“Elizabeth. You cannot become a nun.”

“You wanna bet? I bet if I were a nun I wouldn’t get dumped for not putting out.”

“Elizabeth. You’d have to give up like everything.”

“Define everything.”

“Kissing.”

“It’s overrated.”

“You’ve never been kissed properly. Sly Eckert in the eighth does not count.”

“I’ve been kissed since then!”

. “Name one person. And that truth or dare thing sophomore year does not count.”

“The hell it doesn’t!”

“You’re only upset because that rules out your only other kiss. Anyway, that’s not the only thing you’d have to give up. You’d have to give up stuff like ice cream and all other kinds of junk food.”

“You’re not a very good Catholic, are you Lucky?”

“Nah, I’m a more of Luckyist.”

“A Luckyist? You worship yourself.”

“Yeah. You want to join?”

“No. You can stay a religion of one.”

“Very funny. Anyway, besides, there’s a guy who’s going to come along and he’s not going to want your body.”

“That’s reassuring.”

“No, no that’s not what I meant! I mean that’s not the only thing he’s going to want. He’ll want to get to know you–”

“Yeah, so he can get in my pants and then not call.”

“You’re such a pessimist.”

“With my history, wouldn’t you be?”

“You know what? I think I ought to fix you up.”

“Oh, no you don’t. I know the type of guys you do and believe me I’m not interested.”

“Not even…Jason?”

“Jason? Jason Morgan? Are you on drugs?”

“No. Why is that so unbelievable? He’s a great guy.”

“I’m sure he is. He’s also five years older than me and completely out of my league. Plus he’s got a girlfriend.”

“Oh. Right. Her. Look, Courtney’s no competition for you.”

“Yeah…blonde and busty. No competition. I got that.”

“No, no–Jason’s not like that, honestly. He’s into a girl’s personality.”

“And he’s still dating Courtney Matthews?”

“You’ve got a point. Listen, just let me set up a date. Come on. You know you’re gonna like him.”

“He doesn’t seem to be the type to go for blind dates.”

“He owes me a favor.”

“Oh. Gee. Thanks.”

“That’s not what I meant, Elizabeth.”

“I’m going to be a nun. That’s just the way it’s going to work. And why would I want to date someone who’d cheat on their girlfriend for a blind date?”

“I don’t think that’s really the way it is with Jason and Courtney. Seriously. She is so not his type. She’s so clingy?”

“I bet he gets a kick out of the victim routine.”

“Have you ever properly met Jason Morgan? Because you’d understand why I don’t think it’s serious between him and the blonde. She’s dumber than a doornail and I think Jason at least like conversation.”

“Wow. I don’t really see him a conversationalist.”

“He’s not. But–you know you’re protesting too much. Come on–let me set up date. Just one.”

“You just don’t want to become a nun. This is a selfish thing. Because if I’m a nun, I can’t help you with your girl problems. Or pretend to be your girlfriend when a girl doesn’t get the point.”

“Well–yeah–all that’s true. But I don’t want to become a nun because I think you have a lot to offer a guy.”

“Yeah? Someone should tell the guys that.”

“Very funny. So, you’re gonna let me call Jason?”

“Sure. Go wild.”

—–

“So? How’d it go?”

“You’re right.”

“I’m what?”

“You’re right. God, don’t make me repeat that again.”

“I kind of like the sound of it. So, what exactly was I right about?”

“I’ve never been kissed properly.”

“Wow–so does that mean–”

“Yeah–it means that.”

“So, you kissed him? On the first date? It was just the first date right–because there’ll be more–”

“Why? Did he say something about me?”

“Might have. So, how was it?”

“What? The kiss or the date?”

“Both. Either one. Doesn’t matter.”

“If I tell you, will you tell me what he said?”

“Sure thing.”

“It was amazing Lucky. Sly and Zander should definitely take lessons from Jason. Wow.”

“He’s that good, huh? So was that about the date or the kiss?”

“Did you know he has a motorcycle?”

“Yes. I take it you rode it?”

“It was incredible! The stars just seemed to pop out of the sky and the wind was just rushing by. Wow.”

“I take it Jason made a good impression.”

“He did.”

“Did he explain the Courtney thing?”

“Yep. Just a job.”

“Good. I didn’t think he was actually interested in her.”

“So…what did he say about me?”

“Nothing.”

“Lucky!”

“Okay…he might have thanked me for introducing the two you.”

“That’s it?”

“There might have been something about you being pretty.”

“Really?”

“I think the word was actually beautiful, but I can’t be sure. So, there’ll be a second date you think?”

“Well…he said he’d call. But guys never mean that…”

“If Jason said it, he meant it.”

“Really? You promise?”

“I promise. Hey, just think…if I’d let you become a nun, you’d never have gone out with him.”

“You knew I wasn’t going to become a nun.”
“You know what this means.”

“Oh, no.”

“You owe me.”

“Lucky?”

“And Jason still owes me. This is great. I hook up two of my best friends and manage to garner two favors. I am so good.”

“I’d hate to interrupt your self-loving session, but your cell phone is ringing.”

“‘Ello? Hey, Jason. What? Oh–that makes sense. It’s 856-3454. Yeah. See ya later.”

“What? That was Jason? What did he want?”

“He wanted to call you.”

“Well, why didn’t he?”

“Well–he didn’t have your number.”

“Shit! I gotta get home before he calls!”

“Hey, remember, Lizzie! You owe me!”

Jason stood outside the apartment door and ran a hand through his hair. Lucky had been over to his place before he’d left and had spent the whole time teasing Jason about tonight.

Nervous. He was actually freaking nervous. So what if he’d gone into Kelly’s at least four or five times a week just to see her? Purposely sat in her section so he’d have the excuse to talk to her? So what if after three months, he was finally going to talk to her face to face and take her out?

“You could have asked her out ages ago. She would have said yes.”

“Shut up, Lucky.”

“You just like punishing yourself.”

He reached out to knock but drew his hand back at the last minute. What if this didn’t turn out well? What if all they did was argue? Sure, he liked the flush of her skin, the fire in her eyes, and the sharp words, but he’d really rather they get along for at least part of the night.

He shook his head. This was a tiny petite girl for crying out loud. He could pick her up with three fingers more than likely. Why the hell was he so damn nervous?

Resolutely, he reached out and knocked on the door.

It swung open and he came face to face with the brunette terror and he managed a smile. “Hi. I’m–”

“I know,” Elizabeth said shortly. “I’ve only served you a hundred times–” she broke off and flushed. “I’m sorry. That wasn’t exactly a good first impression. Okay, finish what you were saying.”

This time the smile was genuine. “I’m Jason. Lucky’s told me a lot about you.”

“Elizabeth,” she replied. She stuck out her hand and instead of shaking it like she expected, he brought it to his lips and kissed it, bringing a deep flush to her cheeks.

