Phoenix and Catherine had been texting constantly, and it felt like their connection was growing with each conversation. They shared jokes, memes, and even stayed on the phone all night. The more they communicated, the more they craved each other's company. One afternoon, while Catherine was eating lunch and working, they had another playful exchange.

Phoenix: When’s your lunch break? X o x o

Catherine: Now hehe, what you up to?

Phoenix: Just recording this new Christmas song.

Catherine: A new song? Did hell freeze over?

Phoenix: Very funny, lol. But no—it’s the same song, with a merry tune in the background.

Catherine: WHAT? But why do you need to record that?

Phoenix: No clue, that’s what I said, HA HA lol x

Catherine: Well, good luck, I guess.

Phoenix: I miss you x o x o. I know we talk all day and night, but yeah.

Catherine: I miss you too. Lunch breaks are my favorite.

Phoenix: Why?

Catherine: Undisrupted Phoenix time x.

Phoenix: Aw, you’re gonna make me smile in front of Demi. She might realize how much I like ya.

Catherine: And how much is that?

Phoenix: A lot.

Catherine: Oh really?

Phoenix: Maybe x o x o.

Catherine hated to admit it, even to herself, but she wanted more from Phoenix. He had even started to enter her dreams. One dream in particular stood out. It wasn’t anything dramatic, but it stuck with her. They were on a beach, together, in love. Phoenix was rubbing lotion on her skin, paying particular attention to her stomach. The way he touched her gave her butterflies, and she wasn’t sure why. He also called her “baby girl.” The dream was tranquil, with the beach, palm trees, and the stillness of the ocean, making her feel completely at home with herself.

When Saturday night arrived, Catherine was a bundle of nerves. She had lied to her best friend, Molly, again. She told Molly she was going out on a blind date, and Molly was super excited, even helping her get ready and giving her advice on her outfit. This only made Catherine feel more terrible when Molly wished her luck. Catherine didn’t want to lie to her, but she felt trapped in her own deception. She had told herself this was the last time she would do anything beyond platonic friendship with Phoenix Astar. If she just scratched this itch, everything would fall into place, and she could move on from the curiosity that lingered inside her.

But maybe that was another lie, because when Phoenix’s name popped up on her cell phone, her heart sang. She could feel the big, goofy smile crossing her cheeks against her will. Hell, she even listened to his song in the taxi and didn’t completely hate it.

Phoenix’s Song Lyrics:

But she,

She will break these chains from me,

She will set my soul free. She.

She is my deepest fantasy,

She means everything to me,

She will make the world see.

She.

Demons, they live inside us all.

Demons, they will make me crawl.

Demons, they made me fall.

Oooh, they made me fall.

Phoenix had a nice voice, even if the lyrics were repetitive hell. Catherine even dreamed that maybe she would be the "she" he sang about. She imagined what it would be like to kiss him while sober or even be his girlfriend, but it all seemed too surreal. She half expected to wake up at any moment, thinking about some famous rockstar, known worldwide, wanting someone like her. It seemed like insanity was more likely, but here she was. Catherine tried to shake her guilt as she texted him back.

Catherine: Hey Phoenix, I’m almost at the park, just letting you know. x

Cutie Pie: Cool, I’m already waiting.

Catherine: Okay, see you soon. x

Cutie Pie: See you. x

Cutie Pie: Wait. You said you changed my name, what did you change it to?

Catherine: Cutie pie, lol. It seemed both fitting and like the perfect disguise, since you are cute but you also really aren’t, lol.

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Cutie Pie: Hey! I take offense to that… I think?

Cutie Pie: Anyway, I’ll see you soon. x

Catherine: See you soon. x

When Catherine arrived at the park, she spotted Phoenix instantly, and her stomach went wild with butterflies. It was both the best and scariest feeling she had ever encountered. The best because it felt amazing—a rush that raced right through her soul—and the worst because it scared her that he had this much power over her already. She smiled and did a stupid wave as he approached. He was in casual wear, different from the clothes he usually wore, and had on a hat and sunglasses, likely to lessen the chances of being recognized in public.

“Hey,” Phoenix said, almost sounding nervous before he went in for a hug.

Catherine wrapped her arms around him, though the feeling in her stomach only deepened at the closeness, and then she felt him kiss her cheek.

“You look beautiful,” he murmured before slowly pulling away.

Catherine wasn’t sure if that was true, but she trusted Molly’s opinion. Still, Molly had chosen the sexier dress, which made Catherine feel a little out of her element. She questioned whether Molly would have dressed her the same if she had known who Catherine was dressing up for, which only made the guilt deepen. Still, Catherine smiled and accepted the compliment. “Thanks,” she said, her cheeks feeling a little warm as he met her gaze.

