Angela finally closes the file. Happy with the result of the presentation. She stretches her back, she feels some of her vertebra pop! ~Oh that feels good.~ She thinks and reaches down to touch her toes, another couple of vertebra pop. ~Perfect!~ She feels her stomach growl. ~I'm hungry.. what time is it?~ She walks towards the door without checking and opens it. Immediately her nose is greeted by the smell of tomato, basil, garlic and cheese. ~Mmmhhh smells delicious.~ She smiles. "What are we having for dinner?" Angela opens the swinging door. "Tony?" she is surprised to find the kitchen empty. "Tony where are you?" she says in a soft, disappointed voice. ~Maybe he is doing some laundry.~ She makes her way back to the living room, makes her way down. "Tony? Are you here?" Yet the laundry room is also empty. ~There is food in the oven and no Tony? When is it done? Where the heck are you?~ She makes her way up the stairs. "Toe.." he comes out of the bathroom only wearing a towel.

"Angela?!" He says in shock. She just stares at him, her eyes wide open.

"Oh Tony.. I.. I.." She doesn't know where to look. Her discomfort makes him feel cocky.

"Yeah?" He leans into the doorframe.

"Tony this.. I mean.." She watches the water drip from his head on to his neck and shoulders, she follows a drop going down to his chest. The drop disappears. She automatically licks her lips.

"Yes Angela?" He leans towards her. She smells the soap mixed with his familiar scent. She closes her eyes and takes his scent in. "Earth to Angela." His voice is smooth, his breath warm near her cheek.

"Ah yes.. uhm.. food.. oven.." She stammers. "Smell delicious. When.. When is dinner ready?" Tony moves his hand through his hair, she can't help but stare at his arms. "Where.. uhm… yes.. Where were you? I called out for you." Tony gives her a confusing look as he looks down at his body, her eyes follow his. "Ah yeas, you were taking a shower. But what I meant is, why? You don't usually shower just before dinner." The moment she spoke the words, she knew she was in trouble.
"Oh so you know my showering schedule, Angela?" His grin even more cocky. "What else do you know about me that I should know about?" He watches the colour drain from her face. "It's okay Angela! I know what you mean." He desperately wants to touch her cheek, make her eyes meet his as she is staring at her feet. "You were working, I prepared dinner, let it rest in the fridge, did my work-out, came back in, popped our dinner in the oven and went to take a shower. Dinner will be ready shortly." Angela looks up at him, colour coming back to her cheeks.

"Thank you." She softly says.

"No problem. You all done working?" She only nods, but her eyes follow another drip falling from his hair onto his muscular shoulders. ~I'd love to scratch my nails along his back.~ Her mind can't handle the half-naked Tony in front of her. ~I wonder if he'd mind me biting his neck?~

"So you'll bag the client?" Tony asks.

"What? What client?" she shakes her head. "Oh that client. Yes of course." She smiles while blushing at her own unholy thoughts. "So what did you make for dinner? It does smell amazing."

~I wonder what she'd do if I just drop my towel here. I mean she is feasting her eyes.~ He grins, not registering her question. "Sorry what did you say?"

"I asked what you made for dinner." She softly repeats.

"Oh.. I made Melanzane parmigiana. You know the eggplant dish. With cheese and tomato sauce. I thought a light dinner for the two of us will be enough." He smiles. "Just uhm.. let me get dressed here."

"I'll go set the table in the kitchen for the two of us." She is about to turn on her heels.

"Oh Angela?" he calls out to her.

"Yes?"

"I bought a Vigneti del Salento, a Negroamaro from Puglia a couple of weeks ago. It goes well with the Melanzane. So please also grab some wine glasses." He smiles.

"Okay I will." She says as she watches him walk away. He feels her eyes on him. Still feeling cocky and slightly confident, he takes the towel off just after entering his bedroom. Making sure she has full view of his backside.

