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Greetings to those of you reading this story. I greatly appreciate your support and feedback. I'm just writing to apologize for taking so long to update. I have the flu so I've been out of commission since Thursday.

When I do update (hopefully before the weekend is out) I'm going to re-post the entire story plus a new chapter because I've done some revising and editing with the help of a friend. There were some loopholes in the plot that were inhibiting my creative juices so I had to fix those as best I could. I would greatly suggest re-reading the story from about chapter 3 to really get the changes and additions. There aren't tons, but there are enough to hopefully make Cat and Justin's development as a couple less confusing and contrived.

I hope this all makes sense as I'm writing with a mild fever.

Take good care.

"M"

Hi all! I'm FINALLY getting back to normal post-flu. I decided to forgo the repost because it's too much for me right now. The story will proceed as planned and I'm just gonna make every effort to pull the threads together. Be patient.

Here's a brief teaser. I hope to have the entire chapter up by Saturday morning. Thanks!



.: Chapter X :.

Catalina skipped church on Sunday, much to the chagrin of her parents. She opted, instead to stay home and nurse her barely-there hangover. Plus she was still pissed off from the previous evening's events, even though her friends had done their best to comfort her. Cat had attempted to play off the entire night as if greatly unaffected, but Lily and Natalie knew better. Cat was deeply bothered and they both knew why.

Six months earlier, Catalina had ended a nearly three-year relationship with a handsome, intelligent and vibrant young man named Nathan. Ironically Cat had also met Nathan in her grandmother's restaurant. It was not love, but definitely attraction at first sight.

Theirs had been a loving and stable relationship with Cat envisioning marriage and children with Nathan. He, unfortunately, did not share her visions and they grew apart. It was natural. No drama. No cheating. No major arguments. Each simply realized that the other was not a player in future plans.

Four months after separating, Cat read of Nathan's engagement to a skinny red-head named Joy or Jennifer or some "j" name in the Atlanta Journal & Constitution. Although over Nathan, she felt betrayed by his quick engagement, and more than a little inferior. Cat could not understand what Julia or Jessica had that she didn't. After that. Cat subconsciously categorized all men as "dicks."

She didn't even want to be friends with men let alone date them. And the thought of perhaps forming a friendship with Justin-freaking-Timberlake had finally started looking appealing.

But he had to go and fuck it up. The ass.

.: Chapter X :.

Catalina skipped church on Sunday, much to the chagrin of her parents. She opted, instead to stay home and nurse her barely-there hangover. Plus she was still pissed off from the night before, even though her friends had done their best to comfort her. Cat had attempted to play off the entire evening as if greatly unaffected, but Lily and Natalie knew better. Cat was deeply bothered and they both knew why.

Six months earlier, Catalina had ended a nearly three-year relationship with a handsome, intelligent and vibrant young man named Nathan. Ironically Cat had also met Nathan in her grandmother's restaurant. It was not love, but definitely attraction at first sight.

Theirs had been a loving and stable relationship with Cat envisioning marriage and children with Nathan. He, unfortunately, did not share her visions and they grew apart. It was natural. No drama. No cheating. No major arguments. Each simply realized that the other was not a player in future plans.

Four months after separating, Cat read of Nathan's engagement to a skinny red-head named Joy or Jennifer or some "j" name in the Atlanta Journal & Constitution. Although over Nathan, she felt betrayed by his quick engagement, and more than a little inferior. Cat could not understand what Julia or Jessica had that she didn't. After that. Cat subconsciously categorized all men as "dicks."

She didn't even want to be friends with men let alone date them. And the thought of perhaps forming a friendship with Justin-freaking-Timberlake had finally started looking appealing.

But he had to go and fuck it up. The ass.

* * *

"Then he says, 'I'm gonna ask you out at some point, but not until you're not nervous.'"

"You're kidding!"

"Then she goes, 'you're a cocky motherfucker!'"

"Oh my God!"

Justin slammed his hand down on the counter in frustration. "Will you two shut the fuck up?"

He had had more than enough of Trace's recap of the previous evenings events and had little patience for his cousin, Rachel's, counteracting disbelief.

Not ten minutes after picking Rachel up from the airport had Trace jumped feet first into mocking Justin's actions.

"Justin, calm yourself," Rachel soothed, patting his arm. "I've seen you strike out before. There's no need to be embarrassed."

Justin rolled his eyes and hoisted himself from the counter stool. He stormed from the room, Rachel and Trace's laughter trailing behind him. Rachel jogged after him, her laughter dying down.