“Good to meet you. You ready to go?” He released her hand and she nodded.

“Let me just grab my purse and we’ll head out.” She reached for the black leather bag and swung it over her shoulder. Locking the door, she pulled it shut behind her. “So, where we going?”

“I wasn’t sure what you’d want to do,” Jason told her as they headed towards the elevator. “What do you like?”

“Well, I’m up for anything other than Kelly’s,” Elizabeth said with a smile as she pushed the button to bring the car to her floor. “I just got off a shift from there an I probably still smell like burgers and fries.”

When she turned to see what floor the elevator was on, he leaned in a little–just to smell her. She smelled like vanilla but he didn’t think he’d mind the burger and fries smell either.

“What do you like?” she asked him instead. She flashed a smile at him. “This is your date too.

“I don’t really go out much,” Jason admitted. “I take a drive up the cliff roads on my bike sometimes–but mainly I just go home after work and play some pool.”

“Pool?” Elizabeth said. “How can you go home and play pool? What…do you have a pool table in your living room?”

“My dining room actually,” he replied. “I don’t have a lot of furniture but that was the first thing I bought.”

She blinked. “Wow. I don’t think I’ve ever known anyone who has a pool table in their house.” The doors slid open and they boarded.

“Do you play?” he asked.

She shook her head. “Nope. I’ve been after Lucky to teach me for ages but he won’t step foot in Jake’s after Gia caught him ogling some busty blonde last year.” She bit her lip and looked at him. “Speaking of blondes, um…I was under the impression you were dating one.”

He frowned. “Dating who?”

“Courtney Matthews,” Elizabeth clarified. “The one who’s always with you at Kelly’s.”

“No.” Jason shook his head almost vehemently. “She’s my boss’s sister and I’ve helped her out of a few situations but we’ve never dated.” He hesitated but decided bringing up that really bad drunken mistake from a some time ago wouldn’t be a good idea on what he was hoping would be the first of many dates. “I’ve never really seen her that way.”

“Almost like a job?” Elizabeth asked. “Looking out for her, I mean.”

“Yeah,” he allowed. “Kind of like that. Anyway…do you want to go to Jake’s then?”

“Sure,” Elizabeth said. “You can teach me to play.”

Thinking it would give him a good excuse to at least touch her, he nodded. So far, so good. Why had he been nervous?

—

Three hours and a lot of alcohol later, he remembered. The later it got and the more Elizabeth drank, the more clothing she took off. She’d started the night in a pair of jeans, some strappy sandal things and a long-sleeved maroon shirt of some stretchy material.

But apparently, underneath the shirt, she had a t-shirt of the same material and in a sky blue. And under that, a white tank top.

She’d tugged the t-shirt off twenty minutes ago and Jason scowled as he noticed the stares of some of the patrons centering on her breasts–of which they’d get a tiny glimpse of every time she’d lean over to make a shot.

She’d caught on quickly and he’d been sorry to see that happen–since in the beginning, he’d got to wrap his arms around her tiny frame and help her line up her shots. He’d liked that–liked the way she fitted against him and the way her hair smelled.

But now, they were on their fourth game and she was giving him a run for his money. If he’d been paying more attention to the game and not her and her many admirers, she never would have had a chance but well…he was paying almost no attention to the game.

“If I make this shot, I win the game right?” Elizabeth asked, eyeing the remaining pool balls. She set the pool cue on the table and raised her arms over her head, stretching out the cramped muscles in her back. However, the position emphasized her chest and Jason found himself trying to step in front of her to block everyone else’s view.

“Yeah,” Jason told her. He glanced at the arrangement on the table. “But you’ll never make it.”

She pouted and looked up at him. “I bet if you were helping me…I could make it.”

He took a deep breath and steeled himself for this. First date. He could do this. Just because she was now wearing next to nothing, it didn’t make him one of the horny bastards ogling her.

He stepped behind her and she tilted her face up to look at him. “I’m having a really good time,” she told him in a soft voice.

“I’m glad,” he told her. “I really…I wanted you to.”

“I know you were just doing a favor for Lucky,” she began, “but–”

“I think Lucky did me the favor,” Jason told did her. He slid his hands around her waist, spanning it. She was so tiny…”You wanna make this shot or not?”

She grinned, twisted her body back towards the table and leaned down, thrusting her ass right into his groin. Good God, she was going to kill him.

—

She won the game.

After the last game, he ordered some black coffee from Jake, the bartender and even though he wasn’t really that drunk, he had three cups of it after she only had one. He wasn’t about to drive her home with even a smidgen of alcohol in his system.

The coffee didn’t do a lot for her, but she was still pretty alert. He’d convinced her to at least put one of the shirts back on and now, most of the horny bastards looking at her had realized she was taken and had wisely moved away.

“I can’t believe I beat you on my first night,” Elizabeth said with a wide grin on her face. “Lucky is never going to believe me.”

“Oh, he will — if only to tease me about it later,” Jason assured her.

She studied him carefully. “Did you let me win?” she asked suspiciously.

“No,” Jason said honestly. “I just wasn’t paying attention during the last game.”

“Uh huh…” Elizabeth frowned. “What were you looking at?” Her eyes darted around the bar quickly, trying to zone in any kind of woman who might have been competing for Jason’s attention.

The quick action both amused him and reassured him that she was definitely having a good time–that maybe if he attempted to kiss her goodnight and ask to see her again, he wouldn’t get a smack in the face.

“You.”

His answer snapped her attention back to him and her cheeks reddened. “Really?” she asked shyly.

“Really,” he echoed. He finished off the last of his coffee. “It’s after midnight, you ready to go?”

She sighed. “No, not really but I have a shift at Kelly’s tomorrow and I guess I should at least attempt to get some sleep right?” She stood and tugged on her third shirt and swung her bag over her shoulder.

—

She pushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear and smiled up at him. “I had a really good time tonight. Even if you did let me win that last game.”

“I didn’t let you win,” Jason protested. “I just…wasn’t paying attention, remember?”

“Uh huh.” She hesitated, opened her mouth to speak but closed it quickly.

“I want to see you again,” Jason blurted out quickly.

She blinked you. “You do?”

He nodded. “Yeah. Is that…is that a problem?”

“Wow…no…” Elizabeth flushed. “I mean, I’d like to see you again, too.”

He took a step towards her and licked his lips nervously. Damn it, there it was again. Why was her nervous? She’d paraded around most of the night in a thin skimpy tank top–did he reallythink she was going to smack him if he tried to kiss her?

Yeah, definitely.

She tilted her face up to his and drew her bottom lip between her teeth. Was he going to kiss her or not?

He hesitated a few inches from her lips and she frowned, reached for his shirt and twisted her fingers in it to close the distance.

When Lucky had told her that she’d never been kissed properly, boy was he right–because noone’s lips tasted like Jason’s. A mixture of coffee and alcohol, she wound her arms around his neck and sank into the kiss, opening her mouth to the tongue that was tracing her lower lip at that moment.

