"Just a minute Mon, I have to try on this dress. You have to see it, it's adorable," I called back as I slipped into a short, spaghetti strap sundress.

"Well, hurry up. I'm getting hungry," she replied.

I didn't reply. I looked at myself in the mirror, adjusting the dress. I nodded at my reflection, liking how the dress fit. I stepped out of the dressing room to show Monica.

"So, what do you think?" I asked her as I twirled around so she could get the full effect.

"Ooh, it's so cute. Nat it looks perfect on you," she gushed, forgetting her frustration for a moment.

"Yeah? It's not too short?" I asked as I walked over to the large mirror in the store, inspecting myself again.

"Nat, it's just above your knee, it's not like your butt's hanging out or anything," Monica reasoned.

"Hmm, guess you're right, but I dunno, now that I look at it, it may be a little tight up here at the bust," I observed, tugging at the bust line of the dress.

"I think it looks fine, you're so conservative . . . " Monica shrugged.

"I am not, I think I need a different size . . ." I walked off to get another dress.

I found the dress with no problem; as I turned to walk back to the dressing room, I saw a dark haired young man walking rapidly towards me. I noticed he kept glancing behind him as he came closer. I just stared at him curiously as he finally reached me.

"Hi," he said quickly with a smile.

"Um...hi." I continued to stare, completely confused; did I know this guy?

Without warning, he threw his arms around me, grabbing me into a tight hug and lifting me off the ground.

I was so stunned that I didn't know how to react. I lightly placed my hands on his back, somewhat returning the gesture. He put me back down and holding my hands, he stepped back, looking me over. He glanced behind him again, and this time I followed his glance, noting that there was a woman standing outside the store watching us through the window. He turned back to me, his smile now becoming even bigger. I looked up at him, still not understanding a damn thing. Whoa, he had some incredible blue eyes there. Who the hell is he, and why is he doing this?

"You look absolutely beautiful. I hope you're going to buy that," he said, a bit loudly; his eyes running over me again.

"Um...thanks, and yes I think I am going to buy it." I nodded with an eyebrow raised.

"Great," he quipped happily. "Now, kiss me," he whispered, as he tried pulling me closer to him.

"Excuse me?!" I looked up at him wide-eyed, shocked at his request. This complete stranger that I had never seen in my life was practically groping me, and now was asking me to kiss him? What the hell?

He looked behind him yet again; the woman at the window was now standing with her arms crossed and she didn't look too happy.

"Oh, never mind," he breathed in exasperation. He managed to get a hold of me this time, pulling me extremely close and bringing his mouth down on mine. I gasped as our lips made contact, partly due to the sudden contact, and partly because his lips felt incredibly soft, and well, they felt nice, and . . . even though I had no clue as to what he was doing, damn this was one heck of a kiss! I actually surprised myself by reacting to this kiss, my arms finding themselves around his neck, my mouth giving into his and letting myself get swept away by the automatic sensations he was causing in me. Somewhere, my mind reacted and brought me back to the reality of the situation; a complete stranger was making out with me! I pulled away abruptly, a bit breathless, a looked up at him, sudden fury coming over me. He looked over his shoulder one more time, letting out what seemed to be a sigh of relief. I looked towards the window again and I saw the woman storm off in an obvious fury.

"And your reason for doing that was?" I angrily asked.

"I'm really sorry for being so rude but she wouldn't leave me alone! I tried everything to get rid of her! Again, I apologize," he answered sincerely. I felt my anger pass and a feeling that we knew each other forever came in its place.

"I'm Tobey," I heard as I came out of my trance.

"Natalia," I answered shyly. I couldn't help myself from gazing into his beautiful blue eyes.

"Since I gave you quite a scare, why don't you let me treat you to dinner or something?" he asked. I thought for a second, A guy kisses you out of nowhere and now he asks you to dinner. It can't hurt. and not trusting my mind, I answered "yes."

"OK great.....um......could I have your number so I can call you?" he asked. I could sense a little nervousness in his voice and I smiled as he opened up his cell phone to program my number in.

"Sure," I said, and rattled it off to him as he punched the numbers in.

"I really think you should buy that dress," he told me. "Well, I've got to go. I'll talk to you soon, then. Goodbye for now, Natalia," he said as he kissed the back of my hand.

I lightly giggled."I'll take your advice into consideration. Goodbye, Tobey," I answered as I waved goodbye.

