Bean Me Up, Scotty

7: Hit Me With Your Best Shot

"I really don't think-"

"Andie, shut up," Hannah interrupted by throwing a hand carelessly over the petite brunette's mouth as she struggled with hot curling tongs. "If you're wearing the pink dress I'm not letting you go out with half-assed hair." Andie pouted.

"But my hair doesn't need curled – it's already curled! You're redoing what the shower did for me," she protested but stop as Hannah threateningly held the curling tong in front of her face.

"You haven't gone on a date since-"

"Please don't make me relive that," Andie cut her off, groaning into her hands while Hannah sighed.

"Exactly. You need this and I need this. Let me live through your disastrous love life." With a reluctant nod Andie let Hannah get back to work on taming her hair as she examined her current status in the mirror.

She hadn't yet got as far as changing out of her leggings (which was a difficult task at the best of times) but the fabled pink dress lay spread out on her bed. If she listened closely, she could hear the noise of that zip sticking halfway up her back like it always did. Still, the appeal of the silky fabric was undeniable and the asymmetric cut of the skirt drew just enough attention to her legs, which had been shaved above the knee: it was a special occasion, after all.

Her makeup was done (and had been redone – twice) and she looked significantly more 'done' than she had the last time she saw Scott.

"Now, what are you not doing tonight?" Hannah checked as she ran her fingers through warm curls, letting them separate into a style that Andie claimed she had naturally.

"I'm not doing vodka shots or anything that gets set on fire," Andie grumbled in response while Hannah grinned and patted her shoulder.

"Good! You'll thank me in the morning." Looking at her watch, Hannah sighed. "Okay, now put your dress on, he should be here in-"

The doorbell rang, interrupting her and causing both girls to let out a shriek. They shared a look of blind panic with Andie jumping off her chair and pulling her sweater hastily over her head. Hannah screamed.

"You'll mess up your hair!" She wailed but Andie was too far-gone to care.

"He's early! He already thinks I have poor time management," Andie snapped, practically jumping out of her leggings. "Fuck!" She threw her bra onto a pile on the floor while Hannah huffed.

"Oh my god, at least wait until I'm out of the room!" She quickly turned her back, running into the living room where Jack had already leapt up. He was nearly at the door when Hannah ran into his back.

"Careful, you'll spill my cereal!" He screeched, levering her off him with a careful struggle as he fought to keep his precious cargo onboard. "Back off, you hell hound!" Jack managed to worm his way out of her grip, ignoring her protests – in Andie's best interest, of course – and he flung the door open. Scott didn't even look surprised.

"Ding dong," he drawled, leaning against the doorframe with a slight smirk. "I knew I was popular, but I didn't think I'd have two people fighting to open the door for me." Jack huffed, glaring down at Hannah who crossed her arms.

"Fine, but don't say I didn't warn you," she grumbled as she ran back to help Andie who had somehow managed to get the straps tangled on her dress.

"Won't you come in?" Jack flirted, sending Scott a wink as he grunted and walked into the apartment.

"Let me guess: she's not ready?" He bet, a half smirk twisting his features as Jack let the door close behind him.

"Surprise of the century, I know. There was an issue over her hair or something," he explained with a dismissive shrug. Jack let his eyes rake over Scott's form. The light blue shirt offset his olive complexion and managed to pull out flecks of blue from his steel eyes that seemed softer than usual. As he shoved his hands into the pockets of his slacks, Jack smiled.