The next week was all business. Personal business with Holtz and his gang of mercenaries. That was when I learned that Wesley had come across a prophesy involving me killing my son.<\/p>\n
He didn\u2019t want to believe it, but the nature of his business in dealing with ancient texts, the mystic and occult all suggested that one day I would be responsible.<\/p>\n
Wesley informed me that if I hadn\u2019t already made him aware of the permanency of my soul, which he verified with Lorne and several other sources after our meeting, he would have been led to desperate measures.<\/p>\n
So the threat from Holtz was ended though he was but one of many who sought to capture or destroy my son. Wolfram and Hart, corporate evil itself, remained intact, but I made it clear that Connor is off-limits. They believed me when I threatened their lives because I certainly meant it and they\u2019ve experienced what I\u2019m capable of.<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t they know by now not to get to me through my family? Lilah Morgan walks a very thin line and if she ever crosses it again she\u2019ll find that I\u2019m not one to ignore my threats when I make them. She can consider it a promise should she ever again try to manipulate my actions by endangering Cordelia or Connor.<\/p>\n
Somehow, we\u2019d all made it through the crisis intact. I went through a period where I was being overprotective when it came to my son to the extent that I even distanced myself from Cordelia. I know that hurt her because I could read it in her eyes and if there is one person in the world I\u2019d trust with him it would be her, but after all that had happened I needed a little one-on-one time with Connor.<\/p>\n
So I can say without a doubt that what happened next was my own fault. By the time I learned that Cordelia was dating again, she\u2019d already been out twice with the guy. Worse, this wasn\u2019t some stranger that I could manipulate with scare tactics, or brush off by causing Cordelia to be so late that he would give up. It was someone who knew precisely who she was and whose background even I couldn\u2019t deny was spotless.<\/p>\n
Paul Fletcher wouldn\u2019t be working as David Nabbitt\u2019s personal assistant if his record wasn\u2019t as clean a whistle. He was fully aware of Cordelia\u2019s status as a seer, that she worked at Angel Investigations and that I was a vampire. No doubt he had been the one to garner detailed information on me and mine to begin with.<\/p>\n
Obviously, short of tossing PA Paul into the trunk of the Plymouth and abandoning him in the middle of the desert, I was at a loss of how to stop this from happening. Wes pointed out to me that maybe I shouldn\u2019t even try. Cordelia deserved to make a choice on her own.<\/p>\n
I wondered if Cordelia even considered that I might be a choice that she could make.<\/p>\n
So I tried to let go. To give her some space. I determined that I wasn\u2019t going to follow them around town like I had with Trey \u2018Hollywood\u2019 Cummings. After all, I\u2019d only done that because I didn\u2019t know the guy or if he could be trusted. Not that I trusted any man when it came to behaving himself around Cordelia. From what I\u2019d seen, Paul Fletcher was a gentleman. A rare find in today\u2019s world and despite the jealous churning in my gut, I could understand why Cordelia would be interested.<\/p>\n
I honestly tried to be good and be that supportive friend I\u2019d promised myself that I could be, but it didn\u2019t work out as I\u2019d planned. As soon as I saw the flowers adorning her desk the morning after their first date, I knew it was a bad sign. I didn\u2019t know what Nabbitt\u2019s PA made in the salary department, but it was clear that he could afford the best.<\/p>\n
Cordelia seemed overly pleased with PA Paul and gushed over the details of their date. She told me what a relief it was to find someone she could talk to about her real role and the happenings in her life. I listened attentively. Too attentively because I can probably recite the details even now.<\/p>\n
When I caught them on the phone during work hours, I growled that personal lives needed to be kept personal. Work hours were for work. So what if it was a dead day with nothing going on. There was filing to be done. She had a whole pile of old cases that had been left in her \u2018To Do\u2019 bin during last couple of weeks.<\/p>\n
She\u2019d smoothly told Paul that she\u2019d call him right back, hung up the phone and stalked over to where I was leaning up against the front desk watching her. Standing less than a foot away, she glared up at me with her hands on her hips in that stance that tells me I\u2019m in trouble.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou are not my boss,\u201d Cordy reminded me smugly. \u201cIf Wes has a problem with me making a personal phone call he can tell me. YOU on the other hand can mind your own business.\u201d<\/p>\n
