The Recipe of Us.

15 | anniversary

< "He was both everything I could ever want and nothing I could ever have." >

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I adjusted the strap of my dress as I tilted my head to the side and stared at myself in my full-length mirror.

My eyes glanced to Ava draped across my bay window seat as she eyed my outfit. "Well is today like a birthday or something?" She asked as she pulled the lollipop out of her mouth and my face fell as I looked at her.

"I think I would know if it was mine or his birthday," I responded as I turned the side and examined myself again.

"Stop overanalysing the outfit, you look great. It's only cause I chose it." She grumbled and I sighed. "No, it's not because you chose it-" I reasoned as she cut she me off as she sat upright.

"No. It is. You never let me dress you, now you're standing there trying to convince yourself that you don't look nice so you can change. You're staying in that dress. Now go put on the damn heels so I can do your hair and makeup."

I held in my laughter at her sudden outburst before complying.

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"Nolan showed up to the shop? Seriously?" Gen asked as I slurped my milkshake and I nodded. "It was weird, almost like deja vu." I mumbled and she tilted her head in confusion.

"He lied about needing to fix his car just to see me, kind of like-"

"Gio." She finished and I nodded slowly.

"It's literally the worst kind of deja vu." I replied and she sighed. "Okay so what happened when he came back?"

"I wouldn't know I left early."

Her mouth hung open as she looked at me and I shrugged. "Y-You left!?" She asked in disbelief and I ran my hands through my hair as I stumbled over my words.

"I checked his car and for the most part, there was nothing wrong with it. I left the keys with my boss and left an hour earlier," I explained and Gen shook her head as she laughed.

"I can't believe you,"

"Yeah well Avalon thinks I did the right thing. I probably should've never reached out to him again..." I mumbled and she shook her head. "Sure he was obsessed with you in ways some may find disturbing, but you wouldn't have reached out if you didn't think it was a good idea," Gen countered and I sighed as I looked around.

"I'm pretty sure anyone would find his obsession with me disturbing..."

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The doorbell rang and Avalon got up with a grin and left my room to answer the door. I grabbed my phone and lipgloss before leaving my room. I rushed to put my things in my purse as I walked and stopped as I looked up.

Gio stood at the door with a look of awe, whilst Avalon leaned against the front door with the largest smirk on her face. "Ava, you can sleep here tonight. Order what you want," I answered as I gave her my card and she took it with a wink.

Gio stretched out his hand for me and I took it before he guided us outside and into his car. The drive was no longer than 10 minutes and we were seated at one of the more popular restaurants in the city.

The date was beautiful and we talked and laughed and the ice between us broke and I finally felt happy again in my relationship. "Happy anniversary," He said as he held up his drink and I gave him my obvious 'what are you talking about?' look.

"Since you wanna get into specifics, it's been 6 months since I realised I love you."

I frowned with a small smile on my lips. "We met six months ago." I corrected and he didn't move to disagree.

Ohhh......

"I'm gonna go to the bathroom real quick. I'll be back." I said as I moved to get up.

"Cheesecake or chocolate cake?"

"Chocolate," I said with a smile before turning around and heading towards the bathroom. I went to check on my hair and sent a quick update to Ava before walking back out of the small, narrow hallway towards the main entrance of the restaurant.

A bathroom door slammed loudly behind me and I jumped slightly and calmed down before I kept walking.

My sudden scream was muffled by a hand and a million thoughts raced through my head. "Calm down, Ri, it's me,"

"Nolan?!" I muffled in disbelief and he shushed me before slowly removing his hand from my mouth. "What the hell are you doing?" I hissed and he looked around before his eyes lowered and fell back towards me.

"I'm having dinner too. I just thought I'd scare you," He said with a smile but I still felt uncomfortable.

Very, slightly turned on but still, incredibly uncomfortable.

His hands were against my waist and I was pushed up against him.

He didn't move to let me go.

"Did you not see me?" He questioned as he stared down at me and I struggled to remain calm. "Yeah I did, I was gonna text you later," I replied truthfully.

I did see him as I walked in with Gio, and I felt his eyes on us the entire time. He was sat at a table in the farthest corner, alone.

My eyes looked down at what he was wearing and I frowned in confusion at the tattered black hoodie and joggers. My eyes flickered back up to him and he pulled the hood down so I could see his face.

It's not like he's broke, so why dress like it? Unless he didn't want to be noticed...

"You've been following me." I breathed in slight shock.

"W-What? No. It's not like that. I just haven't seen you in a while and I saw you go home and then you left again-"

I started to panic as I pushed him off me and luckily, he complied. "Wait, Riley, I just wanted to talk to you. I like talking to you, and seeing you-"

I quickly walked away and back to where Gio was. He saw my flustered state and immediately got up. I didn't say anything I quickly picked up my coat and put it on. I turned around and watched Nolan emerge from the hallway.

Gio followed my line of sight as I quickly turned around and his face hardened and his fists tightened into balls.

"Don't even think about it," I warned him as I flipped my hair from underneath my coat. His face relaxed and he handed me my purse and the car keys.

"I just need to pay and I'll be right there." He assured before softly kissing my head. I nodded and quickly walked to the car and locked myself inside.

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