt and shorts, jesting with each other in the process. I feel good and genuinely happy to be with her, not to mention rather giddy with each time her hand makes contact with my body, even though it’s through the clothes. There is something about her touch from the way it thrills me. Something warm, sensual.

Oh my goodness, if her touch gives me such a buzz while I’m clothed, imagine how it would affect me if I’m naked? Umph.

For Christ’s sake, just stop it, Porter. Right now is not the best time to think about this.

”All clean now,” Tina declares with a triumphal smile.

We start on moving forward, walking at a leisurely pace down the tree alley.

”Wow, I have to say I’m surprised you’re not in heels. Faithless to yourself?” she mocks me.

I wouldn’t be myself if I didn’t play along, so I do. ”You know, I was in fact thinking about wearing them. I have those killer high heels sneakers, they would be amazing with this sporty look I have going on right now. Damn, why didn’t I pick them instead…”

”Yeah, if you picked them, you’d have not gotten here at all.”

”Huh?”

”Judging by your lack of physical training, you’d have crashed halfway if you were jogging in heels.”

My mouth falls open in indignant disbelief. ”Lack of physical training?! I’m the most athletic person you’d ever know!”

She waves me off. ”Oh please, I figured you out when I saw you almost crawling up here.”

I pout, feigning offense. ”You can’t figure me out.”

She gives me an odd look. ”And why is that?”

”Because I’m unfigurable.”

Throwing her head back, she lets out a hearty laugh. ”Right.”

Yeah, right! Why the hell is she able to figure me out? Most important, why the hell am I still unable to figure her out? This is depressing. It’s like she’s invisible. I can see her, but I can’t see her. I’m used to be so agile at figuring people out. What’s the matter with me?

”So how was your week?” I turn to neutral talking point, so that to smoothly switch to more personal ones as the conversation develops.