All the Right Things (Love in LA) (4 page)

“Yeah, definitely not as cute as the first guy, but he’s not bad. Do you like one of them better at this point?”

“Well, if the first guy turns out to be genuine and not just a player telling me everything I want to hear, him for sure. But I’m still skeptical at this point.”

“Where’s he taking you?”

“Cuba de Asia at the Mondrian.”

“Niiice… swanky.” Annie nodded her approval at his choice.

“Yeah, they have some amazing food.”

“You’re such a foodie. You guys going to swing over to Skybar after dinner?”

“That’s the plan, unless I need to make a quick exit if the date goes south.”

Annie laughed. “Do I need to call at a certain time to check if you need an excuse to go?”

“Oh God, yes, would you mind?” Katie pounced on Annie’s offer.

“Of course not—what time?”

“Call around ten.”

“You got it.”

“I love you, you’re the best.”

“You need me to call during the coffee date, too?”

Katie shook her head. “Nah, that one isn’t as big of a time commitment. I’m not too worried about it. Thanks, though.”

Their food arrived just then, and silence fell as they both dug into the chorizo fondue.

“Oh my God, you weren’t kidding about this,” Annie said, groaning softly as she relished the cheesy appetizer.

“I know. Ridiculous, isn’t it?” Katie was already working on her second piece of toast loaded with the cheesey dip.

“Mmm,” Annie grunted around a bite.

“So enough about me. What’s going on with you? The last thing I heard, some jerkwad ditched you at karaoke?”

“After fucking me in the bathroom.”

Katie blinked at her. “Whoa, what? Summer left that part out.”

“That’s because I haven’t told her, yet.”

“What? Why?”

“I didn’t want to hear a lecture on promiscuity, which I’m sure she would have jumped all over. I’ve been miserable enough about it on my own. I don’t need anyone’s help making me feel worse.”

“I hope you know I don’t judge you for what you do. I’ll always have your back, girl. We all make mistakes.”

“I know… and thanks, I appreciate it,” Annie said, taking a sip of wine to wash down the fondue.

“Mmm, try some of the chorizo fondue on the fries.” Katie took a big bite of her French fry loaded with the dip and closed her eyes in pleasure.

“I’m so going to have to spend extra time at the gym tomorrow.”

“Mmmhmm, but I’m enjoying it for now! So he ditched you at karaoke and then you never heard from him again or what?”

“I didn’t hear from him again until last night when he texted me out of the blue and said he wanted to apologize.”

“He
better
apologize!” Katie retorted, looking indignant on Annie’s behalf.

“Yeah, well, he did—he came over and explained what happened.”

“What was his excuse?”

“Something about his sponsor being a chick who has the hots for him and therefore was trying to sabotage whatever relationship we were developing.”

“Ah hell no!”

“Yep. So, I listened and told him I needed to think things over.”

“Why, ‘cuz he asked for another chance?”

“Yeah.”

“He wants some more of that booty!” Katie giggled and Annie rolled her eyes.

“Yeah, ‘cuz it was so amazing the first time that he left without saying anything to me.”

“Aw, well maybe it was so amazing you left him speechless!” Katie teased, making Annie smirk and shake her head in response. “So are you going to give him another chance?”

Annie bit her lip and chewed it thoughtfully for a moment. “I don’t know. He’s definitely attractive and sexy, and I thought he was a really good guy on top of it all until that night. But Casey’s just as good looking, if not more so, and he seems like a genuinely good guy. He hasn’t broken my heart, yet, and I kinda want to see where it’s going before I fuck it up by seeing another guy at the same time.”

Nodding, Katie wiped her mouth with a napkin and pushed her plate back. “God, I can’t eat another bite. I’m going to explode.”

“Ugh, me too.” Annie pushed her plate back as well and patted her full tummy. “That was good, though—deliciously and sinfully good.”

“Well, you don’t have to give Nate an answer, yet, right? So, let him squirm a little right now, and see how things go with Casey. Take time to think about it.”

“I know, you’re right. I guess I’m just anxious to have everything resolved.”

“That’s because that’s the type of person you are. You like to have everything organized and in its proper place.”

“There’s nothing wrong with knowing where something is when you need it,” Annie defended.

“Didn’t say there was. You ready to get out of here?”

Annie nodded and waved their waitress down, asking for their check. “Well, you’ll have to let me know how your two dates go this weekend.”

“I will… oh, so you never said—got any advice for me?”

“Just try to relax and be yourself. And remember, you’re just meeting—there’s no obligation for any kind of commitment at this point. If you’re not feeling it, just make the best of the time you’re there and remember you never have to see him again,” Annie said with a grin.

“And you’ll call me to check in during my dinner date?” Katie asked as their waitress brought the check. She paused for a moment to dig out some cash and stick it in the check folder.

“Yep, I promise.”

“Okay… God, I’m nervous.”

“You’re going to be fine,” Annie reassured her as they walked out of the bar. “Thanks for treating.”

Turning to give her a quick hug, Katie kissed her cheek. “Thanks for the advice. I’m sure I’ll be texting you later for outfit approvals.”

“Ha, of course.” Waving, Annie turned to walk the opposite way to where her car was parked as Katie headed toward the valet.

