The Fresh Start

Chapter 2 So what's some dinner between friends?

Kay looked at herself in the mirror. She couldn't find anything to wear, no matter what she put on... it was just one of those days where she looked awful. Why did she care so much anyway... it was just Fox, annoying pig headed Fox Crane. She had been trying to think awful thoughts about him all day, but couldn't help it. Somewhere along the line this crush had snuck up on her. Maybe it was just that she needed someone to help her forget about Miguel... how she ever could have been so completley in love with that selfish bastard was imposible for her to comprehend.

Staring in the mirror, she found herself yet again disapointed, she for some reason, was incredibley nervous. She just had to look good, for once, couldn't things just work out her way. And then she remembered a small yet very important and convinient fact. She lived with two witches ... two witches that had become Edna Wallace's personal stylists latley. Smiling Kay ran downstairs in search of Tabitha.

Fox found himself thinking about her again. He was standing on the balcony of his room in the Crane mansion having a drink to calm his nerves. He had been pacing his room all day, trying to figure out if he really truley had developed feelings for this girl. Maybe he was just trying to forget about Whitney... he had already called Thereasa seven times for advice. He couldn't call her again, she would laugh at him.

But she was beautiful, that was for sure. She was a few years younger then him, but that didn't really matter much. Deep down she was a good person, somehow, no matter how many horror stories he had heard about her, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was right about her. A knock came at his door and he groaned,not in the mood for company.

"What?" He yelled annoyed glancing to the door. His smile faded when Whitney walked in shutting the door behind her.

"Hi Fox"

"What do you want"

"You don't have to be so rude"

"Actually I do... i was just heading out... i have somewhere to be, so whatever you want make it quick"

"I just... i miss you thats all, i wanted to see if you wanted to get dinner or something" Whitney smiled stepping toward him

"Whitney, you've gotta been kidding me" Fox laughed shoving his wallet in his pocket.

"Where are you off too in such a rush anyway.."

"I have a date" Fox smiled looking at himself in the mirror, he could see her reflection, standing behind him, and the shocked look on her face.

" You What? Already...with who"

"Kay Bennett...don't flatter yourself Whitney, it wasn't that hard to get over you..." He laughed walking out of the room leaving Whitney to her thoughts.

Kay opened the door and laughed, he had actually brought her flowers, was this like a real date, did he really like her or something? She took them and smiled.

"thanks Fox... but you didn't have to"

"Ofcoarse i had to.." Fox smiled. He stared at her for a moment too long and shook his head, slightly embarassed for gawking. "You look amazing"

"Thank you" Kay smiled. Maybe he wasn't so bad afterall. "Let me just say good night to Maria" Kay said walking back inside. Fox watched as she kissed her daughter and whispered something to her. Then she grabbed her coat and followed him to the car.

"Your daughter is gorgeous"

"Yes she is" Kay smiled proudly "She's the only good thing i've ever done..." Kay laughed.

"She looks just like you..." Fox said stopping at a red light and sneaking another glance at the short black dress she was wearing. Kay laughed, where did this sweet, charming side come from? "I hope i have kids some day..." he said sadly, Myles was the closest he had ever come.

"I heard about everything with Whitney, that must have been pretty hard on you" Kay said. Fox looked at her suprised, he hadn't realized she could be so nice.

"yea it hurts, but its time for me to move on with my life... she made her decisions, and now its time for me to make my own" He sighed.

"I know the feeling" Kay laughed as Fox pulled into the parking lot. "Miguel... Maria's father left us for another women... my cousin actually"

Fox walked around the car and opened her door for her, taking her hand and leading her out of the car. "Well Miguel, is a fool" Fox smiled looking her in the eyes. She starred back, and she knew if she didnt look away, he was going to kiss her.

"Why don't we go in" She said her cheeks turning pink, for the m illionth time that night.

Whitney was infuriated. Of all people... Kay Bennett? Her sisters best friend had stepped on too many toes, and it was time someone did something about it. She knocked on Thereasas bedroom door angrily.

Her friend opened up and let her in with a confused look on her face.

"Is Ethan here?"

"No he's out to dinner with Ivy and Fancy... what's wrong with you?" She asked.

"Fox is out on a date as we speak with..."

"Kay... yea i know" Thereasa said still confused. "This is bad news i guess?"

"You knew about this?" Whitney yelled.

"Yea i knew, he called me like ten times today. God i've never heard him so nervous before, its actually pretty adorable" She laughed.

