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(Trent's Loft - 6 P.M.)

"I did it." Trent said when Aiden picked up the phone.

"You did what?" Aiden asked, who was lounging on the sofa.

"I asked Lauren to dinner."

Aiden sat up and smiled at Felice when she walked into the room, holding a large gilded frame. "He asked Lauren to dinner," he mouthed, making her grin. "Where are you going to take her?"

Trent searched through his rack of clothes for something acceptable. "Some place expensive."

Aiden laughed, "Okay... where is that?"

"Acquerello, remember, we went there when you and Felice got together. In San Fransisco," he added.

"Oh, yeah, that fancy place." Aiden laughed, "You didn't take Lanie there, did you?" Aiden cursed him self, he hadn't meant to ask that.

"No." Trent said, his mood going grim at the mention of her name. "Come on, man, I'm trying to let go. That's what you guys keep telling me to do." He pulled out a navy blue Raulph Lauren polo shirt that had been in the armoire forever.

Aiden scratched his head as he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. He noticed that Trent had been acting out of character for a while... but maybe this was a turn for the better instead of the worst. "Yeah, that's true. Sorry, man. But that's awesome, she said yeah?"

"Well, no shit. She seemed pretty happy about it."

Aiden could hear the even more uncharacteristic grin in Trent's voice. "Yeah, she likes you. Well, get ready or she'll eat your ass with a spoon for being late."

Trent grinned and hung up.

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(Townhouse - 6:00)

After a quick, hot shower and applying her makeup carefully, Lauren unwrapped the towel from her body and put her Chinese silk robe and then her slippers on. She went up to her room to get dressed before doing her hair.

"Robbie" The word sounded like a high pitched squeal... her tattered nerves had finally had it. "What looks better on me? Red, black, or white?!" When she didn't hear a reply she screamed, "ROBBIE!!!"

Robbie was right outside her door when she screamed and chuckled, twirling his spoon in his hot chocolate. "Yes?"

"I don't know what to wear!" She said in a whimpery, soft voice. Lauren smiled at him then as she sat down on her bed.

"Going out with Trent, I'm guessing?"

Lauren nodded, wiggling her slippers so the bunny heads bobbled.

Robbie grinned, glad to see Lauren this frustrated over someone. Usually, she intimidated men and didn't really fuss over them... almost as if they were just passing amusements, except for a random few. But now, he could tell she genuinely liked this guy since she was usually laid-back and cool about everything but was acting high strung and worried. His grin widened. "Hmmm..." Robbie made his way into her closet and being rummaging around. Five minutes later, silver pearl-encrusted open toed stilettoes flew from the closet and Robbie stepped out with a knee-length Marilyn Monroe-esque dress with intricate beading up and down the front she had bought a year ago on a trip to New York. "You're going to a fancy place, right?"

"Pretty sure."

Robbie held it out to her. "You'll be beautiful." He placed the dress in his hands and kissed her. "But you're beautiful no matter what you wear, my exquisite girl. I'm going out with Davis again so if you're home before I am..." Robbie winked at her and smiled as she laughed.

"Thank you so much, Robbie."

**

Twenty minutes later, Lauren was dressed, her lips red, eyes smokey grey, and her hair parted on the side and flipped in a 50's style that framed her face. Grabbing a purse on a long silver chain, she walked down the stairs where Robbie was straightening his shirt in the mirror. Seeing her, he turned around and grinned. "You almost make me feel straight."

"Almost? I hope Trent doesn't feel 'almost.'" She joked.

"I highly doubt that," he said with a leering smile.



A knock sounded on the door and Robbie went to see who it was. "Go get a coat, dear." He said in a fatherly-manner, making Lauren smile.

Robbie opened the door after Lauren had disappeared up the stairs. "Hello." He said casually, letting Trent in. "Trent, right?"

Trent gave a half smile. "Yeah, and you're Robbie?"

Trying his best not to check Trent out in his jade green button down shirt and black slacks that looked out of place over his dark gray Vans and the intense good looks of his face, Robbie just smirked and offered his hand, feeling very much like a dad. "Yes, I am. Lauren just went upstairs to get a jacket."

Trent nodded, and then turned around when he heard soft clicks on the stairs. His breath caught in his throat, his brain sent shocks straight to his heart and then to his groin. His eyes wide, he didn't say anything as he helped Lauren into her fur-lined coat and almost jumped back as she touched his arm. "Hi. You look nice."

Clearing his throat and looking at Robbie, who had the 'You are Mr. Obvious, buddy' written all over his face, he smiled at her and then offered his arm. "And you look gorgeous, my lady. Shall we go?"

Laughing at his gallant-ness, Lauren nodded and then kissed Robbie's cheek on the way out. "See you in the morning?"

Nodding, Robbie saw them out.

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