Corey paced around the room trying rather unsuccessfully to tame the wild butterflies that threatened to burst through her stomach. When she had gone downstairs that morning to check for messages and mail, Destiny had informed her that there was a message waiting for her that had been delivered by Dean the night before. Corey felt extremely proud of herself for she had calmly accepted the note and waited until she was safe and sound in her room before opening it. When she finally did, her fingers trembled with excitement and it took all her self-control not to jump around and do cartwheels across the floor.

Dean had asked her to lunch! It had been two weeks since she had seen him last at the bordello and she didn’t realize that she had missed him that much. But what was it about him that she missed, she wondered to herself. Was it his friendship . . . or more?

Corey shook her head and laughed nervously. What was going on with her? A month ago she wouldn’t have ever thought that a man besides Buck would constantly occupy her thoughts . . . make her heart race . . . turn her knees weak with desire.

Wait a minute . . . desire? Corey’s mind ran wild and she flopped down on her bed and sighed loudly.

"Am I making too much out of this?" She wondered out loud. "I’m sure he just wants to fill me in on the latest Elena news," she said trying to convince herself as she jumped up and walked over to her mirror.

"Who are you trying to kid?" She asked her reflection in the mirror as she stuck out her tongue and erupted into a fit of girlish giggles. "Oh Corey, you have got to get a hold of yourself!" She glanced over at the clock and grimaced. Only two hours until she was supposed to meet Dean at the Silver Spoon!

**********

Dean walked out of the bathroom, a towel wrapped around his muscular hips, another one draped over his shoulders and headed to his room to get dressed.

"My, my, my Dean . . . you certainly are a sight to behold first thing in the morning," Elena purred as she sauntered out of her bedroom.

Dean threw her a disbelieving look and opened his door. "Don’t you ever get tired?"

Elena licked her lips and shook her head. "Never. That’s why I’m so popular ‘round this town."

Dean laughed. "Yeah right, if popular means having a lynch mob full of angry women after you."

Elena scowled then shrugged. "What do I care? They don’t pay my bills."

"Oh come on Elena, you have to admit . . . don’t you wish once in a while that you had some friends around here?" Dean asked. "I mean, there’s just so much we can take of you, don’t you wish you had a few girlfriends you could spend time with gossiping and just doing, well, girl things?"

Elena faltered for a moment and Dean knew he had struck a nerve as Elena’s features softened and made her seem young and vulnerable. But as quickly as it had appeared it disappeared and she threw Dean a smug look.

"You mean like you and Corey?" She asked, hands on her hips.

"Don’t you start with Corey," Dean warned. "She’s a sweet girl."

"Uh huh," Elena teased. "I’m sure that’s all you think about her."

"Elena—"

"Oh come on Dean! Don’t you think I see how you look at her?" Elena grinned and winked. "You’ve got a thing for lil’ miss sunshine!"

Dean looked her straight in the eye. "Whether I do or do not is my business and mine alone. Now if you’ll excuse me I have to get dressed."

"Must you?" Elena pouted suggestively.

Dean sighed and couldn’t help laughing. "See ya later, Elena."

He walked into his room and closed the door behind him, making sure to lock it. One could never be too safe around here with Elena prowling the halls. As he got dressed he repeated over and over the conversation he had practiced in his head for Corey. Or at least the conversation he hoped they would have.

Why was he so nervous? Dean had never met a woman that made his pulse throb, his palms sweat and his breath quicken like Corey. Dean had had his fair share of lovers in his lifetime, but nothing that ever meant anything to him. He didn’t want Corey as a lover, he realized. He wanted her love.

**********

Corey entered the Silver Spoon and was greeted by Charity.

"Afternoon Miss Nelson," Charity smiled cheerfully as she pulled a menu from the shelf on the wall. "Are you here for lunch?"

Corey nodded mutely. She was afraid if she opened her mouth, the only sound that would escape would be an embarrassing squeak.

"And would you be dining alone today?" Charity’s eyes gleamed mischievously.

Corey shook her head. She was just about to attempt to speak when suddenly she felt a familiar presence at her side.

"Hey there," Dean said smiling warmly at her. "I was afraid I’d be late."

Charity’s eyebrows raised in curiosity. "I take it you two are dining . . . together?"

Dean nodded. "Yes."

Corey just smiled and tried furiously to calm her racing heart. She’d be lucky if she got through this meal without a heart attack.

But he smells so good. Stop it! Corey reprimanded herself as she took a deep breath. And he looks damn good too! I said stop it! Corey squirmed and smiled up at Dean. He did look incredibly sexy though!

Charity led them to their table and Dean politely held the chair out for Corey as she sat down before sitting in his own chair.

"You look really beautiful," Dean told her shyly.

Corey blushed and smiled back at him. "You don’t look too bad yourself," she replied grinning.

The two of them became so lost in each other and their conversation that Corey didn’t even realize that Buck had walked in the door. Normally her radar would pick up his presence from 100 feet away, but not this time. This time she couldn’t tear her eyes away from Dean.

"Um, Corey . . . I was wondering . . ." Dean said, stammering timidly.

"Yes?" Corey asked, perplexed at his strange behavior.

"Well, you know that Halloween party that Meg is throwing? Well, of course you know about it, it’s your best friend that’s throwing it so why wouldn’t you know about it . . . I mean you’re probably helping her to plan it and—"

"Dean," Corey said, interrupting his rambling. "Yes, I know about it. Why?" She giggled nervously inside. Was he going to ask her to be his date?

Dean blushed boyishly. "Well, I was wondering if I’d be lucky enough to have you on my arm that night."

Corey grinned from ear to ear. "Are you asking me out on a date?"

Dean blushed an even deeper shade of red and nodded. "Yes. I mean, if you’re afraid of the reputation you might get by being seen in public with a man like me—"

Corey reached out and held his hand, smiling at him. "I would be honored to be your date for the party." And any other night, she quietly added to herself.

Dean looked up, the surprise evident in his strong features. "Really?"

Corey nodded and kissed his cheek quickly. "Absolutely."

**********

"Are you asking me out on a date?"

Noooooooo, Buck yelled to himself as he overheard Dean ask Corey to be his date for Meghan and Luke’s costume party. He had stopped by the barbershop because he had been planning on asking Corey himself, but by the time he had gotten there Luke told him that she had left for lunch at the Silver Spoon. He hadn’t told Buck that she was having lunch with Dean.