M&Ms
Chapter Seven
By Crystal

Monday morning came quickly, almost too quickly. My alarm woke me up at 6 on the dot and reminded me that I am a member of the work force starting today. I threw the covers off of my body, got up and went straight for the shower. Half an hour later I unwillingly got out and began to get ready for work. By the time seven thirty rolled around I was looking better than usual. Since my job as an assistant photographer is supposed to be laid back and casual, that means that work attire is laid back and casual. Thank goodness! I brushed my now short hair behind my ears as I took one final glance in the mirror. I was wearing a pair of form-fitting khaki pants and a red halter-top. I grabbed my stuff, jumped in my car and was on my way to Fashion House.

The first half of the day was as smooth as butter. I had my own office area and the photographer I would now be assisting was way cool. A tad eccentric, but cool, nonetheless.

It was now one, time for my lunch break. I grabbed my bag, locked my office and headed to the elevator. I pushed the down button and waited a minute for it to open. When it did open, I stepped inside, hit the button for the first floor and just as the doors were closing I heard someone yelling out, "HOLD THE DOOR PLEASE!!" Taken aback, I quickly stuck my arm in between the closing doors and as they opened back up I stuck my head out to see who was in such a hurry. Much to my surprise this incredibly good looking guy made his way into the elevator and looked at me expectedly.

"Is this yours?" he asked me. I looked at his outstretched hand and saw my wallet resting upon his palm.

"Yes! That's my wallet."

"I saw it fall out of your purse as you were walking out of the office."

I took the wallet from his hand and looked into his chocolate brown eyes. "Thank you so much! That would have been really embarrassing when it came time to pay for my lunch." The elevator doors closed and started moving down.

"No problem. I'm Erik by the way."

"Brash. Nice to meet you."

"Likewise. So, who are you here for?"

I looked at him sideways. "Excuse me?"

"You are a model, aren't you?"

I think I'm insulted! "Goodness no! I work here actually. I couldn't model if you showed me how."

Erik smiled and I nearly melted. "Oh. I'm sorry. It seemed only natural to think that someone as beautiful as you couldn't be anything but."

I looked away and blushed. The elevator doors opened and I slowly walked out, with Erik by my side. "Thank you, I think. No, I'm anything but a model. I'm an assistant to Terrence Redkin, a photographer."

"Of course. I work with him all the time." That smile of his was really breathtaking. He flashed it every five seconds.

"You work for him?"

"Yes. I'm in the modeling profession."

"Oh. Sorry, I'm not really into models and stuff like that so if you're like, famous or something then I wouldn't really know."

"That's perfectly all right. Listen, I know we just met and everything but could I maybe take you out sometime?"

Once again, I find myself blushing. "Sure, why not. Here's my number." I wrote my number down for him on a piece of paper and handed it to him. I smiled as he accepted it and tucked it into the pocket of his slacks.

"Thank you Brash. I hate to run but I have to get back to work. It was a pleasure meeting you Brash."

"Likewise. Bye."

"Bye." I turned around and headed for the door. I briefly turned around to see Erik get back into the elevator and smile at me. I smiled back and headed out to my car.

**Later that evening**

I got home from work tired and hungry. I hit the play button on my answering machine and went straight for the fridge. As I pulled out some cheese a message from my father caught my attention.

"Hello Sweetie. I hope you had a nice day at work today. I received Brash's flight information today. She will be arriving at Tampa airport at approximately midnight. Unfortunately I wasn't able to get her an earlier flight and she is just so anxious to come out that we stuck with this arrangement. I hope it's not too much of an inconvenience for you. That's midnight going into Thursday. If you have any questions don't hesitate to call us. I love you sweetie. Bye."

I sighed as the machine turned itself off. After putting all the ingredients for my dinner out on the kitchen counter, I reached for the phone and dialed Nick's phone number. He picked up on the third ring.

"Hello?" he answered, sounding a little on the aggravated side.

"Hey Blondie, it's Brash."

"Oh hey. What's up?"

"Is this a bad time? I can call back if you want."

"No no. It's fine. I needed a break."

"Break from what?"

"Nothing really. Just a song that I'm working on. So, what can I do for you Brash?"

The way Nick was talking kind of worried me; not mention shocked me a little.

"I got Sass's flight info today and I was going to ask you if you could come to the airport with me. She's coming in really late and I still kind of don't know my way around all that well yet. Plus I would like the company. We could even go out and get something to eat before hand if you want."

"I can't promise you anything yet because I have to check my schedule."

