I wore a black, long sleeve, fitted dress with a split that went to the top of my right thigh.

"Okay, I'm gonna go get Jesse and we'll see the two of you there." Ken said as she put in her earrings.

"Okay, see you then." I said as I put on my heels which were clear stilettos with a pointed toe.

She left the house and I called Eli.

"Hello?" he answered.

"Hi, are you ready?"

"Yea." I heard the flicking of a lighter.

"Eli..."

"Hm?"

"Are you lighting a cigarette?"

His end of the line went quiet.

"No." That 'no' sounded like he was holding smoke in his lungs.

"Elijah!" I yelled.

"Damn, scream it again."

"Why do we keep going through this? You've been on the verge of quitting once every three weeks then you find a way to smoke again. Stop it."

"Have I ever told you how sexy it is when you scold me?" he said low and into the phone.

I know he's smiling. I just know it.

"I'll be there in a few." I said to change the subject.

"Good, I was beginning to miss you."

He likes to resort to smooth talking when he thinks he's in trouble.

"Yea, I'm sure you were." I rolled my eyes and hung up.

Usually that would work...but I guess I'm too nervous about tonight to be flustered.

I got to Eli's house and knocked on his door so he could come outside and we could leave.

"Hey." He opened the door and had a toothpick in his mouth where I was expecting a cigarette. He wore a navy blue dress shirt with black dress pants and a black suit jacket. He leaned against his doorframe as his eyes scanned my body.

"Have I ever told you how pretty you are?" he asked and took my hand then pulled me closer to him.

Forget everything I said ten seconds ago. I'm still flustered.

He kissed me gently and his hand wrapped around my waist.

"We need to go." I said, interrupting the kiss.

"I'm sure we can spare a few extra minutes." he assured me and began kissing my neck.

'It's never just a few minutes with you,' I thought and slowly pulled away from him.

"You have people waiting." I explained.

He sucked his teeth and looked like I just said some bullshit he didn't want to hear.

"Come on." I grabbed his hand and led him to his car while he closed the door behind himself.

____________________________________

After about thirty minutes, (not including the time it took to put the location into the G.P.S., in which case, 45 minutes.) we finally arrived at the restaurant of Kendall's choosing.

"Oooo, this is nice." I said as I admired the building.

"You've never been here before?" he asked.

"No, have you?"

"Once."

We walked in and I gave them Kendall's last name.

The hostess sat us at an empty booth and I could only assume Ken and Jesse hadn't made it, yet.

"I guess we made it first." I stated.

"Great, quickie in the bathroom?"

"No." I laughed and he sighed.

His arm sprawled out behind my head and on the back of the booth while we looked at the menu.

After about ten more minutes...

"Sorry, we're late...kind of got carried away..." Ken said as she and Jesse found us.

Eli shot me a glare.

"Later." I promised him.

"Why's he here?" Jesse asked as he and Kendall sat down.

'Oh god.'

"Why're you here?" Eli repeated and his weight shifted in his seat.

'Ohh god...'

They just stared at each other.

"So anyway," Ken began. "Happy birthday, Eli!"

"Thank you."

"We're here because it's his birthday? What is he, 7?" Jesse asked and looked unamused.

"It was your girlfriend's idea." I said to get him in trouble.

"You don't like the idea?" Ken asked him.

Jesse sighed. "No, bae, it was a great idea."

Simp.

Eli chuckled.

"Something funny? And move your fucking arm." Jesse instructed.

Eli didn't respond or move his arm, he just sat there, staring nonchalantly at Jesse.

"What?!" Jesse asked agitatedly.

Eli didn't answer.

"Can you two stop?" I asked.

"I didn't do anything." Eli claimed.

"Sure."

"I see you didn't do what I told you to." Jesse said as he looked at his menu.

I wondered what he was talking about then I remembered the conversation we had about me never talking to Eli again.

"No. I didn't."

"So what? Is he like your best friend now or something?" Jesse asked and Eli began snickering.

He removed his arm from behind me and used it to hold up his head as he laughed.

"What's funny?" Jesse asked.

Eli finally gained his composure.

Again he didn't answer Jesse.

"I'm getting real tired of you ignoring me when I'm talking to you."

"I'm gettin' real tired of you talkin' to me like I won't kick your ass." Eli replied.

"Do it."

NO.

"Okay how about we calm down instead?" Kendall offered.

"What is wrong with you two?" I asked.

"Nothin's wrong with me." Jesse lied.

"I'm fine." claimed Eli.

The waiter finally came and took our orders.