Rex answered his phone when he saw that it was Brody's admin. "Mr. Lovett asked that you come down to his office."
His next meeting wasn't for a couple of hours so he might as well go now. "What did you want to see me about?" he asked as he entered the office.
"I want to call Starr and ask her to the opening."
"You need a wingman for a telephone call?"
"It appears so – just keep me from saying anything stupid."
Rex looked at Brody again. His tie was loosened, and Rex could see the tracks where he had repeatedly run his fingers through his hair. The guy was a mess over a girl who hung on his every word at dinner. He was beginning to see Kelly and Gigi's point that the two were crazy for each other. He knew they had been discussing it last night, but he had been more concerned about fitting in with his half, or were they step?, brothers. Anyhow, there was no question that everyone could see that Starr wanted Brody to ask her out. It was, also, obvious that the man in front of him didn't have a clue. "Okay," Rex made himself comfortable in the chair opposite Brody's desk. "Not having to worry about a date is one of the nice things about being married."
"I'm willing if I can find the right person. I'm sick of being with the wrong person."
"Come on. Sometimes the wrong person can be fun. Lydsey Rappaport was cray-cray, but she had her talents." Rex smirked.
"Why does that name sound familiar?"
"Clint was married to her, and she and Bo were engaged. Her son and Jessica were together for awhile, and her daughter married Joey, but left him for me."
"Is it me or were families not like this back in Michigan?"
"Llanview is a different town, but enough stalling – make the call!"
"Okay," Brody turned on the speakerphone and started dialing the number. As soon as he finished, he started drumming his fingers on the desk.
Starr answered, "Hi, Brody!"
"Um, hi, Starr," Brody stuttered seeming surprised she answered after the first ring. "What are you doing today?"
"We're going shopping. I just want to get out of the house again."
"Maybe you could buy a new outfit for Saturday night's opening?"
"I guess. I don't know if anyone would care though."
"I would." Brody took a breathe as Rex nodded his head, "Would you be my date for the evening?"
"Really?" Rex smiled as he heard Starr's voice get higher in excitement.
"I think we could have fun," Rex said silently for Brody to copy.
"Yeah, the guys thought I should last night," Brody said instead.
Rex made hand motions to indicate crashing and burning from the other side of the desk. He listened to Starr say yes with less excitement. Brody made an excuse to get off the phone quickly. Brody leaned forward and put his head in his hands.
"Well that went well. You took down an Irish terrorist cell and how many members of Al Qaeda, but asking a girl out is difficult? No wonder, Gigi chose me. Did you consider passing her a note asking her to circle 'yes' or 'no'?" Rex asked sarcastically?
"I didn't want to sound like the creepy old guy."
Rex hung his head, "Are we really going over this again? Starr was hanging on every word you said at dinner last night and finds every excuse to hang out with you. Do you really think after two nights in Ireland that Hope is insisting that you help tuck her in? Lastly, and not least, she has no problem making out with you. Why would you think she wasn't going to accept the date?"
Brody shrugged. "I just feel that if she turns me down, it's going to hurt."
"Do you often kiss girls you aren't attracted?"
"I used to."
"But you aren't that person anymore, or I wouldn't let my son hang out with you all the time. I've never had the impression that it's Starr's habit either."
"I still don't know why those kisses happened."
Rex spoke slowly, "Because the two of you are attracted to each other? Okay so worst case scenario: you go and have a horrible time. Best case, you realize you really like each other and want to go out on another date. I don't think this is a lifetime commitment."
"I don't know that's the worst thing that could happen. What if I find out she hates me?"
"I could call that a horrible time besides at least you'll know, and the rest of won't have to watch the two of you pretend not to watch the other. At least you won't be wondering what if? I have a meeting soon. Think about it."
Brody watched Rex walk out of his office. The guy made sense, but his heart wasn't sure if it could handle the risk.