I sighed and tossed the ball up into the air, then caught it when it came down. Up, down, up, down, up-
Ring, ring.
Ugh, who was interrupting my ball throwing? I reached for my phone.
"What!"
"Ah, I'm really hoping this is the same girl who asked me out for coffee," a soft, male voice said with amusement. I calmed down, breathing in and out evenly and smiled.
"As I recall, you asked me out to coffee, but if we do end up going out for coffee, I'll take the credit."
"Nope, this is definitely the cute girl who knocked into me," he chuckled," Sorry I haven't called in awhile. I know you were waiting by the phone for ages."
"Oh? So the whole snapping at you when I answered the phone was?"
"Just frustration, darling, frustration. But don't deny it, Kori, you can't resist my manly charms."
"Hmm? And you know my name how? Oh, please don't tell me you're the type of guy who reads magazines that aren't about sports, or cars or some sort of…"
"Don't fret, pretty lady, I'm not half fag and I don't care for my looks in that way. You're just too pretty to keep off the billboards, is all."
"Glad you admire my looks, but I was sort of busy. What did you call for?"
He chuckled and my smile grew. This sort of flirting was fun.
"I called to have, instead of coffee, something that gave a better meaning."
"I really hate riddles," I whined, knowing what he meant.
"You're going to make me say it, aren't you?"
"I have no idea what you mean, darling," I hid a laugh as I used his word.
"Would you go out to dinner with me?" he asked, not wasting any time. I flipped onto my stomach and rolled the ball around with my finger.
"Depends. Are you paying?"
He sighed and I chuckled.
"Yes, I'm paying. Can you go out with me tonight?"
"A few questions first, I can't make up my mind."
"Sure," he seemed rather eager.
"What do you do, William Middleton? As in, what is your job/career?"
"I am a traveling businessman, with more money than I can use."
"Doing what sort of business?"
"If you went on a date with me, you would know," he said and I giggled.
"Okay, next question. How old are you?"
"24 years of age."
I smiled. Really good age. I was 21.
"I've made up my mind. I'd love to go on a date with you."
"Great, I was beginning to think you would bail. That wouldn't do well for a man of my reputation."
"Reputation for being a womanizer or never being rejected?"
"Isn't that the same thing?" he asked.
"No," I said, shaking my head," Not in my book."
"And your book is about vampires," Will laughed," Okay. I'll pick you up around seven. Dress formally. Where do you live?"
"Why don't I just meet you at the restaurant?" I said instead, not liking him knowing where I lived. Just because we were slightly flirting didn't necessarily mean the man had to know everything about me. I wasn't looking for a serious relationship, not with a certain someone's blue eyes.
"Sure. It's the Rosa Amour. You know it?"
"Yeah, I have. See you at seven then."
We said our goodbyes and I turned my phone off, smiling to myself. The Rose Amour was an ultra fancy restaurant, but really cozy. Maybe we could-
"So, done with your flirting?" I shrieked and turned around, catching Raven's angry stare.
"Raven, you scared the shit out of me. What do you think you're doing, coming in here unannounced?"
"I did knock," she said," But you didn't hear me, you were too busy flirting with that man."
"Why do you look like you're about to kill me?" I asked, sitting up in bed, my legs crossed. She sighed.
"You're not thinking of Nightwing at all, are you?"
"Why should I? We were never really anything, and we certainly aren't now," I said with a shrug, not really wanting to talk about this," Besides, I like Will. He seems nice."
"Seems is the imperative word! How can you just dismiss the feelings you have for Richard?" she demanded.
"Maybe because there are no feelings?" I offered.
"Oh, don't give me that excuse. I am an empath, if you've forgotten, and I can feel-"
"What you feel is nothing," I objected, crossing my arms," And I don't see how this is any of your business."
"Starfire, Richard lost it after you left, he was so much in love with you and still is and I have every reason to protect him. He's like the older brother I never had."
"Glad the family is there to stick up for you when you need it the most. Guess I wasn't part of that," I snorted.
"Don't make it seem like you're the victim. When Richard sees you, even now, he catches a glimpse of the girl he's in love with and it tears him up. And you know you feel the same."
I put my face in my hands. Damn psycho-analyzing techniques. I just didn't want to be hurt again, but every time she brings up Richard's name, I keep thinking of him, his blue eyes, his beautiful body, that dazzling smile he had always reserved for me. Was I running away from it all through Will? I knew I didn't like the guy, that way, and I figured I would subtly drop the hint that all I wanted to be was friends, but…huh, I didn't even know.
"Star, just don't get too caught up in that guy. Okay?" Raven said with a small smile. I nodded and she left. Four more hours until the date and all I wanted to do was throw a tantrum. I was such a bitch. Guess the modeling did have some sort of affect on me.
