A/N I'm glad you guys are enjoying this story, thanks for letting me know. It's always nice to hear that people like what you write. Next chapter will be up tonight or tomorrow morning.

Chapter 4

"What about this?" I ask as I walk out of my closet.

Because my father went ballistic when I made a simple request to leave work early I didn't have time to buy something new to impress Ashley.

Sheesh, he really needs to relax.

Jessie is lying on her stomach on my bed and flipping through the latest issue of Vogue. She claims it's for research purposes but I'm not convinced. I have a sneaking suspicion she just wants to ogle the half naked women inside. Not that I blame her or anything. She looks me up and down before shaking her head. "Too slutty."

I grunt in frustration but don't argue with her. I return a few minutes later to reveal my next outfit choice. "How about this one?"

Glen, who's sitting on the floor in my bedroom, glances at me as he tears his eyes away from his copy of GQ. I don't even have to bother guessing why he's reading that magazine because every few seconds he turns to Jessie to find out if she thinks a certain guy is better looking than D.B. "Not slutty enough." He tells me.

"You guys are so not helping." I call out as I go to find something else to try on.

"Yes, we are." Glen replies. "We're your fashion gurus."

"Yeah Spence, you'd be hopeless without us." Jessie chimes in.

I highly doubt that.

"Oh my god, remember that time Spence wore white after Labor Day?" Glen asks Jessie while I attempt to block them out.

"Of course I do, you fainted when you saw her." Jessie answers back.

"What can I say, fashion is no joking matter." Glen says in a very serious tone.

"Please that was not it at all." I shout from the closet. "You just saw a cute firefighter nearby and you wanted him to do mouth-to-mouth on you."

"I scoff at the implication of your statement. Scoff I say." Glen says in a very high-pitched voice.

"She's so ungrateful." Jessie continues mocking me, while I continue to pretend that I'm not listening.

"Yeah Spence, you don't know how lucky you are." Glen tells me as I prepare to show them my next outfit.

I emerge from my closet wearing black dress pants and a simple, yet stunning aqua blue blouse. The blouse is tight, but not too tight that Ashley will think I've spent the last hour or so rifling through my entire wardrobe.

Even though that's exactly what I've done.

"So what do you think?" I ask as I twirl around.

"It's alright I guess." Glen says very unenthusiastically.

Jessie shrugs, "Meh, I still think you could do better."

I don't reply with words, instead I calmly walk over to the two of them, grab them by their respective hands and pull them towards my front door.

I'm surprisingly strong for my size.

"We were just kidding." Jessie protests on her way my apartment.

"Can't you take a joke?" Glen questions right before I shove him into Jessie.

I grin innocently at my brother and friend as I slam the door in their faces.

There, much better.

Now I can get ready for Ashley in peace without those two killing my mood and my mojo.

I need to be firing on all cylinders tonight if I'm going to impress the future Mrs. Spencer Carlin.

Or I could change my name to Davies, I'm not that picky, as long as I get the girl.

I put the finishing touches on my make-up and rush out the door minutes later in order to avoid being late.

And thankfully I'm not even that nervous.

I think I'm going to hurl.

I just pulled into Ashley's driveway and my stomach is not only doing somersaults, I'm pretty sure it's doing black flips as well.

Oh universe, please let tonight go like I want it to.

Pretty please, with sugar and cherries and whatever else you want on top.

I was in such a daze as I drove over to Ashley's that I'm not even sure how I got here.

All I know is I left my place about twenty minutes ago and viola, here I am.

Ok Spencer, just breathe and everything will be fine, remember just breathe.

I am about to unclip my seatbelt so I can go let Ashley know I'm here when I catch sight of her walking towards my fire engine red Mustang.

Yeah I know, such a sweet ride.

I like to call it the "Spencermobile". Catchy name don't you think?

I have to admit I'm a little disappointed that I don't get to escort Ashley to the car. I envisioned opening the door for her so I could show her how gallant I am. The closer Ashley gets to me, my disappointment changes to excitement because I get to check her out without appearing like I'm checking her out.

And dayum she's still the hottest, sexiest person I've ever had the privilege to lay my eyes on.

She's wearing the same clothes she was earlier today but that doesn't matter. Her hips sway hypnotically and the fact that her very well defined abs are on display makes me happy in my, uhm, happy place.

Plus I think it's a very good sign that she was waiting for me. It just goes to show that she's looking forward to seeing me again.

Or, she thinks I'm a nut job and wants to get this over with as quickly as she can.

Nah, like that's even a remote possibility.

I do believe it's time for a bit of a pep talk.

You only got one shot, do not miss your chance to blow, this opportunity comes once in a lifetime yo.

Right, I'm over thinking this way too much.

How do I know that?

I've resorted to quoting an Eminem song, that's a clear sign.

Instead of berating myself further, I simply flash Ashley a very disarming smile as I tilt my head.

She smiles back and even though I don't get a nose crinkle, I do feel some of the tension easing out of my body.

"Right on time I see." Ashley says as she slides into the seat next to me.

