"What was that about Natalie? You've already met him?"

"Yeah.. I met him when I was talking with Kevin. I guess he is one of Kevin's friends “ twisting my fingers in my hands.

"Oh really, Missy and you rejected him? What a shame"

“Charlie, I had just been cheated on.. What do you expect me to do?”

"Natalie, I was kidding, I only said it was a shame cause you guys looked cute together when you were asleep"

" Yeah well.. get that thought outta your head, cuz it ain’t gonna happen"

"Ok ok I'll stop. He's not your type anyway"

“Come on, on , let’s go”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'm sensing that Natalie seems a little off after our conversation so I try and cheer her up.

"How about we stay in town and grab some food and a movie? I'll even let you choose the movie"

"Sure, whatever you wanna do.. is good"

"No, this is about you, you need some cheering up"

"I'm fine.... let's umm.. let's go get some Chinese and then maybe we can go and see night at the museum. Does that sound good?"

"Sure. Sounds great. I can introduce to you to pancake rolls and trust me they're great"

As we walk into the restaurant, we’re greeted with the sounds of ancient music and the smell of vegetables frying. The perfect atmosphere to just sit back and relax and unwind. And I was all for it… We picked somewhere to sit and picked up the small menus.

“Alright… what should we get….”

"We should start with crispy aromatic duck with pancakes and plum sauce, they'll provide salad with that as well...oh and some prawn toast"

"Oh what the heck... Sure....'

"Great...I'll go and grab us a couple of drinks"

Leaning back against the chair, I let out a sigh of relief. Tonight I’m going to try and relax and not think about anything. Just have fun. No men… Just some good food, great movie and good company…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I can see Natalie start to relax. It's a good sign and a relief to watch. She's been through some crap and deserves a chill out. I get to the bar and I'm just about to order our drinks, when this guy leans across at the same time as I do. I pull back a little startled and find myself gazing into the most hypnotizing brown eyes I've ever seen. Tearing my gaze away,I step back.

"I'm sorry, go ahead"

"No.. you go ahead, m' lady.. " with a smile

"Thank you" I turn to the waiter.

"Two beers, please"

"Startin' the party early tonight?"

"Oh the party never stops"

"Really... Just my type of girl... By the way, the name's AJ"

"Well AJ, It's nice to meet you. I'm Charlie" "Well, Charlie.. It's definitely nice to meet you."

"I have to get back to my friend, maybe you'll see me around sometime"

"Oh, I'm sure I will"

"Well enjoy your party and have a good evening"

“You too”

I walk away, a little dazed that I have just flirted with a complete stranger. Oh well, I think. I place our drinks down on the table and smile at Natalie

" What just happened to you?"

"I made a friend"

"A friend... uh.. a guy friend maybe?"

"Yes a guy friend, very charming and sexy"

“Just watch it, ok?”

"Don't worry we're not planning to elope until next month”

"I would hope not... " grabbing my drink.

"Let's eat."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Natalie was totally right, the evening turned into one major relaxation fest, we ate till we were full and by the time we left the restaurant we were running late for our movie. it started in five minutes but we still had a good fifteen minute walk ahead of us

"see that's the disadvantage of having a great Chinese restaurant nearby"

" I know.. I should have been watching the time... Hell.. we could use a little exercise, right? What do ya say, we have a jog?"

"Sure, I haven't acted mad in ages"

We link hands and start running towards the movie complex, unfortunately for us though, it starts raining

"Ugh.. this is just so typical... Maybe we won’t get too wet, by the time we get there"

We were saved, it only rained lightly and by the time we arrived. We were giggling as we paid for our tickets, got some popcorn, ice cream and sodas and settled into our seats.For some strange reason, we were only two people laughing throughout the film. I mean hello! It's a comedy, it's meant to be funny.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I stare helplessly as Brian scores another point against me. Normally, I'd be laughing at this because he doesn't usually beat me and I let him score a few ahead points, but today is different. I can't concentrate. I sigh as I take a swig of water

"Is it that exhausting letting me win?" knowing he was letting him win

"I'm gonna admit I'm not letting you win. I'm playing bad today"

"I can see that... something on your mind, buddy?"

"I dunno, I was out with Amy last night and I really like her. She's totally hot, great body, but I was distracted"

"Distracted by what,.. your hormones..?" chuckling a little

"Laugh all you want, at least I'm dating"

"Oh shut up.. I did meet this girl at the club the other night. I thought that we hit it off pretty good, even though she's a bit younger than me. So.. its not like I'm not trying..."

"Well I'd try a little harder if i were you. AJ's met her as well and from what I hear, they connected. “ pausing

“Oh and as long as she's not as unfriendly as her friend"

"Well, I don’t know her, other than the two of you were drunk and passed out in the back seat. I gave her my number so I guess we'll see what happens."

"Well good luck with her. I'm gonna try and sort things out with Amy when I come back from the gym tomorrow"

"Yeah thanks, let's get back to game so I can finish whooping your butt” smacking his shoulder

"Well in that case, I might just start playing properly, old man"

"Old man? , give me that ball, I'll show you a thing or two..." dribbling down the court

"I think I'll do the teaching" as I snatch the ball from under his nose and slam it through the hoop

"Oh and Carter scores"