I wanted to tell her that she was my business, that I didn\u2019t want her cooing over the phone to PA Paul about his choice of restaurant or his manners or his smile or his foo-foo flowers. I was too damn jealous of the fact that the brilliant smile on her face was meant for him.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re right,\u201d I responded stonily. I wasn\u2019t going to let it get to me. Didn\u2019t I want her to be happy? Friends wanted their friends to be happy.<\/p>\n
Cordelia looked at me suspiciously. My ready agreement floundered her completely. For once she was at a loss for words. Finally, she changed the subject, asking me, \u201cAre we still training later?\u201d<\/p>\n
Not trusting my voice, I simply nodded. Maybe I knew that it wasn\u2019t the best idea, but I wanted to be near her and that was the one legitimate way barring Connor\u2019s presence that I could devise. It took focus and determination to concentrate on what we were supposed to be doing: sparring hand to hand, moving in sync together while we practiced offensive strategies and defensive techniques.<\/p>\n
I was deep into thinking about the things I did that were not scheduled as a part of those training sessions: stealing caresses of her sweat-slicked skin, rolling on the mat just to feel my weight pressing her beneath me, drinking in her clean, salty, womanly scent as if it was ambrosia. Just the thought of doing that again today was made me twitch in anticipation of it.<\/p>\n
Then Cordelia went on, \u201cBecause I think I should just reschedule. Paul and I have a date tonight. Don\u2019t want to be late.\u201d<\/p>\n
I stared wordlessly as I realized Cordelia was canceling her alone time with me in order to go out with PA Paul. What was I supposed to do\u2026lock her in the basement and force her to spend time with me? Sounded like a damn good idea.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can do it anytime, Cor,\u201d I told her, my mind taking a side trip as it bypassed the training and went straight to thoughts of caressing her golden skin and kissing my way down her belly as I had the night of the ballet.<\/p>\n
For a moment, I wondered if the husky tone of my voice had rekindled the memories for her as well because Cordelia\u2019s eyes opened up darkening as they stared deeply into mine. Her tongue swept across her lips just before she commented, \u201cGood, I\u2019ll just let Paul know to expect me on time. That means I\u2019ll be using the phone.\u201d<\/p>\n
The little jab was like a knife she kept twisting in my heart. It wasn\u2019t such a dead useless organ as one might think. My misery was equaled only by Wesley\u2019s. He was still moping about Fred while I brooded about Cordelia. She\u2019d be the first to say that our manly bonding over pots of English tea was more like a pity party.<\/p>\n
**
\nTwo weeks went by. During which I tempered my resolve to let Cordelia explore this relationship through my frequent rendezvous with the basement punching bag. I can honestly say that I had nothing to do with the natural death of their potentially\u2026nice relationship.<\/p>\n
Even on the occasions I could tell that PA Paul had his hands on her or that he\u2019d been kissing Cordelia, I had managed to control the urge to rip him apart. After all, he was truly a nice guy and was apparently willing to take things slowly with Cordelia.<\/p>\n
I was certain that wouldn\u2019t last. How could any man resist the temptation that was her? Not when it came wrapped up in silks and scented with perfume, accompanied by her smile and that blunt sense of humor.<\/p>\n
When Cordelia arrived back at the hotel instead of going home after her date with Paul and I found her at the bottom of the stairs with tears in her eyes, I didn\u2019t know what to do first.<\/p>\n
Kill him or comfort her. She buried her face in my shoulder, her tears dampening my shirt. My arms wound around her pulling her close as I sought answers to the questions that were rattling around in my head.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat is it, baby?\u201d I smoothed my hands up and down her bare back, my fingers trailing along her spine. I don\u2019t think either one of us noticed that little term of endearment. She was too busy sniffing away her tears and I was caught up in trying to sooth her.<\/p>\n
Cordelia grabbed a handful of my shirt, just holding on. \u201cIt\u2019s Paul. He\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Worst case scenarios popped in, \u201cHe\u2019s not dead is he?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d Cordelia answered in a way that sounded like that would be a better option. \u201cI wouldn\u2019t have to worry about him then.\u201d<\/p>\n
A growl rose up in my chest and Cordelia lifted her head away from the vibration of it against her ear. Her tear-bright hazel eyes looked greener than I\u2019d ever seen them. I had to hear it from her lips even if my senses were already giving me answers. \u201cDid he touch you?\u201d<\/p>\n
She looked a little confused by the query. \u201cPaul touches me all the time.\u201d<\/p>\n
As if I wanted to hear that!<\/p>\n
Trying again, I found my clarification to sound harsher than intended. \u201cDid he fuck you? Touch you in a way you didn\u2019t want? Just tell me what\u2019s wrong and I\u2019ll deal with him.\u201d<\/p>\n
