Vienna ends up staying the night and texts her parents that we were up late working on a school project. The next morning we get ready for school together. While I'm doing my makeup she rummages through my closet.

"Don't you have anything with holes in it?"

"Nope."

"What about netting?"

"Huh?"

Vienna gasps. "How are we best friends again?"

"I don't know, you tell me," I pop my lips and cap my tube of lipgloss. "How are you feeling?"

Vienna sighs as she pulls out a black knit sweater dress. "I guess this will do. And to answer your question I feel fine. Obviously yesterday's events had me a tad...shaken, but that's over now. Today is a new day," she grins mischievously. "I think we should do something."

I groan. I know that look on her face. That look means trouble. "Whatever you're thinking, un-think it."

She ignores me. "You're friends with Cecilia now right?"

"I guess..." I trail off suspiciously. "Why?"

"Well Cecilia must have a lot of influence, being who she is. And my sources tell me next weekend is the grand opening of the Red Room."

I knew it. "You want me to ask Cecilia if she can get us in."

"We deserve a girls night out!" Vienna exclaims. "Besides, I'm sure a girl like Cecilia wouldn't be opposed to a party. I mean, she's a socialite."

I sigh and pinch the bridge of my noise. If I'm being completely honest, I'm a little over parties at the moment. God only knows how many more I'll attend before the year is up, but it seems like all Vienna wants to do is party. I love her to death, but it's hard keeping up with her sometimes.

How are we best friends again?

"Fine," I relent. "I'll ask her. But don't bug me about it again."

"Yay! Thank you!" She squishes me in a hug and gives me a smacking kiss on my cheek. I push her off me.

"Yeah, yeah. Now hurry up and get dressed. We need to leave soon."

Vienna groans. "God, I forgot how early you like to leave for school."

I smirk. "You have fifteen minutes."

...

Winston: I miss you

Me: you miss my body

Winston: that too.

I smile. I haven't really had the chance to spend time with Winston since we hung out at his place. Even though we haven't seen each other in person, we still text a lot. He's been super busy with work, and I've been busy with school. Apparently Winston and his father have been working on closing a new deal with Hudson. They're a small chain of family owned hotels. Even though they're nowhere near as big as King Hotels, they're still pretty popular and well known for their family orientated ideals and atmosphere. They're also affordable while still providing quality service, which is popular with both tourists and locals alike. However the owners, Kelley and Foster Hudson, are nearing retirement and looking to sell their brand.

Hudson may be small, but they have a lot of influence in the industry. If they can secure this deal, it will be a huge. But Kelley and Foster are worried that selling to them isn't the right move. They're afraid Norman will just turn it into another overpriced resort, forgoing their morals and ideals. Needless to say, work has been pretty stressful for him.

Me: how's work?

Winston: stressful. I need a break. I actually fell asleep in my office yesterday

Me: yikes.

Winston: you're telling me. But forget work. I want to take you on a date

Me: haven't we already been on a date?

Winston: no. A real date. One where you get dressed up and we go to some over the top fancy restaurant and eat really expensive food while drinking really expensive wine. Then afterwards we go do something equally as cheesy but romantic

I swear my heart actually flutters in my chest.

Me: really?

Winston: yes really. I'll pick you up tonight at eight

Me: okay, it's a date

Winston: ha ha

Me: ;)

I can't stop the stupid grin from forming on my face. A date. With Winston. I feel like I could float, that's how happy and light I feel.

"What's got you on cloud nine all of a sudden?" Vienna asks suspiciously as lunch. I give her a dopey grin.

"I'm going on a date. With Winston."

She furrows her brows. "Haven't you two already been on a date?"

"I think so, but he said this would be a real date. He's taking me somewhere nice," I bite my lip to keep from outright giggling like a school girl and Vienna stares at me in awe.

"What?" I ask defensively.

"Holy shit. You really like him."

I roll my eyes. "Well no shit, why else would I agree to a date?"

"No, I mean you caught feelings for him."

I pause and Vienna raises a brow at me. Wait a minute...she's right. I slap a hand over my mouth, terror rising in me. I haven't felt like this toward a guy since Gabriel, and look how that turned out.

Vienna reads the horror on my face and tries to do some damage control. "Calm down, this is a good thing."

"Vienna! Why did you have to say that?!"

"Because it's the truth! Besides, I think Winston is good for you. You balance each other out."

Do we? Does Winston feel the same way? Or does he just see me as some little girl to pass the time with? And how the hell did this happen?! I swore to myself after Gabriel that I was done with relationships until I graduated college. I was just going to focus on myself and my career. Now look at me.

I shake my head. Nope. I can't accept it. The best way to deal with this is to deny, deny, deny. "No, I don't have feelings for him. Kennedy Davis does not easily catch feelings for just anyone."

Vienna snorts. "Yeah, keep telling yourself that."

Nope. It can't be possible. I'm just having fun, that's all. There's no harm in that right? Just fun. I will keep repeating that until I believe it. Why?

Because the minute feelings get involved, things become messy. And I have no doubt someone like Winston King could break my heart.

...

It's just a fun innocent date, I think to myself as I flip through my closet later that night for something to wear. I don't even need to look nice. I say this, yet twenty minutes later I've torn half my room apart trying to find the perfect outfit.

