I take in my surroundings. I'm in a little Italian joint just three blocks from my apartment, sitting in the back corner of a cafe drumming my fingers on the table. I glance down at my watch. They're fourteen minutes late. I stare around at the other patrons. Most of them are couples; staring at each other over the faint candlelight that is being emitted by the small little waxy thing, which I assume, is a candle (hence the word "candlelight,"). This place is such a pizza place and by that I mean it comes complete with the booths and the red-and-white chequered tablecloths. It even has the waiters with Italian accents � although they sound suspiciously Americanised to me.

My stomach turns in apprehension. I don't want to meet this Annette girl. Gia seems to be so utterly, blissfully happy with Asher that she has taken it upon herself to impart the same sort of happiness on me. So I've been on three blind dates in the past fortnight. I don't think though that Gia realises that at the moment (and for a long while yet) it's only she that could provide that happiness for me. I know this sounds like I'm closing myself off to all other opportunities but at the moment since I'm wallowing in self pity I really don't think that I should be open to other opportunities. It just wouldn't be fair to the girl.

I love the way the world works though. This point must be made: I've had the opportunity to have Gia since I was thirteen and I've never realised (except for those two years in my adolescence) how much I want her and need her. Can we say "irony" nice and clear now?

I glance up and Gia is walking in holding Asher's hand. The familiar feeling of my heart finding it's way down below my stomach occurs as I see the sight. She hasn't seen me yet. She is placing a kiss on Asher's mouth and holding a big bunch of red roses. Have I mentioned that this guy is a florist? And his last name is Evergreen? Just thought I'd slide that in there. Behind them both is a diminutive blonde girl with large hazel eyes. She's really quite cute. I smile (I can barely bring myself to do so) up at them and they make their way over.

"Taylor! Look what Asher got me for out six month anniversary!" She grins at me,

"Congratulations," I look at them both, smiling. I can feel my jaw clenching tightly. I swear, I'm such a baby. I want to cry. What kind of a man am I? I stand as they take their seats,

"Taylor, this is Annette. Annette, Taylor." Gia introduces us. I look at her closely. She's stunning, she really is. But she's just not who I want right now.

"Hi," I smile down at her. She returns a sweet smile as I hand her the small bouquet of flowers I've bought her. All these blind dates are turning out to be quite an expenditure.

"Hi," she replies and takes her seat next to me in the booth. I think I can see Gia casting a meaningful glance at Asher. I don't know whether that's in relation to me or to some little inside thing they have going on.

"So...what have you done for your six months?" I ask to cover up the awkward silence I can feel coming on. What is wrong with me? I'm a bit of a masochist. Why am I asking something which is going to bring on pain,

"We just went on a little boat ride in Central Park and then back to my place," Asher answers,

"Cool," I reply. Must ask Gia what they did at his place. Did they�?

"It was... He had cooked the most amazing meal and he gave me this," she pulls the collar of her shirt and I can see a glittering necklace there. If I'm not mistaken it's a Tiffany's necklace. He's good - I'll give him that much.

"That's beautiful," I grate,

"Yeah," Annette agrees. Gia smiles widely,

"Annette, have you seen the latest Tiffany catalogue?" Gia asks her in an attempt to include her in the conversation,

"Not really...I can't really afford their stuff," Annette trails off.

"Oh," Gia states, extremely uncomfortable. I try to hide my smile but Gia looks at me trying to do this and gives me an evil glare,

"Don't worry Annette, not everyone's a designer whore," I laugh, Annette doesn't know whether to side with her friend or me, "I'm just kidding, don't worry,"

"I'm staying out of this," Annette holds her hands up,

"Diplomacy, that's good," Asher smirks,

"Yeah, of course," Annette states. Yeah, diplomacy is good. Diplomacy is not telling your best friend that you like her in front of her boyfriend.