Chapter 2

Connor and Abby were in the video rental store trying to find something to while away the evening.

Things had been a little tense between them recently. Something was bothering Abby and Connor couldn't figure out what. He'd tried being super nice to her, doing extra little things to make her happy, but it seemed to be having the reverse effect. Being the good scientist he was he needed more data, so he'd decided to reverse his behaviour. He had just this evening decided to see how she reacted when he deliberately did little things to annoy her. He started by refusing her choice of a rom-com for their evening movie.

Abby looked sad, said "Whatever, see you back at the flat." and left him to make the selection himself. Further to his analysis he was deciding on which horror film to rent – nothing too scary or gory because Abby didn't like that – and he'd also pick up the rom-com she'd wanted just to soothe her. This was an experiment, not torture, and he hadn't liked that sad little look on her face. It did things to his chest that felt uncomfortable.

Unexpectedly, a voice said to him "that's not bad but this one's better."

He turned and was looking into the pretty eyes of a decidedly good looking woman. Connor was surprised. A quick assessment revealed expensive perfume, simple but obviously expensive jewellery, white designer jeans, expensive designer shoes and expertly applied makeup. Her whole appearance said she liked the good life and had the money to pay for it.

This raised three questions in Connor's mind: one – why was she in a cheap video rental shop, two – why was she here on a Saturday evening and three – why was she talking to him?

Connor knew he was an alright looking bloke and, in the right crowd, he would have no difficulty attracting women, if he wanted. But he had never been chatted up before, certainly not in a video shop and certainly not by this type of woman. She was the kind that would like buff, beautiful men who would hang off her every word and pamper her every whim. Skinny geeks in tatty (by her standards) thrift shop clothes should not even register on her radar.

Connor wasn't stupid and he wasn't naïve, despite what people assumed about him. He guessed there was more to this than first appearances suggested. He'd play along and see where it lead. If things went pear-shaped he could always shut the research down. If nothing else, bringing an attractive woman back to the flat might make Abby just a little jealous and give him more data on Project Abby.

"Why don't you come back to mine and we can watch that together. My flat-mate won't mind, she doesn't like horror movies anyway."

"Oh Connor, I'd love to. And maybe we can get to know each other better." She ran her hand gently up his arm. It was meant to be a suggestive caress, but to Connor it felt like talons. It was all he could do to not flinch.

Connor got confirmation that this was all an act for his benefit part way through the film. Caroline nearly jumped out of her skin when a chain saw unexpectedly sliced through the wall, taking one of the peripheral characters with it. Caroline squealed. She shouldn't have been surprised as she claimed this was one of her favourite films she'd seen several times. To cover her mistake she clung to Connor for comfort and whispered "I love that part, it always makes me so cuddly." Connor played along, wrapping his arm around her and pulling her close, much to Abby's obvious disgust. He knew then he had to find out what was going on.

As far as Abby was concerned, she had taken an instant dislike to this painted interloper. She could tell straight off that Caroline Steele was a complete fake who had absolutely no interest in Connor the man … man? Abby shook her head at the thought. When had Connor ceased to be a boy in her mind? And why was this floozy making up to him so obviously. Couldn't he see he was being played, although for what reason she had no idea. He was clearly so inexperienced with women that this pathetic act was turning his head. If she didn't do something this harpy would have him seriously ensnared. She had to do something, but she didn't want to crush his naïve heart. Perhaps if she just showed her disgust he'd get the message.

Connor watched Abby storm out of room muttering about going to bed. She was clearly annoyed at Caroline's attention to him. Connor carefully filed the data away for analysis later. Now he turned his attention back to Caroline. The film was drawing to a close and she would soon have to make her next play. Would she suggest staying over? No probably not, she wouldn't want to appear too forward and maybe scare him off. Would she ask to see him again? Most definitely if this was, as he suspected, some sort of honey trap. To test his hypothesis, Connor would try to kiss Caroline full on the lips. He would not hold her shoulders or face so she could easily get away, but it would be interesting to see her reaction.