"Arghhhhh!" I scream and thrown myself face down on the bed. "It's hopeless!"

There's a gentle knock on my door and I lift my head up just high enough to grumble an unhappy 'come in.' My mother pokes her head through the door.

"I heard a cry of distress and came to see if everything was alright," she steps fully through the doorway.

"I don't have anything to wear!" I cry. I'm seriously on the verge of tears and I hate this. I hate being this overly sensitive, overly emotional girl. I'm not her. People always think that of women and I refuse to be a stereotype. God, I wish Vienna never said anything earlier. Or at all. All I can think about is how much I really like Winston, and all the ways things can go horribly wrong. There should be a switch so you can turn off feelings, or at the very least turn them up or down at your convenience.

"Sweetie you have an entire walk in closet full of clothes," my mother comes to sit next to me on the bed. "And I have a feeling that's not what's really upsetting you. Tell me what's wrong."

With a heavy sigh I sit up and cross my legs. "There's this guy-"

My mother grins. "Ooh. Do I know him?"

There's no way in hell I'm telling either of my parents about Winston. Not when I'm still so confused.

"Uh, no. Anyway, I think I might like him."

"You think?" Mother raises her eyebrows. I roll my eyes.

"Fine, I like him. But at the same time, it makes me feel...icky. Does that make sense? I just don't like the feelings he gives me. Not because they're bad, but because they make me feel-"

"-weak," she finishes. I stare at her in surprise before nodding.

"Darling, loving someone doesn't make you weak."

"Woah, who said anything about love?!" I'm already freaking out at the thought of having feelings for Winston, so the thought of actually falling in love with him makes me want to break out into a cold sweat.

"Okay fine," mother backtracks. "Not love. But you obviously have some strong feelings for him, and that doesn't make you weak.  You are far from weak Kennedy. You are smart, strong, and capable." I feel like a little girl again as my mother tucks a stray hair behind my ear and comforts me. "And it takes bravery to open yourself up to others, whether it be romantic or platonic. Not weakness. Strength."

"What if he doesn't feel the same way about me?" Saying my biggest fear aloud makes it all the more real—and scarier.

"Then he's an idiot who has no idea what he's missing out on," my mother replies matter of factly.

Slowly, as her words sink in, I start to feel better. She may not be the worlds best mom, but she's always been there for me when I need it, and I love her for that.

My mother claps. "Now let's find you the perfect outfit for your perfect date! And what about your hair, what are you planning to do with it?"

I shrug. "I haven't gotten that far yet."

"I think you should wear it down, you have such lovely hair," she stands and goes over to search through my closet. "Just like your grandmothers."

Neither my dad or mom have red hair, and if it wasn't for the freckles I inherited from her, or the green eyes from my father, no one would think I was their child. 

Truth be told I hardly ever wear my hair down. It becomes too bothersome when I do since it's so long. Ninety-five percent of the time—whether straight or it in its natural wavy state—I'll wear it in a ponytail. Occasionally a bun. But tonight is a special occasion, so after changing into a silver wrap cocktail dress my mother had chosen, I straighten my hair so it falls in a curtain down my back and around my shoulders. Tucking some behind my ear I apply my makeup, doing a shimmery eye look with cherry red lipstick. Paired with a silver clutch and black Jimmy Choo Stilettos, I'm finally ready right as the clock strikes eight.

"You look gorgeous!" My mother gushes. "Oh to be young again."

I roll my eyes and laugh. "Stop it. You don't look a day over thirty."

She fluffs her hair. "Well thank you. Now go and have fun tonight. But not too much fun. Wouldn't want any surprises."

"Mother!"

"I'm just saying! Your father would have a coronary."

Shaking my head I kiss my mother on the cheeks before leaving.

I spot Winston through the glass doors before I even step outside and feel my nerves rising again. Taking a deep breath and steeling myself I approach the revolving doors.

"You look beautiful Miss Davis," our doorman James compliments me on my way out.

"Thank you," I smile at him.

"Have a wonderful evening."

"You too."

Winston looks up as I approach, his eyes slightly widening. He has on a black silk shirt, tucked into pressed black slacks, suit jacket, and coincidentally a silver tie.

"Wow," his gaze travels down the length of my body before coming back up to meet my eyes. "How did I get so lucky to have the most gorgeous girl be my date tonight?"

I bite my lips to sleep from smiling like an idiot, but I still blush anyway. Normally I'd say something smart or witty, but all I can muster is a weak 'thanks' before he opens the door to his car for me, helping me inside. After shutting the door he climbs into the drivers seat. 

"So," I smooth my hands over my dress in an attempt to calm my nerves. "Where are we going?"

I turn to Winston for an answer but instead he leans across the console and captures my lips. Even though I'm taken by surprise, I immediately respond, the kiss turning slow and sensual causing heat to pool in my belly.

"What was that for?" I ask breathlessly once he pulls away.  

His eyes search mine as he gently glides his thumb across my bottom lip. "I don't know," he answers honestly. I smile as he leans back and turns the key in the ignition.

"You never answered my question about where we're going."

"You'll see," he winks.

I laugh as he shifts the gear to drive and peels off into the night.

...