The phone buzzes on the bar next to me. Glancing at my friend on stage, he meets my eyes as I pat the phone. He nods returning to strumming the guitar in his hands. Flipping the phone, I read the message. No Name. "Not feeling it tonight. Catch you next time Sexy."

I chuckle taking a swig from my beer. "Poor Elias."

I signal for two more beers as the strumming stops behind me.

"Anyone important," Elias asks settling his guitar case between us as the next person takes his place on stage. The man using random open mic nights to work on his drifter character.

"Just your booty call cancelling," I grin up at him handing him the second beer. "Move down the list."

"She was the bottom of my list."

"Ouch. Bottom of the barrel rejecting you."

"Still got my hand," he smirks.

"TMI Dude."

"Gotta do what you gotta do," he grins draining his beer. "Ready to head out."

"Sure," I drain my own beer. Grabbing the guitar case, "I got your true love."

"Thank you."

"You know you wouldn't have to rely on booty calls so heavily if you showed a woman as much love as this damn guitar."

"Why do you do that," he asks as we start our short walk to our apartment complex.

"Do what?"

"Why do you shit on booty calls?"

"I don't shit on booty calls. What two consenting adults do in their private time isn't any of my business. I just don't understand them is all."

"It's a pretty simple concept," he grins.

"Not for me. I don't trust just anyone to experience the gloriousness that is me," I smirk.

He snorts in response.

"I need trust and a relationship. I've never been one for casual sex. It's not a comment on other's choices. I've always liked the sweet guys, not some sleaze that uses girls as an outlet to release their horniness."

"That sounded very judgey," he states as we reach my apartment.

Handing over the guitar case, "It was. I'm sorry. Maybe I'm just too naïve believing that everyone should be in trusting, loving relationships before they give away such intimacies."

"Have you ever had casual sex?"

"No," I sigh, digging my keys out of my jean pocket.

"Then how do you expect to understand something you've never experienced?"

"I know my heart," I explain unlocking the door. "Goodnight Eli," I smile kissing his cheek.

"Dani."

I turn back towards the man halfway into my apartment. He steps forward pressing a soft kiss to my forehead. "You should really open your heart up to more things."

"I'll think about it."

"You do that," he smiles moving to his neighboring apartment.

I sit outside my apartment door admiring the sunrise when the shuffling draws my attention. Elias shuffles up looking exhausted.

"I would say you're doing the walk of shame but you have no shame," I smile at my friend. He had disappeared the night before leaving me with his guitar and car. An action not unusual in our friendship. "True Love is on your couch. Breakfast is in my kitchen."

"You are a God's send, Danica," he smiles disappearing into my apartment.

"You're the only one who think so," I call after him, standing.

"I'm the only one that matters," he grins taking my seat before pulling me into his lap.

"Personally, yes. Professionally…"

"What's going on," he asks around a mouth full of food.

"I'm just frustrated. I can't seem to find my place on TV."

"What happened to that whole Southern Belle thing you were working on?"

"Some new girl is coming in and taking that."

"What?"

"Apparently, it fits her better."

"Got anything else?"

"Not at the moment," I sigh staring down at my empty plate. He takes the plate from my hands, adding it to his in the floor.

"Well fuck, Dani," he sighs pulling me down to his chest. "Frustration is understandable."

"I'll figure it out," I shrug sitting up. Gathering the dirty dishes, I stand heading into my apartment. "You need to shower. You smell like cheap perfume."

"You wouldn't smell me if you would buy a second chair out here.

"Buy your own chair like a functioning adult."

"Maybe I just like sharing with you," he chuckles. "See you for dinner. I have steaks thawing."

"Sounds good," I call.

"Morning Dani."

"Morning Eli," I smile glancing at the shirtless man seated in the chair beside my door strumming his guitar. My eyes slide across his torso drinking him in before jumping to his face. He always seems so relaxed while playing, like nothing in the world can bother him. I'm actually jealous of the ability. "I'm heading out for my morning run. You want to join me?"

"Have I ever joined you?"

"I forget you get your cardio other ways."

"Yep," he winks. "I'm thinking maybe chicken for dinner."

"Oh fuck," I sigh stretching my legs. "I forgot to tell you. You're alone for dinner tonight. I have a date tonight."

His strumming falters, "A date?"

"Yeah," I smirk. "You know, those weird things I do to get to know members of the opposite sex before I jump into bed with them."

He rolls his eyes at me. "Who?"

"A guy I met on the running trail."

"Got a name or just a guy?"

"His name is Jamie."

"Got a last name?"

"You my daddy all of a sudden?"

"Just worrying about you," he shrugs.

"Appreciate it but no need," I state turning to leave.

"Someone has to watch your back," he calls.

"Yeah. Yeah," I wave. "Love you too, Eli."

