Carmen Jenson is the kind of girl who loves to read books in bed, watch movies at home, and play board games on the weekends. Her girlfriend Patty, however, claims she's not exciting enough, and dumps her. Carmen decides she’s had enough of failed relationships and decides to stay single for a while, though in her heart she wants something more.<br><br>Nel Patrick is the bus driver on Carmen's daily route to work. She always teases Carmen about chasing down the bus because she’s late. Carmen thinks nothing of the friendly banter between them until a chance meeting on the bus. While talking about Carmen's desire for a meaningful relationship, Nel reacts in a way that’s totally unexpected, leaving Carmen at a loss to understand her strange behavior.<br><br>A few days later, Nel shows up at Carmen’s workplace. When Nel's attraction to Carmen comes out into the open, they go out on a date. A hot night of loving leads Carmen to wonder if she’s finally found the game girl she's always wanted.

A Bored Game Girl

“Yeah, sorry.” I took Nel’s copy of Mr. Darcy Takes a Wife—interesting choice, especially since I loved that book—and rang it up. I told her the final amount and asked if she had a discount card. She did, to my surprise, and handed it over along with her debit card. I rang up the sale, completing the purchase. I asked if she needed a bag and she declined.


Nel thanked me and turned to leave, then changed her mind, facing me again. Her brown eyes bright and curious, she asked, “Hey, you going to lunch anytime soon?” 


Okay, left field. I replied, “Yes, actually. Right now.” I shut down the register and told the MOD that I was going for my lunch break.


When I came out from behind the counter, Nel asked, “Care to have lunch with me?”


“Uh, sure, if you want. Just give me a minute to clock out, okay?” She nodded and I sped to the back of the store.


I came back a minute later, feeling a little off-kilter, to find Nel standing by the door. “I’m ready. I’ve got half an hour for lunch.”


Chapter 5