“Do you mind?” He pointed to the seat next to me. He smiled and I sighed.

“I’m sorry, of course,” I said. “I don’t own the sofa.”

He chuckled. “I kinda knew that. But I’m a gentleman and so what a gentleman does is ask first.”

Even if he hadn’t told me that, I probably would have been able to testify that he was a gentleman in a court of law. It was everything about him, especially the way he was dressed. While most of these dudes were in jeans and wife beaters, he wore black slacks and a white tailored shirt open at the collar. A very business, but casual look.

He sat and then began mimicking me. Not on purpose, of course. He just bobbed his head in rhythm to mine. And then, he opened his mouth:

“Lost without you, can’t help myself.”

I leaned away from him. “Wow! Impressive.”

He blinked and when he glanced my way, it seemed that he’d forgotten where he was.

“Thank you. But I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

“I think if you’re not being paid to sing aloud in public, that means that you shouldn’t do it.”

That made me chuckle. “I disagree. If you can sing like that, then clear your throat and blow.”

He laughed. “Well, I had to find something to do ‘cause this.” He paused, glanced around at the party going on and shook his head. “I’m not built for this. Just ask my boys. The ones wilding out in the corner over there.”

I followed his glance and asked, “Why aren’t you wilding out with them?”

“Didn’t you hear what I said?” And he gave me that double-dimple smile again. “I’m too much of a gentleman to be doing all of that. This ain't my thing. Don't even ask me how I ended up here ‘cause I couldn’t tell you.”

"Tell me about it,” I said. “I have no idea why I’m here either. I mean, I’m a basketball fan and it sounded like a great idea at the time, but....”

“But!” he said and we laughed together again.

He held out his hand. “I’m Jeremy. Jeremy Williams."

"Ginger Allen."

"Like Ginger,” he paused and frowned, “from Gilligan's Island?"

I rolled my eyes. If I’d had a dollar for every time someone said that, I wouldn’t need this Business degree that I was working toward.

It must have been my silence, that made him say, “Sorry. Didn't mean to offend you."

"No.” I held up my hand. “You’re fine. I’m just irritated because of all of this.” I waved at the people surrounding us.

“So this must be your first time.”

I nodded.

“Then, I’m gonna assume that you’re not from around here.”

“Nah, I’m from DC. But I go to school in New Orleans. Xavier.”

His eyes widened. “Get. Out. I'm at Dillard. What are you? A freshman?”

“I’m a sophomore actually.”

“So am I. Wow.” He shook his head. “I can’t believe we've never met."

“Well, I’m not a big partier; I don’t get out much.”