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Joey chewed on the cap of her pen pensively as she gazed at the figures on the screen in front of her and cradled her phone between her shoulders. "I just need a definite answer by next Monday," she said into the phone.
There was a knock on her already office open door and she smiled not looking up from the small laptop in front of her. "Hey," she mouthed to her friend before turning her attention back to the person on the other end of the line. "Monday. I did not make this place what it is by being half-assed about my job." She nodded into the phone. "Okay, now that's what I'm talking about. I'll see you Monday."
She hung up the phone and readjusted her glasses pressing a few keys before hitting send. She put the computer on standby and perched her glasses on top of her head rubbing at her eyes tiredly before grinning widely at her friend. "What brings you by?"
"You." He answered a playful grin on his face. "You work too hard. Has anyone ever told you that?"
She shook her head and ran a hand through her curled hair. "Well, I've been trying to get this place on its feet. The first year is when you have to work the hardest for any growing business."
He sighed. "Excuses, excuses. You just don't want to deal." She shot him a scathing look and he changed the topic of conversation. "So, you already for lunch?"
She glanced at the watch on her wrist. "I think I can fit you in," she teased.
He held out is arm to her. "You know, you need more of a social life. Lunch with me once a week doesn't amount to much, Joey."
Joey rolled her eyes accepting his arm and reached for her jacket and purse that was hanging behind her chair. "Let's not start this again. I'm very happy with my social life thank you very much."
"Joey, it's been a year. You have a thriving business of your own, your successful, beautiful, smart, and charming. It's time you let the rest of the male population of Boston know it too."
"Going out to lunch, Lucy," Joey called out as she walked past her assistant on her way out the door. She slid on her thin black jacket and tied the belt at her waist as Jack held the door open for her. "Jack, you're the only man I need in my life. Well, you and Alex, that is," she quickly amended.
"When's the last time you saw Alex? Or been back to Capeside at all, for that matter?"
"Hey, I've sent gifts on the appropriate days," Joey said in her defense. "Besides between the gallery and all my other engagements I've been busy."
"You're avoiding."
"And you're being a big pain in the butt," Joey responded pointedly as they approached the quaint restaurant where they regularly ate lunch together.
"Like you said, we go through this same song and dance every week. Won't you at least give in once?" He asked her, giving her puppy dog eyes.
Joey sighed pulling open the glass door to Mario's, the Italian restaurant they frequented. "I'll think about it. There are no guarantees."
"There never are with you," he winked.
"Two," Joey said to the hostess who led them to a table near the window. She left them with two menus before leaving. "You're just getting impossible to deal with lately," Joey muttered pulling off her jacket and draping it behind her chair as she sat down. "I don't know what your sudden concern with my lack of a social life comes from, personally I think you should stop worrying about who I'm not dating and focus on who you're not dating."
"Exactly." He told her, putting the menu aside, having memorized it already.
Joey raised an eyebrow. "Hmm…you agreed too quickly. You're up to something."
"Me? Never." He shook his head, "I was just thinking, we re-enter the dating world together. You know, like a buddy system of sorts. We can compare notes or whatever."
Joey laughed and placed her order with their waitress, handing over her menu and waited for Jack to give his before speaking again. "Well, that's an original way to look at it but I don't think I'm quite ready to handle the hassle of a relationship. I'm too busy. I don't have time for a boyfriend."
"I'm not asking you to go out and pick out a wedding dress or anything. Just...explore what Boston has to offer."
She looped a strand of brown hair behind her ear. "Look, even if I wanted to explore what Boston has to offer I wouldn't know where to begin. It's been a couple of years since I've done the whole dating thing."
"I'm not any different, not since Chris...which is why we should do it together. We wont be forced to go at it alone."
She turned thoughtful as their food and drinks were placed in front of them. "I can't believe I'm actually thinking about this," she began. "I told myself I wasn't even going to think about dating until I was at least a little more independent."
"If you were any more independent, you'd have a hut in the hills of Canada living off the land." He took a bite of his club sandwich. "Look, Joey. I don't want to pressure you. I just want a companion as I venture out into the world of men once again. I think it's about time, for both of us."
She pushed the salad around her plate disinterestedly. "I guess I can give up one Saturday night."
"Excellent." He smiled at her. "I don't think you'll be disappointed, Joey. It's not like we're going out to get laid or anything."
Joey took a sip of her soda. "Yeah, we're not. It's the rest of Boston I'm worried about."
"And we'll have one another for protection. It'll be fine, we'll go out for drinks, talk to some nice people and go home. Nothing to it."
She nodded rationalizing her plans to herself. "Okay fine tomorrow night we'll go out for out a few drinks and see what happens."