Jason rested his hands on her hips, spanning her waist and pulling her right up against his body. When he’d tasted her long enough to get him through the next day, he eased back.

She didn’t open her eyes right away, just licked her lips slowly. Her eyes were a bit dazed and unfocused when she slowly opened them.

“So…when are you free?” he asked, a little pleased with himself.

“Um…” she frowned and tried to picture her schedule but right now the only thing she could picture of a naked Jason and that probably wasn’t a good idea right now. “I’d have to check the schedule at Kelly’s.”

“Well, then I’ll come in tomorrow and ask again,” he told her. He kissed her forehead. “Night.”

“‘Night,” she echoed, watching him walk down the hall towards the elevator. He looked back and smiled at her before the doors slid closed.

She made a mental note to thank Lucky.

“That’s the most ridiculous question I’ve ever heard.”

“This…coming from you.”

“You asked that question on purpose, Elizabeth.”

“Did not. I pulled it out of the box and there it is. It’s not my fault you suck at Trivial Pursuit.”

“No one in their right minds could answer that.”

“You’re only saying that because you don’t know, Lucky.”

“Do you know the answer?”

“Yes.”

“Cheater! You looked!”

“I’m not cheating–it’s your question to answer not mine. Come on, Lucky. Just answer the question.”

“You know, you were a lot more fun when you wanted to become nun.”

“You’re just mad because Gia’s not talking to you.”

“It’s your fault.”

“I resent that–it is not my fault. You’re the one who slept through two alarm clocks, sixteen calls and someone pounding on the door.”

“You should have tried harder.”

“I’m not your mother, Lucky. I went to all the trouble to set up that dinner and you screwed it up.”

“All right, spill. Why are you in such a bad mood tonight?”

“I’d be in a better mood if you just answered the damn question.”

“No, I know why I’m sitting inside on a Saturday night, but that doesn’t explain why you are.”

“Lucky?”

“Did you have a fight with Jason or something?”

“No.”

“You’re lying.”

“I am not. In order for people to fight, the other person has to talk.”

“Oh…that’s what this is about.”

“What?”

“Jason’s just a silent person–he doesn’t do it on purpose. He’s just not big on words. What happened?”

“It doesn’t matter. Answer the question.”

“E-liz-a-beth.”

“Don’t do that. I hate when you do that.”

“Come on. Tell me what happened. I’m your very best friend in the world. You have to tell me.”

“I saw him at Kelly’s.”

“And?”

“And what? That’s it. I saw him at Kelly’s.”

“Oh, for the love–Elizabeth, I’m not stupid.”

“Ha! Could have fooled me.”

“Elizabeth, honestly. You seeing him at Kelly’s does not explain your bitchy mood.”

“Maybe I’m just naturally a bitch.”

“And maybe the sky is purple. What else happened?”

“Someone else was there. Can we just stop talking about this?”

“Oh, was this about Big Boobs Matthews?”

“She was all over him, Lucky. And he didn’t do a thing about it.”

“Just like the last time?”

“Just like the last time. I asked him why he doesn’t like tell her to buzz off and he says he doesn’t want to hurt her feelings. And then I said what about my feelings and then Jason said that I have no reason to be upset. He doesn’t care about her.”

“Then what happened?”

“Oh…ugh, he’s just so infuriating. Did I tell you what happened when that guy pinched my butt last week while I was working?”

“Yeah–Jason broke his nose.”

“Right. So I don’t understand why he doesn’t get it. I don’t like seeing her hands on him anymore than he likes some other guy’s on me. Is that so damn difficult to understand?”

“Did you tell Jason that?”

“Yes, I told Jason that.”

“You don’t have to so sarcastic. I’m just trying to help. So what did he say?”

“He said I shouldn’t be so hard on Courtney–that she’s still upset about our relationship. And I told him that Courtney needed to get over it. It wasn’t like they were actually together.”

“Which they weren’t.”

“That’s what he told me.”

“What, that wasn’t true?”

“Apparently, not completely. They weren’t actually dating but they did sleep together. No wonder Courtney thinks she had some sort of claim on him.”

“So he lied to you?”

“No, not technically. He told me he wasn’t dating Courtney, which he wasn’t. They’d slept together only once about three months before that. He just neglected to tell me that.”

“I hate to ask–what happened after he told you?”

“I got pissed off. I said he should have told me but it still doesn’t excuse her behavior. I mean, it’s one thing for her to hate me and all that, but she doesn’t need to keep putting her hands all over him and sticking her tongue in his ear.”

“Ewww–she did that?”

“You know…this is all your fault.”

“How do you figure?”

“You set me up with Jason.”

“Well, yeah and it worked out. You’re dating him.”

“Not anymore.”

“You broke up with him?”

“I’m sorry. When I’m in a relationship, there can only be two people. Not three. And as long as Jason keeps sparing Courtney’s feelings like this, she has influence over him and I won’t stand for it.”

“So what did he say when you did that?”

“He just kinda sighed and said if that’s what I wanted. Ugh. He didn’t even try to argue with me.”

“Jason’s like that. He’s the king of letting people do what they want. If he thinks you want it to be over, that’s the end of it.”

“He’s a jerk. Doesn’t he realize that he wants matters, too?”

“Sounds like you still care.”

“You’re a jerk, too. What were you thinking, setting me up with him?”

“I was thinking I’d make two of my best friends happy and I did. You were happy weren’t you?”

“As long as Courtney was a hundred miles away from us.”

“You’re a coward.”

“I’m a coward? You’ve a got lot of nerve, Lucky–”

“No, no. See, I think you’re in love with Jason and since that scares the shit out of you.”

“You want to know what I think?”

“No, not really. Shut up and listen for a second. You’re in love with him and you think that he can’t possibly feel the same so you’re looking for reasons to be mad at him so you never have to tell him.”

“Right. Did I miss your graduation from medical school, Dr. Lucky?”

“I like the sound of that. Dr. Lucky. Kinda like Dr. Phil. Anyway, it’s common sense. I know you, Elizabeth and if you’re stupid enough to let a blonde little twit like Courtney Matthews come between you and Jason, then you didn’t deserve him in the first place.”

“You little jerk. How dare you say that to me after everything we’ve been through?”

“It’s because of what we’ve been through that I’m sayin’ it. You don’t see it, but I do. You light up around him. You’ve been happier these last few months than you’ve been in years. Jason makes you happy and you love him.”

“What’s that got to do with anything?”

“Because I see all of that in him when he’s around you. Elizabeth, he loves you, too. And he’s just as bad a coward as you are.”

“See that I like.”

“Look, Elizabeth all I’m saying is you can’t let Jason go without a fight. You’re way too happy around each other to do that, don’t you get it?”

“Lucky?”

“Just promise me you’ll talk to him.”

