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           RealBellsHarperLA:  Isn't he a stud? My best buddy right there. #Killen                                                    #LabsofInstagram

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Belle tightened her grip on Killen's leash. After exchanging numbers with Chris before leaving the gym she went into work till after 6:00. Killen was itching to go for a run and play fetch so they had gone to the dog park and now were jogging through the adjacent nature park. Belle had slowed down to a walk and yanked one ear bud out of her ear when Allie had called her.

"So he asked you out?" Allie repeated for the 10th time. "Where are you guys going to go?" She pressed.

"I don't know. He's supposed to call me tonight to make plans. And it's going to be difficult the stalkerattzi follow him everywhere. "

"There are lots of places you can go undercover." Allie pointed out. "I can't believe you went to the gym without me. How'd you even get in?"

"I told them I was thinking about joining." Belle admitted with a cringe.

"Ha!" Allie laughed, "You have access to a top of the line gym, and let's be honest it's usually filled with hot baseball players."

Belle shook her head in amusement, "You know every one of those guys think of me as their baby sister."

"Not all of them." Allie muttered.

"UGH! Do not bring up Hunter. Not today....not ever." Belle's nose wrinkled in disgust.

Allie and Belle had been best friends since 5th grade. Although Belle had grown up with extra privileges one being that she had attended private school, she still had a pretty down to earth normal life. Allie's dad was a new construction home builder and they had moved to Los Angeles when she was 10 years old. She too had attended the same private school as Belle where they had been seated next to each other in their 5th grade class and the rest was history.

"Sorry." Allie sighed, "Ok I hope he calls you and you go on an incredible date, fall in love and you have his babies. I have to go. I have a hot date with a meat lovers pizza and Netflix. Love you bye!"

"Bye!" Belle chuckled at her friend and was about to turn her music back on to finish her run with Killen when her phone buzzed in her hand. Her heart skipped a beat as the name PRATT flashed across her phone.

"Hello?"

"Belle? Hey!" Chris's deep voice echoed through her ear.

"Hi." She grinned widely, giddy that he had called just as he said he would.

"Did I catch you at a bad time?" He asked.

"No, not at all. I'm just out taking my dog for a walk actually."

"Nice! So what kind of food do you like?"

"I pretty much like anything."

"Oh that's too easy. No one likes pretty much anything. Come on what's your favorite." He wanted to know.

"Pizza?"

"Is that a question?" He laughed.

"No," She laughed as well, "Pizza is probably my favorite."

"Still not sure that wasn't a question but lucky for you I like pizza to." He teased, "And I know a fantastic pizza place that is lowkey. It's a little bit of a drive though."

"That's fine. Send me the address."

"Done, now what night are you free?"

"Tomorrow night is probably the best. I know that's short notice. But we have a set of games starting Thursday and it's going to be busy till Sunday."

"I can do tomorrow."

"Ok.....I guess I'll see you tomorrow then."

"You shall. Good Bye Belle."

"Bye Chris." She hung up the phone and squealed in delight.

Chris had sent her the address of the pizza place and it was about 45 minutes outside of town so she would have to leave no later than 5:30 in order to get there on time with the LA traffic. She also wouldn't have enough time to even go home before the date so she took a change of clothes with her to work and asked Allie to stop by and let Killen out.

At 5:00 she slipped into her private bathroom and changed out of her work skirt and blouse and into a thin white cotton dress that reached right below her mid-thigh, a beige knee length hooded cardigan and brown knee-high boots. Shaking her dark chestnut colored hair out of the messy up do it had been in all day it fell down into perfect loose waves around her shoulders. She touched up her makeup and then made her way out to her car and on to her date.

Chris had gotten to Casa De Pizza with 20 minutes to spare. He was a nervous wreck. He hadn't been on a date since Anna. He was also nervous to see Belle again. He had been a "creeper" and googled as much on her as he could which had only perked his interest in her more.

5 minutes after 7 Belle walked in and Chris inhaled sharply. She looked beautiful. No beautiful wasn't a strong enough word – she was breathtaking.

Scanning the room looking for Chris she smiled with a small wave when she saw him.

"Hey!" She joined him at the table, "Sorry I'm late you know how traffic is. And I couldn't get out of work as early as I wanted."

"It's no problem." Chris stood up and came around to pull her chair out for her.

"Wow. Thank you." She sat down and bit her lip holding back an impressed smile.

"What?" He took his seat across from her. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Nothing" She shook her head, "I just think that was sweet, you pulling my chair out for me."

"Well you're a lady. I wouldn't have it any other way." He said seriously looking her in the eyes.

Belle blushed, "Now why are you looking at me like that?"

"You look stunning." He said truthfully leaning in closer to her from across the table.

"Thanks, you don't look so bad yourself."

And he most certainly didn't. He had on dark brown khakis and a dark blue button up Polo shirt that had the top 3 buttons casually undone and a gray t-shirt underneath. His hair was messy in a sexy bedhead way and a 5:00 shadow grazed his chin.

The waiter walked up and Belle ordered a water and a beer and Chris did the same. It was quiet for a minute while they looked over the menu and then Chris spoke up.

"So, I know you like pizza but which sounds the most appetizing to you?" He peered at her over the menu.

"It all looks good."

Chris gave her a look.

"But," She laughed, "I think the 5 cheese one sounds the best."

"5 Cheese it is!" He shut his menu and sat it down.

After the waiter delivered their drinks and took their order Chris picked up his beer and took a sip, "Tell me something about yourself. Something that might shock me." He set his glass back down.

"I don't know if there is anything shocking about me. I love to sing karaoke." Belle took a sip of her own beer.

"Are you any good?"

"No." She laughed.

Chris laughed too, "You have the best laugh I think I have ever heard."

"Really? I don't think anyone has ever told me that before."

"Unbelievable it's contagious."

"You need to stop making me blush Mr. Pratt."

"What and miss seeing how adorable you look every time your cheeks turn red? No way."

"You think I'm adorable?" Belle asked with a coy smile.

"Absolutely." Chris took a sip of beer, "Along with a few other things." He winked at her with a charming grin.

Bringing her beer to her lips she gave him a shy smile back.