"Great," he smiled. "And I know just the place."
Joey offered an uneasy smile and raised her glass to her lips. "Great."
 Joey slid out of her coat and glanced around her surroundings wide eyed. "Jack when you suggested going out on Saturday night I had no idea this is what you had in mind. A male strip club? Jesus." Her eyes grew even wider at what their waiter was not wearing. "You did this on purpose didn't you? Not that I don't appreciate the gesture." He grinned wickedly at her. "Hey, if you're gonna brave the capricious waters of dating, do a cannon ball. Don't just dip your toes in." He chuckled, "Besides, it's been a while since either of us saw the male form in all it's splendor. Better to get reacquainted with the physical ahead of time, don't ya think?" "Here. Here." She laughed and raised her newly aquired margarita in toast before taking a drink. "How did you find out about this place anyway?" "Phone book." He surveyed the room. There was a good crowd of both men and women in the smoky room, all seemingly enjoying the half naked serving staff as they waited for the next act. "You'd be surprised how many of these there are in this city. This one was just the closest." He shrugged. She giggled and took another drink. "Oh God, I can't believe I'm actually in this place. You Jack, are definitely filled of surprises. I never would never come to a place like this on my own." "Neither would I." He smiled at her, taking a swallow of his scotch. "Ladies and Gentlemen, We at Thunder from Down Under would like to present our very own Zorro!" The announcement was met with loud applause. "Come on, Joey." Jack said, pulling her towards an empty table along side the stage. "I hope you brought a lot of ones with you." Joey felt her face redden. "Well, I may have a few...I didn't know this is where you were planning to take me!" She glanced at the stage. "Besides there's no way I'm sticking a dollar bill in some guy's g-string." "Lighten up, Joey. Relax and just have some fun." Jack eyed the man who entered the stage, decked out in the complete Zorro costume. Mask, hat, cape, frilly white shirt, tight pants and thin sword. "Besides, I get the feeling that at the end of the night this guy," The man threw his hat out into the audience amid a chorus of "Take it off's." Gets more than his share of the evening's haul." She eyed the guy on the stage from the corner of her eye and then the crowd of woman already surrounding the stage. "Okay, this was fun at first with the waiters and all but I'm not one to be acting like an idiot up here. Maybe we should just move back to our other seats." "Oh, I donno." Jack watched the man as he slipped out of his cape, swirling it around his broad shoulders. "He's not without some appeal. Let's just stay here, I'm not suggesting we join the throngs." Joey nodded and watched along with Jack trying to act unaffected. "Okay, you do have a point. He does fill out those leather pants rather nicely." She downed the rest of her drink rather quickly and asked a passing waiter for another. Jack tilted his head as 'Zorro' did a shimmy in time to the music. "Leather is nice," he commented. She smiled teasingly. "You going to stick a dollar in his g-string?" Jack felt a blush creep up to stain his cheeks. "I'm thinkin' about it. Depends what else he fills out well." He chuckled. Joey brought a hand to her mouth in mock appall. "Jack. I can't believe you just said that." She turned back to the stage and giggled. "I think you're about to find out." "Come on, Joey. You have to admit, the man has got a great ass. You don't see specimens like that every day." He gestured to the man as he seductively undid the buttons of the pristine white shirt, pulling it apart to reveal a well built chest. Joey's eyes widened expressively. "Wow." The shirt came off and was tossed their way, hitting Jack in the head before being picked up by an overzealous fan. Joey burst forth in a set of new giggles. "Ooh, look Jack he's coming our way." It was easier to tease Jack about the whole thing before ever admitting to him that she was attracted. The guy on stage was definitely easy on the eyes and Joey silently mused how well he knew how to use his sword. She brought a hand to her forehead, God it had been so long since she'd done this. Why couldn't Jack have just taken her to a regular bar so she could get reacquainted with Boston's nightlife. 'Zorro' did a few flexes, his body slick with perspiration . He gyrated his way over the stage, the music seeming to change in time to his movements. He took his time moving across the stage, he made eye contact with each of his gathered admirers. He straightened as the music grew more seductive and he slowly played with the zipper of his pants, taunting his audience. Cat calls echoed around the room as he pulled the zipper down to reveal his bright white G-string, a strong contrast to the black leather. Joey's cheeks caved in as she exhaled sharply. "I think he definitely fills that out pretty well." She let out a low whistle. "I'll say," Jack swallowed, watching as Zorro peeled the pants down his legs with expert grace. Stepping out of them, he kicked the pants off the side of the stage along with his sword. He moved with confidence over the stage as he lavished special attention on the