“I’ll talk to him.”

“Okay.”

“Don’t think I don’t know what you were doing.”

“What do you mean?”

“You were stalling.”

“Stalling? Me? That’s crazy.”

“Lucky?”

“What?”

“You need to answer the question.”

“I don’t remember the question.”

“Oh, well you’re in luck.”

“Oh, really.”

“I have the card right here.”

“Gee…lucky me.”

“Lucky, what are the seven wonders of the world?”

“Go fish.”

“Lucky.”

“What?”

“We’re playing Trivial Pursuit.”

“We are? I completely forgot.”

“You have no idea what the answer is, do you?”

“You might say that.”

“All this and you had no idea.”

“You should have known that.”

“You’re right, I should have.”

“So, it’s your turn?”

“I don’t want to play this anymore.”

“Wussy. You know I’m going to win.”

“Lucky, you couldn’t win this game if Lulu were playing it.”

“You know that sad thing?”

“What?”

“You’re probably right.”

“Gia said the strangest thing to me last night.”

“Let me guess. ‘You fell asleep again!’ ”

“Ha. Very funny, Liz. No, not that.”

“All right, all right. I’ll bite.”

“She said she loves chocolate more than me.”

“What’s today’s date? The twenty-second?”

“Yeah. What’s that have to do with Gia’s obsession?”

“Honestly, Lucky, don’t you know anything about women, do you?”

“You’re now just figuring this out?”

“I love when you admit I’m right.”

“I admit nothing.”

“You want to know why Gia’s particularly fond of chocolate right now?”

“I don’t want to know, do I?”

“It depends. How do you feel about sex?”

“You need to ask?”

“Yeah, you’re right. Okay, so there’s this scientific study that says eating chocolate releases the same pheremones as sex.”

“So Gia likes chocolate because it makes her feel like she’s having sex.”

“And Nikolas said you were an idiot.”

“Ha! My brother’s just jealous.”

“Yeah, Nikolas–the rich European prince–is jealous of you. Right.”

“So if it’s like sex, why doesn’t she just ask?”

“Maybe it’s because you have a nasty habit of falling asleep.”

“I knew it was a bad idea for you and Gia to get along.”

“Okay, I’m going to make this really clear…even you’re going to be able to understand it, I promise.”

“Okay, lay it on me.”

“Do you ever notice Gia eating more chocolate around this time of the month?”

“Sometimes. Why?”

“Think about it, idiot.”

“Oh. Oh. OH!”

“Is it a little bit more clear right now?”

“Ew. Why’d you tell me that?”

“You asked.”

“Does Jason know about this?”

“Who cares?”

“Uh oh. Trouble in paradise?”

“Paradise? You’re kidding right?”

“I thought you were over the whole Courtney thing.”

“It has nothing to do with the ho.”

“What did he do this time?”

“I hate when you say it like that–like I’m probably over reacting and that Jason isn’t really wrong.”

“Well, what happened?”

“I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Don’t be so stubborn. Come on, it’s been eight months. You’d think you would have ironed out the wrinkles in the relationship.”

“That’s not the point.”

“Come on, Lizzie. You know you’re going to tell me.”

“Don’t call me Lizzie.”

“What did my poor dumb friend do this time?”

“He asked me to move in with him.”

“Wait, I’m confused.”

“Shocker.”

“Shut up. No, I thought a commitment is a good thing.”

“It is.”

“I’m lost.”

“It’s the way he did it.”

“Oh. How’d he do it?”

“Well, you know my apartment was broken into last week right?”

“Yeah. It was trashed, right?”

“Yeah. Well, Jason says that my neighborhood sucks.”

“It does.”

“That’s not the point.”

“Well, what is the point? You’re making my head spin.”

“He said I should give up the apartment and move in with him. And get this–he offered me the guest room.”

“Liz, you know…you know he was just trying to not pressure you…you know that right?”

“After eight months, a little pressure is fine!”

“Okay, I admit that his approach was little…off…but his heart was in the right place.”

“I told him I loved him last week.”

“Oooh–what did he say?”

“He said that’s nice.”

“Ouch.”

“Yeah. What do you have to say to that, Dr. Lucky? Huh?”

“Look, you know I think that Jason is a great guy–I mean I wouldn’t have fixed the two of you up otherwise. But has he told you about Robin?”

“Yes, he’s told me about Robin.”

“I think he really does love you–”

“Ha!”

“–but he’s afraid to admit it.”

“When in the hell did his insecurities become my problem?”

“When you fell in love with him.”

“All right, what do you propose I do, then?”

“I propose you talk to him about it.”

“What would I even say? We’ve been dating for eight months but you kind of broke my heart last week when you said that’s nice instead of the three words and gee–it’s really sweet you want me to live with you but I’m not completely understanding why you don’t want me in your bedroom.”

“No. Be honest.”

“That was honest.”

“No, that was sarcasm.”

“Sarcastic honesty.”

“Elizabeth.”

“Lucas.”

“Oh, you did not just call me that.”

“I believe I did.”

“You know this means death, right?”

“Good. Better than having to see Jason tomorrow.”

“Wait, wait. If you’re fighting why would you see him?”

“Well…he doesn’t really know.”

“Hold the phones–Jason doesn’t know you’re fighting.”

“Isn’t that what I just said?”

“So…what did you say when he asked you move in with him?”

“I told him I’d think about it.”

“E-liz-a-beth. You need to talk to him.”

“I don’t want to.”

“Don’t be an idiot.”

“Lucky?”

“I love you, you know that? But sometimes you have this tendency to overreact and Jason’s been at the brunt of it lately. He’s been good about it and he’s been trying to make it work. You need to return the favor.”

“What am I supposed to do? Come right out and tell him that I love him and ask him why he didn’t say it back?”

“No. What you want to do is tell him at like a vulnerable time when he has no choice but admit how he really feels.”

“Throwing him under a bus doesn’t seem like a good option.”

“No, that’s not what I meant. Like just as he falls asleep or when he wakes up. That’s how Gia pries it out of me.”

“I don’t want to pry it out of him. I want him to tell me because he wants me to know.”

“So, give him the chance. Move in with him. Stay in the guest room. Tell him you love him. If Jason’s any kind of man, the guest room routine will only last about two nights–three at the most.”

“And if he’s got more restraint than that?”

“I’ll have a talk with him.”

“Great. You’ll just confuse him more.”

“The man dates you, it’s not possible.”

“Ha.”

“Look, I gotta go. I gotta stop by the store and get another chocolate bar for Gia.”

“Don’t worry…it’s probably only another few days.”

“I wish you’d never told me.”

“Well, you asked.”

“You’d think I would have learned by now.”

“Yeah, you would wouldn’t you?”

“You gonna take my advice?”

“Yes. And I’m going to Victoria’s Secret before I move in.”

“I’m not going to ask.”

