Lexi reached across the kitchen counter with one hand and grabbed her phone as soon as the 'ping' sounded, which indicated a new text message. She took a bite from the green apple in her other hand as she pulled up the text message.

Ollie:

Dinner tonight? I might already have reservations for that Italian place you like so much.

A smile crossed her face as she typed in her response.

I'd love to, what time?

She waited patiently for the quick response.

7, I'll pick you up

She slipped the phone into the back pocket of her jeans and tossed the apple in the trash before she made her way to her bedroom. She flipped the light switch to illuminate her small closet, revealing an assortment of various shirts and dresses all hanging neatly. She slid a few hangers as she searched for something nicer than blue jeans to wear to dinner. Her whole body froze when she saw the black dress which clung to a red hanger and she thought back to the day she'd first saw it.

Flashback

Lexi stood in the crowded mall staring at the black dress on the mannequin in the window. It was low cut in the front with long sleeves, the style was tight and it stopped about mid-thigh length. It was solid black with a lace overlay, and she could envision dressing it up or down depending on her shoe choice.

"Please get it," the short haired red head beside her pleaded.

"Why?" she looked quizzically at Charlie, "Where in the world would I ever wear that to?"

"On a date," her friend responded, "You know, with a guy you actually care about."

Lexi laughed a little to herself, "Yea right, I'm happy with the way things are, no strings and such."

Charlie looped her arm around the dark-haired girl's arm, "But one day, one of your little flings may turn into something more and what better way to 'wow' the guy than that."

The red head pointed back toward the mannequin with a sly smile on her face.

"No, if I buy that dress I'm setting expectations for myself," she responded, "I'll pass."

"If you say so," Charlie responded and tugged her friend in the opposite direction, "Let's go get a giant cookie instead."

The dark-haired girl smiled and followed along with her friend. Charlie was the ying to her yang, she couldn't ask for a better friend.

The next day Lexi was sitting on her couch with her computer in her lap, reading local news stories for anything out of the ordinary, when there was a quick knock on her front door, and in burst Charlie.

The red-head had a huge smile on her face and Lexi moved her computer to the coffee table as she moved closer.

"What are you doing here?" she questioned, "I thought you were headed to the bat cave?"

"I am, Sam needs my help with something," Charlie responded, "But first, I had to bring you this."

Lexi looked suspiciously at her friend who sat down on the couch and handed a bright blue bag over to her.

"I know you said you didn't want to set expectations for yourself," Charlie began with a smile, "So, I thought I would set them for you."

Lexi pulled the black dress she'd seen at the mall the day before from the bag and smiled a little, "Charlie, you shouldn't have."

"But the way your eyes lit up when you saw that dress," she began, "I had to. I look forward to the day when you find that right guy and you finally decide to wear it."

Lexi laughed out loud, "You'll be disappointed when that day never comes."

"Bull crap," Charlie began with a smile, "I'll take you out on a date before that happens."

The dark-haired girl smiled warmly, "Sounds like a plan."

The red-head leaned over and hugged her friend tightly, "I've got to go, I'll text you later."

Lexi watched as her friend made it back over to the door, "Charlie."

She turned from the door to look at Lexi.

"I love you," the dark-haired girl said.

Charlie smiled brightly before she opened the door to leave, "I know."

Lexi reached up and wiped the tears from her face and she smiled as she pulled the hanger from the closet and laid the dress gently across her bed before she headed for bathroom.