heavy tippers as he worked the last few minutes of his show. Her heart stopped. On the back of the guy's knee, right below his thigh was an unmistakable birthmark. One that she knew a little too well, and oh God, she blinked a few times hoping she was seeing things, but there was no denying it. She reached for Jack's arm and clutched it tightly. "Let's get out of here." "What? Jo, why?" Jack protested, shrugging out of his grasp. "I just...I, uh," she struggled for an excuse. "I just remembered--I think I left the stove on." "What on earth are you talking about?" he gave her a quizzical look. Joey slumped in her seat, the show was almost over maybe she and Jack could stay without being noticed. "You know what, never mind it's nothing. I just remembered I didn't cook dinner today." "What has gotten into you? You're acting like you've never seen a naked man before." He gave her a weird look. She turned her head away from the stage, her long silky brown hair shielding her face. "Um, there's nothing wrong." 'Zorro' wrapped up his show and collected his cape, as well as his tips. "Give a round of applause to Doug Witter, ladies and gentlemen." The announcer said, "Next up, Jesse Clemens, our-" The announcers message went unheard by Jack. "Th-That wasn't Doug." He said wide-eyed, staring at the curtain. Joey nodded her head swiftly and grimaced. "I know. That was his brother." "Oh, ewww!" Jack suddenly felt a bad taste in his mouth. He took several quick swallows of his drink, signaling the nearest waiter for another. She raked a hand through her hair. "I can't believe it. I wish I hadn't seen that." "I second that." he looked around frantically for his waiter, desperately needing that second drink. Joey sighed and glanced around the bar dejectedly. "Maybe we should go." "Oh, no. As far as I'm concerned, he as some explaining to do." Jack shook his head. His waiter returned and deposited his drink on the table. "Oh, thank you God," he guzzled it down, trying to erase the images of his friend stripping. "You really think that's a good idea?" Joey questioned observing him critically. v He gave her a dubious look, "We just came across our long lost high school friend--stripping. Last I heard, he was a writer. I definatly want to talk to him." Joey snapped her fingers at a passing waiter. "Let me get a bottle of Tequila. Fast." "A bottle?" He gave her a worried look. He turned to the waiter, "Make that a single shot for her. And uh, could you tell me when Pa- I mean, Doug Witter is coming out?" "Yeah," the man checked his watch. "He's due at the bar in about five minutes." "Thanks," Jack smiled widely at the man, finding him more than a little attractive. Maybe it wouldn't be so hard to get the image of Pacey bumping and grinding out of his head. "Why'd you do that?" Joey hissed at Jack. "I'm going to need a good amount of liquor to deal with this reasonably." "Not that much, Joey." He gave her a wary look. "What has you so worked up, it's just Pacey." "Nothing," she said defensively. "I'm just shocked, okay. It's just a little hard to get use to." He grimaced, "I feel your pain. I mean he was- and we were- and while he- I was watching and-" he shuddered, "Ick." Joey nodded gravely; swallowing the shot, the minute it was placed in front of her and just as quickly motioned for another. "I know." "Speak of the devil," he gestured to the far corner where a door opened and Pacey made his way out, wearing the waiting uniform, tight black shorts with "Thunder" scrolled across the front. Jack rose from his seat and held out a hand to Joey. "Come on." She shook her head swiftly. "I'll just wait here." "You are such a party pooper. Get off your ass and come talk to your life long friend." He demanded. Joey rolled her eyes in annoyance and stood up. "Okay fine. How do I look?" "Shell shocked." "Oh gee, thanks." He shrugged, "It's the truth, but other than that, gorgeous, as usual." He took her hand and made his way to the bar. "Thanks." She figured she must have been a bad person in another life. After a year of not seeing Pacey Witter, she ran into him at a strip club and instead of just being able to duck out gracefully, Jack felt like hosting a reunion. She didn't even want to think about the thoughts she was having while he was on stage. "Excuse me, can I get some service, please?" Jack called loudly over the counter in Pacey's general direction. "Yes, what can I get for you?" Pacey asked quickly, wiping clean a few glasses. He didn't even look up at his customer. "How about a bottle of Pepto Bismal? That last show left me feeling queasy." Jack joked. Pacey looked up to see who his critic was. "Jack?" he gave his old friend a confused look. "In the flesh." He chuckled, "I could say the very same for you too." He ran his eyes over Pacey's bare chest. "Yeah, well-" Pacey mumbled. Joey cleared her throat and casually jabbed Jack in the ribs for his look as she came out from behind him. "Interesting floor show." Pacey's eyes widened at the sound of her voice. His eyes shifted away from Jack to meet her eyes. "Joey." She gave him a faint smile. She tried her best not to look directly at him because then she'd end up gawking...and gawking would be bad. "Hey Pacey."
To be continued...
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