Why Should I Care?

Finding the Beginnings of Attraction

Disclaimer: As usual, I own no one, though I wish I did…

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Trish sighed, throwing on a white tank top. She hoped she looked okay, not too fancy, not too casual.

Just beyond her closed bedroom door, AJ sat on the couch, waiting for her.

Opening the door, Trish grabbed her black leather purse. Slinging it over her shoulder, she faced AJ.

"I'm glad my hangover's going away," she murmured, slinging her purse over her shoulder. AJ grinned, rising to his feet.

After spending the morning at Adam and Amy's house, AJ invited Trish to lunch. She accepted.

She couldn't believe the size of her crush on AJ. She barely knew him! What was going on?

"You're beautiful," he murmured, glancing up and down. Trish blushed, struggling to hide her pleasure.

"I am not!" she squealed. AJ nodded slowly.

"Yeah, you are," he said. Trish couldn't see it. She wore nothing special. She wore black tailored jeans, a white tank top and black strappy heels.

She couldn't believe she was out with such a cute guy. Could she call it a date?

After Randy left, she vowed not to date for a while. He had hurt her, in more ways than one. Why should she trust a man again?

"What do you want to call this?" Trish asked, slipping her sunglasses on.

"Well, they're going to call it a date," he murmured. "Where do you want to go?"

"Pizza's fine. I'm starving. That toast this morning didn't kick it." Trish muttered. AJ chuckled.

"You sound like an angry bear," he muttered. Trish giggled.

"I get a little cranky when I'm hungry," she declared.

AJ's out of my league, she thought. There's no chance we'll ever get together,

Nerves were getting the best of her. She couldn't think of anything to talk about.

AJ took her by the arm, leading her into a small pizza shop. She was grateful, barely able to walk, a mixture of a hangover and anxiety.

"Trish!" a feminine voice squealed. Removing her sunglasses, Trish stifled a groan. "Sit with us!"

Sitting in front of her was none other than Stacy.

Why did it have to be Stacy? Why couldn't it have been Torrie or Candice? She didn't exactly like them either, but she liked them better than Stacy.

"Oh, hello," Trish muttered, wracking her brain for a good excuse to leave. Hopefully, AJ would understand.

"Sit with us!" Stacy squealed. Trish sighed. She really liked AJ, and she certainly wasn't ready to ruin it because of the alien.

"Hello," she murmured, facing Candice. She struggled to hide the involuntary shiver. The brunette scared her, not more than Stacy, but she was still startled.

AJ surprised her, reaching out to squeeze her hand. What was he up to?

"I really wish Peregrine would calm down," Stacy mumbled. Trish glanced to AJ, feeling him kick her.

Peregrine? He mumbled. She shrugged.

"Peregrine?" Trish asked, wishing she could just leave. Stacy nodded.

Peregrine Orton? That was definitely a name her no good ex would use. In happier days, he had told her he wanted a girl named Wren and a boy named Falcon.

Always knew he wanted an Aviary, she thought. Buried deep in her purse, her phone began to ring.

"Hello?"

"Need rescuing?"

"Yeah! How'd you -?"

"Thank AJ's fast texting,"

"Amy, I wish you had told me about your dress problems!"

"Very good,"

"I'll be right there. Sure, I'll bring AJ,"

"Bye," Amy hung up.

Fumbling for her purse, Trish stood up. AJ muttered apologies. Stacy seemed disappointed. Candice seemed glad to see them leave.

"You owe me!" AJ exclaimed, as soon as they were out of earshot. Trish nodded, admitting he was right. "Can I ask you a question?"

"Anything," she murmured, wondering what he could possibly want to know.

"Why do you hate Stacy? I asked Amy and she told me I'd have to ask you!"

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