~Did he do that on purpose?~ She bites her lower lip. ~No of course not! He thought I was long gone. Going downstairs to set the table. Why would he do it on purpose? He has such an amazing tush.~ she smiles and blushes. ~Such a nice ass.~ Her smile broadens as she bounces down the stairs. ~That was such a wonderful view.~

~She must have seen my backside.~ Tony smiles pleased with himself. ~Or maybe she had already turned around and walked away. I hope she enjoyed the view if she saw it.~ He quickly changes into a clean pair jeans and a grey, tight shirt.

When he reaches the kitchen, he quietly opens the door and watches Angela take the dish out of the oven. And places it on the stove. She had put on an apron to protect her clothes. ~She looks adorable.~ He can't help wat quietly take her in. ~I can't wait to spend New Year's Eve with her.~ He clears his throat to let her know he is there. She turns and smiles. Her face flushed from the heat of the oven, she grins.

"The timer went off, so I assumed it was for the Melanzane. I took it out." Her grin never leaving her face. He just looks at her. ~I am so in love with you.~ He thinks but doesn't say a word. She is feeling nervous as he is just looking at her. "I hope that's okay? I mean I hope I didn't ruin anything." Tony smiles at her.

"Oh no, thank you. It might have been ruined if you hadn't taken it out." Her girlish smile grows again. "So I guess we can eat now. Let me plate up for us."

After sitting down, they're enjoying their food and conversation. Tony asks everything about her presentation. She smiles as she explains everything, how she will start off, how she will reel the client in and how she will make magic happen. He never once interrupts her, unless he wants more information. When she takes another bite, she looks at him. ~I love how invested he is in my work, I know not all men are like that. ~ As her memory drifts back to her ex-husband. ~I'm so lucky to have Tony in my life. Even if we will never be more than just best friends. I am happy.~ She finishes her plate, secretly counting her blessings. She sits back. "Oh Tony that was absolutely wonderful."

"Thank you." He smiles before finishing his dinner.

"So what will you be doing tomorrow?"

He stretches his body, her eyes automatically move to his abs. Quickly moving to his eyes again. Tony pretends like he didn't notice. "Well nothing really. I don't have any work for college. So I think I'll do the laundry, clean the house and maybe work out. What would you like for dinner?"

"Oh Tony I don't know what time I'll be home tomorrow. I don't know how long the presentation will be and I have some other clients to call." She goes off. Tony look at her.
"Are you serious? Are you seriously working that long on New Year's Eve?" He leans on his elbows.

"Well.. I've given everyone off and.." she swallows. "Work needs to be done."

~Is she avoiding me?~ He thinks to himself. "I get it Angela, but you deserve a nice New Year's Eve too." He weakly smiles.

"I guess.. I think.. I'm just mot looking forward to it without our kids here. It won't be the same." She sadly but honestly says.

"Oh." ~Normally she wouldn't mind if it was just her and me.~

"No, no! That really isn't it Tony." She gives him a sad smile. "I don't mind being alone with you." He gives her a shocked look. ~She can read my mind.~ Angela chuckles. "No I can't read your mind. I just know my best friend." He grins at her. "It has been just the two of us a couple of time now. Like the lunch. Or movie nights. This is really the first time Jonathan hasn't been home for New Year's Eve. We've been a family so long, Samantha has been here for New Year's Eve all these years. This New Year's Eve will just be so hard." She bites her lower lip. "Don't you think so?"

He is staring at her mouth. ~She looks so cute.~ He closes his eyes, all he can see is her sucking in her lower lip, he can't focus on anything else.

"Tony?" Her voice was soft. He opens his eyes and looks her in the eyes.

"It's going to be weird without the kids." He starts. "But.. hmmm.. I think they also need to grow up. It's like a natural process. I mean.." He contemplates but before he can answer, Angela giggles. "What?"

"Who would have thought that you'd have an easier time with the kids being away than me." She smooths the table cloth, her focus on the cloth. "But here we are." Her voice softly cracks. "What were you going to say?" She quickly changes the subject but is still engrossed by the table cloth.

"You mean it's a natural process?" She nods. "Well it is. And let's face it, we will have to get used to spending Holidays together as the kids grow up and move out." He cheerfully says.