“Okay, let’s take one more mental checklist,” Brenda decided. She put her hands on her hips and surveyed the work she’d done on the penthouse.

The second Elizabeth had left for her afternoon shift on Valentine’s Day, she and Jason had started preparing the place for their dinner date. He was determined to make up for the crappy way he’d been treating Elizabeth and she was determined that Jason not be an idiot.

The lights were dimmed and the living room set had been pushed back to make room for a candlelit dinner for two. Jason was in a tux, the box of candy and roses in his hands and she was going to be waiting by the elevator for Elizabeth so she could blind fold her.

She frowned when she saw Jason fiddling with his collar. Brenda smacked his hands away. “Stop that.”

The door opened then and Sonny poked his head in. “Just call a call from the front desk. She’s on her way up.” He grinned. “Well, don’t you look like a freak.”

He scowled. “Get out of here.”

“I’ll bring her in and it’s up to from there.” Brenda smacked his cheek lightly. “Try not to screw this up.”

She moved towards the door and shoved Sonny towards his own penthouse. “Stay out of here tonight, got it?” she warned him. The elevator dinged and Brenda pulled out the black silk blind fold.

Elizabeth stepped off the elevator and immediately halted when it was lowered over her eyes. “What the–?”

“Relax, kid,” Brenda told her, gently pushing her into the open door of the penthouse. Have a good time.”

“Brenda?” Elizabeth twisted towards her voice and reached out only to have her hands in enveloped in Jason’s large warm hands. “Jason?”

“Happy Valentine’s Day,” he said softly, brushing a kiss across her lips. She melted–she hadn’t seen him all day but he’d never said a word about doing something tonight.

“Jason…” she reached for the ties of the blindfold, but he stopped her.

“No, not yet. Go upstairs and get changed,” he told her. She reached out with her hand and came in contact with the fabric he was wearing. She frowned.

“Are you wearing a tux?” Elizabeth asked clearly surprised.

“Get changed,” Jason repeated amused as he steered her towards the steps. She slowly felt her way up to the second floor.

About fifteen minutes later, her soft voice called out. “Do I have to wear the blind fold?”

“No, you can come down,” Jason told her. He watched her face closely as she descended, her curls loose around her shoulders, her body encased in a filmy strapless black dress.

She covered her mouth with her hand and gasped softly. “Oh my God, Jason…”

He took her hand and led her towards the table. “Do you like it?” he asked nervously.

“I love it,” she told him firmly. She raised herself up on her tiptoes to kiss him briefly. “This is…I never expected…”

He reached the heart-shaped box of candy sitting next to the candles and gave it to her, not realizing how warm the box had gotten sitting next to the heat.

She smiled and opened it, making a little face. “Oh. It’s melted.”

Jason grimaced and took it from her. “I’m sorry. I left it next to the candles–”

“It’s okay, it’ll…dry…” Elizabeth shook her head. “Really, it’s okay.”

He took a deep breath and held the chair out for her. She sat down and looked suspiciously at the plate sitting in front of her that was covered with a silver cover. “Did you cook this?”

He shook his head and sat down across from her. “No. I didn’t want to poison you.”

Elizabeth laughed and lifted the cover off to find her favorite meal from the Grille. “Mm…this looks delicious.”

Jason smiled and reached across the table for her glass as if to pour some wine into it but his hand knocked into the candle which felt to the side and quickly the tablecloth burst into flames. Jason swore loudly and stood up, knocking his glass of wine into the fire, causing the flame to jump.

Elizabeth squealed and pushed away from the table. She stood and watched as the table cloth continued to burn even as Jason retrieved a fire extinguisher.

When he put it out, their dinner was charred and so was the bouquet of roses he hadn’t given her yet. The penthouse was a little cloudy with smoke and she coughed.

Jason sighed and moved to open some windows before looking at her. “I’m so sorry. This…I screwed this up so bad.”

Elizabeth crossed to him quickly and took his hands in hers. “No, it’s okay. It was just an accident.” She slid her hands up his chest until she wound them around his neck. “We have the rest of the night,” she told him, lowering her voice.

“I wanted this to be perfect,” he sighed. “I’ve screwed up so many times. I mean, first…going so slow you thought I was gay and then asking you to move into the guest room and what I said on the docks that night…I even asked Brenda to help me set this up.”

“You went to Brenda for help?” Elizabeth asked incredulously. She stepped back from him. “Jason–”

“I told you. Tonight had to be perfect because that’s what you deserve and I was going to tell you I loved you and instead I nearly burned the place down.” He shook his head. “I’m really bad at–” he frowned when he saw Elizabeth’s wide eyes. “Elizabeth?”

She licked her suddenly dry lips. “I–you–could you say that again please?”

“Say what?” Jason frowned but then he closed his eyes. “Damn it, I even did that wrong.”

“Jason.” She pressed two fingers to his lips. “Please just tell me again.”

He took her hand and kissed the palm before pressing it to his heart. “I love you, Elizabeth.”

Her eyes watered and she threw her arms around him. “God, I’ve waited so long to hear you say that,” she whispered. “I love you so much.”

“I should have—when you said it that night on the docks, I panicked.”

She drew away from him a little. “Panicked?” she echoed. “Why?”

“Because I’d been in love with you for so long that when I finally had the chance…I said the first thing that came to mind.” He shook his head. “When I told Brenda, she smacked me around but she told me that I had…I had to tell you just right and that’s why I wanted tonight to be perfect–”

She cut him off with a hard kiss. “Jason, the second you said it, tonight was perfect.”

“Well…” he reached into the jacket of his tux and pulled out the long velvet jewelry box. “I do have this.”

She squealed and took it from him. She slid it open and glanced up at him. “Jason, this is beautiful.” Elizabeth unhooked the slim silver bracelet and held it out to him. “Put it on me?”

He fastened it and looked at her hesitantly. “Are you sure everything’s okay? I mean…it was okay tonight?”

She nodded eagerly. “It was perfect. Just the way it was supposed to be.” She tossed the box on the nearby pool table. “So what do you say we go finish this night right?”

He grinned. “Works for me.” He grabbed her hand and tugged her towards the staircase.

Elizabeth sifted through a pile of clothes and winced when she heard something crash from the living room. “What was that?” she called.

“A picture frame fell from the table that was already broken!” Jason called back. He appeared in the doorway. “This place is a wreck.”

“Yeah.” She sighed and stood. “There’s so much to clean up.” She glanced at him. “It’s good thing I wasn’t home. They didn’t take anything so I can’t imagine what they were looking for.”

Jason stepped around some of knick knacks that had fallen from the shelf and peered out the window. She lived adjacent to the docks and he’d always been uncomfortable with her so close. It was a dangerous neighborhood and now her apartment had been broken into and ransacked. She’d been out with him at the time but if she’d been home…

“I think I’m going to stay with Lucky and Gia for a few more nights,” Elizabeth broke into his thoughts. She slid a sideways glance at her boyfriend of eight months. She’d been a little irritated when he hadn’t offered to let her stay at his penthouse but after eight months, they hadn’t even managed to make into the bedroom. Hell, she’d spent a total of ten minutes at his place.

