The Mate He Needs

Becoming Friends

"What if I'm not dressed properly for where we go?" Ariel asked quickening her footsteps to keep up with Malachi.

"You're wearing clothes aren't you? I think you're okay." He said kind of irritated. When was she ever wearing something not appropriate? It was a dumb question, they weren't going to court or anything. It was lunch.

"Well yeah, but unlike you I can't just put anything on and look good in it." He looked down at his clothes as he moved around the black car.

He was wearing a dark blue dress shirt that wasn't tucked in right. Which he just realized. The cuffs rolled up along with black slacks that should have probably been ironed but he didn't care if they had some wrinkles. Whatever, his money was still going to get him food even if he showed up in a ripped shirt and holey jeans.

"You think I look good?" He asked her with a smile just to tease her. She pursed her lips and had a slight tint to her cheeks.

"I just said that didn't I?" She commented.

"Just checking that I heard you right."

"Maybe you're just egotistical like my sister."

"Maybe I just like the fact you enjoy how I look."

"I didn't say I enjoy how you look." Ariel shot back knowing that he was purposely trying to get a raise out of her by making her uncomfortable. As it was she had to fight not to blush and give him the satisfaction of knowing he got to her. Or worse that she did really notice how he looked a lot.

"Really?" He said with a raised eyebrow. "Well then I'll admit that I like how you look. So get in the car and stop worrying about what you are wearing." With that he pulled the door open and got in. Ariel let out a breath and pulled open her door and got in the passenger side.

He was a fast driver. Faster than Natasha which was a feat, but he was also a far better driver. She didn't worry about her life when in the car with him. They were into the city shortly and she wasn't sure where he was taking them.

"Do you have a taste for something?" He asked her.

"No." She commented.

"Of course not."

"Why do you have a taste for something?" She retorted. Fine if he wanted to needle her, then she would snap back. After all he was constantly at her to stand up for herself. So he could deal with it. She saw the slight up turn of the corner of his mouth.

"Nope."

"Well then don't give me attitude if you don't even know what you want either." She said crossing her arms then feeling rather smug.

"So feisty today. Did you take something?" He asked her and she just gave him a look and he shrugged. He pulled into a parking spot all of a sudden. "We're eating here."

"Here?" She asked leaning forward and looking at the restaurant. "Sharron Rose, you picked this on purpose to make me uncomfortable." She stated very irritated now as he opened his door getting out.

This place was very high scale. Anyone that went here was always dressed to impress and never a hair out of place. The women wore dresses and the men dress shirts and pants. She got out looking at Malachi who ran a hand through his hair and it stuck out at odd angles but still looked good. She hated him.

"You had your chance." He commented. Yes he did pick it to make her uncomfortable. He wasn't sure why but he wanted to tease her. To show her that it didn't matter. Who the hell cared what these people inside thought about you? They weren't going to turn him away because it would be stupid if they did. She was with him and a Standish to boot.