Angela's head snaps up, her eyes wide and her mouth is slightly open.

He looks at her and grins. "You've heard what I said."

Angela starts to concentrate on the table cloth again. "It's a nice sentiment Tony." He hears the hesitation in her voice. "But let's face it.." She looks him straight in his eyes. "You will meet someone someday and heck even I could meet someone someday.. and then we won't celebrating Holidays together. Remember when I started dating Geoffrey? Jonathan and I celebrated that Christmas at his house, with his family. It was the worst." She says the last part under her breath. "New partners won't like it because you're a man and I'm a woman, no matter how much we will plead that we are just platonic, best friends." Her eyes still on him, but her hands again start smoothing the table cloth.

~But I don't want to meet someone, I don't want to date someone and I sure as hell don't want to celebrate Holidays with someone! I WANT YOU!~ His heart is pounding his throat, he can't find the right words to say to her.

~He knows I'm right, that's why he isn't saying anything.~ She softly sighs. ~I wish this wasn't so complicated, it never was.~ "I guess you agree." She says fake smiling and getting up, taking her plate and glass. She starts rinsing. Tony gets up, grabbing his dishes and putting them in the sink, his chest against her back. He inhales deeply, taking her scent in and trying to find the courage to say anything. He leans in closer to her. "I disagree Angela."

Angela immediately turns, now his chest is nearly touching hers. "You disagree?"

Tony puts one hand on the counter and leans in. "Yes I do."

"Why?" She honestly asks.

"Because I will never ever let anyone get between the two of us. You are more than just my best friend. You are my family. I will never turn my back on my family." ~You are my home. And I love you.~ He adds for just himself.

~I love you too.~ She thinks and smiles. "I don't think I will ever have a closer connection to anyone, not like I have with you." She pushes herself upright, her face inches away from him, she softly pecks his cheek. "I am happy to still have you in my life. I'm taking a bath now." She pushes past him. He just watches her exit the kitchen.

His mind is racing, thinking about everything he wants to do to and with her. His mind goes to the time he caught her getting out of the bathtub, trying to think about every inch of her body, dripping with water. "Focus Micelli." He rinses the dishes and puts everything in the dishwasher.

About an hour later Tony knocks on her bedroom door. "Yo Angela, do you want to drink some tea?"

She opens the door standing in her bathrobe with her hair up. "I'd love some." She says with a smile. Her face is flush from the hot bath she had just taken, smelling of French Vanilla and Magnolias. He just stands there for a moment.

"Was there something else?" She smiles. "If not I will finish up in here." She points back into her room. "And I'll be down in about 10 minutes."

"Uh yeah.. of course, I will make sure the tea will be ready." He watches her close the door on him, he releases a sigh. ~Things are progressing, but why this slow? What can I do to speed up this progress?~ He thinks to himself. ~NEW YEAR'S EVE!~ He happily hops downstairs.

Angela leans into her door. ~Will this ever not be hard? There will never be more than friendship. Or else he would have made his move already!~ She closes her eyes and sighs before pushing herself off the door to get ready.

"Tea's ready?" Angela walks down wearing her fluffy robe and slippers.

"Of course." Tony smiles at all the cuteness in front of him. They sit opposite of each other and just start talking about everything that has happened over the last couple of days. Both admitting to missing Billy very much, but also expressing how happy they are that Mrs. Napoli can spend more time with her grandson. Angela stretches her long body.

"I think it's time for me to turn in, big day tomorrow!" She smiles before getting up, grabbing her mug and walking towards the kitchen.

"Oh Angela, let me!" Tony jumps up, gets his mug and the empty plate, where the cookies were on.

"I can take my own mug to the kitchen Tony." She laughs while shaking her head.

"Okay, let me rinse them and put them in the dishwasher." He quickly follows her and starts rinsing.

"Tony?" She turns before going through the swinging door back to the living room.

"Yes?" He closes the dishwasher and looks up at her.

"Thank you, for the lovely dinner and well.. being you. Have a good night."

