52 A Special Milkshake

"So they're just going to let him go?"

"It's not like we had a choice, Dillon. He had something on Will. I couldn't let that get out."

"He trespassed and he hurt you!"

"It's fine. I've been through worse."

"It's not fine. Call Anastasia back. Tell her you change your mind."

"You know I can't do that. Even if I was in the position to do so, it's too late. You heard them, they already made the deal."

"This is ridiculous."

"This is Hollywood. Haven't you had to deal with this by now?"

He raises his eyebrow when I say this. Oh yeah, his mother would probably start a war if someone dared to try this with Dillon.

"Right. Look, I made a call and if he bothers me again I won't let him off the hook. Okay?"

"I don't know."

"Look, security's tight here. You saw it for yourself."

"And what about when it isn't? What about when you aren't here and there isn��t any security? What if I'm not around to save you?"

I pull a pocket knife out of my waistband and flip it open.

"Ok ok. I trust you'll be safe."

He starts to walk away but I stop him.

"Hey, Dillon."

"Yes?"

"Thanks for caring about me. It means a lot."

"What are friends for, right?"

We walk over to the set again, and I spend the rest of the day doing my job without any trouble. Every time Cassiopeia glares in my direction, Dillon gives her a look and she stops. I don't know what happened between the two while they were gone, but whatever it was has made my day peaceful. Maybe I should keep Dillon around. While I wait for Will to get changed, Dillon and I go to get my dress.

"Thanks for coming today, Dillon. It means the world to me."

"I'll be coming more often."

"You don't have to do that. The security here really is good."

"If nothing else I'm here to see my dear friend and besides, it's fun messing with Cas."

"Should I even ask?"

"Depends, how much do you want to know?" he says while wiggling his eyebrows

"I think I'll just let it remain a mystery."

"Good idea."

He hands me the dress and I place it gently in the car. It's a shame I don't have another place to wear it. Most girls would only wear the dress once and then hang it in the back of the closet. But with a dress as beautiful as this, I wish I had an excuse to wear it every week.

"Thanks for bringing the dress."

"Too bad you won't be able to wear it again."

"Why not?"

"Don't girls only wear clothes once?"

"No, who told you that? Just you wait. I'm going to find another excuse to wear this dress, and when I do I'll send you pictures."

"Where are you going to wear that dress?"

"I don't know yet but when I do you'll be the first to know."

Will meets us in the parking lot. I say my goodbyes to Dillon and watch him drive off. Once he leaves, I follow Will to his house so I can make him dinner like I promised I would. He leaves me alone in the kitchen, which gives me the perfect opportunity to rummage and see what I have to work with. Soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, ice cream. Yes, he has all the ingredients. Now all I have to do is come up with some food that wouldn't be suspicious to have a milkshake with. I walk over to the living room, and Will is reading a book with the dogs laying at his feet. I just love those glasses on him.

"Will?"

"Yes?"

"How does burgers and fries sound?"

"Sounds good to me."

Excellent.

"Coming right up."

While preparing the burgers I sing to myself.

"Oh she's sweet but a psycho.

A little bit psycho.

At night she's screamin' I'm-ma-ma-ma out of my mind.

Oh she's hot but a psycho.

So left but she's right though.

At night she's screamin' I'm-ma-ma-ma out of my mind."

I season the fries and toss them in the oven and get to grilling the burgers. Once they're done, I get started on the thing I want him to have most. The milkshake. I start off making a regular milkshake for myself as a decoy, so he doesn't get suspicious. Then the fun begins. Instead of adding milk I add equal parts soy sauce and balsamic vinegar to dilute the ice cream. Once it's done blending, I add a swirl of the balsamic vinegar for good measure. I want to feel guilty, but he stole my bra. The actual nerve of this man! I feel my cheeks heating up when I think of this morning, and my body automatically reacts. Shaking my head, I try to snap out of it. Snap out of it Astra. You swore war on this man, and war is exactly what he's going to get.

I plate the food and we go outside to eat dinner. I have to stop myself from skipping with glee when I go back inside to grab the milkshakes. I set them down and start on my food.

"What is this?"

"Oh I made some milkshakes to go with the burgers. I hope you don't mind."

"Not at all."

He reaches for mine and I swat his hand and hand him his. I will not let him ruin this opportunity. He takes a sip and appears to gag on it. Jackpot. Mustering my most innocent face, I pretend to be concerned.

"Astra!"

"Is everything ok?"

"Why does this taste so sour and salty?"

I do my best to gasp in horror.

"Oh my goodness! I'm so sorry I thought those sauces were chocolate. I wanted to make the milkshake extra rich for you."

"Astra?"

"Yes?"

"I know you're not an idiot. So stop pretending like you didn't know exactly what you were doing."