"Hey, you two lovebirds"

Jade knew that voice. She looked around and sure enough her brother was there. And he called them lovebirds.

Jade sighed and then greeted Harry. Kipp and Harry high fived each other.

"Wasn't expecting you to stop by" Jade commented to Harry.

Harry gave her the biggest smile. "I didn't come here for you" he gave her a playful nudge. "But I do wish that you'd go out to dinner with me - the both of you" he glanced at Kipp. "Later on" was quickly added.

Harry Potter Harrison was there for Kipp. They ended up exchanging numbers at the end of the night the last time. It was clear to Jade that Kipp was now in a bromance with her brother. She hoped that no mention of Smith got out. Her stomach clenched. She hasn't had any word from him. Hasn't even heard from close friends of what he's been doing. If he's truly ok with all of this. Jade couldn't wait to dine with Harry tonight. She wasn't practically thrilled about seeing Kipp. I mean, she's been working so hard with him. Jade has been living, breathing in her work. Sadly, she hasn't really left the house besides going to the burlesque show and work.

"Maybe I should go on a date." Jade announced to the now empty room. Then she remembered that. . She kind of was going on one. Jade also wondered if Harry was going to set those two up for real and be a no show.

Jade continued her work. I mean, what else was she going to do? Reply to those two messages on Okcupid from two very different male specimens? Jade cringed at the thought. She was pretty sure one of them just said hi or a longer variation of the sort and nothing else. Atleast the other guy seemed intelligent and very musical, two things that Jade loved in the opposite sex.

//

It turned out that Harry did show up. And Kipp? He had someone bouncing in his hands. A girl who had bigger boobs, blonder hair. Makeup like a stripper. Thick accent that made it hard to understand. She wasn't British but you could tell that she at least has been around those accents a lot. After everything she said the girl would play with her hair. Not to mention that she was giving attention to both gentleman at the table. Jade felt sick. She felt even sicker when it was her turn to get hit on. The compliments just kept coming. Jade felt like she was in High School all over again. Making nice with the Queen bee.

"I don't feel good. I'm sorry" Jade turned towards Harry. "I loved seeing you but I really need to go" she finished.

"Are you sure?" The boys asked in unison.

Jade just nodded unclear of what her words would be.

"You should take her home" Harry bribed Kipp. Kipp stared at him. "What about Pamela?" He asked looking back and forth between Pam and Harry

"She'll be in good hands. I'll stay with her" was my brother's proclamation.

Kipp helped Jade out of her chair. He flicked a few bills on the table. Kipp then gingerly led Jade outside. Jade didn't know what to say. She wished he'd just forget about her - like everyone else these days seem to do. But she also was thankful that he cared enough to leave bimbo barbie alone.

"Keys?" he asked. A breath of cold hair escaping his lips.

Jade handed them over. Her hands started buttoning her coat. The chill and being close enough to Kipp was fucking with her already downhill spiraled emotions. It was only going to get more claustrophobic once they entered her car.

A text message ping sounded. It was a picture of Jade and Harry - from earlier. Before meeting Princess Pamela Bigtits Mcgee. Before knowing someone like that actually existed and that clearly Kipp was attracted to someone like that? Jade read on, ignoring her rude silent remarks. It basically said he hoped that she was feeling better. Maybe some R&R with Kipp would do the trick.

"Fucking asshole" came out. Jade noticed she said it outloud. Kipp was grancing her way. A grin on his face. He looked slightly scared too.

"Want to talk about it?" Kipp answered her little mishap.

Jade wanted to do anything but that. Jade knew he was referring to Smith. Tears welled up but didn't spring free. Kipp was too nice to her. She was just damaged goods and baggage.

"So, you're the one" Kipp said eyeing Jade's new oil painting from the burlesque event. Jade just blinked at him not understanding what the hell he was on about.

"This is my painting" he amended.

"No, this is mine. I got it at an auction" she announced proudly. Then it hit her what he meant.

"You made THAT?! Jade pointed to the art hung up.

"I had a lot of inspiration" Kipp flatly stated. His voice silky smooth. In that instant, Kipp lost himself in Jade's eyes and then her lips. Jade parted slightly against her better judgement.

"I've been wanting to do that since the day at the office" his voice now above a guttural. His hands staying still at his sides. He didn't want to scare her off now. Jade looked at the picture with new eyes. "I also wanted to do that" he said watching her watch the naked interweaved star crossed lovers. A blush arose on her perfect face.

"Not tonight" is all she said about that. "The next time I have sex, I want it to be for the right reasons. The right person. Aren't you with Pamela?". Jade just had to know everything before jumping into something. In a moments notice Kipp and Jade could be recreating that art. Jade could be the canvas, him the artist - her artist. "No, not since we were little" Kipp told her. "And besides, if we ended up having sex tonight, it wouldn't just be sex. I'd shower you with the love that you desperately need. Cater to your every core. Make it all about your wishes and wants" Kipp watched Jade's expression.

"I'm not ready for that kind of love. I would feel like you'd be the rebound and I wouldn't want you to be or to feel like I was using you" Jade gave the speech of her life. Kipp kissed her again. Jade opened wider and kissed back this time. Tongue on tongues met them. Jade was lowering her walls but she made sure that they didn't do anything stupid at least for tonight.