"As always.. you're welcome. Good night Angela, sleep tight." He watches her disappear. ~My plan will work! I know it.~ He turns off the lights and checks the doors before heading upstairs.

"Morning Angela! Time to get up and get ready for your pitch!" Tony knocks at her door and waits for her usual morning groan. Nothing. He knocks again. "Angela, you have to get up or you're going to be late! I will get the coffee going." He sprints away to the kitchen. When he opens the door, the smell of freshly brewed coffee hits his nose. ~Coffee? Ready?~ He looks at the pot and notices a note leaning against his mug. He opens it.

++ Dear Tony,

I have been up since 5:00am, so I decided to make an early start. I've made coffee, it's save, I've tasted it. I will see you tonight.

Love,

Angela++

~Love Angela.~ He smiles as he rereads those two words. He fills his mug and drinks his coffee. ~She does make a mean cup of coffee.~ He leans into the counter. ~Now I will have to change those plans. What to do today? She has said that she doesn't know what time she'll be home.~ Tony heads back upstairs and grabbing clothes hampers to do some laundry. After starting the machine, he goes upstairs and starts cleaning. Just to keep his head and hands occupied. When he finishes cleaning he changes clothes and heads to the garages for a little workout. When he finishes, he takes a hot shower. While feeling the hot water run over his back, he thinks about Angela and what he can do to make this an memorable New Year's Eve. His mind goes from a nice romantic kiss to a full night's passion within seconds. ~Shit! Don't think about it Micelli, keep your mind clean!~ He can't help but think about her, that moment when she stepped out of the bath tub. He looks down contemplating the two things he can do, but he doesn't feel like taking a cold shower as he helps himself.

When he finishes the last load of laundry he looks at the clock. "Only noon?!" He walks into the kitchen an fixes himself a sandwich. After lunch he grabs the phone and calls Angela.

"Bower Agency, Angela Bower speaking." He smiles just by the sound of her voice.

"Hey Angela, it's me."

"Hey Tony." He hears the happiness in her voice.

"I've missed you this morning." He can't help himself.

"Oh I'm sorry. I was so wired I couldn't sleep so I decided to head in early."

"What time is the presentation?" Tony asks.

"Yeah, thanks Jack." She says before turning back to the phone call. "Sorry, the presentation in 30 minutes."

"Jack's there?" He can't help but feel a hint of jealousy. "I thought he you know.. Carol."

"Yes.. he wasn't supposed to be here, but Carol insisted he would come after seeing us brainstorm, but only as long as he'd be home before dinner." Angela chuckles. "So he promised."

"Happy you have some help there." He lies, he'd rather be the one there with her.

"You don't sound very happy." She softly and insecurely says.

"Oh no, I'm happy you don't have to face the client alone. It's just.." He sighs. ~God she knows me so well.~ "Well I kinda hope with Jack being there you can come home in time." She still doesn't believe him, but she'll humour him.

"So am I. Jack and I make a great team." She hears him breeze. "When it comes to advertising." She warmly adds. ~Because you and I.. you and I make the best team all-round.~

"Good." He can't hide the relief in his voice.

"Good?" She repeats.

"Yeah good, it's good that he's such a support and help. Will you be home in time?" He tries to change the subject.

"I don't know yet Tony. It all depends on the clients. And I cannot say for certain when I'll be home. I know it will before midnight." She smiles.

"Okay, I just wanted to call and wish you good luck." He sighs.

"Thank you Tony, you're calls telling me good luck always help." She clears her throat. "I hope you know that."

"I didn't but it's good to hear. I will see you tonight?" He wanted to say it, but somehow it came out as an insecure question.

"You definitely will. Okay, I promise. Bye Tony."

"Bye Angela." He still holds the phone to his ear as he hears the line being cut. He hangs up the receiver and just stands there for a second looking at the phone.

"Oh heck no!" He says to himself. "I'm taking matters into my own hands." He turns and quickly cleans the kitchen then runs back upstairs. First running into his own bedroom and grabbing everything he needs, then walking into Angela's bedroom and grabbing what he thinks she'll need. He sighs and closes his eyes. "Please let this go well." He pleads.