I nodded my head and sadly looked away. I have to admit that I was expecting him to jump at the chance. "Okay. Um, I have to pick her up Wednesday at midnight. So, just get back to me as soon as you can, or whatever."

"I'll do that."

"I'm sure you will Nick. I have to go. Bye." I hung up the phone and slowly put it back on the receiver. Did he sound a little weird to you? He did to me. I brushed it off and looked back on my soon to be prepared dinner. Suddenly in a bad mood I put all the food back in the pantries and fridge, opened up the freezer and took out a pint of Ben and Jerry's ice cream. I went upstairs to me room and collapsed down on my bed.

That night, as I drifted off to sleep, I thought back to when Nick and I were stuck together in the airplane bathroom.

**Flashback**
I sat down and looked at my feet. Out of the corner of my eye I saw him sit down in front of me. Damn bathroom. It just had to be small as a freakin' closet.

"I'm hungry" he said in a whiny voice. For the love of my sanity PLEASE don't whine Wonder Boy. I don't think I could take it right now. I'm lible to snap on you and just…. Gosh, I'm kinda hungry myself. I could even smell some of the food from the other parts of the plane; the parts that weren't stuck in a bathroom with America's teen heart throb Dick Blondie.

I suddenly remembered my jacket pocket. YES! Praise the Lord! I pulled out a package of Crispy M&M's, much to my delight they were not melted. Good thing I'm addicted. I don't know what I would have done without them.

I popped a few into my mouth and closed my eyes, enjoying the candy coated treat that melts in my mouth and not in my hand. Although, I have stains on shirts to prove otherwise.

I absently put the package in between my legs, still holding them with my hand and rested my head back, taking in their sweet coated flavor. Then it came.

"You have Crispy M&M's?" asked Nick.

I opened my eyes and looked at him with my famous pouted lips. Why me? "These are my M&M's and I'm not sharing!" Even if I would share, I would not give him the satisfaction of just simply handing them over to him. "Get your own M&M's!" I popped a few more into my mouth and closed my eyes. I heard a ruffling noise coming from Nick, but ignored it. When I opened my eyes, Nick was right in front of me, his face merely inches apart from mine. I opened my mouth to protest but he quickly closed the gap and put his mouth on mine, kissing me passionately. I felt his hands in between my legs and immediately got goosebumps. When he pulled away, he was chewing happily on the M&M's that had been in my mouth only seconds before, with my bag in his hand. He held them up and nodded his head. "Thanks." He sat back in his original position and popped a few into his mouth. The Blonde Dork stole my Crispy M&M's! And I let him! He used his lips to deceive me! Bastard! Well, I'm not going to let Wonder Boy get away with that.

I looked at him incredulously. "You stole my M&M's!"

"Yes I did!" he said triumphantly, giving me a cute smile. I wasn't going to buy it though.

"What in the name of hell posessed you to do that?"

"Well, I needed some way to kiss you and that seemed like the best way. Besides, I'm hungry. And you know you liked it." His arrogance is really starting to get to me.

"Well give them back to me! They're mine and I want them back now."

"Fine. You can have them… on one condition."

You have got to be kidding me! "And that would be?"

"Admit that you like me."

Now he's insane. "Are you out of your fucking mind! I don't have to admit anything! Just give me back my damn candy!"

"Nope. If you want them then you've gotta fess up."

"I will do no such thing!"

"Okay, then you get no candy. You know, if you didn't like me, then you wouldn't be making such a big deal out of it."

**
I smiled at the memory. I tucked myself into my warm and cuddly bed just as the phone rang. Half expecting it to be Nick I quickly picked it up.

"Hello?" I asked enthusiastically.

"Hey, Brash? This is Erik."

My smile faded and a different one appeared. "Hey. What's up?"

"Not much actually. How are you?"

I rolled my eyes to the ceiling. "Not much here either."

"Well, the reason I'm calling is because I want to know if you are available this Friday night."

Sass would already be here. But I'm sure Nick could take care of her, that is, if his schedule would permit it. "I'm pretty sure I am." Even if Nick can't baby-sit, Sass is old enough to be left alone. "In fact, I have nothing else planned. What did you have in mind?"

"There is a new restaurant opening in Orlando and I thought maybe we could go to the premiere. From what I've heard it's quite good."

"Sounds like a plan," I agreed.

"Great. How about I pick you up Friday night around seven?"

"That sounds fine. And thank you for the invite."

"Well thank you for accepting. I'll see you Friday."

"All right. Good night Erik."

"Good night Brash."

I hung up the phone and smiled dreamily as I sank even further into my bed. A date with an Adonis. How can life go wrong?