Crystal Clear

crystal clear 5

He took it and quickly entered his number. He handed it back.

"Can I have yours too?" He asked. Reaching into his pants pocket, he withdrew his blackberry and gave it to me. With shaky fingers, I entered my number and gave it back. He smiled and stood up.

"Is seven thirty ok?" He said. I nodded. " Fine then, I know this great restuarant on Baker and fourth, I hope you like Italian?"

"Yes, I love Italian. Absolutely" I replied.

"I'll come pick you up then." Joshua said, "Bye Lucille, see you Callie." And he strode back to his table, dropped a couple of bills on it and left the restuarant.

"You lucky girl!" Lucille exclaimed, reaching across the table to jab me painfully on my ribs. "I can't believe all that just happened. And that kiss.....? WOW!"

"OWW!" I gasped, swatting her hand away. "Please, don't kill me before the best day of my life, I have every intention of enjoying each and every moment of my date."

"Promise me you'll call me with full details? I'm gonna be hanging by the phone all day, till you call me." Her beeper went off and she jumped slightly. "Look, I gotta go. I need to get back to work, I'm supposed to be meeting with some guys from advertising in a few minutes."

"Thanks for meeting me" I said and reached into my purse and pulled out my credit card. I waved my hands in the air to catch the eye of our waitress. She came over with the bill. I gave her my credit card and she hustled off to run it.

Lucille gathered her coat and purse. "Remember to call me." She said and quickly walked away.

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Chapter Five

"You got a date with Joshua Callahan?" Amanda exclaimed in disbelief. "The same guy you almost put in a coma?" She shook her head and took a sip of white wine. "Weird world"

"Better believe it" I replied, too happy to care if she had just mocked me or not. I raised my own glass in a toast. "To my dreams coming true. For once."

We were in the kitchen, seated around the glass table, sharing a bottle of wine that I'd bought to celebrate my success. After I'd left the restuarant, I'd waltzed into a supermarket and bought two bottles- One for the kiss and the other for after the date. When I got back to the apartment, I'd yelled and did a little victory dance in the foyer. Amanda and Ryan had come running, probably thinking the house was on fire or something. The look on their faces had been priceless when I'd garbled the good news. Then Ryan (bless him) had swooped me in a bear hug and carried me to the kitchen with Amanda toddling after us still shaking her head in bewilderment.

"I know I've not exactly been the most encouraging friend in the world lately," Ryan said raising his glass too, a grin on his face, "But, I'm happy for you Sugarcakes"

I smiled at the endearment, and clinked glasses with him. Oh yeah, life was good.

"So what are you going to wear?" Amanda asked, ever practical. "I've seen your wardrobe and I have to say I'm not impressed. You need a new outfit, Callie."

"Can't afford one, I'm over the limit on my Visa and American Express." I replied, not really caring. For the moment, tommorow I would freak out over clothes, but not today. Definitely not today.

"I'll lend you the money," Ryan said patting my left hand. "You can pay me back later, soon as you get a job. Hint Hint"

I waved his comment away. "Stop raining on my parade, Ryan" I chuckled. "Thanks for the offer of money, I totally accept."