I have been thinking about the softball player for three days now. I can't even concentrate on my work and my assistants are suspecting something because I haven't shouted at anyone yet, even after two hours spent at the office.

They must probably think I am sick or something. So to make things straight, I just start barking at them they are all useless and why isn't my 10 o'clock coffee already on my desk ?

A girl rushes to the kitchen, and soon comes back with my black coffee, in my Wonder Woman mug. I got it as a birthday present last year, probably as a joke. I never knew who offered it to me, and the employees had probably expected an outburts on my unwrapping it, but I loved it.

Wonder Woman's outfit changes colours each time a hot beverage is poured inside the mug and I marvel each time it does the trick.

After Wonder Womann has changed, my mind drifts back to the girl. I really want to get to know her. Something is drawing me to her but I am a bit scared and clueless. Usually girls fall on my laps and I just take them straight to bed. But at 28 I am ready for something serious and I want to do it right.

I have never courted anyone I am not even sure people say « court ». Is it more appropriate to say « woe someone » ? gosh I have no idea. I feel like a grandma right now wondering about correct language. Let's use « chase ». It is probably a word some Amazon warrior would use and she would need her bow and arrow to do so.

Ok. What are my weapons ? How can I seduce her ? I certainly don't want to repeat my past mistakes. I don't want her to see the stuck up control freak bitch, to use someone's words. I know I am one though. Just ask my assistants and interns. They hate me, they are afraid of me, but how does anyone get any result done by being nice ? I wonder.

But I don't want to scare her away, nor to make her fall in love with my money either. Can I try and be someone else for a night ? See how it goes ? Then maybe I could let her see the real me later?

I decide to be someone average for tonight, a jogger enjoying a run after a day's work. I am wearing shorts and an Under Armour t-shirt. She can't suspect I am wealthy in those.

I start my playlist and start running, heading straight in the direction of the softball field.

After 15 minutes I notice the yellow balls and that caracteristic sound of a ball caught in a leather glove. I decide to sit on the bench close to the field, and observe the training.

The girl from three days ago is there, she has not noticed me. She seems to be concentrating hard and I like that she can take a traning that seriously. Her long brown hair are tied in a high poney tail and bounce in rythm with her hips. Yum.

After 10 more minutes of training, they decide to play a match. The coach separates them in two teams and she chooses the sexy brunette in her team. They are probably together as I imagined. Why am I wasting my time here... ?

The girl takes her position on the first base, her coach is the catch. She is wearing all those protections that make her twice as big, not very sexy. I have my eyes on the brunette during the whole game. She is really good, she catches each ball that is thrown at her, even if it means she has to stretch far. I imagine her in bed with me doing those stretches...

Practice is finally over and I decide to walk on the field and close to the group of girls. The coach notices me before the girl does and she addresses her :

« Hey babe, your admirer is here. »

The girl is taking off her spikes and putting her sneakers on. She blushes when she realizes the coach is talking to her and when she notices me.

« Hi » she says, shyly.

« Hi » I answer, not being able to add anything as I feel numb.

The coach starts laughing, puts her arm around the girls' shoulders. I feel ill at ease. Maybe I should not have come, this was such a bad idea.

She kisses her cheek and tells her to have fun before heading out of the field. The other girls get the hint and follow their coach, leaving us alone.

« Did you enjoy watching the game? » the girl asks.

« Hum, what are you talking about ? I just arrived here. »

« Sure, I noticed you a while ago ».

I cough uncomfortably and feel my cheeks burning. But she laughs before adding:

« I am glad you got the hint on Tuesday evening. I wanted to see you again. »

« Me too. Would you like to grab something to eat ? You must be hungry after this intense training ».

« I'd love to. Let me just send a text message and I'll be all yours. »

She grabs her things from the ground and turns to look at me. She extends her right hand towards me and introduces herself.

« I am Juliette by the way. »

« Amelia. Nice to finally meet you Juliette. »

I suggest we head to a diner close to the park. I needed to stick to my new personality, I would not risk suggesting a five star restaurant. And we would never have been accepted in our sport clothes and all sweaty. So a diner is a more valid option.

She orders waffles and I make up my mind on a plain omelette. I laugh at her weird choice of meal but she confesses she has a sweet tooth and feels less guilty to eat junk food after a good practice session.

I suspect she also benefits from a great metabolism which allows her to eat anything she wants without gaining weight and that is the real reason behind her dinner choice. People like that are so lucky. I always have to watch what I am eating and exercise on a regular basis.

Finally, conversation really begins and I get to know more about her.

« Where are you from ? I couldn't help but notice a slight accent. » I ask Juliette.

« I am French. I have spent my life in France and moved to the USA 8 years ago. »

« Why is that ? »

I feel my question unsettles her a bit.

« I fell in love...with the country. I was an exchange student on my third year in college.»

« Here in New York ? »

« Yes. I loved it and decided to stay longer. And it's been eight years. I work here now. I teach English in a French school. »

« I did not expect that. » I say playfully.

« Oh. You tried to guess what I did for a living ? »

« Yes, I wondered. But I couldn't set my mind on anything. »

« And what do you do for a living, if I may ask ? »

« I work in an advertising company.»

« And you must originally be from New York. »

« Yes, how do you know ?»

« Your accent gave it away. »

« Really ? » I ask, surprised she could tell.

« Yes, recognizing accents is part of my training to become a teacher. I can even imitate a very thick Scottish accent », she says, rolling her Rs.

I laugh at her imitation but before I can ask more questions and learn more about her, she abruptly stands, and tells me she has to leave. She is expected elsewhere.

It's a Friday night, I suspect she has to meet up with friends for a drink, a club maybe. I am glad she could spare an hour with me though. I want to see her again, soon and I tell her before she leaves.

« I would love to see you again, are you free this weekend ? » I ask her.

«I am free on Sunday. Here.»

She grabs a pen from her bag and takes my hand in hers. She scribbles her phone number on my palm, then places some money on the table and tells me dinner is on her.

« Use your new tattoo wisely. Have a good night. »

She exits the diner.

Now I have a whole day to figure out where I could take her out.