Chapter 2- Let's Make A Deal

It was the next day, and it was noon. Paige sat in the lounge above the campus dining hall, her Chanel glasses on and music from her iTunes library blaring from her laptop, which sat on the table in front of her. Her phone sat on the table, and she was sipping a coffee from Starbucks when Rhonda arrived, plopping next to Paige.

"Where's everyone else?" said Rhonda.

"The guys are playing basketball, Stacy and Amanda are buying lunch," said Paige.

Sure enough Stacy and Amanda showed up a few minutes later.

"You think he'll come today?" said Stacy.

"Who?" said Paige.

"That detective – you have his phone, and I'll bet he uses it for work," said Stacy.

"That wasn't fun for me either – my iPod's practically glued to my ears at all times," said Paige. "My lovely U2 special edition iPod and someone else has it."

************************************************************************

Don sat in the break room of the crime lab, talking to Danny about what had happened last night and why he hadn't returned his call until the next morning when he had been awake enough to use his landline. Danny laughed.

"It's not funny Danno," said Don. "Thank god I got a pager for callouts but I gotta get my phone back."

"Lemme see the iPod, the artists on it may give us a lead," said Danny. "Also, there are usually names on these things."

"Full names?" said Don.

"Just the first ones – wow, a U2 special edition!" said Danny. "It's red and black, no wonder you grabbed it!"

"Grabbed what?" said Stella.

Don repeated the story. He was grateful when Stella didn't laugh.

"Paige's iPod," said Danny. "Whoa, that's a lot of songs."

"Yeah, and there could be a lot of Paige's in New York," said Don.

"Do you know what she looks like?" said Stella.

She then took the iPod from Danny and scrolled through artist names.

"College-age, she's either a sophomore or a junior by the looks of her," said Don. "I can't really say much else. She was wearing a sexy kitty costume."

"Yeah, Flack!" said Danny.

They slapped high fives. Stella rolled her eyes.

"Whatcha got, Stella?" said Don.

"Our co-ed Paige seems to have a wide taste of music, but she leans mostly toward alt-rock," said Stella. "Also, there's a little heavy metal in here – and Tori Amos, my favorite. She has good taste."

Don grinned. He had never met a woman that liked that kind of music, so this would probably be easy. They then went into the lab to get on the iTunes library and do a search.

************************************************************************

Meanwhile, at NYU, the girls were doing a search of their own on Stacy's laptop. All seven friends had them and used them for schoolwork and recreational purposes. This occasion just happened to be the latter.

"Donald Flack?" said Stacy.

Paige nodded and Stacy typed it in.

"We have two," said Amanda.

Paige took a look. One picture was the detective she had met in Eddie's and the other was an older version of him – probably his dad.

"The younger one," said Paige.

"He's definitely cuter, that's for sure!" said Rhonda. "This photo doesn't do him justice."

They read a little bit about him then they got back to eating lunch. Soon the guys came back, and Paige played some of the Eminem on her computer, causing people sitting nearby to stare.

************************************************************************

"This is gonna take forever," said Don.

"I know a way to make it easier – alphabetical order," said Danny.

"Not funny Messer," said Don.

"Worth a shot," said Stella.

They clicked on the first name, Paige Anderson, and traced her email address.

"Flack, I think this is her," said Stella.

Don took a look.

"It's her," said Don.

They did a search of the colleges next. They got a hit in the NYU student database.

"Paige Anderson, sophomore – ooh, a sorority girl!" said Danny.

"Get your mind out of the gutter, Messer," said Don.

"Have fun on Fraternity Row, Flack!" said Danny.

************************************************************************

It was after three, and Paige's last class had just ended. She was taking five courses and on Tuesdays and Wednesdays she had three classes, but on Mondays and Thursdays it was just two. It wasn't her fault that she had an extra class today. However, she knew she had to get her butt home and find that phone – she had discovered it missing when she woke up this morning. She knew Stacy had probably stuck it somewhere, because of Paige's tendency to leave her side of the room slightly messy. She got to her room and saw Stacy tinkering with it, Amanda and Rhonda watching.

"What are you guys doing?" said Paige.

"Putting your number in his phone," said Stacy.

"Why?" said Paige.

"He's cute, and he probably remembers you," said Rhonda. "Besides, you'll have a helluva story for when we go to Chili's next week with the guys."

"Why is it you guys always try setting me up with some poor bastard who wants nothing to do with me?" said Paige.