When he's done, he locks up and gets into his car. "You've got this Micelli, we can do this." He needs to give himself he courage he is lacking before driving off. ~We have enough time.~ He looks at the clock in his car. ~More than enough, Angela has just started her presentation.~

~That was a weird conversation we just had.~ Angela thinks after she has put the receiver down.

"Angela?" There is a small knock on the door.

"Come in Jack."

"You ready boss?" He pops his head around the corner.

She smiles up to him. "Are you? Because I was born ready." She jokes.

"Always ready boss!" He smiles, still very much appreciative for the job she had given him. "We've got this presentation locked. If the clients chose to run with another agency, it won't be because of us!" Jack's confidence is contagious.

"You are absolutely right Jack! We have an amazing presentation and if they don't like it, we've been reading our clients all wrong. Either we bag this client or we're coming out learning a lesson about reading our clients. Either way, we at least win something." She feels extremely confident. ~I'm so happy I hired Jack! He is brilliant!~ She flashes her teeth. "Let's get the conference room ready." She gets up.

"All done." He leans into the door. "Did you eat?"

"Oh shoot, I forgot. We still have about 20 minutes. That's too short of a time to get a sandwich." She starts pacing.

"Well that's why I came." Carol pops up behind Jack.
"Carol! Hi!" She smiles.

"I came to bring some lunch to Jack and you. I made sandwiches and salads. I didn't know what you'd like more." Carol gives a small smile.

"I actually like both. Maybe I can take the sandwich now and the salad later as I don't know if I'll make it back in time for dinner." Angela smiles. She feels she has created a bond with Carol last Saturday.

"So roast beef, salmon or veggie cream cheese sandwich?" Carol grins.

"Oh what about all of the above?" Angela laughs.

Angela, Carol and Jack sit at her small table and quietly start eating.

"Oh honey, these are amazing." Jack finishes his second sandwich. "I'm so lucky to have you." Carol starts blushing.

"He is right, these sandwiches are amazing and to be honest I know he means it. And he is also right, he is lucky to have you." Angela grabs her second sandwich.

After a couple of more minutes the buzzer to the front door goes off.

"It's showtime." Angela smiles.

"I'll get that." Jack gets up and leaves Angela's office.

"I can't thank you enough Carol. I appreciate you taking care of Jack and me." She smiles and gives Carol a small hug. "But don't do anything you don't feel up to." She looks her directly into her eyes.

"I won't. I just.." Carol sighs. "I appreciate every word you said to me Saturday. This is my way of thanking you. Jack has told me that you forget to eat all the time, so this seemed like the perfect way to say thank you. Now go help Jack bag that client. I will clean here." She laughs.

Angela squeezes Carol's lower arm. "Thank you, Carol." With that Angela greeted her clients.

Tony keeps his eyes on the road as the radio plays in the background. He is getting more nervous with every mile. ~Did I make the right decision?~ He wonders. ~What if she's going to be mad? What if she never talks to me again?~ He shakes his head. ~No that will not happen, she is still my best friend and she'll always be.~

He quickly turns up the volume of the radio to drown out his thoughts. He hears the DJ announce the next song, but doesn't hear who it is. Then the lyrics hit him like a wrecking ball.

% I feel so unsure
As I take your hand and lead you to the dance floor
As the music dies, something in your eyes
Calls to mind a silver screen and all its sad goodbyes

I'm never gonna dance again
Guilty feet have got no rhythm
Though it's easy to pretend
I know you're not a fool

I should've known better than to cheat a friend
And waste the chance that I'd been given
So I'm never gonna dance again
The way I danced with you, oh-oh %

"Shut up George Michael!" Tony pushes in the cassette that is sticking out. ~Shit.. he is right. I've wasted a chance that I was given. I am so sorry Angela.. please forgive me for doing what I did.~ He silently prays as Frank Sinatra's voice fills the car.