The Date Planner

1.16. Dance With Me

Next week arrives with a blur of work and I have a hard time getting a breath.

The fact that I had to create a balance in between my secret boyfriend and best friend wasn't helping enough either. Secret boyfriend because paparazzi can't know about us and we would like to avoid any until we actually get caught and Jason can't know that way either. Considering I almost slipped it out to him a bazillion times in a week is no surprise either.

By the time weekend arrives, I'm beat. This doesn't stop Liza to drag my ass for clubbing though.

"God, Liza! Last thing I want to do is party after the week I had. Even a spa at this point would suffice or much better, leave me alone", I exclaim on the phone.

"That's exactly why I need your ass out in about an hour. I talked to Clinton too and he's ready to kick it, so I don't need any excuses, okay?", she orders.

"But what-", I start but she hangs up instantly.

"-about, Jason", I trail off and stare at my blank screen but nothing comes up.

So eventually I haul my ass out of my apartment.

***

I'm was wearing a very simple and elegant dress until Liza barged into my apartment through the front door only to raid my closet.

So here I'm, half an hour later with a short skirt and a strappy crop top on it. A small pendent adorning my neck and my hair as naturally straight as it was the day I was born.

"Hot", Liza comments from her position at the my bed from behind me while I analyze my outfit in front of my mirror.

Feeling a little too self conscious in it.

"I don't know I can't-", I start to say but I'm cut off by my bedroom door opening as Jason's head pops in.

Uhh-oh.

He looks at me just like I'm looking at him right now. Wide eyed and mouth agape. His eyes drink me in top to bottom and I feel heat rising up to my cheeks as tingles dance up my spine.

"Hey, where you headed, sailor?", Liza breaks the silence with her casual attitude before taking a sip of her beer she raided yet again from my refrigerator earlier.

"I... Uh...", Jason trails but nothing actually comes out of his mouth.

"Jason", Liza snaps at him, drawing his attention to her.

"Yeah"

"What are you doing here?", she cocks her brow in a 'duh' expression.

"I just came to spend the night with Justine but from the looks of it, it seems like you guys are already headed somewhere I'm not invited to....?", he states.

His eyes hardening as he spares me another glance before looking back at Liza.

"Well, next time you should probably knock because entering a women's room without her permission is kinda desperate and nosy", she wrinkles her nose at end.

"Liza!", I exclaim, completely appalled by her statement.

"No, it's fine, Jesse. Next time I'll just ring you up before heading here, okay Liza?", he gives her a withering smile before looking at me one last time and leaving the room.

A few seconds later we hear the front door of the apartment being slammed shut.

I just stare at the closed door of my room, dumbfoundedly trying to make sense of what just happened.

"Will you stop staring? This is exactly why I don't want him around you. He just disappears, waltzs in whenever he wants you and then disappears again. This is not healthy for you Justine and I hope you realize that", she fixes me with a gaze before leaving me alone to my thoughts.