Double date, blind mate.

"Why do you keep torturing yourself with the what ifs? Just do it already!" My friend Blossom tells me a little bit breathless  and impatient while we run on the treadmills.

 I wipe away some perspiration that are streaming down my face and slow the machine until I am able to fully stop.

"You know damn well why, I can't bear losing him! I prefer loving him from afar and having him only as a friend."

She leaves the treadmill as well and follows me through the other side of the gym. Valentine's Day is coming and we both wanted to at least stay fit and gorgeous on this miserable day as until now we are still single. Our rule is "feel good for yourself and don't rely your happiness upon someone else", so we are trying to follow it's every word.

"You might be surprised with the outcome, Ava. All you have to do is tell him how you really feel. You've known each other forever, and from where I stand it seems he feels the same way."

I keep pondering about her comment all day long and when the night comes out I finally decide to screw up my courage and call Nix. He picks up on the second ring and that husky voice greets me from the other side.

"Hey beautiful! I was actually thinking about you, what a perfect timing you have." Phoenix has no idea what his words do to me, I simply adore when he calls me beautiful and can't help the butterflies on my stomach. I wonder if he really thinks I am pretty or if it is just a friendly thing to say.

"Oh really?" It's all I can manage to say and I slap my forehead for my stupidity, this is my best friend for chrissake!

"Yeah, I was wondering... Are you available on Valentine's Day?"

O.M.G.

Is this real life? Is he actually finally asking me out? I am so stunned that nothing comes out of my mouth for a long time, until Nix breaks the pregnant silence.

"Are you still there Ava?"

Come on Ava, get a grip and answer him!

"Hum... Yeah. Sorry, I happen to be available. Why? " I mentally Hi-Five myself when my voice sounds blasé.

"Sweet! Would you do me a favor, please? "

I have the feeling this is nothing of what I was waiting for...

"What kind of favor?" I ask suspicious, suddenly annoyed by my own naïveté. Of course he wasn't intending to go on a date with me. I will forever be his best friend and he will always see me as that tomboy girl I used to be.

"Well, there is this woman and she accepted going on a date with me. It was supposed to be a double date, but her cousin made up with her ex and now I need you to go on her place..."

"What the heck?!" I can't believe he is being such a jerk! Why does he think I would go on a blind double date?

"Pretty, please? My friend Ben is a nice guy, I'm sure you would like him. But you don't have to, you know, kiss him or anything. I just need you to be there and keep him some company. All you need to do is talk with the guy."

"No way! I don't even know this Ben, and if he accepted this ridiculous double date he must be heinous."

Nix laughs through the speaker and I wish he was here in front of me so I could make him suffer with tickles. He is very ticklish and many times he's begged for mercy with tears on his face from laughing so hard.

"You know I am very confident of a man so I can say that he is very handsome, not as handsome as me, but yeah."

I roll my eyes even thou he can't see it. I'm about to deny again when he interrupts me.