"Quit selling yourself short," said Amanda. "Everyone knows how cute you are."

Paige let out a very unladylike snort. She hated that word – cute.

"Yeah, I'm cute," said Paige. "Not hot, cute – the cute girl all the guys like because I am one of the guys! Guys like detective Flack don't go out with girls like me. They go out with the Blondtourage."

The four of them laughed. The Blondtourage was the four senior members of their sorority, and they had guys throwing themselves at their feet.

"Speaking of blond, would I look better with the hair I have now or strawberry-blond?" said Amanda.

"I think it would look great dyed, and thanks for changing the subject," said Paige.

"Well, your number's already in his phone, so anything can happen," said Stacy. "After all, this is New York City."

The girls went downstairs and waited for him to arrive.

"Ya gotta score one for us single ladies, Paige," said Rhonda.

"I got it all figured out," said Stacy.

They did their homework until the doorbell rang.

************************************************************************

Don rang the doorbell and waited for someone, anyone, to come out. He saw three guys staring at him from across the street. One of them turned up a boom box, and hip-hip blared so loud he could hear it as clear as if he was standing next to them. Don rolled his eyes and waited for the door to open. A girl with auburn hair and green eyes answered and he flashed his badge.

"I'm looking for – can I come in, I can't hear myself think!" said Don.

The girl held up her hand, grabbed her phone, and sent a text. The noise cut off.

"My guy friends – ignore them," said Paige.

"I'm detective Don Flack. I'm looking for Paige Anderson," said Don.

"I'm Paige," said Paige. "I know why you're here."

"Then you hopefully have my phone?" said Don.

"You have my iPod?" said Paige.

"Yeah," said Don.

Paige nodded. Don handed her the iPod and saw her friends standing nearby. One of them had his phone in her hand. Paige went to take it from her friend – Don was a little shocked when Paige's friend refused to give it to her.

"What's going on here?" said Don.

"It's simple, really," said Stacy. "You'll get your phone back, but only if you take Paige out on a date."

"C'mon you guys, this isn't the way to set me up with someone," said Paige.

"I'll do it, but can I have my phone back today?" said Don. "I really need it."

Stacy let Paige have the phone, so she handed it to the detective right off.

"It'll have to be Thursday night, my weekend is booked," said Don.

It was definitely booked, all right. Friday night was his third date with Cassie, and Saturday night he was gonna go scouting for girls with Danny.

"Thursday's fine," said Paige.

"I'll pick you up at eight," said Don. "What do you like doing for fun?"

"Surprise me," said Paige. "Just so you know, my friends thought it would be funny to put my number in your phone, so if you need to call and cancel because of work, feel free."

Don then left, and Paige went inside the TV room to finish her homework.

"Why did you give him an out?" said Amanda.

"Girls like me don't get guys like him – it's that simple," said Paige.

For Paige, her dating experience back home had been nothing more than casual flings – for a while a guy would like her, but she always got dumped when someone better looking came around. Sex was a big deal for her too – she wouldn't budge even on the third date. She was still a virgin, and she was pretty sure she was out of Don's league in that respect alone.

************************************************************************

Don told Danny what had happened over pizza.

"So her friends held your phone hostage until you agreed to go out with her?" said Danny. "She ugly or somethin'?"

"No, but she's not the kind of girl I would date," said Don.

"Not blond enough?" said Danny.

"Nope," said Don. "It's just one date, though – and then I'll be back to being your wingman."

"Being my wingman – that means you're nailing Cassie Friday night, right?" said Danny.

Don nodded, and they slapped high fives. Cassie Mann was a blond twenty-something Don had met at a club a few weeks ago while being Danny's wingman. He had taken her to dinner for the last two dates and this week would be no exception. He just hoped she didn't call him while he was out with Paige – not that it would matter, because after the third date he was dumping her. It was that simple.

"So what are ya gonna do with Paige?" said Danny.

"She said surprise her, so I'll take her bowling," said Don.

"Why bowling?" said Danny.

"Cassie doesn't do sports," said Don.

The friends laughed and slapped another high five. Lindsay saw them, walked over, and rolled her eyes at their macho behavior.

It was one date. Just one date and Don would be free to go back to his player lifestyle.

He had no idea that one date would turn into something more.

I knew I had to update this bad boy fast when I saw just how many people put this thing on Alert. Thanks to all of you who have done that as well as put it on Favorites and of course leaving reviews. Speaking of, see that green button over there? You know you want to.