“That’s probably a good idea,” Jason told her. “Actually…” he hesitated. “I think you should get rid of this place.”

“Oh?” Elizabeth’s heart leapt into her throat. Was he actually going to ask her to move in with him?

“Yeah. It’s in a bad location and I…I worry about you here.” He took a deep breath. “If it’s a matter of rent, I could help you out.”

Her heart slammed to her feet and she turned away to start shoving clothes into her dresser. God damn it. Eight months and all they’d done is go out on dates. They hadn’t talked about the future, they hadn’t talked about feelings, the idiot wouldn’t even put a hand down her pants. Had she really expected he’d jump over eight different steps and ask her to move in with him?

Yeah, she had and that made her the idiot. It was clear that this relationship was going nowhere fast and she could either move it along or end it.

And in no frame of mind to do either at that moment, she just shrugged and kept her eyes downcast so he couldn’t see the hurt in them. “I don’t want your money,” she mumbled. “I’ll clean this place up and get a better lock for the door.”

“Elizabeth, I want you safe.”

You want me safe, but you don’t want to sleep with me. Elizabeth closed her eyes and blocked the bitter thoughts. “I’ll be fine, Jase. This kind of thing happen to everyone sooner or later.”

“They didn’t take anything–they might come back.”

“I’m not going to move out of my apartment that I pay for by myself into some place I have to depend on charity to live in.”

“It’s not charity,” Jason scoffed. “Okay, you won’t accept money from me. Will you stay with me then?”

Her head snapped around and she looked at him with wide eyes. “You want me to move in with you?”

He nodded. “I want you safe, Elizabeth. And this apartment isn’t going to cut it.” He shrugged. “I’ve got an extra room at the penthouse.”

She blinked. “An extra room.”

“Yeah, it’s actually the master bedroom but it’s too big for me.” He frowned. “Elizabeth, I–”

She exhaled slowly and looked away. He was willing to ask her to move in but not into his bedroom.

A conversation from the night of the break in came to mind and she closed her eyes. They’d been walking on the docks–probably at the very same her apartment was being ransacked. It’d been an unusually October warm night, the stars were out, the moon was reflecting off the water in the harbor. It was the perfect moment she’d thought to tell Jason how she felt.

“Jason?” she stopped their forward movements and stepped in front of him. “I–I want to tell you something.”

“Yeah?”

She bit her lip and took a deep breath. “I love you.”

The three words hung between them and he swallowed hard. “T-that’s nice.”

She blinked. Stepped back. “Okay.” Elizabeth bit her lip and started to walk, fighting back tears.

He’d never brought it up and she’d prefer to forget it. He didn’t want the same things, didn’t feel the same way. That was fine. She could deal with that.

And not only did he apparently not love her, he didn’t want to sleep with her either so what was she supposed to do? Move into his guest room while she decided on whether or not to stay with him?

“Elizabeth?” Jason pressed.

She turned and sighed. “I’ll think about it.”

“But–”

“You know what? I’m late for lunch with Lucky.” She stepped up to him and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “And I think your lunch break is over.”

“Elizabeth–”

“Are you gonna be at the warehouse in an hour?” she asked. “Because I’ll stop by and let you know what I decided.”

“Yeah, I’ll be there. Just come in and go to my office, okay?”

She nodded and she left the apartment without him.

—

After her enlightening conversation with Lucky after which he’d provided inspiration for what she was going to call her VS attack, she had a bounce in her step when she came the door of Jason’s office.

It was open slightly and he was sitting at the desk, looking kind of uncomfortable with his boss/business partner Sonny Corinthos.

She knocked. “Hey. It’s been an hour.”

Jason looked up. “Hey. What’d you decide?”

Elizabeth frowned and glanced at Sonny. “We can’t talk about this alone?”

“I’m kind of in the middle of something,” Jason told her.

“No, no,” Sonny stood. “We were pretty much done anyway. Good to see you, Elizabeth.”

“Yeah, uh huh.” She closed the door when he was gone and glared at Jason. “I want to pay half the rent.”

“I don’t pay rent. I own the place,” Jason told her, a little confused about her reaction to the entire question and to Sonny.

“Okay, half of all the utilities,” Elizabeth pressed. “Or I stay in my crappy docks apartment.”

He stood and rounded the desk. “Elizabeth, you don’t–”

“It’s a deal breaker.”

He nodded, not intending to actually use her money for the bills. He’d pay them and put her contribution into some sort of account. After what he’d put her through last week with his very disappointing response to her admission of love, the least he could do was move this relationship along.

Besides, he had something planned for Valentine’s Day.

“You’re going to let me pay?” she asked skeptically.

“If that’s what you want.”

She smiled brightly. “Great. I’ll go pack and do some shopping…to, ah, replace some of my stuff. Pick me up at Lucky and Gia’s around six?”

“Sure.” He kissed her softly. “I’m glad you’re moving in.”

“Me too,” Elizabeth said decisively, already picturing the Victoria’s Secret catalog and picking out her different torture pieces.

Jason Morgan was going to be sorry he’d ever put her in a separate bedroom.

“I think I did something wrong.”

“You think? Honey, you’re a man. You did something wrong. You ate the apple.”

“That’s not–Brenda, I’m serious here.”

“Oh. Serious. Okay, how did you piss her off this week?”

“How’d you know I was talking about Elizabeth?”

“Because she’s the only subject you get serious about. Well…serious with me. Anyway, so what did you do? Let Courtney lick you? Not call off Carly? Did you reject her advances?”

“She said I love you and I said that’s nice.”

“Wow.”

“Brenda–”

“I mean, wow. That’s…that’s…wow.”

“Can you stop wow’ing and help me out here?”

“I think you’re beyond help. I sincerely hope she smacked the shit out of you and walked away.”

“She said okay and I walked her home. This was the same night her apartment was ransacked so maybe she forgot–”

“A woman does not forget telling her boyfriend the three words and getting that’s nice back! Stupid male!”

“Ow! Damn it, Brenda that hurts! Don’t throw books with hard covers.”

“You idiot. You love her. You’ve been in love with her for like a year and you finally get to tell her and you choke?”

“Damn it, Brenda, stop hitting me!”

“Well, stop being an idiot!”

“Just tell me how to fix this. Can I just…explain it to her?”

“Okay, first of all, you can’t explain this. Because you still ruined the moment.”

“Brenda–”

“You cannot walk up to her and say, hey sorry about my being a freaking moron but I love you.”

“Why not?”

“Because the first time you do the love thing, it’s supposed to be special and you fucked it up. So now you have to make it special!”

“Well, how am I supposed to do that? I suck at this relationship thing!”

