Chapter 5 – Out of the Blue

Brisk autumn air finally arrived later that week, which signaled one thing for Selina: perfect window-shopping weather. With a scarf tickling her chin and a clichéd pumpkin drink in one hand, she hit Gotham's upscale shopping district just as the morning sun started peeking between buildings. Pausing before an evening gown display, she eyed a lacy dress with a long train.

Her shopping companion squinted at it critically. "I've never seen you wear anything with lace before."

"What's wrong with trying new styles?" Selina replied.

Holly shrugged. "Nothing. It's just, that one doesn't seem you. It's too… bridal."

Crossing her arms with attitude, Selina craned her neck toward her roommate, blinking dramatically. "That's fairly rude!"

"Not as rude as the break-in you're probably already planning for tonight," Holly took a nonchalant sip of her coffee.

"Shh!" hissed Selina, hastily looking around. "What's wrong with you this morning? First I have to practically drag you here against your will, and now you're running your mouth for all of Main Street to hear!"

Holly cocked her head slightly. "I know the reason you insisted on doing this today."

"Oh really?"

"To take your mind off Brucie-Bruce," she smirked.

"That is not why!" scoffed Selina. Despite herself, though, a flush of red started creeping up above her scarf.

Holly rolled her head back and laughed drily. "Sure it's not. Just like it wasn't why you blasted passionate Italian opera during your shower this morning?"

The red had reached Selina's hairline by now. There was no escaping it. "Damn it Holly, I just wanted to decompress in my own way. Do you have to judge every little bit?"

"Oh, I'm not judging. I'm just looking for a juicy conversation," she grinned shamelessly. "You're not getting away with private sulking! Time to share."

May as well get it over with. "Fine, if it'll make you less snarky. Where do you want me to start?"

"You know where." Holly's eyes danced mischievously as she sipped her cup again.

Selina's jaw dropped in exasperation. "Get your mind out of the gutter, Holly!"

"Oh, please. You're such a saint now? Need I remind you how we met years ago?"

That was a pleasant memory, if ever there was one. Sharing a cold, filthy holding cell with several other prostitutes wasn't how most women found their best friend, but then, the two of them were nothing like most women.

"Thanks for the reminder," Selina smirked. "But seriously, nothing happened. We went back to his mansion, I made what in hindsight were a couple of inappropriate remarks, and… it turns out Bruce doesn't have much of a sense of humor."

Holly frowned. "Mm, that's too bad. It's true what they say, money can't buy you a personality."

Snorting in agreement, Selina looked wistfully down the sidewalk. "I guess I should've known. How could I expect him to have any depth, really? Everyone knows trust fund babies are just vapid and shallow."

"One million bucks is an awful lot to spend on a disappointment you shoulda seen coming," Holly quipped.

"Don't I know it!" sighed Selina. "At least I can say I went out with Bruce Wayne, billionaire playboy. Bragging rights are worth something, aren't they?"

Holly winced slightly. "Eh, they misspelled your name in the newspaper article."

"That I can live with. I'd rather they get it wrong now than get it right later, reporting on other aspects of my life," Selina shot her a loaded glance. Seconds later, she stopped abruptly in front of another boutique. "Now those – those are some of the sexiest boots I've seen in-"

Her ravishing review of the footwear was interrupted by her cell phone ringing. Pulling it from her coat pocket, the color that flooded her face earlier now drained completely as she stared at the screen. She was frozen as a statue.

"Who is it?" demanded Holly, jockeying to get a better view herself.

"I-it's…" Selina stuttered before instinctively raising it to her ear, "…Bruce! Hi. Hey. Hello. Good morning."

Holly stamped her feet in place a few times, clapping a hand over her mouth to keep some type of outburst from escaping. Her amusement was palpable as she studied Selina's expression and listened intently for every word.

"Oh. I… suppose that would be fine, if you…wanted to start over," Inside her head, Selina's voice didn't sound like her own as she spoke. "Next weekend? The Gotham County Fair? Um… sure, I think that will work." She felt like she was on another planet now. "No, I-I haven't gone before. Yes, I'll be sure to wear some boots!"

Selina's gaze was a thousand miles in the distance as she pressed the red "end call" button. Holly waved a hand inches from her face and jumped several times to return her to consciousness. Even then, it appeared Selina didn't fully recognize her friend, or where they were standing.

"I can't believe that just happened," she was oddly scowling and smiling at the same time.

"Me either!" Holly's eyes were as wide as saucers, brimming with excitement. "Bruce Wayne actually called you for a second date!"

"You were here, right? You witnessed the whole thing? I'm not hallucinating?"

"Nope! Looks like we're not window-shopping anymore either. Time to buy some jeans and cowgirl boots!" Holly grabbed her by the arm as they raced down the street.