With a huff, Cordelia pushed away from my chest and turned her back on me. It only let me see what I\u2019d been feeling. The backless dress that clung to her figure dipped all the way down past her tattoo barely covering the shadowy cleft of her bottom. I thought of Paul touching her skin and nearly went ballistic.<\/p>\n
\u201cCan\u2019t you tell?\u201d<\/p>\n
She was answering my first question with a question of her own. Damned if I didn\u2019t take it as an invitation to find out. I had a reason to be irrational. Surely that can be forgiven.<\/p>\n
I covered the distance separating us in an instant, taking her arms in both hands and pulling her back until she connected with my chest. I buried my face in her upswept hair taking in her scent as my hands moved to the places that would contain lasting hints of Paul Fletcher\u2019s touch.<\/p>\n
They wound around to the front palming her breasts through the fabric of her dress noting her braless state and feeling the puckering of her nipples. Even as her startled moan sounded in her throat, I had my face pressed against it, her skin hot on my lips as I tasted her. Then reaching down to the juncture of her thighs, the heel of my hand circled her mound causing her to buck against me.<\/p>\n
I groaned in her ear as her ass pressed hard against the bulge in my pants. \u201cSo you haven\u2019t been fucked tonight,\u201d I didn\u2019t know if it was just an observation or a lewd suggestion on my part. I only knew that I recognized arousal and that her scent was pure Cordelia.<\/p>\n
PA Paul hadn\u2019t done more than kiss her goodnight. With that thought, I whirled her around to face me, but her tear-stained cheeks distracted me from my plans to kiss her into submission. That\u2019s what it would be. I could tell by the glare in her eyes she hadn\u2019t expected my touch.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat is your damage?\u201d she demanded hotly, her breath coming in heaving huffs of air that brought my eyes to her chest. \u201cI come to you about Paul and you practically maul me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJust making sure he hadn\u2019t touched you,\u201d I answered slowly realizing that my method of determination wasn\u2019t exactly platonic or very gentlemanly. My hands curled at my sides as I tried to reign in the need to wipe away his kisses by replacing them with my own.<\/p>\n
Cordelia poked a sharp finger into my solid chest. \u201cSo what if he did. I\u2019m dating him, dumbass.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou were crying,\u201d I tried to point out. \u201cI thought he might ha\u2014.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat he might have done what you just did?\u201d<\/p>\n
She had every right to be furious with me, I realized. Lifting a hand to the nape of my neck, I massaged away the building tension there. I could do nothing about the more obvious tension in my loins. Cordelia\u2019s gaze dropped down to gape at the size of the bulge tenting my pants.<\/p>\n
\u201cOmigod,\u201d she let out a little gasp as her eyes flashed back up to mine realizing just how much I physically wanted her.<\/p>\n
My apology came quickly before she could say anything else. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Cordy, I know I shouldn\u2019t have touched you that way. I just reacted.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDuh!\u201d<\/p>\n
Considering what her response might have been, I considered that single syllable a huge break. She could have laid into me with a full array of verbal barbs, but she did not. So I grabbed the opportunity to redirect us back to the reason she came to me in the first place.<\/p>\n
\u201cTell me what happened tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDavid has business in Malaysia over the next few months,\u201d Cordelia explained. \u201cPaul has to go with him.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh.\u201d<\/p>\n
Would my feelings on that subject be too obvious if I sounded out a loud \u2018Hell Yeah\u2019 in front of Cordelia? I thought so too and decided to underplay it for now.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s a nice guy. I like him a lot,\u201d she admitted making me feel like a failure in the friendship department at being overjoyed at the thought that PA Paul was leaving town.<\/p>\n
Cordelia went on to tell me that while Paul understood the many interruptions in their plans and the delays caused by her involvement with Angel Investigations as my seer, they were both too involved in their lives at work to make a real go of it. He couldn\u2019t stay in LA with her and she couldn\u2019t go to Malaysia with him.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat wasn\u2019t an option was it?\u201d I asked Cordelia with a lump gathering in my throat at the thought of her taking off for the far parts of the globe.<\/p>\n
Looking cross, Cordelia slapped my chest only to leave her hand there as she told me, \u201cNo, Broody. If I came back to LA from Pylea, I\u2019m not about to choose Malaysia over you and Connor.\u201d<\/p>\n