“I’ll say. It’s been eight months, you haven’t taken her to bed, you haven’t moved in together–”

“I’m taking it slow. I want this to work.”

“Slow sucks. She needs something from you. So, here’s what you’re going to do. You’re going to ask her to move in with you.”

“I’m not ready for that.”

“Oh…for fuck’s sake.”

“She’s a virgin, Brenda. I think that should matter. I want to make sure it’s right for both of us.”

“Okay, okay, be a freak. Tell her to move in to the guest bedroom. If she’s half the woman I think she is, that won’t last long anyway.”

“What’s this?”

“Never mind. It’s a girl thing. Okay, and then, we plan something…Valentine’s Day is in a few months. If she can stick it out with you that long, we’ll plan a whole production and you can make a heartfelt love thing then.”

“What if she doesn’t stick it out that long?”

“A good desperate confession of love as she walks out the door will work too.”

“Okay. You’re sure about this?”

“Have I ever steered you wrong?”

“Well–”

“Okay, okay, no need to go into details. Get to work. We’ll see if we can salvage this.”

“Valentine’s Day sucks.”

“You only say that because Gia’s mad at you again.”

“Ha…yeah, well maybe. I take it today is a good day in paradise?”

“It’s better than usual.”

“This have anything to do with the candlelit dinner?”

“Absolutely nothing. By the way, the tablecloth caught on fire.”

“I told him it was a bad idea. What about the roses?”

“They fell in a puddle.”

“Huh. The candy?”

“Melted.”

“The bracelet?”

“Now, that I liked.”

“So, wait, the dinner was a bust, the flowers and candy both got ruined and you still had a good time?”

“Yes.”

“What are you on and why aren’t you sharing?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Elizabeth, you’re happy. About Valentine’s Day. And Jason.”

“So, what’s your point?”

“You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“All right, all right. You want to know what happened?”

“I’m dying to know how Jason didn’t screw this one up.”

“So, you remember the whole guest room, the I love you is nice debacle?”

“Yep.”

“He totally made up for it tonight.”

“Oooh….sounds good to me. So, what did he do?”

“He returned the favor.”

“Returned the favor–oooohhhh…so would it be okay for me to say I told you so?”

“Haha, you’re so funny.”

“I told you he felt the same way.”

“Yeah, well, I wasn’t exactly trusting men at the point.”

“So, I bet you grilled him on his reaction the first time you said it.”

“Hell, yeah.”

“Is he in least one piece?”

“Yes. You don’t give me enough credit, Lucky.”

“I know you too well.”

“I’m going to take that as a compliment.”

“If that’s what you want.”

“Anyway, he told me that he’d been a little surprised and said the first thing that came to his mind.”

“Typical guy reaction. Gia told me and I asked for the remote.”

“When did this happen?”

“You remember that bruise I was sporting about six months ago?”

“You mean the one you told me you got from a door?”

“Yeah…well, the door was kind of more like her fist.”

“Good girl.”

“Hey, abuse is not funny.”

“Neither is being a guy. Wait, I take that back. Sometimes guys are hysterical. You don’t always mean to be, but hey, sometimes it happens.”

“Haha, so funny. So, is that only the reason you had a good Valentine’s Day?”

“Well…there was that and the fact that I overheard Courtney is out of town until sometime this summer.”

“Ah. Another one of her vac ations. How many kids is this now?”

“Four, I think. Where do you think she stashes them?”

“Maybe adoption.”

“Yeah, probably. So, my life is looking up. Jason loves me, the Victoria’s Secret thing worked and the ho is out of town.”

“You know having a conversation where I’m not trying to explain the way Jason–wait, what Victoria’s Secret thing?”

“Never fails. You mention the V word and all other rational thought ends. I told you that before I moved in with Jason, I was going to do some shopping.”

“Ohhh…”

“Yup. Found this one number where the bra is like see-through–”

“Lizzie, I don’t need a visual. The thought is entirely too disturbing.”

“Sorry. Anyway, I got this completely sheer robe that matches–”

“Lizzie, no more visuals. I am begging you.”

“Well, it’s hard to describe what happened if you don’t at least have an idea what I was wearing.”

“Suddenly I feel really really bad for Jason.”

“You should. He’s an idiot. So, moving on. I came downstairs when I knew he was getting his midnight drink–”

“Midnight drink?”

“Yeah. Apparently he gets really dehydrated in the middle of the night. Strange.”

“Not really. I could tell you why, but it’s a guy thing.”

“Enough said. So, I came downstairs into the kitchen, cleared my throat and the rest was history.”

“That was really disgusting.”

“Hey, it was not!”

“So, Jase didn’t even last one night with you in the guest room. Weak.”

“Yeah, like you would last five minutes.”

“Okay, you’ve got me there. You know, you still owe me.”

“I do not!”

“Oh, you so do. I played Cupid, remember? I’m the one that convinced you to on the blind date with him.”

“Okay, you’ve got me there. What do you want?”

“Please explain to Gia that I honestly did not mean to call her fat.”

“You’re kidding.”

“It was an accident. Look, she had on this really great blue dress. And she totally tricked me.”

“She asked the question, didn’t she?”

“Yeah. I was stupid enough to give her an honest answer.”

“What did you say?”

“I said no, of course not.”

“Right. So, the problem?”

“She changed.”

“Oh, boy.”

“Yeah, and then she asked again. And I was honest. Again.”

“Lucky, you know I’m all for honesty usually, right?”

“Right.”

“When a woman asks a question like that, never…ever give her an honest answer. It’s just not worth it.”

“Why do you all ask that question anyway?”

“You really want to know?”

“YES! It’s obvious you don’t really want to know what we think.”

“I’ll tell you if you really want to know.”

“Tell me. Please.”

“We love to watch you squirm for the right answer.”

“You’re kidding.”

“Nope.”

“Brats. Every single one of you.”

“I think I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“So, how does Jason answer that question?”

“He doesn’t.”

“And you let him get away with that?”

“I don’t ask.”

“You don’t? How’d he get so lucky?”

“Because Jason would give me an honest answer without a second thought. He’s like that. Doesn’t see the point in lying or anything.”

“Ah. If only Gia could be like you.”

“You love her just the way she is, you know that.”

“Yeah, I know. So any suggesti ons?”

“Grovel.”

“Check. Anything else?”

“Jewelry, probably. A nice pair of earrings or something.”

“Got it. Thanks, babe.”

“Good. So, we’re even, right?”

“We’re even.”

“Good. Because you’ve been lording the blind date thing over me for like nine months. It’s getting ridiculous.”

“Well, you know if you get married, I get to do it all over again.”

“How do you figure?”

“I don’t. I’ve just decided it on the spot.”

“You need some serious help.”

“Yeah, well, so do you.”

“This is true. Now go grovel to Gia. You got me out of bed to talk about this, and I think Jason–”

“No, no. Please, no visuals.”

