Can I Be Him?

"Can I take this blindfold off now J? I'm really starting to worry." Charlie says impatiently. He had picked her up and promptly blindfolded her what seemed like forever ago, but what was probably only 15 minutes.

"No dammit. Could you not ruin this surprise please?" He pleads with feigned annoyance. He hoped her lack of sight would distract her from noticing how nervous he was about finally revealing her birthday surprise. He had planned it meticulously, and really hoped she would like it.

"You're not trying to cook, are you?" She teases, knowing how sensitive he was about his talents in the kitchen. It was just about the only thing that didn't come naturally to him.

"I know you are not trying to play me on my cooking skills." He responds defensively, playing into her trap.

Charlie laughs, "you can make eggs and pasta, calm down sir."

"Damn good eggs." He insists, "your favourite in fact."

"Maybe." She says casually, although the answer was definitely. It was the first meal they shared together, the night her birthday party went awry and she ended up in his kitchen while his girlfriend and her best friend slept off their hangovers in his living room.

"Whatever. Just stay there and hush." He concedes easily, knowing the true answer. He turns onto the street of their final destination.

"Yea, yea. I'll just sit here and continue to collect dust." She says, dramatically flopping her body back into the passenger seat.

Justin sucks his teeth, a uniquely west indian habit he'd picked up from her. "You're gonna feel like a salty fool when you see your surprise."

"If I ever get there." Charlie pouts playfully.

Justin parks the car and then leads her carefully up the stairs to her surprise.

"Okay, you can take your blindfold off now, big head." He taunts her, closing the door behind them and turning on the lights in the loft apartment.

"Yes, so I can see you before I smack the crap out of you for calling me that," she threatens, as she removes the blindfold and blinks her eyes to adjust to the recess lighting.

"Yeah, okay. You'd have to catch me..." Justin says laughing before she cuts him off.

"Oh my gosh. J, what is this?" She asks, finally taking in her surroundings. She looks around the loft, taking note of the recording equipment, the sound booth, a royal blue Smeg fridge and matching kitchenette she knew was filled with her favoruite snacks.

"Well, best friend," he wraps his arm around her shoulder and pulls her toward the booth, "now you have no excuse not to record that beautiful voice of yours."

"Justin Randall Timberlake," she turns to face him, looking a little glassy eyed, "I cannot believe."

She jumps on his neck, giving him one of her signature hugs that always leaves him a little breathless. He hugs her back, grateful that her reaction is even better than he could have hoped for.

"Happy birthday, babygirl." He kisses her on the forehead before tucking her under his arm.

"Thank you so much, J. This is the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me." She smiles up at him.

"Well, you deserve it. Even if you are a bighead." He adds with laughter.

"You get one pass." Charlie concedes, grinning at him.

"I build you an amazing studio and all I get is one pass?" He questions with a raised eyebrow.

"What can I say, I drive a hard bargain. You should know this by now." She sticks her tongue out before untucking herself to peer down the hallway in front of them.