Dating a Star

Chapter Seven

The week went by in a blur of meetings, new manuscripts and emails. Luckily your parents would drop by with lunch and a quick chat. Bringing Maple to say hello.

Friday came quickly and you had been invited out by the guys from work.

"Nell were heading out tonight do you fancy it?" Brad piped up as you were all sat round the table in the lunch room.

"I can't tonight. Thanks for the invite though. Maybe another time?" You continue eating your lunch hoping that your refusal wouldn't open too many questions.

"Ooooo have a hot date do ya?" Brad returned. Your eyes widened and you started to think about what you should say back. "Oh my god you do. How is that fair you've been here a couple of weeks and you've already got a date. How?"

You shrug your shoulders and then smiled.

"Actually it's my second date with him." You grinned widely at Brad and raised your eyebrows. The girls at the table began to deflate and you noticed. "Next weekend, how about we head out. I'll book us a table at my parents restaurant and then we can head on out. Get everyone a date. I know that the reastaurant is normally busy on a Saturday night we could even meet people there. I think I actually have someone in mind for you Brad."

He begins to clap his hands with glee.

"As long as he is tall dark and handsome I'm in." He replies. They all pull out their phones and make the date in their diaries. Putting the same date in your own. A ping distracted you from your task.

Chris E-
Can't wait to see you later. We're heading to Alcove, dress to impress? Pick you up at 7.30. Chris x

Me-
Can't wait see you then. Nell x

"Someone get a text from Mr second date?" Chloe claims with a cheshire cat sized grin on her face.

"Maybe just finalising plans for tonight." You respond with a smirk, putting your phone away you engage back in with the group.

Everyone is talking about the author who is coming in for an afternoon meeting with you.

"Honestly he is gorgeous. I've never seen someone with eyes so beautiful. Makes you want to melt." Chloe states. You hadn't seen him before but now you were eager to see what they were talking about.

The next couple of hours went slowly, the time dragging until a knock on the door distracted you from the ticking clock. Amelia ushered a tall blonde through the door with mezmerising green eyes.

"Nell this is Patrick, he is your two o'clock," She smiled widely at you. "I will send Chloe in for you."

"Thank you Amelia, please Patrick take a seat, we can wait for Chloe to get in." You respond. Immediately Chloe strolls into the room and sits in the chair next to you.

The meeting goes through the motions. Chloe was clearly giving Patrick the eye throughout the whole meeting. He would occasionally give her a quick glance and then would look straight back at you. The tension in the room was palpable and it was gradually getting hotter.

When the meeting was finally over you told him you would look forward to seeing the pages for the next book and would get in touch soon with details about the book launch.

"It was nice to meet you Nell, I look forward to working with you in the future." He holds out his hand which you take, he leans in and kisses you softly on the cheek. Shocked you look around to Chloe who he immediately does the same to. He smiles and winks in your direction then leaves the office.

"Okay that was slightly inappropriate don't you think?" You say to Chloe. "Is he always that forward?"

"Well he has never kissed me on the cheek before, but I didn't mind it. He was eyeing you up the whole time. What is it with you and the men in this town?" Chloe asks with a slight pout. She had it bad for him.

"I have just split up from a long term boyfriend, I swear I have 'Single and vunerable' written on my forehead. He isn't my type though, but I can appreciate what you were all talking about. He has got gorgeous eyes." You continue on with the work on your desk.

Chloe looks at you with a shocked face. She leaves the office and suddenly you can hear the natter outside your office and suddenly Brad and the girls are surrounding your door way.

"Is there a fire? Why are you congregated outside my door?" You ask looking on at the bemused faces of your friends.

"Are you mad? Have you gone blind? Why is he not your type?" Brad almost shouted at you.

"I just don't go for blondes that's all. Sorry to disappoint you all. Jesus what is wrong with you guys, you need cold showers." Laughing at the heads bobbing around by your door with faces that can't get over your dislike of the cute blonde author that had just been in the office.

At four o'clock you leave the office and head to see your parents.

"Ma, Pa you here?" They walk into the restaurant from the back along with Mark the cute manager they have working for them. "Hey Mark, how are you?" You give him a quick hug and go through the casual conversation. "Changing the subject, I know this is really random but can I ask you a personal question?"

"Of course Nell, you've never worried before." He laughs at you. Mark had been working for your parents for the last few years and was your go between while you were in New York.

"Are you single?" You look at him waiting for his answer. You Pa gives you a small slap on the arm and they both moan at you for being so rude and asking inappropriate questions.

"I am single, but you know I'm gay, I mean your beautiful there is no doubt about that, but I like boys." He laughs and you join in with him.

"Of course I know your gay, I'm not stupid." You reply. "On another note I need to book a table for next Saturday. There will be seven of us. Can I book it for seven thirty?" You ask.

"You can, we have an open mic night that night. You should stick around. Maybe get up and sing a few." He smiles at you while tapping away on the booking system.

"Hmmmm maybe if I have a couple of glasses of wine I may be tempted into it." He nods and confirms your table in the restaurant. Another errand ticked from your list. "Ma I know this is cheeky but I don't suppose you could keep Maple for me, I have a date and I don't want to leave her alone for too long. Also could I buy a bottle of rosé to drink while I get ready."

"I swear we may as well keep Maple with us. She loves us more anyway. Take a bottle of wine just get Mark to write it down for us. Be good and enjoy your night. Is this anyone we know? Anyone special?" Your Ma bombards you with questions.

Vaguely giving her some answers you try to think of the best thing to say. It was only a second date and you didn't know how you felt about it being Chris. For now you would try your hardest to keep things to yourself.

Leaving the restaurant and managing to avoid anymore intrusive questions from your Ma you started to get nervous. You weren't quite sure why but you hadn't been on a date in forever. Date night with Nathan was slobbing on the couch, with take out and an old crappy movie that he claimed he loved then fell asleep to fifteen minutes in.

Heading home you began to panic about what to wear. This was a little important. You knew from girlfriends in New York the second date was make or break. If it went well there was potential, but if it went bad then back to tinder or awkward meetings on the subway.