Chapter 3

"So, what did you have planned exactly?" I ask, as we walked further and further from the shop.

"We could go to a diner that I know." he suggested.

"Oh, well what's the name of the diner so I can meet you there."

"Nah, you're riding with me." he states.

"Um, how about you follow me to my apartment complex so I can change clothes and drop my car off?" I asked, the weather was too cold for me to wear these shorts much longer without getting sick. He seemed to think for a minute before nodding. He walked with me through the side alley to get to my car, where we both got in so I could drop him off at his. This man has a Mercedes... What does this guy do for work?

I tried to pull myself together as much as I could before arriving back at the complex. Do I invite him upstairs? Is it rude if I don't? As I pull into a parking space I see him pulling in right beside me and proceed to get out. Guess he's coming up...

I grab my purse and exit my vehicle, locking the doors behind me. I couldn't help but notice he didn't lock his doors. I lead him through the sheltered halls and up the stairs. The same stairs I fell down earlier. Right when we were climbing said stairs he mentioned all the band-aids on my legs, and I had to embarrass myself further by explaining. He chuckled a little and I felt my cheeks becoming hot once again.

I unlocked my door and made a sassy 'welcome' movement with my arm, inviting him in. He looked around the small area and I watched him while shutting and locking the door. He walked further into the living room and sat down on the couch, making himself comfortable. I excused myself to my room and quickly got changed. Slipping on light wash jeans, which I rarely wore but they make my booty look good. I threw on a basic white tee and tucked it in on the front, slipping on some socks and booties. I have jewelry that I never take off, so I wasn't going to add more. I debated applying some make-up, but he had already seen me bare faced and the bun that I slept in so I wasn't going to bother. I grabbed a coat from my closet before exiting my room.

He was in the exact spot I had left him in, but now he was typing on his phone. Once he noticed me he quickly slipped his phone in his pocket as he stood up. I grabbed my purse as we left the apartment, locking the door behind me. When we got to the stairs he didn't hesitate when he said "We aren't in a hurry, so take your time." with a smirk plastered on his face.

"You fall one time." I mutter. I get to the bottom and stick my tongue out at him before walking to his car. I hear him chuckle behind me. He opens the door for me and I slide in. He shut the door behind me and rushed around to the driver's side.

"So, do I get the story behind your name now?" he asked, backing up the car.

"Oh, so you invited me out to get the story, huh?" I deduced.

He chuckled again "Yeah! Why did you think I asked while we're still in the parking lot?"

"I knew it!" I laughed before continuing, "Well, my parents were hippies so when they had kids they thought it would be fun to name us after our birthstones. So, I was born in November, I have two sisters, one was born in September and one was born in July so their names are Sapphire and Ruby. Which is kinda funny because there is a show called Steven Universe and there is a couple named Sapphire and Ruby and my sisters are really close. And then my brother was born in August, so his name is Peridot, but he doesn't let his 'associates' know his full name is Peridot and he tells them his name is Peri." I explain.

"Wow, so you're all named after rocks." he concludes.

"Yep, it's fun. Peri likes his name, even if likes to pretend he doesn't. Our parents gave us more normal middle names; they wanted us to have a back up name just in case we didn't like our first names. Peri's is Dylan, so if he hated his name he would go by that."

"What's your middle name?"

"Diana." I smile.

"Citrine Diana?"

I nod, looking out the window.

"It's unique, I'll give them that."

"They were unique people." I mutter.

He grows silent.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make this sad. It was a long time ago, I've made my peace with it."

The rest of the car ride was quiet until we pulled up to the diner. I opened the door and he joked "How am I supposed to win your heart when you won't let me open the door for you?"

I laughed before replying "It takes more than that, buddy. I need more than the bare minimum." He nodded and led me inside the small diner.

They served breakfast all day and if you want to know anything about me, I love breakfast foods. I always have and probably always will. He chuckled at me when I got excited about the fact they did. We ate and chatted about our lives, he told me he had a kid and I noticed he watched me very intently to see my organic reaction.

"What's his name?" I ask.

"Marcus."

I nod.

"Does that bother you?"

"I don't hate kids, if that's what you're asking. I was going to be an elementary school teacher before I opened the shop." I explain.

"Does it bother you that I have a kid?" he asked.

"No, I mean you're not married, right?"

"Not anymore." he confirmed.

"Then, no I don't mind. I'm just not trying to be a homewrecker." I answered.

He nodded before letting the subject go.

After we ate, he paid the bill, even though I kept asking if he wanted me to pay half. He rolled his eyes at me, I threw a piece of fruit at him with a smirk on my face. He called me 'cute' before tossing it back at me and standing up from the table. I put the piece of fruit on my plate and began organizing the plates on the table. He stood there, watching me, observing me. Giving me a little nod as I finished.

He took me to a shopping center and we walked around and he guided me into a couple of stores, and everything I looked at he tried to have the sales associate ring up, but I denied it and kept threatening to run away. I received many eye rolls throughout the day.

"So, I can't open the doors or buy you things, huh?" he asked.

"Not when you've known me less than 24 hours." I state.

He grabbed my hand and we continued the walk through the heated building.

"Can I ask you a question?" I blurt.

He hummed in response.

"What does your tattoo mean? On your neck?"

He stopped walking and turned to face me, "Why?"

I shrug my shoulders. Those women mentioned the tattoo and I'm wondering if it actually means anything... I would say if the look he was giving me wasn't so intimidating.

We stood there looking at each other, well I kept looking around, eye contact for too long makes me uncomfortable, "It represents something important to me." he spoke.

I nodded and decided to drop the subject. We finished walking around the entire shopping center before leaving and he drove me back to my apartment building. The entire drive was mostly silent and I feel I made things awkward asking him about the giant artwork on his skin. I unbuckled my seatbelt and went to grab the handle when he grabbed my hand.

"I had a good time." he said.

I nod in agreement, "Me too."

He gives me a smile, "Let me get your number."

It wasn't a question, but I gave it to him anyway.

"Do you need assistance going up the stairs, or is it just coming down where you struggle?" he jokes. I gave him a little shove before opening the car door.

"Thank you for today, Rio." I smiled.

"We'll do it again, soon." A statement. He actually wants to see me again."Well, you know where I work and live now." I say. He nods and I shut the door after wishing him a goodnight. He waits until I'm underneath the shelter to drive away. I rush up the stairs and quickly get inside my apartment and lock the door.

I sigh, before I giggle to myself, pulling out my phone and texting Nat, I'm still alive and home now

I start playing some music before locking my phone and go to the bathroom to take a shower. After getting out I grabbed my phone and read Nat's reply, How was the day long date ;)

Amazing!

Ugh, I'm planning the wedding as we speak! Did you get that dick yet?

No! I'm not confident enough for that, maybe one day.

I bet his dick is huge! When you do see it, send pics ;)

I laugh before replying In your dreams.

For now and forever, baby!

I lock my phone back before getting changed plopping myself in front of the television once again. The news station was still selected from this morning and they were again talking about the shooting, and still had no leads. It's crazy to think that this could happen in broad daylight and no one saw anything. I change the channel to a random movie playing and stretch out on the couch, wrapping my blanket around my bottom half.

My phone beeps again, and I check it to see it was from an unknown number, It's Rio, wanted to tell you good night again

I smile and respond, Good night Rio.