"Taylor?"

  I look up from the stack of demo CD's I had been shuffling through. Oh God. Ethan and the band. Here. Right now. So am I.

  At least I look cute today.

  "Hey." I grin.

  "I'll be out in a sec." He said to the group of guys who stood waiting for him.

  He wants to talk to me alone? Don't say or do anything stupid!

  "So...what'ca got there?" He pointed at the stack of CDs I'm holding.

  "Demos." I shrug.  "Just headed upstairs to check them out."

  "You work here?"

  "Yea, Justin lured me back." I had been working at Sony in the artist development department but it wasn't really my thing. Justin offered me a full time job at Tennmen because I had such a 'great ear for music'. That's a direct quote.

  He gave me a nod. "I should have waited til you came back here then." I look at him funny. "If I'd know I had a chance to meet with you instead of Justin, that would have been something much prettier to look at."

  Damn it! I felt my face flush again. What is it with this guy that turns me into a twelve year old girl? "I probably would have been harder to impress than Justin."

  He let out a laugh. "Maybe if I would have had to ask you to dinner, you'd go easy on me."

  "I might have said yes and still signed you." 

  He licked his lips and rubbed the back of his neck. "Ok, well, so I'm asking now."

  "Ok." Wait- what? Did he just ask me out? And did I just say yes?

  I couldn't help but smile at his bright smile. I guess I did say yes. I reach out and grab the cell phone he's holding in his hand.

  "Call me." I smile up at him, handing the phone back after I programmed my number in it.

  "Later." He promises. "I gotta go, the guys are waiting."

  "I gotta get to work too." I lift the stack of CDs. "I'll be waiting."

  "Bye." He smiles at me again, waving as he jogs towards the door.

  I took the elevator up to the fourth floor and walked down the hall to my office.  Before heading to sit down, I dropped a CD into the player and started it.

  As the music started I couldn't help but replay what had just happened. I hadn't see Ethan in a few weeks, not since Justin had signed them. I'm not sure why he was at the label but I'm assuming they were the first ones to use the new studio that was recently finished downstairs.

  A giddy smiled broke out on my face and I couldn't hold back the giggle. I feel like I had just discovered how awesome boys can be. I know I probably shouldn't get too excited. I mean, he could turn out to be a real loser but I'm sure I could put a few dates in before I'd get tired of that. That man is amazing with a capital A.

  "Hey. Busy?" Justin stuck his head in the open door.

  I shook my head and leaned back in the chair.

  He walked across the room and sat down across from me. "These the demos?"

  "Yea, I'm not so sure I'm liking this though." I made a face at the girl singing a cover of Alicia Keys. "Her voice isn't that strong."

  He sat and listened for a minute. "Yea, trash it."

  I laughed. "That's kinda cruel, you think?"

  "So keep it if you want." He grinned.

  I roll my eyes at him before getting up to change the CD. "I saw Ethan and the guys downstairs."

  "Yea, they were recording some stuff."

  "How's it sound?" I hope I don't sound overly interested. That's the last thing I need. Justin to make fun of me for this crush.

  "It's good. But I'm not suprised. The demo was good, they were great live." He paused. "I'd be suprised if they sucked but I think we're good."

  I nod and lean against my desk. "You....you know he asked me out." 

  Why did I tell him that? This man is my ex-boyfriend and my boss, kind of. He owns the label but he's got someone else who oversees the day to day business.

  "Oh....well...ok then." I can't read the look on his face. "Like, just now?"

  I swallow. "Yea, downstairs."

  He just sat there. Not talking, not moving. I can't figure out what this means. Is he pissed? Shocked? Does he even care?

  He stood up before I could say anything else. "Just don't let it interfere with work. Either of you."

  I gave him a short nod and he walked out the door. 

  What the hell was that?

~

  I cannot remember the last time I had ever had this much fun on a date.  I feel like a kid again.

  "So, who won?" Ethan asked as I tally up the scores.

  "Hang on." I grin. Ha! "You, my friend, owe me a beer."

  "No way!" He reaches out and grabs the score card out of my hands. 

  I laugh as we make out way inside. Three little boys come running out and I jump back to avoid being trampled, causing me to back right into him.

  Heaven on earth, I swear to God. His hands grip my hips, putt-putt still in his right hand and my heart rate triples.

  "Your hole in one killed me." He smiled as he let go of me. 

  Be still my heart. "I told you I'm a master putt-putter."

  "That you did. So, how 'bout that beer?"

  Two hours later we're sitting at a bar near my apartment, drinking beer and having a great time. I haven't really connected with a guy like this since....well, since Justin actually.

  Shit. Why am I thinking about him? 

  "Hold still." He reached a hand out towards my face.

  What is this guy doing?

  His thumb pressed against my cheek and then he pulled back. "Eyelash."  He held his hand in front of my face. "Make a wish."

  Yea, I'll do that. Once I get control of my urge to throw you on the floor and rip your clothes off. Leaning in, I close my eyes to make the wish and the next thing I know, his lips are on mine.

  First, I'm in shock but it quickly passes. His hands reach out and cup my face and I swear, I think I'm going to pass out. This has to be the most amazing kiss I've ever had. It's slow and deep, his tongue reaching out teasingly. The way his hands are holding my face, like he's not going to let go. 

  Best. Date. Ever.