"The Notebook."  Harry said.

"The Dark Knight." Robbie said.

"Seriously?" Harry scoffed.  "You consider that the best movie ever?"

They had been talking on the phone most of the morning.  Emma was out, and apparently Kendall was too.  Robbie didn't have to go into the office until later.  When Harry called him, he was so excited that everything else immediately went on the back burner.  

Robbie giggled like a girl in school as he lay in bed.  "Shut up, it was good and you know it."

"Not as good as The Notebook."  Harry said on the other end.

"You're just a romantic, aren't you?"

"I try."

"Hey," Robbie had an idea.  "Why don't we go out to dinner? My treat.  I can take you out on the town."

Harry was touched by the sudden display of affection.  This was new.  "Really? In public?"

"Why not? I know this great place in the city.  The food is to die for, you'll love it."  Robbie insisted.  "We can meet there tonight if you're not busy.  What do you say?"

"Okay," Harry agreed.  "Just tell me when and where."

Robbie told him the name of the restaurant and gave directions.  "We can meet at eight.  Is that good for you?"

"I can get away then."

"Great,"  Robbie almost said "it's a date" but kept his mouth closed.  It was not a date, even though they screwed each other blind.  It was not a date, he told himself.

Throughout the day Robbie had a smile on his face as he thought about Harry and their upcoming dinner.  He didn't know why he felt so giddy about seeing Harry again.  Just thinking of those intense green eyes, those dimples and that muscular frame. . .

Cool it, man, Robbie told himself as he tried to calm down.  Now was not the time to be thinking about Harry and his attributes.  

"You look happy."  Felton said as he passed him by.  "What's got you in such a good mood?"

"Nothing much,"  Robbie didn't appreciate Felton showing up at Harry's club with Emma.  What was that about? He was sure Felton was trying to catch him in something so he could report it back to Emma.  He had to be careful about calling Harry from the office.

After work Robbie rushed home to shower and change into something dressy yet casual.  He looked through his walk in closet trying to decide.  He was so sick of suits and ties all the time, as well as the polo shirts he always wore.  He wanted Harry to see him in something totally different so he went with a black shirt and slacks.  He combed his hair to the side, hoping Harry would approve.

Emma peeked in the door.  "Are you ready?"

Robbie was still checking out his appearance.  "Ready for what?"

Emma came into the walk in closet and looked him in the eye.  "You're kidding, right?"

"Kidding about what? I don't even know what you're talking about."

"Your grandfather's birthday dinner."

Robbie smacked himself on the side of his head.  Shit! Grandfather's birthday! How the hell did he forget that? He should have checked his planner before inviting Harry to dinner that night.

"Isn't that what you're getting ready for?"  Emma said.  She was also dressed up in a silk maroon dress with silver heels.  Her hair was done up.

"I had a meeting with a client."  Robbie grabbed his phone and started to leave.  "I'll just call--"

Suddenly Emma grabbed his phone.  "Nope."

"Emma, give me my phone."  Robbie was shocked that she could do that.

"No."  Emma said firmly while hanging onto his cell.  "You've been on this phone way too much.  Take a night off."

"I need to call my client," Robbie insisted.  "I have to cancel our meeting tonight."

"So get one of your assistants to call."  Emma said.  "That's what they're there for."

Robbie had to come clean.  "Okay, it's not work.  I was meeting Harry."

Emma didn't budge.  "For?"

"We were just going to grab some dinner and hang out."  Robbie said.  That was the actual truth, he thought.  Emma should understand.

Emma folded her arms and looked at him skeptically.  "Really?"

"Yeah, just a guys night out."

"Then he'll understand if you can't make it tonight." Emma tucked Robbie's phone in her purse and snapped it tight.  "You need a night off.  Focus on your family."

"Okay but I need to call Ha--" There was a sudden loud knock on the door. 

"Oh, that's for us," Emma grabbed him by the arm.  "I arranged for a car to take us there.  Come on."

Robbie was at a loss.  How was he going to contact Harry?