"That was a wonderful dinner, Jaime," I smile at my date. "Thank you."

"You are quite welcome," the man returns my smile and my stomach clenches for the hundredth time tonight. There was something gnawing at the back of my mind the entire night that I just can't seem to place. The man in front of me is attractive with short spikey dark hair and grey eyes set in deeply tanned skin but every time he smiled my stomach clenches. I try to brush it off as Elias getting into my head but my unease won't go away.

"I've really enjoy myself tonight," he states leaning in.

"Me too," I whisper backing up against my door without thought.

"I don't bite," he grins. "Unless you like that sort of thing."

"No," I state more confidently than I feel.

"What about a kiss? Are you into that sort of thing?"

Leaning forward I peck his lips quickly.

"That's all I get," the smile returns as he leans into me again.

"Yes," I state pressing my palms into his chest.

"Okay," he holds his hands up backing away slowly. "Fine. I thought we had a connection but obviously, I misread the signs. I'm sorry."

"No harm done."

"May I use your restroom before I go?"

I hesitate my keys gripped tightly in my hand.

"Just like forty seconds and I'll be out of your hair. I just gotta take a piss."

Sliding the key into the lock I open the door motioning for him to enter.

"Thank you."

"Down the hall on the right."

Kicking my heels off I make my way to the kitchen. The sounds of female laughter filters in through my shared wall with Elias' apartment. "He puts doubts in my mind and then calls one of his booty calls? Classic." Grabbing a beer from the fridge, I pace the length of the dining room. "Why are we even friends," I mutter to the empty room.

"Hey," hands come down to stroke along my arm. Lips slide along my bare shoulder, "Why don't we try this again? Now that you've had some time to think about your actions."

"How about no," I growl shrugging off the man.

"Don't be like this."

"My place so I can be any way I want to be. Thank you for dinner. I'm sure you can see yourself out."

"Okay, this playing hard to get is getting a little old," he growls spinning me.

"Get out," I state shrugging off his hand once again.

"Fine. Let's do it your way." Shoving me, my back connects with the wall moments before his body covers mine.

"Get the fuck off me," I growl trying to shove the man.

"You're getting what you want, you can drop the act."

"No act. I want you away from me."

"Then why did you let me into your place," he grins leaning in to nip along my throat.

"You said you had to piss."

Pinning my hands above my head, his free hand slides under the skirt of my dress.

"Dani," Elias calls letting himself in. "I heard a thud. Fuck, am I interrupt…" he trails off as he meets my eyes.

"Get rid of him," Jaime growls against me. "And it won't be as bad for you."

"Eli," I whimper swallowing. "Help me."

"That was a mistake, bitch," Jaime's hand comes up to wrap around my throat.

"Get the fuck off of her."

"She wants it," Jaime comments not bothering to look at the other man. "She likes it. You can see it in her eyes.

"That's why she's asking for help," Elias snarls tearing the man from me. Jaime's eyes widen slightly as he sizes up the man now standing between us. "Get out."

"This isn't over."

"Did you just threaten her?"

"I'll see you around Danica," Jaime smiles backing out of the apartment and Elias follows him out.

Leaning heavily against the table top I try control the roiling in my stomach.

"Dani?"

"Don't say it," I growl shoving myself upright. Unwanted tears streaming down my face. "I don't want to hear you gloat."

"I wasn't going to gloat," he states softly. "Are you hurt?"

"I'm fine," I sigh, wiping at the tears.

"Dani. Tell the truth. Are you hurt," he asks, massaging my wrists. His eyes trained on my throat.

"N…N…No," I sob and I'm immediately pulled against his chest.

"Shh, it's okay," he soothes. "I'm not going to let anyone hurt you."

"You…You tried to warn me. Then my stupid ass let him inside against…against my better judgement."

"It's okay now. Can't change the past."

"Thankfully my neighbor gets concerned when he hears loud noises from my place," I hiccup. "He just let's himself in whenever."

"You should thank him with dinner."

"I usually make him dinner twice a week. That's nothing special."

"You'll think of something."

"Maybe I should let you get back to your date."

"I don't have to."

"Go on," I sigh pressing him away. "I'm going to eat a tub of ice cream and go to bed. Go have fun. Thank you."

"Anytime," he presses a kiss to the top of my head. "Lock the door behind me."

"Yes, Dad," I smirk. "The deadbolt too."

Changing into an oversized shirt and sweats I plop onto the couch with a pint of ice cream when the front door opens, Elias appearing.

"How?"

He holds up a keychain containing my spare keys as he relocks the door behind himself.

"Why?"

"She left," he shrugs, disappearing into the kitchen. "I wanted some ice cream."

"You wanted to check on me."

"That too," he grins reappearing with a spoon. "Chocolate chip?"

