Bas' POV

The event went without a hitch.  I must admit that P'Josh could really model men's clothes very well.  He had a well sculpted body that he made sure stayed that way by hours and hours spent in the gym.  He had a handsome face that could make women swoon wherever he went.

I had to think of a really good excuse not to be with him after the shoot.  I wracked my brains but couldn't come up with any.  In the end I decided to tell him the truth.

When the shoot was over he did not waste any time saying any parting words to the others but came straight up to me.

"Well?" he said taking my hand.

"P'Josh,"  I said, "I lied to you about babysitting my little sister.  I just really would rather not spend time with you."

"Look," he said, taking my hand once more.  "I can tell that you're feeling guilty about spending time with me but you really don't have to.  Feel guilty, I mean.  It's not like you are in a committed relationship with your P'Gxxod."

Should I really not be feeling guilty?  I asked myself.  Maybe I wasn't doing anything wrong by spending a few innocent hours with P'Josh.

"How about we just have dinner together and skip the movies?"  I asked.

"That's better than nothing," he said gratefully.  "Come let's go to my car.  Call your mom and tell her not to pick you up."

I did so and of course my mom asked me why.  I told her that P"Josh was treating me to dinner.

"Who is Josh?" she asked.  I had forgotten that she had never met P'Josh before.  

"He is one of the professional models whom I work with."  I said,  "He is a nice guy."  Was he really?  I asked myself.  I hoped that I was right in my judgment.

"Alright then," my mom said, "Just make sure not to stay out so late."

"Okay, mom," I said, "see you later."

Once I put my phone in my pocket, P'Josh grabbed my wrist.  "Let's go!" he said with such a bright smile that anyone would think he had just hit the jackpot.

He led me to where his car was parked, unlocked the doors and held the passenger door open until I got in.  Then he closed the door and went around to the driver's side.  I thought he would start the car right away but he suddenly lunged at me.

I quickly pushed him away.

"Relax,"  he laughed, "I was just going to fasten your seat belt."

"Ohhh,"  I said with an embarrassed smile.  I felt a twinge of guilt for judging him too harshly.

"Are you in the mood for Italian food?" he asked.  "There's a newly opened Italian restaurant not far from here."

"Okay,"  I said.  "Have you tried it before?"

"Just once," he said.  I wanted to ask with whom but decided against it.  He might think that I was interested in his affairs.

"Their chicken cacciatore tastes very delicious.  You should try it," he said.  "They also have a wide selection of pasta dishes."

I loved pasta dishes.  "Let's go then,"  I said.

He pinched my cheek lightly and smiled.  He was starting to lean towards me, but I said, "No monkey business or I'll jump out of your car."

"No monkey business," he said solemnly and started the car.

The Italian restaurant had a very romantic atmosphere.  We were led to a table in a cozy area with dim lights.  Should I really be here with P'Josh?  I started to doubt if I had made the right decision to have dinner with him here or anywhere else for that matter.

We sat down and took the menu booklets that the waiter handed to us.  P'Josh ordered his chicken cacciatore and I chose the chicken Alfredo fettuccine.

As soon as the waiter left us P'Josh took my hand.  "Stop looking so tense and guilty," he said, "you're making me feel like I'm a big bad wolf ready to eat you up."

But that's exactly what I think you are, I thought silently.  Or had I just been influenced by what P'Gxxod had told me about him?  Maybe I should just try to relax and enjoy my dinner.

The dinner turned out to be really delicious.  I should come back here but next time with P'Gxxod.  I'm sure he will enjoy the Italian dishes too.

After dinner P'Josh asked if I was sure that I didn't want to watch a movie with him.  I told him that I was sure.  I did not tell him that I was already feeling guilty enough for having dinner with him.  He said "okay" with a hurt and disappointed look on his face.

We went back to his car and after we were seated inside, he turned to me and said, "Bas, I am very grateful that you agreed to have dinner with me.  I'm really not the bad guy that you think I am.  All that you hear about me being a player is not true.  I am really just a friendly and sociable person.  I will never do anything to hurt anyone's feelings intentionally."

He drew a deep breath.  "Having said all that, I will now take you home."

"Wait,"  I said.  "I also wish to thank you for the delicious dinner.  I'm sorry if I was afraid to have dinner with you.  I guess I judged you wrongly.  I'm sorry."

"No worries," he assured me and started the car.