It's the thirtieth of January, Joey has been dating Clare for nearly a month and he still hasn't introduced her to his friends, whom he is sitting with at Central Perk, hoping that they won't ask him about her yet.
"Wow, can you guys believe that Central Perk has been around for practically twenty years now?" Pondered Ross.
"Yeah, and I don't understand how it's still here if they are only making what I used to make when I worked here." Rachel smirked as she took a sip of her coffee.
Monica nodded in agreement, but was getting tired of all the 'small talk' going on, and decided to ask the question that everybody else probably had on their minds. "So Joey, when are we going to meet this New Year's kiss 'mystery girl'?"
Joey knew that one day he'd have to bring up this conversation, and was glad that Monica put the subject out there. "Soon I hope, She's just been really busy with work this past month."
"Oh what does she do for a living?" Monica wondered.
"Well like most of us, breathe." Chandler joked.
Suddenly, everybody just stared at Chandler as he turned red from laughing at his own joke, which made him hide behind his magazine.
"She's actually a chef for her own cooking company. That's why she's always busy at her convention things." Joey explained.
"Wait, wait, wait, wait. What's Clare's last name again?" Monica asked.
"Edwards."
"As in Edwards' Edibles?" Monica exclaimed.
"Yeah, that's actually the name of her company."
"Oh my God! Joey you have to introduce her to us already! I am a huge fan of hers!"
"Well if you help me figure out what to get her for our one month anniversary, then I can probably persuade her to meet my friends sooner." Joey hinted.
"Ooh, I know!" Monica yelled. "We should all go on a couples date!"
"What?"
"Y'know, you and Clare, Ross and Rachel, Mike and Phoebe, and Chan and I. That way we all get to meet her and feel all special and what not." Monica explained.
"Yeah, yeah, okay. Well our anniversary is tomorrow, so will you all be able to make it?"
"Ooh actually, Rachel and I can't do anything tomorrow night. We promised Emma that we'd take her back to school shopping for the new semester." Commented Ross.
"Dude! Come on! The girl is almost twelve, just let her go to the mall with her friends or something!" Joey suggested.
"Uh, I dunno Joe, what if she gets into trouble on the streets or something?" Ross worried.
"Well Honey, we could just have Ben take her. He is eighteen now." Rachel brought up.
"Yeah, that's true, and it'd be good for her to spend some time with her older brother before he goes off to college. Alright Joe, count us in."
"Alright. So, Phoebe are you and Mike good for tomorrow night?" Joey wondered.
Phoebe quickly pulls out her IPhone to see if she's free tomorrow night. "Yes, that actually works out perfectly, because Mike and I go back on tour next Saturday."
"Oh cool Pheebs, where are you guys going this time?" Asked Rachel.
"Well if you have to know, the city of Los Angeles gets to benefit from the musical stylings of husband and wife." Phoebe replied.
"Hey that's where I went to shoot my Days of Our Lives movie. They have the best Mexican food there.." Joey pondered as he licked his lips and thought about that delightful carne asada burrito he had last year.
"Ooh, ooh, ooh!" Phoebe exclaimed.
"Yes, Pheebs?" Chandler wondered.
"We should go to that new Taco Bell they opened up down the street!"
"That sounds great and all Phoebe, but I think I'd rather take Clare out somewhere more romantic." Joey clarified.
"You can take her down to my restaurant if you want Joe." Monica suggested.
"Oh, did you finish remodeling it already?" Joey asked.
"Yeah, the grand opening is next week on February seventh. So, it'd be cool to see what you guys think of the place before I reopen it."
"Alright, that sounds great. Anyways, I'll see you guys tomorrow, I'm going to go pick up Clare and tell her about our big plans."
"Oh wait Joey!" Chandler called out.
Joey turned around. "Yeah?"
"Maybe you shouldn't tell her about our plans?"
"What do you mean man?"
"What I mean is that, maybe it'd be a bit more romantic if you didn't tell her where you guys were going tomorrow night. Y'know, surprise her and all that." Chandler explained.
"Oh right! Thanks man!" Said Joey, as he walked over and patted his best friend on the back. "Man, I can't believe today was actually the day where I take relationship advice from you. Go figure." Joey smirked as he waved goodbye to his friends and took off.
Chandler grinned and waved back, waiting for Joey to leave. Then suddenly, Chandler quickly turned around and faced his friends. "Okay, what was that about?"
"I'm sorry to tell you this Honey, but he does have a point." Monica pointed out.
Chandler quickly pointed his finger at her, and took a deep breath. "Yeah, you're probably right."
"Awe come here Sweetie." Consoled Monica, walking towards Chandler to give him a quick embrace. "Anyways, we also have to get out of here and find a babysitter for tomorrow night."
"Wait, how old are Jack and Erica again? Nine, right?" Questioned Ross.
"Yeah."
"Well if you want we can get Ben to babysit them as well."
"Oh yeah that'd be fun, they'd get to spend some time with their cousins. What do you think Chandler?"
"Yeah, that sounds good with me. Anyways, see you guys tomorrow night!"
"Alright bye you guys." Ross and Rachel waved goodbye as Chandler and Monica departed.
After that, Phoebe, Ross and Rachel said their goodbyes as well and carried on with the rest of the day.