Harry had changed outfits several times before he finally settled on one, a casual blue suit with a white shirt.  He drove over to the restaurant where he and Robbie agreed to meet.  He could feel that nervous excitement in his chest whenever he was about to see Robbie.  Lately it was a familiar feeling. 

The waiter escorted Harry to an intimate table in the middle of the room.  This was surprising, Harry thought.  He figured Robbie would have put them in a remote corner in the back.

Harry checked the time.  It was eight now.  He wondered if Robbie was on his way.

Robbie was also checking the time.  Dammit, eight.  Harry was already there.  How was he going to call him to let him know he couldn't be there? Maybe he could get away.  Emma was holding onto his arm as if it were her lifeline.  They pulled up to the country club where Grandfather's birthday celebration was taking place. 

As they got out of the car and walked up, Robbie kept trying to come up with a way to get to Harry.  "I need to go to the men's room," he whispered to Emma.

"Now?" Emma said, giving him a look.  "What are you, three? We just got here.  Can't you hold it until we pay our respects to your grandfather?"

"Fine."  Robbie sighed.  They went to Grandfather's table, but there was a wait as several people were surrounding the old man, giving him their birthday wishes.  Robbie checked the time.  Oh my God, it was eight thirty five.  He was standing up Harry.

Harry was on his second glass of wine.  He noticed the time as well and wondered what was keeping Robbie.  He had sent Robbie a text but there was no response.  

Harry shifted in his seat uncomfortably.  Robbie was the one that invited him to dinner.  He made the reservations and everything.  So what was going on? The other tables were on their third shift of diners.  He was still sitting here like an idiot.

Then he remembered the last guy he dated.  Correction, closet case.  He would promise Harry trip to faraway countries, even arranging for Harry to meet him at the airport.  An eager Harry would go to the gate and spend the entire day waiting for a trip that would never happen, and a guy who would never become available to him.

This was deja vue.

Finally Robbie and Emma were able to say hello to Grandfather.  While Emma talked with the old man Robbie wondered if he could get to Emma's purse so he could grab his phone.  No luck, her small purse was tucked firmly under her arm.  He slipped away to the men's room.  On the way he saw a guy checking his phone. 

"Hey," Robbie said to him.  "Can I borrow your phone for a few seconds? Please? It's an emergency and I lost mine."

The guy gave it to him.  Robbie started to dial. . .but as his luck would have it he couldn't remember Harry's number.  Damn! He looked up the restaurant and dialed the number.  Finally.  "Hi, this is Robbie Kay.  I had a reservation tonight at eight.  My guest was Harry Styles and he's there.  Can you please pass along. . ."

"Please hold," said what sounded like a very busy hostess.  The line went dead.  Robbie tried again but the phone just kept ringing.

"Dude," the guy said.  "I gotta go, I need my phone."

"Yeah, just hold on one more minute."  Robbie looked up Harry's club and called.  Once again he got a busy person who put him on hold.

Harry paid for his drinks and left.  He didn't know why he kept doing this to himself.  How many times did he have to be stood up before he got the message that attached men were no good? Of course he would never come first, or even fifth.  When was he going to learn?

He went back to the sanctuary that was his club.  Once in his office he tried to throw himself into his paperwork. 

Zayn came in and sat himself down in the chair opposite his desk.  "What's up? You looked pissed off."

"I feel like a damned fool."  Harry admitted.  "I got stood up tonight."

Zayn shook his head.  "What did I tell you? Didn't I warn you about these closet cases?"

"You did."

"All they want is the fun, then done." Zayn answered the work phone.  "Hello? Robbie!" He rolled his eyes at Harry.  "How you doing, pal? How's life treating you? How's that woman you're living with?" Pause.  "You want to know if Harry's here?"

Harry was too pissed to hear Robbie's sorry excuses.  He shook his head.  

"Ohh, I'm sorry, he's not in right now," Zayn said.  "You're welcome to check back later if and when you decide to come out of the closet you seem to love so much."

"Wait!" Robbie was screaming.  "Wait! Tell him I--"

Zayn had already hung up.  The guy took back his phone and left Robbie standing there feeling sick to himself.  What had he done?