The next day was much like the day before for Peter. Struggling to please his boss John- he seemed to have it in for Peter ever since he'd first started at the Law Firm earlier on in the year. Nothing Peter did was ever good enough and he was sick to the back teeth of trying to impress someone who would never give him the credit he properly deserved.

Luckily, the Firm had one perk, and that was his best friend Simon. The two of them had met in camp at the age of 11 and had been firm friends ever since. Simon knew Peter as well as he knew himself, perhaps even better.

The day had been hard enough but Peter's mind was on other things- well one thing. A very pretty captain. There was just something about her, Peter didn't know what it was, but Olivia was having quite the profound effect on Peter.

Peter had spent a rather difficult morning in with his boss and with Simon- today hadn't been a successful case and he knew he wasn't focussing completely on the job. Peter wondered if he had given everything he could have done.

'Alright Peter, what's up?' Simon had been trying to get Peter's attention for a while, with no success.

'What?'

'You've been in cloud cuckoo land all day. You've been off for a few days. What's happened?'

'Nothing'

'Peter Stone, when you say nothing, it's obviously something, I'm intrigued now. What aren't you telling me?'

'Well...' Peter shifted uneasily in his seat. Simon knew when he was lying- he was completely useless at it in all honesty.

'Peter...?'

'I wasn't completely focussed in there'. Peter answered delicately, trying to avoid the real reasons as to his wandering mind.

'Now, are you going to tell me what's really going on?'

'Huh?'

'Peter, I may not be the sharpest knife in the drawer, but I know when you're keeping something from me. You're not ill are you?'

'No, of course not".

'Well then, what is so bad you can't tell me?'

'It's nothing really. Just got things on my mind'

'Who is she?'

'What?'

'If you're not ill then it must be a woman. Come on, who is she? Where did you meet her? Do I know her?'

'Simon, stop. You don't know what you're talking about. Leave it'

'No, not til you give me the juicy details.'

'There isn't anything to tell honestly'

'That rather implies there is. She's not married is she?'

'She's not anything'

'Well something is eating you. No... wait. She's not anything? Have you met a girl?'

'Wait... what?' Peter was completely thrown. That was the very last thing he had been expecting'

'You heard me.'

'What makes you think I've met anyone?' Peter answered quickly, deliberately avoiding the question.

'I was just guessing before, but I'm right aren't I? Who is she?'

'She's just a friend'

'Really?'

'I met her on Tuesday. I pulled her out of the way of a car'

'You did what?'

'It was an instinct- an adrenalin rush. I just grabbed her and pulled her back.'

'And? What did she say? Have you seen her since?'

'Yes, twice'

'Twice in two days. She isn't just a friend is she?'

'Yes. Olivia and I are just friends'

'You sound like you're trying to convince yourself as well as me. You've had two dates in two days'

'They weren't dates'

'Oh, so what were they then?'

'The first one was just a way of Olivia saying thank you. And last night was cut short anyway. We'd both had a bad day, and wanted to enjoy ourselves'

'What happened for it to be cut short?'

'Olivia's dad gave her number to a man called Brian and now she is going out on a date with him even though she really does not want to she does not like him but her dad set it up and as I said gave him her number'.

'Ooh... yeah that's tricky. But you like her yes'

'I hardly know her'

'But you like her' Simon refused to let the matter drop.

'That's a bit of a strong word. I've only just met her.'

'Okay, do you think she is pretty?'

'Yes' Peter answered automatically and without hesitation.

'In an attractive way?'

'I don't know'

'Oh Peter...'

'Anyway, even if I do find her pretty and am attracted to her, what does it matter? she is on a date tonight anyway'

'You said she didn't want to go'

'She doesn't, but anyway, she doesn't find me handsome'

'How do you know that?'

'I just do'

'Have you asked her?'

'Asked her what?'

'For gods sake Peter, get a grip. Have you asked Olivia if she finds you handsome?'

'Well, no'

'See then, there is hope for you yet!'

'Simon, you don't understand...'

'Why don't I?'

'I should never have told you this. Can we just forget about it, I'm going to forget about her'

'Sounds as if it's too late for that, and if you're honest with yourself, you know I'm right. But I'll drop it, for you'

'Thank you'

Petet gathered up his lunch and hurried out the staff room, eager to try and forget his conversation. But deep down, he knew Simon was right.

He was attracted to Olivia. Very much so.

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