I wanted to read more into those words than I suspected was there. I said nothing as I trailed my thumb along her cheek wiping away the evidence of her tears. She cared enough for the guy to cry over it; the least I could do was appear to be sympathetic.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat if I wanted to go?\u201d Cordelia questioned and my thumb paused its journey at the edge of her jaw.<\/p>\n
\u201cIs that a hypothetical question?\u201d I needed to know barely able to sound out the words in order to make the inquiry.<\/p>\n
Cordelia asked me again, a determined glint in her eyes, \u201cWhat if I wanted to go? Would you let me?\u201d<\/p>\n
As if I could stop her if she wanted to do anything. If I really had a choice in the matter the answer was simple enough.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n
She nibbled on her lush bottom lip as she contemplated my response, her hand still on my chest and mine on her face until finally the corners of her mouth quirked up into a smile.<\/p>\n
\u201cGuess I should say goodnight to Connor and head home,\u201d Cordelia told me and I knew that she wasn\u2019t ready to explore the reason for my actions or her smile.<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t want her to go, but after my behavior tonight it was probably for the best. I dropped my hand away and let her wander up the stairs. Following her up there was not the wisest thing to do, so I ignored the urge and simply stood in statue-like form focusing my senses on the floor above.<\/p>\n
Listening in on the soft soothing sounds of Cordelia as she bade my son a good night and the answering coo of delight that followed her repeating, \u201cI love you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Three simple little words. Even the baby understood their worth. It was a concept I couldn\u2019t seem to grasp when it came tangled up in friendship.<\/p>\n
I heard Cordelia descend the stairs behind me and felt the touch of her hand on my shoulder as she stepped down to the floor. She said, \u201cI\u2019m going.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHome?\u201d I just wanted the extra clarification.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
She paused for a moment glancing back up at me with a question in her eyes. I had no idea what it was until those eyes flashed disappointment and then I wondered if Cordelia could possibly expect the same goodnight kiss I\u2019d made a habit of giving her of late; even now, tonight, after Paul\u2019s announcement and my inexcusable behavior.<\/p>\n
I caught her hand as it slipped off my shoulder just as she started to move away. She looked down at our clasping fingers. \u201cI\u2019d better go.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes,\u201d I agreed still holding on.<\/p>\n
My hand crept up to her cheek and her head turned into my palm, her eyes closing for an instant. I touched my lips to her forehead and then to her cheek and then to the single flawed sun-kiss on her face that only accentuated her beauty.<\/p>\n
\u201cGoodnight, Cordy,\u201d I whispered the words right over her mouth. I don\u2019t know how or why I stopped myself from claiming her lips, but I pulled back and let her go.<\/p>\n
Cordelia looked a little shaken; I could see it in her eyes that she thought I was going to really kiss her. If she had any idea\u2026though I guess she did after all\u2026know how much I wanted her, she\u2019d make her escape. Guess that\u2019s what she was trying to do when I stopped her from going.<\/p>\n
Taking two small steps back, letting her fingers slide from my hand, she responded as she always did with the sound of my name like a honeyed promise on her lips, \u201cAngel.\u201d<\/p>\n
My inner voice kept telling me I was ten kinds of a fool for letting her go again when I had her in my arms, her lips open and seeking mine, when I could taste the tangy heat of her arousal in the air. Knowing her body responded to my touch, to my kiss, to my desire. Knowing I wanted her more than any words could ever describe. Above me, beneath me, surrounding me in any of a hundred ways and those were just the ones off the top of my head.<\/p>\n
This had to stop.<\/p>\n
I only seemed to be driving myself insane with wanting Cordelia. I had to know once and for all if there was a chance that our friendship could be more than platonic; if it hadn\u2019t already passed that point long ago without us admitting it. Was it so greedy of me to want to be her friend and<\/i> her lover? Was it possible to have her and still maintain what we\u2019d created? Would it be better than before or would I simply risk everything by asking?<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Having been up most of the night weighing every possible permutation, I slept until Connor announced his hunger with a loud cry. I walked into his connecting room, the nursery Cordelia had designed for him and all of my friends had helped to build, and found myself smiling at the memory. Picking Connor up, we moved back to the little kitchenette in my room to prepare his bottle.<\/p>\n