Saturday was “get shit done” day, as usual. As she headed back into her apartment with a load of freshly laundered towels and washcloths, Annie saw a flower delivery guy at the front gate. He was trying to juggle a large bouquet of multi-colored flowers wrapped in pink cellophane, a handful of pink and red balloons and a brown teddy bear as he scrolled through the directory callbox. She walked towards the front to put the guy out of his misery and hold the gate open for him.

“Here, let me get the gate for you.”

“Thanks,” he said, sounding relieved.

“Which apartment are you looking for?”

“Um,” he said, checking his clipboard, “apartment number one oh six.”

“Oh!” Annie said in a surprised tone. “Seriously? They’re for me?”

“Are you Annie Chang?”

“Yep, that’s me.”

“Then yes, seriously, they’re for you.”

“Cool, uhh… do you mind carrying them into the apartment for me? Got my hands full,” she said, indicating the laundry basket.

“Yeah, of course.” The delivery guy followed her to her apartment, and she opened the door and set down the laundry basket, then turned to take the flowers, balloons and teddy bear from him. He waited until she had set everything down on the dining room table before he passed the clipboard to her and pointed at a box halfway down the page. “Just need your signature here.”

Annie signed her name and passed the clipboard back, thanking him and giving a friendly wave as he left. Closing the door, she headed straight for the flowers and picked up the tiny card that was attached to the bouquet, eagerly ripping the envelope open.

Hey pretty girl,

I just left L.A. this morning and I already miss you.

The bear’s name is CJ and he can keep you company while I’m gone.

Casey

Annie couldn’t stop the grin that threatened to split her face in two as she re-read the card a few times, then grabbed her phone to text Alex.

Annie:
OMG, Casey just sent me flowers, balloons and a teddy bear!

Alex:
Now that’s how a guy should treat a girl he likes.

Annie:
Right???

Alex:
Did you thank him?

Annie:
Crap, no! I texted you first, lol. Okay, TTYL, love you! Muah!

Alex:
Muah!

Pulling up Casey’s number, she started to type a thank you note.

Annie:
Well, thank you, mister, for the beautiful flowers, the balloons and the adorable teddy bear. For once, I don’t feel too old for stuffed animals. ;) Super sweet of you, big brownie points. Have a great show!

She wasn’t expecting an immediate response, but her phone vibrated a minute later.

Casey:
Oh good, you got them. ;) I hope it kinda makes up for me disappearing.

His choice of words made her think of Nate and his disappearing act, causing her to hesitate momentarily before she texted him back. Casey was
not
Nate. She had to remember that.

Annie:
A little bit. ;) You really didn’t have to, but thank you.

Casey:
Okay, well I have to get ready for the show, but you have a great rest of the weekend, okay? And I’ll talk to you soon.

Annie:
Okay, break a leg!

Casey:
Thanks :)

Annie was in an extremely good mood the rest of the day as she buzzed around her apartment, getting it all clean and tidy. It was around ten that night when she called Katie to check in, just as requested. Luckily for Katie, her first date was going amazingly well, so after assuring Annie that she would call her back the following day, she was quick to hang up. Annie sat on the couch, looking bemusedly at her phone. She was about to text Alex to see what he was up to when it vibrated with a new incoming text; it was from Nate.

Nate:
Heya… sorry, don’t mean to bother you, and I know I told you to take your time thinking about what I said, but I just thought I’d check in and see if you might want to go hiking with me tomorrow morning?

Annie hesitated for a moment before texting back right away. Still undecided as to what exactly she was going to tell Nate, Annie figured that hiking was a safe enough activity and would give them a chance to talk. If she was to consider giving him any kind of second chance, he would definitely have to earn back her trust. At this point, she just didn’t think it would be a wise decision to pursue anything other than platonic friendship. Now she just had to break the news to him gently. She figured it would also be a good test to see if he still wanted to pursue a friendship with her, knowing that she wasn’t interested in anything romantic with him at the moment.

Annie:
Hiking… sure, we could do that. Meet at Temescal Canyon at 10 AM?

Nate:
Sounds good. Can’t wait to see you.

Annie:
See you tomorrow. :)

The sun was already beating down relentlessly when Annie pulled up to find parking on the street by Temescal Canyon. Luckily, since she was in Pacific Palisades and near the beach, there was a cool breeze from the ocean, so she wasn’t too worried about how hot it might get on their hike. She had just locked her purse in her trunk after grabbing a bottle of water, her keys and cell phone when Nate called her, saying that he was waiting for her at the entrance.

As she approached the entrance to the park, she saw that he was wearing knee-length khaki shorts with a plain white t-shirt, a pair of well-worn running shoes, sun glasses, and a black baseball cap. At least he knew how to dress appropriately for a morning of hiking. She herself was wearing a pair of black yoga pants with a pink and gray halter workout tank, black and pink Nike running shoes, sun glasses and had her short brown hair pulled back into a tiny ponytail. Since she had recently cut her hair, it was so short that she had barely been able to pull it back.

“Hey you,” Nate said as Annie walked up.

“Heya,” she said, giving him a quick hug. “Are you ready to hit the trail?”

“Lead the way.”

“Alrighty.” They turned to start walking up the pathway. “Did it take you long to get here?”

“Nah, traffic wasn’t too bad, but I actually met up with a friend of mine for an early breakfast in Brentwood, so I didn’t have too far to drive.”