Paul had fifteen minutes between clients so he had grabbed his cell phone from his bag and had walked back out into the gym with it as his sister had texted him to see if he knew how Stephanie was doing and he needed to keep an eye on the gym whilst he replied to her. Leaning on the reception desk he spoke with Katy as he watched what was going on and then in ten minutes he planned to put his cell phone away again.

Before he had chance to put his phone away his next client walked in so he had to give Katy his phone to look after whilst he did some work.

After composing herself and assuring Stuart that she would now do exactly what she was told without arguing she picked up her phone and called Paul hoping that he wouldn't be able to make it as she didn't want him to date Stacey.

Dealing with a new gym membership, someone wanting change and the phone ringing constantly Katy was run off her feet so when Paul's cell phone started to ring she just answered on auto pilot, "good morning this is Sweat Fitness Clinic, Katy speaking how many I help you?"

Stephanie frowned and pulled her phone away from her ear checking the caller display before she put it back "uh, I thought this was Paul Levesque's phone."

When Katy heard that she realised what she had done, "oops, it is. I'm so sorry, I'm just looking after it for him whilst he is with a client and didn't think. I'll have to get him to call you back later though so who shall I say rang?"

Biting her lip she had no choice with Stuart sat beside her, "tell him it's Stephanie. Let him know I was calling to see if he was free tonight to go on a double date with myself, my boyfriend and my friend Stacey from work please."

"Sure thing, I'll let him know as soon as he is done. Thank you and I'm sorry for the confusion."

Chuckling she didn't mind, "it's okay, thanks for taking the message."

Hanging up Stephanie threw her phone down, "he's with a client, the receptionist is going to pass the message on when he is free."

Stuart nodded, "good." Forcefully pulling her towards him he wrapped his arms around her possessively.

When Paul finished with his client he walked them over to the reception desk to get them some information on classes that were held there before they walked off to get changed and he turned his attention to Katy, "thank you for watching my phone, I will put it back out the back now."

As he went to grab his phone she slapped his hand, "hey! I did not give it back to you so don't be leaning over my desk and reaching for things."

Confused he pulled his hand away and rubbed it gently where she had smacked it, "what the hell did I do wrong? I'm sorry."

She loved the look of pure confusion on his face right now, "you had a phone call. Somebody called Stephanie rang and wanted to know if you wanted to go out on a double date tonight with her, her boyfriend and a work colleague of hers."

Paul rolled his eyes and took his now offered phone from her, "great."

Noticing his reaction she was curious to dig a little deeper, "well judging by that reaction you either have a thing for her and hate that she is unavailable, you hate the boyfriend or you hate people sticking their nose into your love life."

Putting his phone back down briefly he wearily rubbed his face, "a little of all three but more than anything I'm pissed at her for leading me on and now wanting to set me up with someone else."

"She led you on? What happened?"

Leaning on the desk he may aswell get a female's perspective, "last night we went out to dinner together with my room-mate and his girlfriend. She stayed over with us last night as my room-mate's girlfriend was staying too and when they'd gone to bed she kissed me and I kissed her back. When I came to my senses I kind of forced her into bed and I then left before she got up this morning so we haven't talked about it and I'm so fucking confused as neither of us was drunk and have that as an excuse to fall back on."

"Wow, holy mixed messages Batman. Sorry, my nephew says stuff like that a lot. Maybe you should just cut off the friendship until she is single or at least knows what she wants."

At this point he wished he could because it would be easier on his heart, "I wish I could but things are so much more complicated than that and she needs me, I'm the only one who she trusts with some stuff going on so I can't just leave her hanging but I don't know what to do."

Thinking it over briefly she did have one idea, "well I know one thing you could do to try and get this sorted out once and for all. Go on this double date tonight and get yourself a girlfriend, whether it be this woman tonight or somebody else because if the friend sees you as unavailable and if she really wants you then she will dump her boyfriend and come after you. I'm not saying string any women along, just don't sit back and wait for the friend to come to her senses, she might need a push in the right direction."

Making a face that had to be the worst advice he had ever been given, "yeah because shit like that actually works. I don't really want to subject myself to being around the boyfriend though, he hates me with a passion and thinks I'm after his girlfriend."

"Even more reason to get a girlfriend, he won't see you as a threat to his relationship any longer and if she decides to end it then you won't be in the firing line. I wasn't kidding with my advice though, trust me, there is nothing more infuriating for a woman for the guy she wants to be attached. It kind of sounds a bit like your friend wants to have her cake and eat it too so take some of the cake away from her and she'll come to her senses."

Looking at her sceptically he wasn't sure but he would give it a shot, "if this all goes terribly wrong it is on your head."

Laughing she nodded her head, "I can take it. You've got about half an hour before your next client so if you want some food and to call her then be my guest."

Sighing softly he grabbed his phone, "okay. If you don't see me again you will know that I lost my freaking mind in my conversation with her."

Walking into the back room he swung the door shut behind him before he took a seat and dialled Stephanie's number.

Anxiously waiting for Paul to call she tried to relax around Stuart as he went on and on about making sure Paul went out with Stacey. When her cell phone started to ring she was relived when she saw Paul's name, "hey."

Paul sighed when he heard her voice, "so Katy passed on your message but the problem is that I have clients all day and won't be done until like seven tonight."

"That's okay, we can make it after eight, say half past eight or nine if you'd prefer."

Sighing softly he was still going to try and get out of it, "isn't that a bit late? Wouldn't you and Stuart and your work colleague prefer to eat a little earlier."

Frowning she really didn't need him pulling out on her, "please Paul, it'll be good for you."

Not in the mood to fight or listen to her beg and his heart couldn't take it he gave in, "okay okay. After work I have to go home and shower and change so I'd say half past eight please."

"That's great, thank you. I'll speak to Stacey and then text you the address of the restaurant later."

"Ohhh it's Stacey? This should be fun. I'll see you tonight."

Smiling softly she nodded her head, "yes it's Stacey, I'll see you later."

Hanging up the phone Stephanie sent a quick text to Stacey:

He said 8:30 as he is working but he's up for it. Text me the address for the restaurant please so I can text it to him. Steph

Once she had sent the text Stephanie tossed the phone onto the coffee table and tuned to her boyfriend, "it looks like everything is on for tonight."

Nodding his head Stuart looked at her sternly, "I expect you to do everything I tell you to and I don't want you spending any time alone with him, I do not trust him and you belong to me and only me."

Gulping she nodded her head slowly, "yes Stuart. I'll go and make us some lunch."

Getting up from her seat on the couch she walked out of the lounge with her head on the floor feeling so low.