*****Three Weeks Later***** “ You’re certainly spending enough time with Natalie,” Nick remarked as AJ shut his phone from another conversation with her. “ So?” AJ asked, eyebrows raised. “ So, what about Marielle?” “ I told you time and time again, Marielle and I are over, there’s nothing going on between us,” “ She’s still calling you though, isn’t she?” AJ didn’t bother answering as he checked his calender for the following Wednesday. “ What’s Wednesday?” He asked Nick who shrugged. “ Why?” “ I’m going to a premiere,” “ With Natalie,” “ Jesus, Nick, sometimes I mistake you for pure genius,” AJ said sarcastically. “ Do you like her?” “ Doesn’t matter because you blew your chances with her,” Nick glowered slightly and turned back to the television. “ It’s not a date,” AJ said after a minute, not looking up from his phone as he checked the little schedule thing in it. “ I never asked and I don’t care,” AJ let out a chuckle and got up from the couch, glancing at his watch. “ Well I’ve got to be going, I’ll be back later,” “ Where are you going?” “ To dinner,” “ With?” “ Jesus, Nick, you sound like a nanny or something...It doesn’t matter who I’m going with, a coupla friends, do you wanna come along?” “ With your friends? No thanks, I’d rather just hang here,” “ Hahaha, funny, my friends aren’t that bad,” “ Sure,”...
***Wednesday Night*** It was a slightly chilly night as Natalie and AJ exited from the ‘Sweetest Thing’ premiere after party and ducked into the limo admist the paparazzi. AJ slid over and grinned at Natalie. “ That’s always fun,” He said, staring out of the window at the oblivious cameras shooting away at the limo’s tinted windows. “ How long is the drive?” Nat asked, leaning over to look at his watch. “ Twenty minutes...We should be there around 2:30,” “ We left kinda early,” “ What’dya think of the movie? Romantic enough for ya?” He asked, wrinkling his nose. “ Oh please, you know you loved the sappiness of it,” She laughed. “ Actually, you’re right, it kinda puts you in a romantic mood,” He replied, wiggling his eyes suggestively at her. “ Maybe ya should have stopped after the second drink?” He pretended to consider it. “ Maybe,” Agreeing, he stretched out and looked at her. “ Does that mean that if anything were to...happen? It wouldn’t be my fault, it’d be under the name of intoxication,” “ Nope,” She tossed back lightly, smirking at his mock disappointment. “ So seriously, you liked the movie?” “ Yes, but I liked the company better,” She answered slyly, reaching over to retrieve a bottle of water from the mini-bar. “ Damn you, Trevante, you’re gonna flirt but tell me-” “ Nothing can happen?” She asked innocently, taking a sip. He stared at her. “ Maybe it was you who should have laid off on the coolers,” “ Maybe,” She repeated his answer and laughed. “ Nope, I didn’t have that many,” She added. “ Aha, so what do you plead under?” “ Nothing...Absolutely nothing,” He shook his head and settled back on the plush seat. “ You’re not gonna fall asleep, are you?” She asked, poking him as he closed his eyes. “ Well, if you’re gonna keep up that little flirtacious act of yours, I’m going to have to.” She laughed again and turned on the TV. “ I’ll stop but you’ve gotta keep me company until we get home,” “ Agreed,” They both sat and watched the reruns of the late shows until the limo stopped in between their houses. “ Thanks, Hal, see you tomorrow,” Natalie said as the door opened and they got out. The limo drove away as AJ walked Natalie to her door. “ Thanks for coming, J, I woulda been bored to death if I had gone alone,” She said when they reached the door. “ Thanks for inviting me, it was fun,” He smiled down at her as she laughed. “ Hmmm...Kinda romantic mood, right?” She recalled his previous words. “ I have no clue what you’re talking about,” He answered, his tone getting serious. “ It’s written all over your face,” She remarked in the same tone as his before leaning up to meet his lips in a soft kiss. She pulled away several seconds later. “ Sorry,” He apologized solemnly, moving to pull out of their embrace. “ Wanna come inside?” She inquired. He hesitated before meeting her lips again in a final kiss. “ I shouldn’t,” He said, his arms still around her. “...Yeah...You’re right,” She said, suddenly awkward. “ I’ll see you tomorrow?” “ Yeah, thanks again,” She pulled away and gave him a peck on the cheek before resting her hand on the doorknob. “ Hey, you provided tickets,” He gave her a smile before he headed over next door...
