AN: Absence makes the heart grow fonder, right? Hoping to get at least one more chapter of this never-ending saga out before the end of 2018.

Cherry

"No way."

"Yes, you have to."

"It will never work."

"It's your only life skill."

"Thanks," the blonde responded drily to her raven-haired companion, while she played with the black napkin on the bar.

"You need to forget about Ace."

"Is that what we're doing here? I forgot."

Rei rolled her eyes. "Just forget about him, he was an immature prick at best. You need to find yourself an actual man and that buttoned up type across the way has been eyeing you for at least fifteen minutes."

"He is kind of cute, isn't he?" While a bit intimidating, the long silver hair was at odds with his younger face. Rei was right, Ace was just a boy compared to the broad-shouldered man looking in their direction. He wore glasses, which somehow enhanced his level of attraction.

"See! What are you waiting for?"

"And you're sure it will work? He seems like the type who might it all… Immature."

"You'll never know unless you find out. Now, scoot." Rey began to push her away, then held up her hand, rummaged in her battered Chanel bag, and pulled out a tube of lip gloss. Smearing the substance on her friend's lips, she said, "If you're going to do this, you should do it right."

The normally loquacious blonde straightened her shoulders and walked over to the man's side. "Hi."

"Hello." He turned his body towards hers. This close, she could smell the delightful spice of his cologne. Ace tended to prefer the chemical after effects of Axe products.

"Do you want to hear something ridiculous?"

"I suppose."

"I can tie a cherry stem into a knot." The man said nothing. "Using just my mouth."

The man's unique silverish eyes flicked to her mouth, now a rather obscene shade of glossy red, thanks to Rei's ministrations. Ah - now she was in control of the conversation. Flirting, even with attractive strangers, was like breathing for Mina. He swallowed roughly. "Really?"

Is it possible he'd never heard of this particularly ridiculous bar pick up line? Perhaps. The book in front of him spoke to someone who didn't often frequent establishments like this one. "If I'm right, will you buy me a drink?"

One successful attempt leads to a cocktail, which leads to a handsy taxi ride back to his substantial penthouse. Mina snuck out the following morning with a smile on her face. Looking in her purse, she pulls out cherry flavored Chapstick and in her stride of pride back to the apartment, said to no one in particular, "Works every time."