"Rea? You have an unscheduled client waiting out here and may I say he is very handsome. And, he comes bearing gifts."

I rolled my eyes while 'my secretary', Jasmine Loftus, wiggled her eyebrows at me. When I started here, Jasmine and I became quick friends. She was funny, boy-crazy, and gossipy but a great person all around. She had wide almond brown eyes and black hair that she always kept up in braids. I think she was the only one who was actually nice to me when I started here.

"Just send him Jas," I said. Jasmine laughed and stepped aside, saying, "Miss Smith will see you now."

Blaise came in, holding another bouquet of flowers. Seriously, that will never get old. He flopped down onto the couch set in front of my chair, a smile on his face. "Hello, Miss Smith."

I smiled back. "Hello Blaise. What can I do you for?"

"Well, you see, there's this really pretty girl I know. I suppose you can say we were school sweethearts. Anyway, I finally managed to slow down enough to meet up with her and I promised to take her out to dinner tonight. Problem is, I'm not quite sure where to take her. What would you recommend?"

"There's a really nice Italian restaurant just around the corner from this building. It's not very expensive and the food is really good. I think she'd like it."

"It's perfect." Blaise stood to his feet and gave me the flowers, offering his arm at the same time. "Shall we?"

I stood and put my arm through his. "We shall."

We left my office, passing Jasmine's desk as she pretend to clean up and pretending to clear her throat. She was so blatantly obvious.

"Blaise," I said, "this is my friend Jasmine. Jas, this is Blaise."

"Nice to meet you," Blaise said offering his hand.

She took it, biting slightly on her bottom lip. "No, no. It's nice to meet you. Is this the same Blaise you told me you met at Hogwarts who's incredibly hot? Because if it is I completely agree. There are plenty of fish in the sea and my oh my have you caught a good one."

Did I mention Jasmine was also very big mouthed? Gently I pushed Blaise towards the door. "Bye Jas, see you Monday."

"Bye! Have Fun! Owl me with the details!"

I could feel my face getting hot, but Blaise chuckled. "I like her," he said.

"She grows on you, I suppose," I said, cooling down a little. "So, I get to find out what you've been up to tonight, right?"

Blaise hesitated before saying, "Possibly. . . . It's complicated."

"How complicated?"

"Devastatingly complicated."

"Sounds like a movie."

"A what?"

". . . . Nothing, never mind. Let's just go eat. We'll talk about something else."

"Okay."

The wind bit through my sweater slightly, and I cuddled closer to Blaise unconsciously. He noticed, though, and wrapped his arm around my shoulders. I smiled up at him and he smiled back.

I love it when there's no need for words.

It was going on seventeen to midnight when Blaise and I Apparated in front of my house. I felt giddy, though, I swear, I hadn't drunk anything. Blaise and I kept laughing, remembering things from school. It was a good night, if I do say so myself.

"I had a really nice time, Blaise," I told him.

"Me too," he said, grinning.

"We'll have to do it again sometime."

"How about next Tuesday for your birthday?"

My big two one. That's right, ladies and gentlemen, I'm about to be twenty-one years of age. And he actually remembered? I'm shocked, to say the least, but excited.

"I'd love to."

"Great."

Can you spell awkward? I mean, in movies and books and stuff, this is the part where the boy leans in and gives the girl a goodnight kiss and boy was I excited for that.

I think.

He did lean forward, slightly, and I sort of leaned towards him, slightly. But at the last minute, I turned my head and let his lips brush up against my cheek. Don't get me wrong, it still sent shivers down my spine.

I put my hand on the doorknob and pushed open the door. "Goodnight, Blaise."

I could sort of see the disappointment in his eyes, but he smiled anyway. "Goodnight, Alurea."

Quickly, I went inside, feeling stupid. I heard him Disapparated and I closed the door completely.

"Alurea, is that you?"

I sighed.

Right, time to face Cormac.