Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN THE CHARMED CHARACTERS, I DO NOT CLAIM TO OWN THEM.THIS IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY!
Piper woke up the next day feeling more refreshed then she had in the last week. She knew it had a little to do with Todd being behind bars, and a lot to do with her decision not to fight how she felt about Cole anymore.
Even if she couldn't admit it to him, Paige, or anyone else, she could at least admit it to herself, and quit fighting it all the time.
She jumped out of bed and went through her closet. She had to do stock at P3 today, and then she was going to take the night off, buy a pizza and watch a movie. She was going to ask Paige to hang out with her. She wished Phoebe was around. They could have a sisters night in.
Piper finally picked out a black skirt and a white blouse. She went in the restroom to get ready. As she took her shower she thought about Phoebe. Piper really whished she knew what was going on with her. Piper wondered if it had something to do with Cole being back in their lives.
Paige was downstairs making pancakes when Piper came downstairs. "Hey Paige, your cooking?" Piper asked.
"Yeah, you know, every once in awhile I get a little handy in the kitchen. Phoebe was here and gone already." Paige said.
"Really? Why was she in and out? She couldn't even say hi to me?" Piper felt a little hurt. It wasn't her fault she got attacked or that Cole became her hero. Why was Phoebe so angry with her?
"She ran out of clothes at Dales, so she came back to get some. She didn't say much to me either. I think seeing Cole through her in a spin. She will come out of it in time Piper, I know it hurts, but give it time."
After breakfast Piper stood up. "Thanks for making breakfast Paige, I really appreciate it. I have to do stock all morning. I was wondering if you wanted to stay in tonight and get pizza with me."
"Oh Piper, I would like to, but I have my second date with Steven tonight. I'm sorry. I could cancel if you really want to hang out."
"No, of course not. It might be peaceful having some alone time tonight. I can take a bubble bath and read a good book. Relax some." Piper said.
"Are you sure?" Paige felt a little guilty.
"Yes! Have fun! I gotta get going though." Piper said as she grabbed her keys and left.
Piper was almost done with the stock. She looked at her watch, it was already four o'clock. The bar would be opening in another hour. She was glad Melissa, her assistant manager, was here to help.
Cole sat out in his car in the parking lot. He was still debating about going in. He wanted to ask Piper to dinner. He wanted to spend time with her, but he also knew that it would be hard on him to hang out with her and not tell her he loved her. He finally got out of the car. Having her as a friend was better than not having her at all.
Piper looked up as Cole came in. He was wearing dark pants and a light blue shirt. He looked incredible. She smiled at him. "Hey you, come to help stock?"
He held his hands up. "Oh no…I do NOT stock!" he laughed. "Actually I wanted to see if you wanted to go to dinner tonight? I've been kind of busy at work, and I thought we could hang out." His heart was pounding. She looked amazing in the black skirt and white blouse.
"I would love that Cole. Paige has a date, so I was going to hang out alone. Dinner sounds like much more fun. Can you wait about twenty minutes? Let me get this done so I don't dump it on Melissa."
"No problem, do you want some help? I was just playing you know, I don't mind helping."
"No, it's okay. I am almost done." Piper smiled as Cole sat down at the bar. "Make a drink if you want to." She told him.
Piper finished up about thirty minutes later. She walked up to Cole, who had been leafing through a magazine. "You ready?" She felt tingly. She was going on a date with Cole. 'Not a date. Just dinner with a friend' Piper told herself.
"Yes, let's go." Cole offered her his elbow as they left the bar. When they got outside he opened the car door for her. She smiled up at him and he felt his knees go weak. 'This was a bad idea' he told himself.