The film ended and Caroline stretched and yawned, smiling suggestively as she did so. She then uncoiled herself from the sofa as the already standing Connor reached out his hand to help her up. She took his hand and gently ran her fingers down his wrist before accepting his assistance to rise.

"That was fun." He smiled warmly at her, leaving it open for her to suggest doing it again.

"Yes, we should do this again." Ahh, there is was.

"That, that would be wonderful." He gave her a slightly startled grin. Well if she assumed he was inexperienced he was willing to play along.

He was ushering her slowly towards the stairs and the door. She was taking the hint, and moving in that direction, but looking over her shoulder at him, all smiles and teeth.

"How about tomorrow night? I could come over. Perhaps I could cook for you."

"Oh that would be wonderful, and Abby would love it, she hates cooking." He enjoyed seeing the little flash of anger at his mention of Abby.

"Of course, I would be delighted for Abby to join us, after all it is her kitchen too, even if she doesn't know how to use it." She did a masterful job keeping the annoyance out of her voice, but couldn't resist the barbed comment.

By now they had reached the bottom of the stairs and the front door. Connor opened it and joined Caroline on the front step.

"Thank you Caroline. I had a wonderful evening. I'm really looking forward to tomorrow."

"Oh Connor, it's been wonderful. I'm so glad we've met. You're just adorable." Again, the smile that didn't reach her eyes.

Connor leant forward hesitantly. He wanted this to appear just right – the nervous boy moving in for that first kiss. He got within millimetres of her lips before she turned her head slightly to the right so that he kissed her cheek. And there it was – the final proof as if he needed it.

Caroline turned and began to walk away, waving and smiling, with a slight spring in her step. "Until tomorrow lover." She called over her shoulder.

He walked back into the flat, securely locking the front door before climbing up the stairs, whistling happily to himself. Another interesting experiment. He now had Project Abby and Project Caroline.

Abby was stood at the top of the stairs watching him. She incorrectly assumed that he was happy that he now had a girlfriend. She didn't realise that, to his way of thinking, he already had a girlfriend and had since he'd moved in to her flat. She just didn't know it yet.

He smiled happily at the sullen and tired angel who was waiting for him.

"Has she gone?"

"Yes. But she's coming over tomorrow if that's OK. She's going to cook for us."

Abby looked less than thrilled. "She'll probably poison mine."

"Oh Abby, don't be like that. She seems a really nice person." He lied through his teeth.

"Con, where on earth did you pick her up?"

"She picked me up, at the video store actually."

"Con, don't you think she looked a bit, well, sophisticated, to be picking up blokes in a video store?"

"She said I was nice and kind and made a pleasant change from the usual meat heads she dated." He tried to give Abby his best 'wounded puppy' look.

It worked, as Abby's face softened and her eyes warmed. "Oh Con. Well if it makes you happy. Let's have her over tomorrow and see if she can really cook."

-0-0-0-

Connor lay in bed that night mulling over his newly acquired data.

Abby had been angry when he brought Caroline back, but that could have just been down to an invasion of her space by an unexpected female – territorial behaviour.

Abby had sat with them watching a horror movie, when she hated that genre – again territorial behaviour. Keeping an eye on the interloper.

Abby had huffed out of the room when Caroline had snuggled up to Connor and he had put his arm round her – that was territorial behaviour that had nothing to do with the flat. That was territorial behaviour over him. Abby clearly saw him as belonging to her in some way and she didn't appreciate this other female distracting him. This was good.

Abby re-appeared once Caroline had gone, and softened when she realised Connor looked happy. This was bad. She cared for his well-being, but didn't mind him being happy with another woman, even one as obviously false as Caroline. Or was she just happy he was happy and she knew that this thing with Caroline couldn't last, so didn't really feel threatened? This was a tricky point and would require further analysis.

As to the delectable Caroline Steele, just what did she want and how far could he push her before she snapped?

tbc