"All I eat," I smirk as he plops beside me. "Eli?"

His eyes swing up to mine.

"Got any other plans tonight?"

"Nope."

"Will you stay with me tonight?"

"Sure, Sweetheart."

I groan trying to stretch against the weight on my back as I lay on my stomach.

"Shh," Elias sleepy voice grumbles. "Sleeping."

"On top of me," I mutter.

"You're comfy." His hand slides up and down my side slowly. "Besides, I like being close to you."

"You say that to all your girls."

"Actually, I don't. I've never actually slept with a woman more than a couple hours. I definitely don't cuddle."

"Why me then?"

"I don't know," he shrugs. "You accept me. Sure, you give me shit for certain actions but I know they don't change the way you look at me. I can drop my guard around you. It's freeing in a way."

"I like the real you," I smirk reaching back pat his cheek awkwardly.

"Good," he chuckles tightening his grip around me.

"Alright, let me up hairy one," I squirm beneath him. "You're pressing on my bladder."

He grumbles rolling away.

"I'll be right back. I'll even allow you to cuddle for a little longer," I state pulling myself upward. "You wanna know a secret," I smile from the doorway.

"Hmm?"

"I kinda like cuddling with you too."

"Are you playing at open mic tonight," I ask sliding a plate towards my friend.

He shakes his head filling his plate with food.

"Well you're eating here so I know you don't have a date."

"Nope."

"Booty call?"

"Nope."

"Sooooo, you're just hanging out here again?"

"Is that a problem?"

"No," I join him with my own food. "It does worry me but it's not a problem."

He stares at me waiting for me to continue.

"Ever since my date with Jaime you've been going out less and less," I shrug, digging into my chicken. "I have a suspicion that's because of me."

"Maybe I'm just mimicking you."

It's my turn to stare expectantly.

"When was the last time you left this apartment?"

"I leave the apartment every day."

"I'm not talking about going to the Performance Center. I'm talking about when was the last time you went for your morning run?"

"I need to find a new running trail first," I mutter, not meeting his eyes.

"When was the last time you sat outside your apartment watching the sunrise?"

I don't answer.

"When was the last time you even went to the damn grocery store?"

"Weeks, okay," I snap slamming my silverware down. "I don't leave the apartment."

"You're scared."

"Yeah," I admit.

"It wasn't question. I know you're scared. I have been hovering around to try to make you feel safer."

"I do. I just don't want you to put your life on hold because of me."

"I don't. Just eat, okay."

"Okay," I whisper.

"Will you hurry up," Elias calls from the living room.

"Just pick a movie and shut up," I call back wrapping a towel around myself.

"You take forever in that shower."

"Says the man who takes an hour on his beard alone," I grumble as I move to my bedroom.

"It takes time to look this good."

"That's the chick's line, Sweetheart." Pulling an oversized shirt from the drawer I reach for a pair of panties from the top drawer. My vibrator rolls into view settling forlornly near my hand.

"I know buddy, I'm missing you too. Can't really spend time together with Elias run up my butt." Although waking up or falling asleep in Elias' arms is almost as good. Almost.

"Danica."

"Elias."

"Hurry the fuck up."

"You're cranky when you don't get laid regularly," I call back, pulling my shirt over my head.

"Yeah, yeah," he grumbles. "Just hurry up."

"You should really open your heart up to more things." Elias had said. "Maybe it's time I consider taking his advice."

"Hey Cranky Pants."

"Finally," he grumbles as he stretches out, his feet on the coffee table. "Have you always been this slow?"

"Only when I'm thinking."

"Hmmm," he hums. "Thinking about?"

"Something you said a while back," I state straddling his legs.

"I say a lot of things."

"About how I should open my heart to more things."

His eyes widen as I settle on his thighs. "Dani."

"The problem I have is I still need someone I feel safe with."

"Dani, I know I'm being cranky right now but you don't…" He starts sliding his hands up my thighs.

"I know I don't have to. You're not the only one who is a little pent up since you started staying home. You say I need to open up to more things then show me what I'm missing. I'm trusting you."

"Dani," he murmurs leaning forward before shaking his head. "No. I can't. That's not the type of relationship I want with you."

It feels like my heart is in my throat as I stare down at the man. Swallowing thickly, "So I am the only woman in this city you won't sleep with?"

"It's not like…"

"No, you're right," I state standing. "This was a mistake. I'm suddenly not feeling up to a movie tonight. I'm just going to bed."

"Dani, don't."

"Goodnight Eli," I call shutting the bedroom softly behind me. Turning the lock, I press my head against the doorway as tears slide silently down my face.

"Dani," Elias calls, knocking softly. "Dani, please," the door knob rattles. "Dani. Just let me in. Please Sweetheart."

"Just go home, Elias," I whisper.