I watched him walk away, my head still reeling from what had happened and from...well....the kiss.

"Nat, what the hell just happened?" my friend Monica came up to me, obviously just as confused as I was. "Who was that?"

"I'm not sure," I shook my head as I finally walked back to the dressing room.

"Not sure? You just totally macked on someone and you're not sure who he was?" she asked in disbelief.

"Apparently he was trying to get rid of someone, and the only way he could do it was by pretending I was his girlfriend?" I shrugged as I stepped inside the small room to try on the new dress.

"And you let him get away with it?" Monica asked through the door.

"What was I supposed to do?"

"Slap him for one!" she responded.

"I was going to, believe me I was...but.." I trailed off, remembering the innocent looking blue eyes and that boyish smile.

"But what Nat? He was too cute?" Monica knew me too damn well.

"Oh, so you noticed it too?" I said casually, finally changing back into my own clothes.

"Oh geez," I heard her moan.

"What?" I asked as I walked out of the dressing room.

"I saw him playing with his cell phone. Don't tell me you gave him your number?" Monica narrowed her eyes accusingly. I didn't answer her, I just smiled and winked.

"Natalia!"

"He felt bad for doing what he did, so he wants to make it up to me by taking me out to dinner," I shrugged, as I took the dress to the counter and paid for it. I saw Monica roll her eyes.

"Mon, relax, it's no big deal, besides, it's the least he can do after scaring the heck out of me."

"And his name?" she asked.

"Tobey."

"Tobey? What kind of dorky name is that?" Monica made a face. "Tobey? That's a name for a puppy, not a human!"

"Monica you're just jealous because some beautiful stranger didn't come up to you and gave you the most incredible kiss ever," I retorted.

"Whoa, listen to you. The most incredible kiss ever?" she raised an eyebrow.

I opened my mouth to speak but then realized what I had just said. I didn't know the guy, and I sounded like I had just found the man of my dreams.

"Never mind...and I happen to think that Tobey is a very cute name," I replied, taking my new purchase and walking out of the store.

"Natalia, just be careful okay? You don't know what this guy is like, he could be trouble." Monica followed me out to the sidewalk.

"I know," I rolled my eyes, "I know what I'm doing. It's just dinner, besides, maybe he won't even call. He has my number, but who's to say I'll ever see him again?" I explained. For some strange reason the thought of never seeing him again caused a slight panic in me.

"If you say so," Monica sighed, knowing that it was no use to argue with me anymore.

"I do," I smiled at her. "Now, I still need more stuff so....get to walking sister." I grinned as I gave her a slight shove.

"Yeah, yeah," Monica chuckled as we walked down Melrose Avenue.

About an hour later, when Monica and I had stopped to eat, my cell phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Um...hi...Natalia?" the male voice on the other end said a little unsure.

"Yes?"

"Hi, it's Tobey."

"Oh...well hello Tobey," I said sweetly, looking at Monica and smirking.

"Look, I'm really sorry about earlier..." he began to apologize.

"Forget about it." I cut him off.

"Well, I meant it when I said I wanted to make it up to you."

"Okay."

"I was thinking that I could take you to dinner someplace in Marina Del Rey?" he suggested.

"Sounds good," I agreed.

"Great, um...there's something I'd like to ask you too..." he said hesitantly.

"Ask away."

"No, not until dinner. What time should I pick you up?"

"Um..how about we meet up there instead?" I said, I still had some common sense, I didn't know the guy so I wasn't about to let him know where I lived just yet.

"Okay, that's understandable. All right, well then how about you meet me at Shanghai Red's at eight. Do you know where that is?"

"I know exactly where that is," I replied.

"Okay, perfect. Okay so...I'll see you then?" he said.

"Yup, see you then."

"Oh, and wear that adorable little dress you bought today." There was a playful tone to his voice.

"Um...okay," I couldn't help but giggle.

"Bye."

"Bye."

I hit the "end" button on my phone and tucked it away in my purse. Monica was looking at me expectantly.

"What?" I looked back at her.

"Well? That was him wasn't it? You have this huge smile on your face. What did he say?"

"We're going to dinner tonight," I answered.

"Wow, that didn't take long."

"Maybe he wants to get it out of the way," I suggested.

"Maybe," Monica nodded.

"He said he had something to ask me though," I mused out loud.

"Something to ask you? What could he possibly have to ask you?"

"No clue," I shook my head.

And oh boy - I really had no idea what was in store for me.