Rules of Attraction

21st Feb- Anya

A few days after the photo shoot, Jack had developed everything from that day and he had asked me to help him sort through them.

"These are really great Jack, as always you have done an awesome job." I said, approvingly, as I spread the photos out on the table.
"Thank you. It means alot coming from you." He replied, smiling.

Instantly heat spread through my cheeks, suddenly feeling awkward sitting next to him.

Jack had been working at the magazine for about 3 years now, started a year and half before I did. We had clicked and become friends though never socialised much as he always seem to have other commitments whether it be work or personal, I never knew.
I was positive he had a line around the block of girls that are dying to get a chance to go out with him.
Which brings me to Niall. As I looked at the pictures, a smile crossed my face, remembering how I told my best friend about my encounter.

"Aaaaaarrrrggghhh!!!! NO FUCKING WAY!!!" Screamed Lizzie, as she ran around our small apartment after I mentioned Niall Horan.

I couldn't help but laugh at her reaction, as she finally crashed on the couch next to me.
"Are you finished?" I asked, eyeing her suspiciously. Maybe only a small piece of information at a time would be best.

Calming herself down as she took a breath, closed her eyes and then looked at me.

"Okay, I'm good. Now tell me more. What was he like? Did he smell nice? Does he really sound Irish? What did he say?" She blurted out.

I laughed loudly.

"Gees don't hold back!" I said, rolling my eyes at her. "Seriously though, he was a mess. I think he had been partying or something, even his clothing looked like it had been pulled out of the laundry basket. He was a bit snippy and didn't really acknowledge me when I greeted him on arrival."

"Really? That doesn't sound like him at all. I'd heard that he's really easy going and super nice." She replied, shaking her head in disbelief.

Immediately I felt bad for painting Niall in such a bad light. So quickly I decided to try to amend my wrong doing.
"But it was okay though," I said, patting her arm reassuringly. "He came up and apologised. Said he was just really tired."
"Okay, suppose that's good." Lizzie said, sounding unsure.
"Honestly it was fine." I said, firmly. "Besides, he smelt really nice when he reached past me to get his sunglasses." Blushing as I looked away from her.

"What?! You are so lucky! What did he smell like? Wait I bet he smelt sweet but like a yummy spice..mmmmm. I can imagine it now." Lizzie said as she closed her eyes and a dreamy look passed over her face.

I couldn't deny the fact I had that same dreamy look on my face for the rest of the day after Niall left. He was all I could think about. I wondered if I would see him again, I really hoped so.

"Hey, earth to Anya!" a voice spoke bringing me back to the present, a soft touch on my arm sent thrills up my spine.

"Sorry I was..." Stammering, as the contact startled me, then I looked up to see Niall coming through the door, swaggering across the room towards me, holding something behind his back with a smirk on his face.
Heat flowed through my body as I watched him, my cheeks brightening, I darted a quick look at Jack to see if he noticed my change in demure, but he had left my side to greet Niall and shake his hand, then lead him to the table to see all the prints Jack had taken of him.

"Hi there, it's Lily isn't it?" Niall said as he stuck his hand out to shake mine.

"Hi, yes it is. And you are?" I replied sassily, trying to hide my smile playing on my lips, taking his hand and shaking it.

Nail chuckled
"Okay, I deserved that. I am truly sorry for my behaviour, please accept these as part of my apology." He implored, presenting me with a bouquet of beautifully bright flowers he had been hiding behind his back.

"Oh wow, they are gorgeous. You shouldn't have, thank you very much. I love them and accept your apology." I said, rushing my words all out in one breath, taking the flowers, his hand grazing mine, sending sparks through my skin, reddening my cheeks even further, if that was even possible.

Looking quite pleased with himself at my reaction, then he glanced at the prints spread out before him.
"These are really good Jack. You have managed to make me look quite human, though I am pretty sure I didn't feel like that at the time." He said grimacing.
"Cheers Niall. It helps immensely when you have a good subject to work with." Jack replied, grinning.
"And have a good make up person. Missy does have magical skills." I stated, with a mischievous grin, averting my eyes to the photos.       
Niall gasped, faking a look of horror on his face, placing a hand on his chest like I'd stabbed him in the heart.

Jack and I both laughed.

"Okay, so back to why you are here. We were sorting through the photos and wanted to know if you have any preference on which ones you wanted us to use for the interview?" Jack asked, looking at Niall.

After about twenty minutes, Niall had picked out the ones he wanted to use and gave them to Jack.
"That's great, thank you. I will collate these with Shann's interview and have the final proof ready for you in a day or so. I will call you to confirm before we print." Jack said, then turning to me, "Lily, can you collect all the discarded ones and file them away?"

"Sure no problem." I replied, as I started to gather them up into a pile

"Okay, so for the final part of my plan," He said, lowering his eyes to sliding up my body starting from my booted feet to my pink glossed lips, where they rested for a second before meeting my eyes.
"Let me make it up to you, how about I take you to dinner?"

"Um..I...don't know what to say.It's really not necessary." I said, suddenly feeling a little awkward with Jack in the same room as Niall asks me out on a date.

"I'm just going to be over here.." Jack said, trying not to smile as he excused himself and moved to the other side of the room.

In the meantime, Niall had inched closer, I could feel his hot breath on my cheek as he put his hand on my back sending vibes up my spine.

"Please?" He asked, in a lowered voice.

Heat flooded my face as I snuck a look at Jack who still had his back to us.

"Okay." I whispered, glancing back at him.

Looking pleased with himself, he kissed me softly on the cheek.

"Perfect. I will pick you up at 7.30 tonight. This my number, text me your address. I can't wait to spend the evening with you." He replied, giving me a wink.

Still in disbelief of what just happened, I watched Niall swagger over to Jack to say goodbye and then glance at me once more as he disappeared out of the studio.

"Well, you best be off to get ready for your hot date." Jack,somehow he had appeared back in front of me, wiggling his eyebrows at me.

"Stop. It's not like that. He's just being polite." I replied, unsure if I trying to convince myself or Jack.

"Sure, whatever you say. Have fun and make sure he's a gentleman otherwise I will have some words to say to him." He replied, waving a finger at me.

I laughed and nodded at him.

Grabbing my coat and bag, I said goodbye to Jack then walked to the door. I swear I could feel Jack's eyes watching me leave but when I glanced over my shoulder, he had turned his back.

As I stepped out into the street, I thought what a strange day this turned out to be, smiling to myself but quickly turning in to worry as I had no clue what I was going to wear to dinner with Niall.