Chapter 48

Leila POV

I sat watching a movie on my couch, it had been a busy week so I was taking time to myself.

Besides that, my head was a little bit of a mess.

Marshall and I had been out a few times now, which were fun, the affection was there, but it was different.

The confusing part was they were very casual, and even though they felt like dates I don't think that was his intention.

And I was getting frustrated.

He has arranged for us to go out again this weekend.

However, I couldn't be sure if it was my lack of actual dating experience getting the better of me.

I was interrupted out of my thoughts by the sound of my front door opening and closing, followed by Alec and Monica stepping into my lounge room.

"Lala, what are you doing home?"

"I live here remember? What are you doing here?"

He laughed, falling on the sofa next to where Monica sat.

"He means to say he thought you'd be out with Marshall"

"No, he had dinner with his daughters and Kim tonight" I said with a shrug.

"You didn't get invited?" Alec squinted at me "What? Y'all aren't that serious? Y'all be fucking each other's shit up for months, surely that counts enough to be serious?"

"Yes, but we've only been out officially 3 times, I don't even know what we're doin'"

"What do you mean?" Monica asked, slapping her hand over Alec's mouth before he asked anything else "I thought you were going on dates?"

"I don't think they're dates, they're very casual, like more like things friends would do"

"I'm confused" Monica frowned "Do you guys, you know, kiss?"

Alec snorted, and I shot him a glare.

"Of course we do, I don't know what to think, I mean I haven't ever been serious with someone nor have I exclusively dated as an adult, I'm frustrated because I don't know what the fuck is going on"

"I'm sure you're just reading it wrong..." Monica said, a hopeful smile sitting on her red lips, she glanced at Alec "What do you think? And don't be an asshole"

"I'm not an asshole" Alec sniffed, as if he was offended by the very statement and looked at me "I thought he was into you"

"That's it?" Monica frowned at him "That's all the reassurance you have?"

"What do you want me to do Monica? Lie and blow smoke up her ass? What the fuck"

"You could at least help make her feel better, you spend time with him in the studio, don't you? Haven't you ever spoken about it?"

"Are we talking about the same fuckin' man? You know him Mon, he's like a fucking vault, talking about his feelings about Lala is the last thing he's gonna do, especially to me, all we've established is that I am going to break his face if he hurts her"

Monica huffed at him and he rolls his eyes at her, before turning to me "Look Lala, this is all new to you, just go with the flow, I'm sure his intentions are good, if they turn out to be otherwise, Trick and myself will make his life hell, I promise you"

I don't think he was being completely serious but I have seen him rough people up before on my behalf.

The target that tried to assault me still wasn't walking.

I sighed "I'll try"

Sure, just go with it.

Go with what exactly?

I was confused and feeling like all gr was throwing was mixed signals.

I couldn't help but feel the impending doom that was bubbling in my gut, shoving my fight or flight aside, I swallowed.

---

Standing at the sink in the effigy staff room, I feel arms snake around my waist from behind, catching a glimpse of tattoos then the familiar smell of his mixed cologne and natural scent filling my scenes.

"There she is" He mumbles, face in the crook of my neck, sending goosebumps all over my body "Man you smell so good, I missed your ass"

I inhale as I turn around, coming face to face with Marshall, who has a playful smirk plastered across his lips.

"Superman, aren't you meant to be in a meeting?"

"Yeah, and I'm definitely gonna get my ass chewed but Monica said you were here and I just couldn't wait to see you..." He said biting his lip, hand running down my side "Wanna catch up in my office?"

"Sure" I nod, feeling the warmth of his body disappear as he moved away, then followed him to his office.

We both sat down on the sofa that was in there, he casually placed his arm along the back of it, and started d to stroke my neck.

"You know you're seeing me in 2 days anyway right?"

He nodded, reaching over and pulling me in his lap and started to place light kisses on the nape of my neck, my brain felt like it was about to flip out.

"Yep, but I kinda wanted to see you in-between ya know, I was gonna turn up to your house tonight anyways and-"

"Uh, Marshall, sorry to interrupt, but you really need to get back in the board room, Paul has steam coming out his ears"

Marshall stops, pulling back and grunts "I'm a little busy right no-"

"MARSHALL, boardroom, please"

Groaning Marshall's blue eyes look up to mine "Well finish this later baby, promise"

He then kisses me, placing me back on the sofa gently, standing, readjusting himself, and flashes Monica a grin.

"I'M COMIN' ASSHOLE, DAMN" He yells back at Paul and then stalked out of the room.

---

"Hey Monica, and Leila! It's so good to see you, how have you been?" Stella beamed from the other side of the counter, wiping her hands on her apron and coming around to embrace Monica and I in a hug.

"I'm doing good, how are you?"

"I'm great! I have been seeing someone, he's the sweetest guy" She said, a smile reaching her eyes

"I'm glad to hear it, what does he do?"

"He's one of the suppliers from the farmers market, his name is Brent, he's like this southern gentleman, it's so surreal!" She grinned" Which reminds me, how are you and Marshall?"

"They've been going on dates!" Monica interjected before I could answer.

"I'm so happy for you both" Stella replied, clapping her hands together "He's such a romantic, he has the most amazing attention to detail, so elaborate-"

He took her on real dates?

I see Monica grimace from the corner of my eye which Stella picked up "What?"

"Ummm, Marshall has taken a more casual approach to going out... I'm not even sure they're dates"

"Oh don't be silly I'm sure they're dates, he was definitely crazy about you, I'm sure of it, what have you guys done?"

"Well, we went bowling, mini-golf, paintballing... among some others, and I don't know what he has planned this week"

"I mean all those are pretty personal I feel, just because it isn't candlelight doesn't mean it's not romantic... casual or not, they're fun and he enjoyed his time with you" Stella said thoughtfully.

"I think I've been friend-zoned"

"Then you wouldn't be kissing and sleeping together" Monica frowned.

I groaned and leaned my head down on the bench "So I'm a friend with benefit then, what the hell"

"I'm sure you're thinking too much into this Leila, Marshall isn't the type of man to just string someone along, he doesn't like wasting his or other peoples time" Stella said quietly, then I felt her hand on my shoulder "Maybe talk to him, find out where you stand"

I sighed and closed my eyes.

I put myself on the line and I don't know if I was ready for the outcome.

Maybe she was right, maybe I was reading too much into it.

But what if I wasn't.

What if he did just see me as a friend and was trying to make up for our past.