Chapter 19
She stared hard at the phone. Last night was supposed to be an isolated incident, never happen again. And yet, here she was, contemplating if she should call him and ask him out for that evening. Drumming her fingers on her thigh, she grabbed phone. Looking at the number on the paper once again, dialed. So much for a one time thing. Howie quickly slid the card into the slot and swung the door open, bolting towards the phone.
"Hello?"
"Howie?"
"Yes...Jordan? Is that you?"
"Yes it is. How are you?"
He blinked, it was too good to be true, it was...nice. He sat on the bed, setting the card and his wallet down. "I'm good, and you?"
"Same, just trying to get some things done."
"I see."
Silence
"Jordan?"
"Yes?"
"Was there a specific reason why you called?" He questioned.
"Oh! Yes, yes there was actually."
Again she was silent. He could tell she was having second thoughts. He figured that after last night, it wouldn't be so hard for her, but apparently he'd been wrong. "Jordan?"
"Sorry...there is a reason. I was wondering if, if you'd like to go out to a club with me this evening." She said in a rush.
He blinked, a slow smile forming on his full lips. Very nice. "Sure."
She was quiet for a moment. "Seriously?"
He chuckled. "Yeah, I love dancing. It's been a while since I've been out dancing for something outside of the group. I'd love to. What time would you like for me to pick you up?"
It was all happening so fast her head was reeling. "I can, I can meet you there."
"Well normally I wouldn't mind, but since I'm not sure of how to get there or where we're even going, having you with me would be better in this case."
"Oh of course, how stupid of me. Sorry. My mind's...somewhere else." She stumbled. She had to get herself together.
"It's ok. I remember how to get to your house, just give me a time and I'll be there."
"Seven thirty? Is that ok?"
"That's fine. So, I'll see you this evening then?"
"Yes, see you then."
"Bye Jordan."
"Bye Howie." She hung up. Well that was a productive conversation. She managed to sound like a tongue-tied teenager. How hard was it to call someone? Very hard for her obviously. But this just wasn't any someone, this was a certain someone, someone she shouldn't be calling in the first place. Someone who shouldn't effect her like he did, someone whom she shouldn't talk to on the phone like she was some love struck schoolgirl.
Groaning in disgust over her lack of maturity, she turned the phone back on, dialing quickly.
"Hello?"
"Michelle, I've done it...again."
"Done what again?"
"Asked him out."
"Who? Howie? You asked Howie out? When? When was the first time? Wha?!" Michelle rambled.
"Monday, I asked him out on Monday for last night. So I ended up showing him around Utah and whatever."
"So you took my advice huh? How'd it go?"
Jordan could tell she was smiling, hear the faint trace of smugness in her voice. She shook her head. "It went. Took him to see a ballet, museum, dinner, shopping and then to the park."
"Ohhh, so romantic." Michelle sighed dreamily.
"There was no romance involved Michelle!" Jordan was quick to clarify.
"Yeah whatever. So you went out on a date."
"It wasn't a date! It was a casual meeting."
Silence.
"Ok a causal get together."
Silence again.
"It was a semi-date ok!" Jordan conceded.
"Thank you." Michelle answered finally.
Annoyed, Jordan went on. "And tonight isn't a date ya know. It's just a club, just dancing."
"You're going to a club with him tonight?" Michelle asked excitedly.
"Yes, I thought it'd be nice to show him the different clubs in case he wants to go again sometime with a lady friend."
"A...lady friend? What language are you speaking?!"
"You know, I don't even know if he's seeing someone." Jordan went on, oblivious to Michelle. "That's why it's good for me to stay on a totally friendly, platonic level."
"Platonic? Ok, you're jumping way ahead here, you've been thinking about him sexually?"
She stopped. She was just burying herself deeper hole. "I didn't say that."
"But you mentioned platonic, no sex, which means you've had to think of what sex would be like with him to stop the idea of thinking of having sex with him, therefore trying to stop me from thinking of it." Michelle concluded.
"You are aren't you?"
"Of course, and so are you."
"I'm not! Ok, I'm hanging up now."
"Yeah, you go out on another non date and don't think sexual stuff about him." Michelle teased.
"I will!"
"Ok then."
Silence
"I'll call you and let you know how it goes."
"You'd better." Michelle grinned.
****
"So you're enjoying yourself?" Kevin asked.
"Yeah, it's great here."
"So great that you decided to stay longer?" AJ called on the other line.
He didn't know why he'd agreed to three way with these two. AJ and Kevin, one serious and one goof.
"Yes AJ, you know we don't get to hang out much when we're here on tour."
"He's right AJ." Kevin commented. "I think it's a good idea Howie."
"I think it's a good idea." AJ mocked. "I wanna know bout this girl. How'd it go D?"
"What girl? Who?" Kevin questioned.
"Well, we went out last night."
"No shit?! Go man, so what happened? What time she leave this morning?" AJ chuckled.
"Shut up! It wasn't like that!" Howie groaned.
"Ok, I'm confused." Kevin put in.
"Not hard for you." AJ quipped.
"Shut up AJ!" Kevin called warningly.
Howie rolled his eyes. "I'm gonna go you guys."
"Wait, I wanna know who this girl is." Kevin demanded.
"It's Jordan, ya know, the PR lady from the Olympics. Howie has a crush."
"I do not!"
"Ohhh! Howie has a crush!" Kevin teased.
"I'm really hanging up now!"
"Wait wait, seriously Howie. What's going on?"
"Nothing, there's just this woman. I like her, she's...different."
"Get this Kev, she's everything he's ever wanted in a woman." AJ put in.
"So, what's the problem then?" Kevin questioned.
"She's TOO involved in her work."
"Too involved as in she has time for nothing else, not even to have fun."
"Wow, that sucks man." Kevin murmured.
"It does. But look guys, I gotta go finish getting ready. I'll call later in the week and let ya know how things are going."
"Yeah, keep us updated." AJ announced.
"I will, talk to you guys later. Tell the others I said hi. Bye!" Howie called and hung up after murmured byes from AJ and Kevin.
Turning he looked into the mirror. What would come from tonight? He could only hope for the best and for the opportunity to get that much closer to her. Smiling, he walked back into the bathroom.
