Alexa managed to push most thoughts of the persistent Mr. McLean out of her mind for the rest of the afternoon. She and Taylor closed up the clinic and headed out the front door, Taylor carrying the roses that she'd been admiring all day. "So, have you decided what's going on yet?"

Alexa turned her back to look the outside door, grateful for the excuse to ignore Taylor's question.

"Alexa, you're ignoring me again."

Alexa nodded as she finished with the door and turned back around to face Taylor. "Yes, I am. I do that when . . ." her voice trailed off as she saw a figure walking up the clinic walkway.

"What? You do that when, what?" Taylor turned around, following Alexa's gaze to figure out what had so abruptly caught Alexa's attention. "Oh," she murmured catching site of the approaching person. "Don't screw up this time. Remember, you owe me that much. Here." Taylor's voice was hushed as she shoved the flowers into Alexa's hand.

"No, here, you take them." Alexa suddenly felt generous.

"Okay, Lex." Taylor looked at her strangely, but took the flowers anyway. "Don't think this means you don't owe me." She turned, slowly. "Oh, hello."

Alexa nearly laughed at the mock surprise in Taylor's greeting.

"Hey." AJ greeted Taylor, but it was obvious his attention was on Alexa. Taylor looked between them, and decided on a quick exit.

"Okay, well, Alexa, I'll see you tomorrow, and thanks." She walked away quickly after giving Alexa a pointed look, reminding her of their earlier discussions.

AJ and Alexa were both silent, watching until Taylor was gone.

"You don't like roses?"

"Oh, no. I mean, yes, I do. But she's been mooning over them all day and I kind of owe her for something, so . . ." Alexa felt like an idiot fumbling over her explanation. She didn't want to give herself the chance to think about what she was doing, so she just kept talking. "What are you doing here? Are you stalking me or something?" Her tone was light but as soon as she heard the words, Alexa regretted them. She instinctively hid her face in her hand until she heard a gravelly laugh.

"That's a switch. I'm usually the one being stalked." He paused, maybe waiting for Alexa to say something. When she didn't, he seemed to think as he spoke. "I was wondering if you'd reconsider."

Alexa uncovered her face and looked at him carefully. She was still wondering why he was spending so much energy on her. And something made her want to find out. "Reconsider?" She knew what he meant, but she wanted to hear him repeat the offer.

"Dinner. Tell me I'm not that forgettable."

Alexa couldn't help the smile that crossed her face at his statement. Forgettable was probably the last word that she would use to describe him. She took a moment, considering her answer. "Are you planning to pester me until I agree to go out with you?" She tilted her head, looking at him sideways.

His eyes sparkled, mischievously. "That's the idea. Eventually I'd get bored, but it takes a long time for me to get bored with a gorgeous woman."

Alexa shook her head, "Okay, okay, enough with the flattery. When and where?" She couldn't believe she was agreeing. He was a pop star. Why would he want to date her?

"Are you busy now?"

Alexa looked at him, startled. "You mean right now?" She'd expected to have time to prepare for this, talk to Taylor to get more information on him, that kind of thing. She glanced at her watch as if it really mattered what time it was. "Um, nothing, I guess." She glanced down at her clothes, work worn from a busy day, and he noticed.

"You're beautiful. Don't worry. Nothing fancy. Nobody will even notice." He reached out, taking her by the arm.

"You don't waste any time, do you?" They were walking in the direction of his car, and he didn't answer as they reached it and he opened the door for her. He jogged around to the driver side and hopped in.

"Life is short, there's no time to waste," he said as they sped out of the parking lot.

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