Chase fingered the edge of the blindfold.  Reaching over Chloe smacked his hand away without looking, "It's a surprise, Chase.  Keep it on or we're going home."

               "What, suddenly you don't trust me?" he asked innocently.

               She snorted and rolled her eyes, "I trust you, Chase.  But I know you.  If you think you can get away with it you'll look.  Reach up again and I'll smack your head instead."  He paused the motion half way.  "Good boy."

               Muttering under his breath, he said, "Yeah, you've got me really well trained.  Look, Chlo, I told you, I don't want to do anything for my birthday.  I'll be perfectly happy if we just hang out, have a few beers."

               Turning into the parking lot, Chloe snapped, "Last time we had a few beers I ended up with a belly piercing, Chase.  As much as I love you, I'm not getting anything else pierced for your birthday.  Now stay there.  I'll help you out."

               He bulked. "I'm not walking into some place blindfoled.  And I'm really like to see you try to make me."

               Opening the door she ordered, "Out."

               "No."

               She grabbed the front of his shirt and leaned backwards.  He had to get out or risk the thin material ripping and Chloe falling to the ground.

               Feeling cheated, Chase snapped, "Dammit Chloe, don't you ever play fair?"

               "Now why would I do that.  Walk."  Letting him hook his fingers through her belt, she guided him to the door of the club.  The bouncer nodded at them and opened the door.  Avoiding people, she led him to on of the mirrored booths in the back and sat him down.  "Stay here, I'll be right back. And no peeking.  I mean it, Chase."

               Chase let her guide him into as seat.  His fingers reluctantly slipped free of her belt.  "Yeah, whatever," he grumbled.

               None to gently she kicked his shin.  "I mean it," she warned.

               "Scout's honor."

               That got an eye roll.  "You were never a boy scout," she muttered.  Walking up to the bar, she leaned over it, batting her eyelashes and trying her best to look, if not seductive, at least friendly. "I'd like some whiskey," she said.  "My friend over there," she pointed, "it's his birthday, so could I just buy the whole bottle now so I don't have to keep coming back?"

               The bartender grinned.  "What would you like?"

               She looked over the shelves.  Deciding on their old favorite she said, "Just Jack Daniels.  Who's the best bet for petite, blonde from the girls?" 

               Thinking for a moment, the man offered, "Try Brandy.  She's just finishing her set."

               "Thanks," she accepted the bottle and two glasses.  Chuckling he said, "That's one lucky boy, having a girlfriend like you." 

               Absently she corrected, "Just friends."  In a juggling act she managed to balance the bottle and glasses over to the table.  "Alright," she said, setting down and opening the bottle.  "You can take it off now."

               Muttering in relief, Chase slipped the bandana off and blinked, his eyes adjusting.  He quickly assessed his surroundings and his jaw dropped.  "Chloe are we...?"

               "Only the best for your birthday, right?  I mean, you do like it, right?  Cause I totally just had to try to flirt with the bartender to get this bottle, and I would hate to waste something like that."

               Choking slightly, Chase said, "That's wasn't what I meant.  Chloe, did you take me to a strip club?"

               Well, he was back to stating the obvious again.  "Uh, yeah, isn't that kind of obvious?"

               "Whiskey," Chase ordered, grabbing a glass.  "If I'm going to do this in front of you I want to be a little drunk."

               She poured him a glass, pointing out, "Chase, it's not like I haven't seen you in worse positions.  I mean, that time I walked in on you and..."

               One hand came up in a halt gesture.  "Stop.  We said we wouldn't ever talk about that."  "Whatever.  So, am I the best non-girlfriend girl friend ever, or what?"

               Tossing back his drink, Chase admitted, "Hell, yeah.  You're more fun than most of the guys I know.  I just hope I brought enough cash for decent tips."

               She glowered at him.  "I did my research."

               "Meaning, shut up, I've got this covered."  He grinned.  "So what's the master plan?"

               "Whatever you want.  It's your birthday."

               He gave her a look.  "Chloe, you brought me here.  Sat me down, and you don't have a girl on me already which means you have a plan.  Plus, you're a terrible liar."

               Why did he always have to be so difficult?  "If I told you all my plans right now, there wouldn't be any mystery to our relationship, and I'd hate for you to get bored with me."

               Laughing, he poured her a glass.  "I could never get bored of you," he said fondly.

               "Birthdays are supposed to be about surprises anyway," she said, taking a drink.  "I mean, that is what you told me when we ended up getting tattoos on my birthday, right?"

               The contents of his glass disappeared.  "In my defense, we were both more than a little inebriated at the time," he muttered.  "And you weren't exactly unwilling."

               Another eye roll.  “Are we supposed to be talking this much?  I mean, isn't it rude, like, when you go to a poetry reading and you can't talk during anybody's crappy poem, because they're performing?"

               Chase smiled, "Trust me.  They're not picky."