“Did you know that a hammer is not something you want to cracked over the head with?”

“I’m not entirely sure I want to know how you learned that.”

“It was an accident.”

“Yes. Just like the time Gia’s hairbrush accidentally collided with your head. Or the time you accidentally walked into the deep end of the pool at Nikolas’s house. The empty deep end. You are very accident prone.”

“There’s no need to mock.”

“Oh…there’s every need to mock.”

“I think I had a point here somewhere.”

“The hammer met your head. You were about to explain why.”

“Right. So I was in the garage at the house–Mom wanted me to fix the sink.”

“You were the only one there, weren’t you?”

“Hey, I am not useless. I can fix stuff.”

“A sandwich does not count.”

“I was in the garage, trying to find the tool box. Apparently, Dad’s hid it for some reason when he’s out of town.”

“Maybe it’s to keep you from fixing things.”

“Do you want to hear this or not?”

“Do I have a choice?”

“So I’m reaching on this shelf and this hammer comes crashing down on my head. And I think I saw stars. So, yes, a hammer hurts. Don’t use it on Jason.”

“Unlike Gia, I don’t have to resort to physical violence. I just kind of mutter under my breath, storm around the penthouse for a few days. He gets the message. Jason, unlike some people, can take a hint.”

“You’re mocking my pain.”

“Oh, I’m mocking something.”

“So, you’re not ticked at Jason?”

“Nope. Surprisingly, not this time. But this could coincide with Sonny taking his family on a vacation. With Carly and Courtney gone, life’s downright peachy.”

“Are you still harping on Big Boobs Matthews? Look, I wouldn’t touch that…that for all the money in the world.”

“Gia would cut your hand off.”

“That’s hardly the point.”

“Anyway, so long as the girl is showing up in our bed without any clothing on–”

“Jesus, Lizzie, I just ate!”

“–or sticking her tongue in Jason’s ear–”

“There goes the French fries too.”

“–or worse–”

“How can there be an ‘or worse’?”

“–straddling him in public.”

“I didn’t really want that burger anyway.”

“So long as she’s being a skank, then I get to harp on it, got it?”

“At the expense of my lunch, yeah, I got it.”

“Okay, this is what I’ve decided.”

“You actually made a decision?”

“Yes.”

“Don’t be so testy, Lizzie. I was just asking.”

“Well it was a stupid question, Lucky. Since I said I decided, I obviously decided.”

“Okay.”

“Okay, what?”

“What?”

“You’re giving me the look.”

“Look?”

“Lucky, you have that look. Where you have more to say but you fear for your life if you do say it.”

“Oh. Well…”

“What?”

“You’ve made the decision five other times. Quite frankly, Gia needs an answer.”

“Why do I care what Gia needs?”

“Because Gia’s your maid of honor and in order to get fitted for the dress, you have to pick the color. And the design. You haven’t done that yet. You haven’t actually even looked for a dress yourself.”

“I’ve got time.”

“You’ve got six weeks. I think you’re worrying the groom.”

“The groom can go stick it in his ass.”

“I know that tone.”

“Tone? Listen, buddy–”

“What did my poor unwitting friend do this time?”

“He suggested that I take on another bridesmaid.”

“So? You’ve only got Georgie Jones and Emily. Jason’s got three groomsmen. You could use one more.”

“He suggested Carly.”

“Oh. Oh.”

“Yeah, oh. At this rate, Jason’s gonna be really lucky I show up to marry him. The absolute nerve of that jackass–”

“I forget. Why do we hate Carly?”

“How does Gia put up with you?”

“I’m good in bed.”

“Yeah. Right.”

“You shouldn’t scoff like that. You’ve never slept with me.”

“And I thank God every day for that miracle.”

“Why am I friends with you again?”

“Because you adore me.”

“Ha!”

“Okay, so fill me in on Carly again. I really did forget.”

“It’s the same reason I didn’t want to invite her to the housewarming last month and why I didn’t invite her to the wedding shower next week and why we never go out with her and Sonny.”

“…Which is?”

“Honestly, Lucky, you really need to see someone about this memory lapse you seem to be suffering from. Carly Corinthos is the bane of my existence and my own best friend doesn’t remember why! The absolute nerve!”

“Oh…you know, suddenly, it’s coming back to me.”

“I’ll bet it is.”

“Something about her telling Courtney that Jason had dumped you and she should give him a special surprise on his birthday.”

“Yeah, something about suggesting that surprise me having me and Jason walk in on her in his bedroom sprawled out on the bed. Naked.”

“Naked, huh? You know, you never did tell me what she looked like. Is she really as big as–Ow! Damn it, that hurt!”

“Serves you right. You know, nothing spoils the mood of wanting to have sex than seeing your fiancé’s ex-girlfriend naked in his room. I nearly killed him before he managed to get out that he had no idea why she was there.”

“You should trust him more.”

“I don’t care how much someone trusts their boyfriend. When you see a naked chick on their bed looking like a present, you will always try to kill them first.”

“Okay. So what did you say to Jason when he suggested the atrocity of having his best friend be your bridesmaid?”

“I told him to go to hell.”

“You know, he and Carly go way back. They’ve been friends for like forever. You know he’s like a godfather to Michael and the kid thinks he walks on water. You know that Carly also didn’t tell Courtney to be a whore.”

“Carly hates me.”

“She hates that she’s losing Jason to you.”

“You know, her insecurities are not my problem.”

“Do you love Jason?”

“Yeah.”

“Do you want to marry him?”

“Occasionally.”

“Then her insecurities are your problem. His baggage is your baggage just like your uncontrollable lust for me is his baggage.”

“You’ve been smoking pot again haven’t you?”

“You know you can’t control yourself around me, Lizzie.”

“Yeah. It’s really hard to resist your animal magnetism.”

“Don’t think I don’t know sarcasm when I hear it. I know it.”

“You should.”

“Anyway, what are you going to do about this situation? Are you just going to lie down and take it? You going to bail on Jason?”

“No. We already put the deposit on the reception hall.”

“Lizzie.”

“No. Because I’ve already accepted he’s not going to ditch Carly. And I wouldn’t ask him too. But I just wish he’d tell her to butt the hell out of our lives. It’s freaking Courtney all over again! How many women do I have to deal with?”

“Look. Once you two are married, what does it matter what Courtney or Carly does? You already beat them. You get the guy.”

“Yeah. I guess.”

“Do you think it would mean a lot to Jason if you held the olive branch out to Carly?”

“Probably.”

“And isn’t the objective of marriage trying to make the other person happy?”

“I hate you.”

“You hate when I’m right.”

“That, too.”

“You going to do it or what?”

“I’ll do it.”

“Good. Hey…who’s planning the bachelor party?”

“No. Lucky.”

“Because I got this great idea–”

“No.”

“Lizzie–”

“No.”