After settling my son down, I went to get ready for the rest of the day. Standing in front of my closet after my shower, I stared at the array of black, grey and white clothing and realized everything looked a little glum in comparison to my mood today which was practically cheerful for me.<\/p>\n
Today was the day I was going to tell Cordelia about my feelings for her. While that scared the hell out of me, I couldn\u2019t stop myself from grinning like a fool at the idea of being in love with Cordy.<\/p>\n
If I was ten kinds of a fool, being a fool in love had to top the list.<\/p>\n
So I pulled out a pair of black slacks and the one blue shirt hanging in my closet because I knew she liked me in colors. Don\u2019t ask why I only wear red when I\u2019m evil. Just a habit, I suppose. Now that Angelus is no longer a threat, maybe I\u2019ll have to rethink avoiding his half of the wardrobe. I know Cordelia likes me in leather.<\/p>\n
Pressed and dressed, Connor and I headed downstairs only to hear the buzz of conversation in the lobby. Everyone was there except Lorne whom I figured was still asleep in his room on the upper level. Gunn stood with his arm around Fred\u2019s slim shoulder. Wes and Cordelia were standing side by side facing a young couple. The woman looked a little familiar, her caf\u00e9 a lait skin, dark eyes and thick curling black hair reminded me of someone I\u2019d seen before.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh my God! Cordelia Chase, is there something you\u2019ve forgotten to tell me?\u201d I knew I recognized the voice and all I could think of was that she was one of Cordy\u2019s friends from Sunnydale.<\/p>\n
Cordelia obviously didn\u2019t notice the direction of her friend\u2019s line of sight. \u201cWhat are you talking about, Aura?\u201d<\/p>\n
I recognized the name: Aura. She had kept in touch with Cordelia by phone over the last couple of years. She\u2019d gone to Sunnydale University for a year before getting a job in public relations.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m talking about Salty Junior over there,\u201d she nodded this way. I could only hope that she was referring to the baby.<\/p>\n
Slowly, Cordelia glanced over her shoulder sending me a too wide smile with her cheeks flushing beneath her tan. \u201cThat\u2019s Connor, Angel\u2019s son.\u201d<\/p>\n
I\u2019m not sure why Aura would automatically assume Cordelia was Connor\u2019s mother, not without seeing them together, but it was clear that she\u2019d made that leap within seconds of seeing me with the baby.<\/p>\n
As I approached, I noticed the man standing next to Aura bore a strong familial resemblance guessing him to be her brother. He stood silently watching as Cordelia automatically reached out for the baby when I stepped up beside them.<\/p>\n
Ignoring her friends for the moment, Cordelia made her usual greeting to Connor who gurgled back and grabbed onto her hair. Wesley noticed my interest in their little gathering and realized he might need to make introductions.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, you\u2019re just in time to meet Aura and Reginald Albright,\u201d Wes told me with a smile. I hadn\u2019t seen that silly grin on his face in weeks. \u201cAura is one o\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Cordettes,\u201d I nodded trying to be friendly. \u201cI remember.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was a while ago,\u201d Aura hinted that she was no longer into Cordelia worship even though they remained friends.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was going to say one of Cordelia\u2019s friends from Sunnydale, but it seems you do remember,\u201d Wes clarified sounding slightly put out that I\u2019d interrupted him.<\/p>\n
With a genuine smile, the man held out his hand, \u201cCall me Reg. Aura and I came to invite everyone to lunch at Chez Renard.\u201d<\/p>\n
I shook the hand and thanked him for the offer. Obviously, I wasn\u2019t going anywhere. Cordelia apparently told her friend Aura only so much when it came to her life here at Angel Investigations. \u201cThat\u2019s kind of you, but Connor and I have some father-son things we need to do today.\u201d<\/p>\n
Reg nodded in understanding, but his outspoken sister had apparently studied blunt speak at the School of Cordelia. \u201cThey don\u2019t let you bring babies there anyway. It\u2019s kind of like the anti-smoking law. Chez Renard is a no-crying zone.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia sent me a small smile hiding it as she nuzzled Connor\u2019s head. Her friend went on to tell me that she was here in LA to attend her brother\u2019s gallery opening which was scheduled to take place tonight. She thought Cordelia could go as Reg\u2019s date. I wasn\u2019t certain if Aura thought she was taking pity on Reg or Cordelia by arranging that.<\/p>\n
That certainly wasn\u2019t how I\u2019d planned the day. I was only slightly mollified when Reg invited all of us to attend the opening. This way, I\u2019d at least get to keep an eye on them.<\/p>\n
\u201cGuess this means I\u2019ll be renting a tux again,\u201d Gunn commented with a frown. Fred laughed beside him. I heard her tease him about the way he looked reminding him that he was gorgeous.<\/p>\n