"Justin. Come on, what's the big deal? Any other time you'd be laughing right along with us."

Justin continued down the hallway toward the stairs. His sweatpants swept against the hard-wood floors as he walked. He pulled at them so he wouldn't trip as he took the steps two at a time.

He ignored Rachel's questioning. Mostly because he knew she was right in her comments. Justin was relieved to live the single life for a while. He hadn't even had a crush on a girl since Jessica and it was refreshing and quite a relief to just focus on himself and his music. Now, this girl. This Catalina had taken hold of his thoughts and he really didn't know why. Truth be told, he knew nothing about her other than the fact that she was a teacher and horribly attractive. But he couldn't get her out of his head. He needed to know her. He just did. And after what he'd said the night before - which to him didn't seem all that bad - his chance might be lost.

No. That just wouldn't do. He had to figure out a way to get Cat to talk to him again. He had to figure out a way to get to know her. He had to.

* * *

Catalina felt like a traitor. A filthy, stinking, no-good traitor. She went to restaurants other than her grandmother's all the time, but almost never by herself. There was just no need. However, today Cat didn't feel like risking a run-in with Justin and decided to spend the afternoon correcting papers and the Panera near her apartment. She liked the little bakery and their soup was amazing, but still she felt bad giving money to the thriving restaurant chain rather than supporting her grandmother's place. Even though she never actually paid for anything at her grandmother's place.

* * *

Justin felt like a pussy. Trace was right. And he told Justin as much as he drove in the complete opposite direction from Ofelia's.

"Justin, I want catfish!" Trace protested from the backseat of the jeep.

"Me too!" Rachel agreed. Like Trace, Justin had gone on and on about the food at Ofelia's and she wanted to try it for herself.

However, Justin nixed that idea since he had no intention of possibly running into Catalina again until he had a game plan on what to say to her to get her to not hate him anymore.

Ignoring the opposition blaring in his jeep, Justin turned into the parking lot of a Panera. Cutting the engine, Justin threw defiant looks at Trace and Rachel before climbing from the vehicle.

As he shut the door, Justin heard a faint, "Pussy," escape Trace's lips.

"Trace. I love you man, you know I do. But if you call me that one more time, I swear to God I'll fucking gut your ass," Justin threatened through clenched teeth, his face distorted in anger. Rachel stifled a giggle.

* * *

Ten minutes later, Justin, Rachel and Trace had their orders and were tearing into their food with reckless abandon, all three extremely hungry, but for different reasons. Rachel, because of her trip; Justin, because of stress and Trace, because he was always hungry.

After a few moments, Rachel broke the uneasy silence, directing her attention to her cousin. "So, am I gonna get your version of this thing or do I have to listen to his stupid ass?" She tossed her head in Trace's direction. Unmoved, Trace offered his middle finger before taking another bite of his sandwich.

Justin swallowed the soup in his mouth and sighed, frustration evident on his face.

"There's not much to tell. The owner of Ofelia's - that restaurant - well, I met her granddaughter and she's hot and smart and for whatever reason, I can't stop thinking about her even though all I really know is what I just said."

Rachel nodded at Justin's babbling and threw Trace a warning look of silence as he made a move to speak.

"Ok. You know that's stupid right?" Rachel asked calmly.

Justin smirked bitterly. "Yeah. I do." He brought another spoonful of soup to his mouth.

"So what are you gonna do, Mr. Casanova?" Rachel questioned. She stabbed at her salad.

Justin still didn't know. "I don't know. I'd really like to just explain myself I guess."

Rachel furrowed her brow in confusion. "What exactly do you need to explain? You don't owe this girl anything. You said yourself that you don't know anything about her."

"Yeah, but I want to."

"Why?"

Justin shrugged honestly. "I don't know. I just do."

"Because she's hot?" Trace quizzed. Rachel threw him another warning look but Justin was unbothered by the question.

"I don't know." This seemed to be a running record with him. The entire situation from the moment he'd first seen Cat to this moment right here was unlike any other situation Justin had ever experienced. And it frustrated him in an indescribable way.

"So what would you say?" Rachel continued.

Justin sighed. "Damn it. I don't know. I guess I'd say I'm sorry. Even though I'm not sure what for. But whatever it is…I'm sorry."

"Apology accepted."

Rachel, Justin and Trace looked up, startled to see an attractive young woman staring down at them. Justin and Trace recognized her immediately.

.: Chapter XII :.

"Hello?"

"Cat?"

"Yeah?"

"Hi. It's Justin."

Cat's breath caught in her throat. She sat up on the couch, throwing her legs over the side.

