I got home. I saw Joey in the hall. He smiled when he saw me. "Hey how did it go?" he asked taking a sip of tequila.

I took a deep breath. "Turns out I know this guy," I said. "Oh?" he asked. "Yeah he protected my family from these crazy ninjas when I was like in high school," I explained.

"Nice story. So did you talk to him?" he asked.

"uh yeah we talked," I mumbled.

"And when will you be seeing him?" he asked persistently.

"I dont know, " I lied.

"Well you better find out because I need you to get him wrapped around your little finger. Okay?" he said playing with my finger as he said it.

"Okay," I said softly.

"You look very guilty," he observed.

" I am ," I said.

"Well don't be... Do you... have feelings for this guy?" he asked in an incredulous voice.

" No!" I said expressing offense.

" Good. Don't get too attached. I have plans for him. Besides," he said pulling me close, " You don't can't have anyone but me because I own you. Right puppet?" he asked expectantly.

"Yes, oh, Great One. I live only to serve you," I said sarcastically.

He smiled," Exactly," he grinned as he bent down to kiss me.

Ugh.

It was Thursday. I went out and bought a cookbook.

I looked through it. Hopefully he had basic ingredients.

On Friday, I went over to his house. He opened. " Oh Zoe, hi, " he said awkwardly.

He was just in a towel,"Oh I just got out of the shower," he said.

"Its okay," I said. "I'm going to look in your kitchen cabinets okay," I said.

'And I'll go change," he said. I nodded. I had the cookbook in hand.

I ransacked every cabinet. there was a salt shaker, some pepper, a bran cereal, an opened packet of pasta and last and most definitely least the Navy food. Ugh.

He came downstairs. Fully dressed. "You have nothing." I teased. " Shane do you just eat Navy food and restaurant food?" I asked.

"It's easier," he said sheepishly.

"We need to go to the store you need...everything," I said.

"Okay, " he said.

We went to a nearby Wal*Mart.

"Okay. You need eggs, milk meat, pasta, juice,-," ETC.

"Am I supposed to eat all this?" he asked. "Yeah," I said." Don't worry you can cook for dates and stuff like that. Girls love a guy who can cook." I smiled as I reached for a can of soup I couldn't exactly reach.

He reached up and got it for me.

I put it in the cart. "Dates?" he asked. He laughed. I haven't been on a date in 2 years," he said

"Really? That's a long time," I said.

"What else do girls like?" he asked.

I looked at him.

"Just curious," he said defensively.

"I dont know it- uh it sort of varies for each one."

"And you?" he asked.

"What about me?" I asked smiling.

"What kind of guy do you like?" he asked his eyebrows furrowed.

"Um I don't know yet but I hope I'll find out soon," I smiled.

He smiled slightly.

We got back to his place and we unloaded the groceries.

"Okay. So what do you want to cook ?" I asked staring at all the food in grocery bags on the table.

"How bout something simple like- like spaghetti. I hear thats easy to make."

"Uh yeah it actually it is. Okay lets make spaghetti."

"We'll need pasta, tomato sauce, meatballs, and cheese, and water." I said taking the ingredients out of the bag.

"Okay step one turn on the stove."

"How?" he asked.

I looked at him, "Seriously?"

He nodded sheepishly.

I turn it one.

"Place pot on heat and pour in water about halfways and wait for it to boil."

"okay now you can put the pasta into it."

He shoved the whole box in there.

I giggle, "No you break the pasta in half so it fits in the pot...Like this," I demonstrated and he copied.

When we were done it smelled great. It looked great.

he pulled out and bottle of wine.

I smiled,"Whats that for?"

"Us... I-I mean the first edible meal I have ever co-cooked with you."

I smiled,"What a special occasion."

"Definitely," he smiled.

We sat down adn ate.

the wine was great and so was our food.

"That was really good."

"I know. Tahnks for teaching me how to cook I could really use this. That restaurant food was really unhealthy. I was starting to get out of shape."

I giggled, "Shane are you kidding? You will never be out of shape...Ever, " I said poking his bicep.

"I actually wanted flat abs. but I hate the gym. It smells of sweat and disappointment. And I always end up next to that bitch that looks great and is doing like an hour on the treadmill without breaking a sweat. I mean if youre going to do every thing so effortlessly you might as well not excersise."

He laughed, "Well, I'll tell you what. Since you are teaching me to make food. I'll make a workout plan for you."

"How sweet but um I dont know how hardcore you are with your workouts. I mean easy for me can mean a whole different thing to a Navy Seal."

"oh well I promise to go easy on you then."

I laughed,"You better."

I looked at the time. Joey would want me home.

"I have to go Shane. um thanks for lunch."

"Oh no, thank you. Do you need a ride or someth-"

I cut him off quickly, "NO," I giggle nervously, " I mean, uh no thanks I have a car but thanks anyways. Bye," I said.

We looked at eachother for a while.

I held my arm s out to hug him and he immideately hugged me back.

It was an unusually long hug.

My face was nestled in the crook of his neck.

And my hands were flat on his back.

His rock hard back. I could feel the heat radiating off of him.

I kissed his cheek before letting him go.

"Bye Shane See you soon."

"Goodbye Zoe I'm looking forward to it.

Shane was really a nice guy and now I had to go home to the total opposite.

JOEY. UGH...