Aura looked like she might agree as she eyed him. Then she glanced back at me, \u201cI don\u2019t think you\u2019ve changed a bit since Sunnydale except for the new attachment.\u201d<\/p>\n
She nodded toward Connor who was now sleeping on Cordelia\u2019s shoulder. Curiosity sparkled in her dark brown gaze and I knew it wouldn\u2019t be long before she would find a way to ask Cordy for the details. If she only got half the truth in return it would still be a hell of a story.<\/p>\n
Then that gaze slipped from me over to Wes who hadn\u2019t really taken his eyes off the stunning young woman except for the brief period of the introductions. \u201cAre you sure you\u2019re the same Wesley Wyndham-Pryce that Cor pointed out at the prom? That boy was geeky, freaky and too wimpy lookin\u2019 to be you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gunn was laughing as Wes appeared to cringe under the intense scrutiny of Aura\u2019s stare. I supposed that the former watcher had made quite a transformation from his Sunnydale days maturing into a stubble-jawed rogue demon hunter as well as being the competent head of Angel Investigations.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re going to be my date to night, sugar,\u201d Aura slid her hand around Wes\u2019 arm.<\/p>\n
\u201cI-I am?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMmm. Definitely.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wes looked like he\u2019d swallowed a lemon. Some of the stories Cordelia had told us about Aura and her other Sunnydale friends was enough to frighten any male into sudden surrender.<\/p>\n
\u201cVery well,\u201d Wes agreed as if accepting a challenge to a chess tournament. \u201cI\u2019ll pick you up at eight.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSeven-thirty,\u201d corrected Aura as she tugged on his arm and pulled him toward the door. \u201cI want to be there for the big meet and greet. Reg is gonna be famous after tonight and I want to see and be seen by everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gunn and Fred headed out the door behind them. \u201cYo, Wes, we\u2019ll follow you in my truck.\u201d<\/p>\n
I noticed that Reg patiently waited as Cordelia handed me the baby. As soon as his sister was out of earshot, he commented, \u201cDon\u2019t feel pressured to go out with me tonight because of Aura. Especially if you two\u2026,\u201d he waved a finger between us as if we were supposed to automatically fill in the blanks with our choice of continuation.<\/p>\n
I knew what I wanted to say, but was caught up in the thought that I must\u2019ve been looking a little territorial. Guess it just comes naturally.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, no,\u201d Cordelia was quick to point out. \u201cThere\u2019s nothing. No pressure.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wait a second. What did she mean by nothing? I didn\u2019t care if there was an audience in the room or if Connor might hear a word or two that he shouldn\u2019t, \u201cWhat the hell do you mean by nothing?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNothing,\u201d Cordy shrugged.<\/p>\n
That was my answer. The \u2018nothing\u2019 was nothing.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow can there possibly be anything when there\u2019s nothing there to be pressured about?\u201d Cordelia\u2019s logic completely confused me. \u201cIf I thought it was something then I might be tempted so say that it wasn\u2019t just nothing, but I can\u2019t. So he\u2019s free, I\u2019m free. We\u2019re all really free to do whatever we want.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIf that\u2019s what you want,\u201d I answered back rather stonily.<\/p>\n
Cordelia hesitated for a moment\u2019s pause before adding, \u201cYou\u2019ll be there tonight, won\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCount on it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll see you then,\u201d she told me taking one last look at the two of us before turning back toward the door where Reg was now waiting for her. Cordelia smiled as she realized both Connor and I were wearing her favorite color, \u201cBlue?\u201d<\/p>\n
I shrugged. \u201cBlue.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFred and I have shopping this afternoon,\u201d Cordelia explained and I remembered the big deal they made about getting ready for the ballet. \u201cWe\u2019ll probably leave from my apartment.\u201d<\/p>\n
I knew I wouldn\u2019t see her again until tonight when she was the official date of the guest of honor. Maybe Cordelia hadn\u2019t set this date up like she had the others, but she was still on the rebound after her sudden breakup with PA Paul. I wasn\u2019t about to let Reginald Albright\u2019s high class charm and Sunnydale roots get in my way tonight.<\/p>\n
Frankly, I didn\u2019t know what would happen.<\/p>\n
\u201cC\u2019mon, Connor, it looks like we\u2019ll have to beg Lorne for a favor again. He told me how much he loved watching you the night of the ballet. Would hardly let me forget that he got to baby sit you. Bet he\u2019ll jump at the chance to watch you while we\u2019re at the gallery.\u201d<\/p>\n