"Oh. Hi." She tried to sound casual, while internally her heart beat ferociously.

"Is this an ok time?" Justin asked softly.

"Yeah. Absolutely," Cat assured.

"Good. So, I'm just calling about us getting together. I know tomorrow's a school day but maybe we could have dinner…" Cat couldn't help but smile. There was something so hopeful - so cautious about the way Justin was speaking to her now.

"Um. Actually, tomorrow isn't very good for me."

"Oh." The hint of hope present in Justin's voice just moments before, disappeared. However, Cat hurried with an explanation.

"But, I'm free Tuesday. I don't know if that works for you…"

"Yeah. That's fine," Justin answered, quickly.

"Ok."

"Ok. Um, I could make you dinner," Justin suggested. "I mean, if you feel comfortable coming here. To my house. I haven't really had any guests yet." He was babbling and Cat's smile grew.

Despite her initial weariness about Justin Timberlake, a lengthy three-way phone chat with her mother and sister had eased her mind. Both women had declared that there was nothing wrong with a casual date. In fact, they were convinced that if Cat did not go out with him, she would regret it. Casablanca style.

Although the thought of being in Justin's house, amongst his things appealed to her, Cat was still a woman and Justin was still a man and going to any man's house on the first date, no matter how famous, was just plain stupid. Not to mention, "ho-ish."

"Um, how about we get a cup of coffee?"

"Oh. Yeah, that's fine, too," Justin agreed. "Do you want to meet somewhere?"

It pleased Cat that Justin did not question her about not agreeing to dinner at his house, which scored him a couple of brownie-points in her book.

"Yeah. Have you heard of The Lighthouse?"

"No, what's that?"

"It's a coffeehouse on Peachtree. Near the Westin."

There was a brief pause and what sounded to Cat like fierce whispering.

"Hello?" she questioned.

After another couple of seconds of whispering, Justin's voice returned. "Sorry. Yeah, The Lighthouse. I got it. How's five o'clock?"

Cat cocked an eyebrow into the phone. "Sure. Yeah, five is fine."

"Great!" Justin exclaimed. "So, um, I'll see you then…then."

"Ok."

"Ok."

"Ok. Bye."

* * *

Justin closed his phone and immediately reached down, grabbing his shoe. He threw it with all his might at his "friend," Trace. All afternoon, Trace and Rachel had teased him relentlessly. Neither one could remember a time when Justin had been so nervous or unsure around a female. Even when he first started talking to Cameron, he never batted an eye at her forthcoming manner.

However, Catalina had cast some sort of spell on Justin's psyche, making him revert to a fourteen year-old.

When Justin had finally been able to sneak away to call Cat, the two ganged up on him, making kissing noises in his ear. While Cat had heard some commotion on Justin's end of the line, it was evident that she hadn't heard the specific sounds, much to Justin's relief.

Now, he made mental plans on how to kill them both for embarrassing him.

"What the hell is wrong with you people?" Justin belted.

"You being a-."

"Don't say it, Trace. Straight up!" Justin warned.

Rachel and Trace chuckled. Justin threw himself on the tan-colored loveseat across from the TV in his family room. He clutched a dark brown pillow to his chest. Rachel was stretched out on the opposite couch, while Trace sat, knees to his chest, on the floor in front of her.

"Look, J," Rachel began. "We're just having a little fun. You're usually pretty at ease around girls, you know. So this is kinda weird. Relax."

"What's kinda weird? Nothings weird." Justin crossed his arms over his chest.

Again Rachel and Trace chuckled.

"Justin, look at yourself? This girl's got you wound up tighter than…man, I don't even know what," Rachel continued. "I don't know whether to love her or hate her."

Justin sucked his teeth. "I don't know what you're talking about. I'm not wound up."

Trace and Rachel's chuckling became a full-on guffaw. "Oh, oh, I-I c-can make you d-dinner," Trace mocked. "I haven't r-really had any guests yet."

Justin couldn't help but crack a smile at that. While he hated being teased for it, they really did have a point. He was by no means a Casanova, but also never really had any issues talking to girls. Hell, his entire life since he was eleven years-old was girls. So it was definitely out of character for him to be so awkward around one. Moreover, while Catalina was undeniably attractive, there was little about her that could be classified as, "drop-dead gorgeous." Save for maybe her ass.

There was, though, something about her; her style, her body-language, her demeanor that commanded attention. If Trace and Rachel wanted to give him shit for that, then Justin would have to get used to it, because damn it all if Cat didn't have his complete and undivided attention.