"Of course." I start as I wink at her. "You know what they say, an early bird catches the worm."

Oh.

My.

God.

What the hell just came out of my mouth?

Is it me, or did I just compare Ashley to a worm?

I am officially the lamest, dumbest person on the face of the earth.

Ashley chuckles lightly and for some reason I get the feeling that she's not laughing at me, even though she should be. "Don't you ever wonder who "they" are?"

I giggle nervously and much louder than normal. "Oh totally." I'm pretty sure that my face is the same color as my car right now.

"Like for sure." Ashley replies in Valley girl voice and dear lord the nose crinkle is back.

I pull out of her driveway as I will my hands to stop shaking. "Ok Ms. Davies you've had your fun at my expense there will be no more of that for the rest of the night."

That's good, joke around, show her that you can laugh at yourself.

"I didn't realize that you were so formal Ms. Carlin." Ashley banters back.

"Well this is a business meeting after all, I have to be professional." I lie. The thoughts running through my head are anything but professional. They involve a naked Ashley and a naked me being very naked together, over and over again.

Ashley laughs and it sounds genuine, which is very good because I want her to be as comfortable as possible before I seduce her.

I'm probably getting ahead of myself but again, my gut tells me I'm not.

I weave in and out of L.A.'s horrendous traffic with ease and that doesn't go unnoticed by a certain brunette with luscious curls and a killer body.

"I can't believe you don't go crazy driving in this city." Ashley remarks when we hit a bit of traffic.

"You don't drive?" I ask incredulously. Everybody and their mother drives in L.A., you can't get around otherwise.

"Never had the need to in New York." Ashley tells me and it's at this point that I realize I don't really know a thing about her.

Except of course that soon she will be mine.

Why do I suddenly feel like breaking out into an evil laugh?

"Well if you ever need someone to teach you, I'm your girl." I coo.

That came out way more suggestive than I intended, hopefully Ashley doesn't pick up on what I really meant by that statement.

I sneak a peek over at her and she's shifting in her seat. "That's quite alright, I like having Aiden driving me around."

Snap!

Things just got very uncomfortable in my car.

Time for a subject change.

"Well good for you." I say with fake enthusiasm. "I know this great little Italian restaurant that serves the best homemade pasta I've ever tasted. I hope that's ok?"

"Yum, I love Italian." Ashley replies with gusto and any residual awkwardness from a few minutes ago is gone.

"That's good to hear." I seem to be steering both my vehicle and the conversation in the right direction, thankfully. "Most people in L.A. have turned off carbs completely, it's almost impossible to find anyone to go to this restaurant with me."

"I'm not like most people." Ashley's velvety voice hits me like a freight train.

Is she flirting with me?

I glance over at her again but I can't read the expression on her face because she's suddenly fascinated by the scenery that's passing her by as I drive.

Interesting.

The rest of the ride passes in silence, but there's no awkwardness anymore and when Ashley gets out of my car after we pull into the restaurant parking lot she doesn't look at all flustered or uneasy.

I hold the restaurant door open for her and I'm happy I'm finally getting a chance to show off my manners.

My mom would be so proud.

"Heya Spencer long time a no see." Franco, the owner of the restaurant shouts rather loud when he spots me walk in.

"Hi Franco, you look as handsome as ever." I reply before giving him a quick hug.

He blushes and then swats me on the shoulder. "You such a smooth talker." Franco stops fawning over me though when he spots my beautiful companion for the night. "How rude Spencer, you have to tell me who is this pretty lady?"

Ashley looks bashfully at the large Italian man staring at her. "I'm Ashley." She sticks out her hand but of course that's not good enough for Franco. He gives Ashley an incredibly big bear hug that takes her by complete surprise.

"Ok Franco put the lady down." I order.

Franco swats at me again but he's laughing. "I'll be back to show you your table in a second." He says before he disappears into the dining area.

"I thought people like that only exist in the movies." Ashley whispers to me.

I let out a soft chuckle, "So did I before I found this place. But he's harmless and a very sweet man."

Ashley furrows her brow and it's killing me that I can't figure out what's going on in that head of hers.

Franco walks back over to Ashley and me. He claps his hands and then motions to us to follow him, so we do.

Once we're seated, Franco makes an announcement. "You a not going to need a menu, because tonight, my wife shall prepare a special meal for two special girls."

Ashley and I look at each other and then back at him. "Thanks Franco."

"That's very kind of you." Ashley tells him.

Franco leaves us alone and I'm suddenly nervous again.

This is what I've been waiting for, it's just me and Ashley, no one around but us, no more anticipation, no more…

"Do you know where the ladies room is?" Ashley asks.

I inwardly sigh but outwardly I smile. "Just go down the hall and it's on your left." I watch her walk away and I can't help wondering what else could possibly prevent me from getting my moment with Ashley.

"Well, well, well, fancy meeting you here."

I snap my head up and come face to face with the one person I'd hope to never run into again.

Madison Duarte.

Oh crap!

I'm pretty sure my night is about to take a drastic turn for the worse.