Hello

Thanks for all your wonderful feedback. We really appreciate you taking the time to let us know what you think of the story.

So here's part two of chapter one, written by the wonderfully talented honey77. I'm extremely honoured to be able to share this writing experience with her.

Honey has asked me to post this on her behalf. She's new to but I'm sure you'll all make her feel as welcome as you made me.

Comments/reviews/feedback is always very welcome because it helps to know what you guys think.

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Paper_heart

Blind Date

Chapter One

Part Two

Charlie

I needed my head examined.

Seriously, what had I been thinking when I had agreed to go on a blind date? Just the words blind date were enough to send me into a complete panic. I'd had my fair share of dating disasters in the past. Ranging from the women who decided they wanted to marry you after just one hour ... to the women who looked like men, and you spent the entire night focusing on the slight moustache licking the top of their upper lip. When they asked you if they could see you again at the end of the date, you asked yourself if they had been sitting at the same table you had been the whole night.

I didn't know why I had given in and agreed this time.

Maybe because my best friend, Dana Perry, was incredibly hard to say no to. Not because she was just incredibly charming and had a way of making me see the light ... no, Dana was just downright annoying. She would keep at me until I wanted to drive to the nearest point and throw myself off it, just to get some peace and quiet.

Dana was happily in a long term relationship ... so she wanted everyone to be in a relationship, even me, Miss Commitment Phobe. Let's face facts ... I didn't have the best track record out there. I went through relationships faster than I changed underwear ... I'd resigned to the fact I may be destined to spend my later years alone, with just my five cats for company (okay, I didn't have five cats, but they definitely were an optional back up plan).

My one serious relationship had lasted promptly two months ... until there was an electrical storm one night, and my girlfriend, Ms. Sony Plasma, blew up in a tangled mess, its hissing fifty inch face laughing at me, mocking me, making it clear I had to start thinking about those cats. Heartbroken by the loss of my one real relationship, I resorted to a smaller version, but it never quite felt the same again.

I was once again alone ... but if I do say so myself, happily alone.

Until Hurricane Dana came along...

Flashback ... four days ago

"Are you getting up to much this weekend, Charlz?" my best friend asked.

I gave her a wary look. I didn't like it when Dana started asking about my time. Because it usually meant she was fishing for details, her brain working furiously to conjure up some new way to torture me. Dana was single handedly responsible for the two blind dates I had been on in the past ... both completely horrifying ... too much to even relive.

Dana and I lived together. We had been sharing the same flat now for just gone three years ... my best friend had since mastered the art of persuasion. I didn't know what it was about her ... oh that's right, I did ... she was just plain annoying.

"Oh I have big plans," I said. "They don't involve blind dates, double dates, one night stands ... or any other form of torture you are concocting inside that head of yours.

"Charlie, I'm hurt ... surely you have more faith in me than that?"

I tried to hide a snort. "Why am I suddenly feeling afraid?"

"Because I have a great idea!"

I groaned ... this is how it usually started. Dana had a great idea, and I spent the better half of an hour saying no and refusing to be a part of it, until I finally gave in, wanting nothing more than to make her shut up.

"I'm too afraid to ask."

Dana stood up, walking over to take my hands in hers. "Now hear me out Buckton, before you dig your heels into the dirt and say no."

I sighed. "I'm listening."

"Ruby and I were talking the other day ... and we have come up with a solution to your dating woes."

"My dating woes? I wasn't aware I had any!"

"You do," Dana said patiently. "Charlie ... you need to get laid. It's been way too long since I convinced you the last time to venture back out there ... you are 29 years old ... and you have never had a serious relationship! I have been with Shannon for two years now, watching you sit on the couch watching I Dream of Jeannie reruns. I'm sure you know Ruby's new man ... Aden something or other? When I told her you were rather lonely, she piped up and mentioned that Aden knew someone ... this girl. She's supposed to be adorable, Charlie ... and Ruby and I think she might be your perfect match."

I blinked, completely offended. "You spoke to my kid sister about my love life? And since when am I lonely? I do just fine!"

"Charlie, you are not going to win this argument ... so just say yes."

I scowled. The smile on her face infuriated me. "So do you know anything about this girl? Is she at least of legal age?"

Dana chuckled. "Of course ... gosh Charlie ... that was only one time. How was I supposed to know she had a fake I.D.?"

I sighed, closing my eyes. I could feel a migraine coming on.

"Fine," I bit out. "But this is the last time Dana! No more blind dates! Do I make myself clear?"

"Crystal," Dana grinned.

Back to Present Day...

I climbed out of the taxi, trying to concentrate on putting one foot in front of the other. I suddenly realised I had forgotten how to walk ... scratch that, I had forgotten how to breathe. My nerves were on end, and I kept asking myself why I continued to let Dana talk me into things like this. I could be at home, curled up with a good book ... or watching my smaller version plasma TV, laughing at the idiots on Wipeout ... now there was a great night in.

No, instead here I was, about to jump once again into the Lion's Den. I had a backup plan ... my friend Lesley was going to prank call me about twenty minutes into this date ... if I was desperate to leave, I could make up a sick grandma and hightail it out of there.

I opened the door and walked inside the dimly lit restaurant.

"Can I help you Mam?" the Maitre De asked, a smile on his face.

I thought fast. I could still make a run for it ...

He glanced at me expectantly, and I sighed. "Yes ... I'm meeting a Miss Joey Collins."

"Ah ... yes, Miss Collins has been seated ... just over there," he pointed out a table in the centre of the room.

I thanked him and headed for the table in question. My head was racing, and I couldn't believe how nervous I felt as I neared my blind date. I silently cursed Dana for this ... Ruby would also not get off lightly. What gave them the right to meddle in my life? I was happy! I was fine ... I didn't need relationships ... they were a complete waste of valuable couch potato time.

But as I looked up, I suddenly froze.

My eyes met hers.

She was sitting there, looking equally as nervous.

I stared into her chocolate brown eyes, watching as a tentative smile spread over her incredibly lovely face.

It was at that moment, that every thought I had just had ... flew completely out the window..