I'm so appreciative of the patience you guys have with me. I don't know if it makes it any better, but no one is more disappointed about how little time I have to write than I am. I love writing this story, and it seems like I constantly have ideas swirling around in my head that I barely have time to get out. I do hope that you enjoy the next chapter!

I hate to make any sort of excuse, because it has taken me way too long, and this chapter isn't even that long, but the truth is that I actually got promoted at work (CRAZY), and I've been desperately trying to catch up. Things have calmed now, so hopefully that means better timing on the horizon!

Come say hi on tumblr, practical-amanda.

"You know, sometimes when Sugar is doing my fittings I've wondered what it would be like to have a mute tailor. I guess now I know," Blaine quipped, finally breaking the twenty minute long silence. Kurt had come in for their scheduled meeting just as Rachel was leaving Blaine's dressing room, and Kurt had said little more than, 'here are your clothes' and 'turn a little more to the right'.

"Is there something in particular you needed to talk about, Blaine," Kurt said around a mouth full of pins. His tone was practically daring Blaine to say yes.

"I guess I just...never mind," Blaine finally said. "You've just been more quiet than usual. That's all."

"Blaine, I spend all day with a group of the worlds biggest gossips. They never shut up. You'll excuse me if I feel like working in silence for a bit," Kurt said, his tone softening slightly. "And besides, with a girlfriend like Rachel Berry, I figured you might like some peace and quiet as well."

Blaine couldn't help it. It was out of his mouth before he could stop himself, "Oh my god, you don't think I'm actually dating her, do you?" Blaine said, before clamping a hand over his mouth. "I can't believe I just said that."

Kurt gave him a look that was at once reassuring and sassy, "I wasn't born yesterday, Rock Hudson. I'm not going to spill any of your secrets. Don't' worry," Kurt said, standing up to pack up his materials. "I may be a bitch, but I'm not evil."

"I don't think your a bitch," Blaine said, playing with the threading on his shirt sleeve.

"Don't play with that. You'll lose a button," Kurt said, almost absent-mindedly, "And it's very nice of you to say, but I know I am. You don't have to lie."

"You're sharp and opinionated, and you can be an unmitigated pain in the ass, but you aren't a bitch," Blaine said, going behind his privacy screen to change back into street clothes. "When you're not doing your whole 'aloof' act, you're actually kind of sweet," Blaine added. It was much easier to be candid when they weren't face to face.

Blaine was actually the first people to EVER call me sweet, at least to my face, and my instincts tell me that the things people said behind my back were probably worse. It was also the first time that a crush made me feel...gooey...if that makes sense. And whether I wanted to admit it at the time or not, that's exactly what it was: a crush. I think it's worth noting that as soon as I left that dressing room, I buried the feeling as far down as possible.

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"...And the dressing I wanted was on the salad bar the whole time! I can't believe I made that poor woman go looking for it!" Adam said, finishing up an extremely long anecdote about the cold, prepared food station at Whole Foods. Kurt had been dating him for a few weeks now, and frankly the man was proving to be extremely boring. His British accent alone was enough to get him through the first date, but after that his interest diminished rapidly. But, he was cute and nice, and he spent most of his time complimenting Kurt, so when one of his model friends had managed to score him a reservation for two at one of the city's ritziest restaurants, Adam was the best he could do for a date on such short notice.

It didn't hurt, that he helped to fuel my delusion that I didn't have any romantic feelings for Blaine.

"You sure know how to captivate an audience," Kurt said, hoping that his tone was ambiguous enough that Adam wouldn't realize he was being sarcastic. He didn't really notice either way, because out of the corner of his eye, he saw the hostess seating another couple at the table next to them. A second glance confirmed his suspicions. Right next to them was none other than Rachel Berry and Blaine Anderson.

He and Blaine locked eyes long enough for Kurt to narrow his eyes, and Blaine to give a small, dismissive shrug, but to the casual observer it looked like nothing had transpired. Adam did notice, however, that Kurt aggressively reached across the table to link their hands, "someone's feeling affectionate tonight," Adam said with a bright smile. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Kurt almost felt bad about the hopeful expression on Adam's face, almost, but he was too overwhelmed by his irritation at Blaine's sudden presence to think on it too much.

"Don't look now," Adam stage whispered, "but I think that's Blaine Anderson and Rachel Berry next to us."

This time Kurt really couldn't hold back a sarcastic eye roll, although he supposed it was really his own fault that he hadn't bothered to provide any real details about what he did for a living. He turned his head sharply and tried not to snort at the lack of eye contact between the 'couple' beside him, "hello, Blaine. We have to stop running into each other like this," he said raising an eyebrow. Adam looked at Rachel for any indication that she knew what was going on, but she just shrugged and went back to nibbling on a roll from the basket on the table. "Are you going to introduce me to your...date?"

Blaine cleared his throat, "Um...okay...well, this is my girlfriend, Rachel. Rachel, this is Kurt, he does the wardrobe for the show," he said, slipping effortlessly back into his typical persona. "He's the one that makes me look so good," he added. "And what about you? Who's your friend?"

"This is Adam," Kurt answered, feeling no need to elaborate.

"It's a pleasure to meet you both," Adam said, shaking Blaine's hand, and then Rachel's with his free one, seemingly oblivious to the tension between the two other men.

Kurt only held their gaze for a moment longer before the waitress came over to deliver their food, "well, enjoy dinner," he said with a nod.

I wish I could say that this was the last interaction we had that night. I was already acting a bit like a petulant child. The fact that Blaine was pretending to date Rachel was none of my business, but at the time I couldn't figure out why it bothered me so much. I told myself that it was because I didn't like that he was lying to the world, but in retrospect, I was jealous. Blaine was (and is) gorgeous, talented, and charismatic, and I was one my fourth date with the human equivalent of vegetable lasagna.

"Darn it!" Kurt and Adam heard Blaine exclaim from the table next to them.

"Is everything alright?" Adam said, looking over with concern on his face. Kurt couldn't help but notice how quickly the British accent had gone from sexy to irritating.

"Yeah, sorry. It's fine," Blaine said, distractedly fiddling with his sleeve. "It's just the button popped off my sleeve, and this is a new shirt."

Kurt was too busy glaring at the way Rachel fussed over Blaine's wrist, and figuring out the best way to say 'I told you so', to stop Adam from saying what came out of his mouth next, "well Kurt always keeps a sewing kit in his bag. I bet he could got to bathroom and fix it for you, right Kurt."

Kurt stared at him, blinking rapidly. Of all the little details that Adam could have picked up on, this had to be one of them. "I...uh..."

"That would be great!" Blaine said. "You're a life saver!"

And before you all ask, Blaine totally popped the button on purpose. I figured I owe you that much since I made you wait so long between chapters.