“No problem,” Phoenix replied. “It’s a nice dress.”

Catherine didn’t know what she expected going on a date with a world famous rock star like Phoenix Astar, but it certainly wasn’t this. After getting into a taxi—again trying not to draw any unnecessary attention to themselves—they went into the back entrance of a restaurant. Catherine expected to get a table, but instead, they were escorted to the rooftop where there was a beautiful private garden. There, amongst the flowers, was a table with chairs—a candlelit dinner that made Catherine swoon a little bit.

“Oh, Phoenix,” Catherine said, trying to fight back her goofy smile. No one had ever done anything like this for her before. It was amazing—beyond amazing, actually. The little romantic area was adorned with fairy lights, and in the corner was a small music box playing Phoenix's song. Catherine let out a light chuckle as Phoenix extended his hand toward her.

“Milady, may I have this dance?” Phoenix asked.

Catherine’s cheeks warmed. “You may, good sir.”

They moved to the small area around the dimly lit flowers and slowly started to dance to the song that was way too fast a tune by comparison, but somehow, it was perfect. He was perfect. Even his song wasn’t so bad as he held her, and they listened to that same repetitive tune.

As Catherine clutched to Phoenix, she could smell his cologne—his signature scent. She could recognize it easily since half the men around town wore it everywhere, but it smelled so much better on his skin. She breathed him in, holding the scent deep into her lungs. The feelings she had around him were different—both familiar yet completely and totally foreign. Their bodies seemed somehow in tune as they swayed, and she rested her head on his chest, listening to the soft pitter-patter of his heart.

“I told you I could dance,” Phoenix whispered, referencing their texted banter from earlier in the week.

“You mean aside from your stage jumping?” Catherine chuckled.

“Yes. Admit it, you’re impressed.”

“I admit nothing.”

“Psh.”

“Psh!” Catherine chuckled as they danced slowly, like two teenagers at prom or something. At least she felt like a princess that way. “This is why I nicknamed you Cutie Pie in my phone.”

Catherine knew she had told herself just one date and then she’d stop—that she’d get him out of her system—but as she glanced up at him, she found her gaze lowering toward his lips. They were a pale pink and perfectly sculpted. Although she had been under the influence of alcohol during their last kiss, she remembered it vividly. She remembered how exciting it felt and how badly she wanted him. She noticed he was looking at her lips too, but neither of them dared to move closer. Instead, they both just lingered.

As the song came to an end, they moved to the iron table with chairs to match and comfy cushions. Phoenix pulled out Catherine’s chair so she could sit down. Again, the blush of her cheeks deepened. It wasn’t like her to gush over a guy, and it wasn’t because he was a celebrity. It was something else—like the way her energy reacted to his. It was spiritual and chemical all at once.

Catherine’s phone went off with a tune that wasn’t Phoenix's song—a rarity. She could feel her phone vibrating in her purse, which was resting on her chair, and realized she should have put it on Do Not Disturb. Apologetically, she plucked it from her purse.

“It’s fine,” Phoenix said. “Go ahead and check your phone, it’s cool. Really.”

Catherine was going to just put it on Do Not Disturb, but she accidentally opened the text message from Molly and felt bad not texting her best friend back, especially when she was on a date with her crush of a decade.

Molly: Is he hot?

Molly: Sneak a photo if you can lol

Molly: I’m so excited for you!!!

Molly: I never thought you’d move on after Jasper.

Molly: I hope he’s a fox he he he

Catherine: Lol, Molly.

Molly: Omg don’t text while on a date! It’s rude!

Molly: But secretly, how’s it going? Is he hot?

Molly: Do you need an SOS call?

Catherine: It’s going well. He’s hot. And no SOS needed, but thank you!

Molly: Ok lol, enjoy and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do lol he he x x x

Not long after, a waiter came, as though he was waiting on cue, and then he took their orders. Neither of them ordered alcohol. Catherine got a fancy chicken meal, and Phoenix got a steak with a side of pasta. He swore the pasta there was to die for, so they ordered some for Catherine to at least try it. Talking with him was easy. The conversation flowed naturally. It was like talking to an old friend—at least if your friend gave off sexual chemistry and kept staring at your lips.

Beneath the table, as they ate, Catherine’s foot kept finding Phoenix’s leg as if it had no control. She teased up and down his calf as though it had taken on a mind of its own. She didn’t want to lead him on—she knew it had to end after tonight, for Molly’s sake—but that didn’t mean she couldn’t enjoy tonight, right? Whether she could or couldn’t, it didn’t matter because she was. She really was. In fact, she didn’t want the night to end.