Mr. Big Shot (Mr. Big 1)

It was a hard choice, but I'd enjoyed him so much, that I decided that I only had one life. I didn't want to waste it always trying to protect myself from being hurt.

A broken heart meant that you loved someone once. That was better than always being alone…

* * *

The next day, I spent my time lounging around the apartment, watching news coverage, and reading the papers. My stomach was all butterflies as I thought about having dinner with Luke and what would happen afterward. As a result, I went around a little aroused, my body responding to

memories of our time together, and looking forward to more of it later that night.

"Quit pacing like a caged lion," Candace said when I walked past her for the third time, moving from the kitchen to my desk and back because I couldn't focus and kept forgetting things. "Go out for a run or something. Do some yoga for God's sake, girl. You need to chill."

"I'm excited about tonight," I said and plopped down on my chair across from her. "Now that I've decided to live dangerously, I can't stand the wait."

"Go for a run, like I said."

"Don't want to exhaust myself, just in case we get busy," I said and wagged my eyebrows.

"In case?" she said in mock horror. "You damn well better get busy tonight or I'll kick your butt. You don’t have access to a man as fine looking as Luke and not get as busy as you possibly can. Do you hear me?"

I laughed and nodded. "Loud and clear."

* * *

At seven, I took a shower and got ready for my date, shaving and waxing and brushing and doing everything to make myself as desirable as possible in case – for when – we got busy later that night. When I was done, I looked in the mirror and even I had to admit I looked good, dressed in a strappy little black number that hugged my curves. I figured I had to play up my best features and make Luke glad that he invited me to his place for supper.

"How do I look?" I asked Candace, who stood beside me at the mirror in the bathroom, her critical eye giving me the once over.

"You look fabulous. He'll drool when he sees you and he'll probably want to strip off that dress and make you the main course instead of supper."

"Oh, you," I said and hip-checked her one. "That's all you can think of. You should get yourself some."

"I know, I know," she said with a laugh. "I'm working on it."

"Oh, yeah?" I said and turned to face her, wondering what she meant.

"Yeah," she said and looked all coy. "I may have met someone when I was out today at the bagel shop. He may have been smiling at me for the past few weeks when I've gone there. We may have agreed to meet for coffee there tomorrow after he’s done work."

"Oh, my God, Candace! That's great. What does he look like?"

"He looks like Thor, with shorter hair." She wagged her eyebrows and I knew what she meant. She'd been in love with the actor who played Thor for several years and was always looking to meet a guy who looked as much like him as possible.

"You go, girl," I said and playfully punched her shoulder.

"I know, right? Who would have thought the two of us nerd girls would find two hunks and both be getting some at the same time? The stars must all be aligned just right or something."

Right on cue, my cell dinged and I checked it to see if it was Luke.

LUKE: Your ride awaits, m'Lady.

"He's here," I said with a grin. "I'm off. I don't know if I'll be back or whether I'll be staying at his place tonight."

Candace gave me a little hug and smiled. "I'm a big girl. I can stay by myself."

"You won't be lonely?" I asked, feeling slightly guilty that I was leaving her alone.

"I have popcorn and the latest Thor movie on Netflix. I'm fine," she said and waved at me dismissively. "Go. Have a wonderful time."

"Okay, this is me going." I took in a deep breath and then I left the apartment, taking the stairs to the main floor.