Nicole collapsed onto her suede loveseat, taking Victor's call. "Hello Vicky."
"Nic, I was about to head to your place and I was wondering if you needed me to pick up anything?"
She tousled her hair and smudged her makeup. "About that--"
"I'm pretty excited. I mean its our fifth date and I just feel like things are going so well! I wondered if things were going too fast with you inviting me over, but sometimes you just need to leap," he paused, it dawned on him that she was trying to tell him something, "I'm sorry, I interrupted you. What were you about to say?"
"Oh Vicky, I have to cancel tonight's date..."
"Why? Did I do something wrong?" He whined, "I'm sure I can fix it."
"No, no. It's not you baby doll. I just have come down with something and am not feeling well right now." She slid further down into the couch.
"It's a shame that you're not feeling well, but how about this? I come over with a nice movie and make dinner for you?" He was out of practice with actual cooking, but he really enjoyed her company.
"That's so sweet, I'll leave the door unlocked for you."
"I'll be there, in oh let's say fifteen minutes?"
She grinned like a cheshire cat, "Perfect. I'll be waiting."
***
Victor arrived at Nicole's address a little bit later than promised, he carried in some groceries he grabbed from a store near his place. Seeing her wrapped up in a blanket on the couch --still in her pajamas-- he set the bags on the ground and rushed to her for comfort. Next to her on an oak coffee table was a box of Kleenex, the wastebasket under it was littered with crumpled tissues. Her dainty, freckle ridden nose was puffy and nearly as red as her now disheveled hair. Mascara was smudged and running against her now smoggy green eyes that would always shine.
"I'm so sorry," her voice cracked, "I look disgusting and this place is a wreck."
"Nonsense, you're just a little sick. You're still very beautiful. A real heartthrob. Let me just brush you're hair and you'll feel better."
"Oh," she wrinkled up her nose, "all right I guess. The bathroom's on your left down the hall."
***
The bathroom was very organized, as if someone with obsessive-compulsive disorder had been set loose on the premises. The theme in here was the ocean with sea foam walls and shells tucked in every corner. As he dug through the drawers, he noticed that the items seemed very minimal for a woman. Curious, but not something he thought he should ponder on.
As he realized a good amount of time had passed since leaving Nic's side, he hoped she didn't think he was snooping around. He didn't want to look like a creep. He plucked the brush from the drawer and scooted on out of there. But, not before he noticed a slinky little outfit hanging from the door.
***
"Just what is this?" Victor ripped the outfit off of the door and brought it with him as he crossed back into the living room, abandoning the brush.
"Going through my stuff are you?" she asked coyly.
"Nooo, well yes. But, I mean comon. Women don't just leave outfits out like this by accident."
She leaned forward with a smirk, "Well, I was going to wear it for you, but as you can see here I am sick." She waved her arms for emphasis, "However, would you like to wear it?"
"Me?" He acted appalled by the very thought, "Why would I wear such a silly thing?" He took a step back, "I'm not a girl."
"Maybe but it'd be fun, wouldn't it? I bet you'd look very pretty," she gushed.