"Who's side are you on here"

"Wait a minute, i thought you would be happy about this, you chose Chad... i thought you would be happy he's getting over you and moving on"

"I am ... its just..."

"Its just what Whitney? Your jealous, admit it." Thereasa said loosing her patience with her friend. "Listen you chose Chad... so let Fox go and let him be happy, he really likes her... don't ruin this for him please Whit" She begged her.

Whitneys mouth dropped open, why was everyone against her. Kay Bennett was a tramp, someone had to save Fox from her. She shook her head at her friend and stormed out of the room slamming the door behind her.

Fox laughed as Kay told another story about Maria. It was adorable how much she adored her. Suprisingly they hadn't faught all night, and Kay had yet to slap him. Maybe he wasn't going crazy, maybe there was something there.

"You talk about your daughter a lot" Fox said.

"Oh god...i'm sorry..." Kay said a little embarassed.

"No... don't be i think its great that you spend so much time with her, that you have such a bond" Fox smiled.

"Well... she's all i have really, my dads so focused on helping jessica, and my moms gone. Simone went away to school, and Miguel left us ... i dont have any friends really...in fact i'm pretty sure everyone in town things i'm a coniving slut..." Kay laughed.

"Yea, and i'm a rich womanizing playboy" Fox smiled and they both laughed. "Well you have a friend now"

"If you don't mind me asking..."Kay said looking down at her drink "Why is it that you want to be my friend... I mean, i'm sure you've heard all the horrible things i've done"

"The things you do arn't who you are Kay...besides, i've done my fare share of horrible things" Fox laughed taking a sip of his drink.

"Yea i've heard..." Kay laughed. "This town is awful isn't it"

"Yea, sometimes i get so close to leaving, but i always stayed... because of Myles"

"So why are you still here then..."

"I don't know... what about you" Fox asked.

"That's a good question" Kay laughed. "I don't know... i guess i always prayed Miguel would suddenly change his mind and come back, realize he was in love with me"

"Do you think he ever will?"

"God no..." Kay laughed. " And at this point... i could care less. He can have his precious Charity... at the end of the day i guess i deserve a man who loves me for me, not because he felt obligated to"

"You do" Fox smiled, he knew he was taking a chance but slid his hand across the table and placed it ontop of hers. She must have been too deep in thought to realize it, because she didn't even flinch.

They finished dinner and left the restaurant. They had talked for hours over countless glasses of wine.

"God it's such a beautiful night" Kay smiled looking up at the stars. In true Crane fashion Fox had picked the most beautiful expensive restaurant in town that over looked the bay. She walked over to the railing and leaned against it looking out at the ocean. Something about it made her feel like she could do anything, just pick up and start a whole new life.

"Yea it is..." Fox said staring at her. "You know Kay... i havn't had this much fun in like ... forever"

"Yea me too" She said turning to face him. He was closer then she thought and her breath caught in her throat as she starred into his gorgeous eyes. Before she really knew what was happening she had closed her eyes and his lips were brushing against his. Gently he kissed her and his arms slid around her waist. They pulled apart for a moment, but Fox quickly pulled her back in.

Kay giggled against his lips. She hand't felt like this with a guy since... well ever really. She knew it wasn't like her to let her guard down so easily, or at all for that matter. But it was like he had forced her too, like he hand't given her a choice. And maybe that was a good thing, afterall she had slapped him on numerous occasions, and he stuck around anyway. Maybe she wasn't destined to be alone.

Fox smiled hearing her laugh and only pulled her closer and kissed her again. Maybe she was a little drunk, but so was he, and neither had become so drunk that they would do something they would regret right? As much as he didn't want to stop he knew he had to and slowly pulled away.

"As much as i would love to stay like this all night, it's getting late" he whispered brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "I should get you home to your daughter."

"Yea..." She sighed. He took her hand and led her to the car, hoping he had made the right decision.

They reached her home and Fox opened the car door for her and helped her out. She couldn't stop smiling, this wasn't like her, you have to stop this Kay... she thought to herself. It was only their first date... wait would there even be a second?

"So... we should definatley do this again ..." Fox said as they reached the door. She turned to face him and once again got too lost in his eyes to build her walls back up. "Soon..." Fox added, himself smiling a little too wide.

"Maybe" Kay said.

"Just Maybe?" Fox laughed.

"We'll see" Kay smiled and kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you for dinner... i'll see you at work on monday"

"Ok" Fox laughed. "Goodnight" He whispered and kissed her before she could protest.

"Goodnight Fox" Kay smiled and reluctantly went inside.