Closer to Love 💚

Chapter 6

Richard
I'm sorry Fran
Please
I'm not giving up

Francesca groaned as she read messages from Richard a few days after making out with him in his trailer. She rested her head back on the couch when she heard her phone ding again. She groaned again until she looked to see messages from Nick.

Nick
I'd like to see you
A proper date?
Lunch tomorrow?

Francesca
I'd love that Nick
Text me a time and place

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Francesca met Nick the following day just off the pier at a line of food trucks. She laughed as he held up his hands.

"Didn't know what you liked, so I thought we'd do a little bit of everything. Whatever you want."

She nodded, leaning up to kiss him on the cheek, "it's perfect." Once they got food, they found a free picnic table to sit.

Nick smiled, "so I don't really know that much about you Francesca. Where you from? How old are you? What do you do?"

She laughed, "I guess we didn't really get a chance to talk before." She smiled as she watched him blush. "I'm from Seattle. I'm 26. And I'm a PA for a film set."

He nodded, "yeah? Anything interesting?"

She shook her head, "nah. Just some romantic comedy. What about you?"

"Um. I'm 30. Financial adviser. Not as exciting as working on a film set I suppose. And I'm from LA. I have a younger brother who is 27 that wants to be a director." He leaned towards her, "what about you? Siblings? Family?"

She smiled, "it isn't that exciting working on a film set. Especially when you're just a grunt." She smiled at him laughing as she watched the light in his eyes, noticing they were more green than blue. "I don't have any siblings. I have a best friend. We've been friends since we were like 5? When my parents died when I was 16 her family sort of took my in."

He leaned over, resting his hand on hers, "oh. I'm sorry about your parents Francesca."

She shrugged, "it's fine. I appreciate that though."

He nodded, "you want ice cream? I know a great ice cream shop down the street." He laughed as he watched her face light up.

"Yeah! Now we're talking. I love ice cream!"

He laughed as he got up, cleaning up their stuff.

She felt him grab her hand, intertwining their fingers as they walked a few blocks to an ice cream shop. They both ordered cones and left the shop, almost running into Richard with Alison. Francesca sighed, "excuse me." She watched Richard clench his jaw as she grabbed Nick's hand, pretending like she didn't know him.

"Dude, was that Robb Stark?"

She shrugged, blowing it off as they walked and ate their cones, "no idea. I didn't get a good look at him." She let him walk her back to her apartment, letting him inside. "Thanks for lunch Nick. I enjoyed spending the afternoon with you."

He brought his hand up, running his fingers through her hair, "me too. Maybe I can take you out for dinner sometime soon? Or make you dinner?"

She nodded, grabbing his shirt to pull him closer to her, "maybe next weekend?"

"Yeah? I'd love that. I'll message you later this week?"

She nodded, "okay. Kiss me Nick."

He chuckled, grabbing her waist as he felt her wrap her arms around his neck, her tongue finding his quickly. He moaned before pulling away, "not sure I kissed you more than you kissed me."

She giggled, "sorry."

He shook his head, brushing some hair out of her face, "don't apologize. I like you Francesca." He leaned down, kissing her once more, "I should go. I'll call you."

She nodded as she watched him leave her apartment. She checked her phone, seeing messages from Margaret and Richard. She sighed, looking at Margaret's first.

Maggie
Hey. Have that date with that Nick guy?

Francesca
I did. He's really cute
And sweet
And he's making me dinner next weekend

Maggie
Really?
What about Richard?

Francesca
Nothing.
There is no Richard
Stop asking about him

Maggie
Fine
Bitch :P

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"Who was that?"

Richard rolled his eyes at Alison after almost running into Francesca. "Francesca? She works on set? You've only seen her like a hundred times." He shook his head annoyed, "never mind. Let's just get ice cream so I can go home."

She huffed, "you can at least pretend to like being with me." She leaned into him, placing her hand on his chest, "we're supposed to be dating. We could really date. You could take me home with you. Might as well enjoy the benefits."

He shook his head, pretending to smile as he grabbed her hand from his chest, "I'm not interested. I'm sorry Alison."

She scoffed, "and what's so wrong with me that I'm not good enough for you?"

"It isn't that. We are only being forced to do this because I'm known and you aren't. They want to make me help you elevate your status, then fine. Doesn't mean I have to like it, or you." He groaned as he watched tears form in her eyes, "look, I'm sorry Alison." He hesitated, "I, erm. . . I have a girlfriend and she doesn't like that I have to do this. And neither do I."

She nodded, "you have a girlfriend?"

He sighed, knowing he was lying, but figured it would be easier to explain than having to say he had feelings for Francesca, even if she was dating someone else. "Yes. Back home. I'm sorry for being a dick."

She shrugged, "it's fine. I know I can be a lot sometimes. Let's just do this and go home."

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Richard laid back on his bed as he messaged Francesca when he got home.

Richard
You pretended like you didn't know me
You really dating him?

Franny
I am
And I *don't* know you

Richard
We could change that
Can't we at least try being friends
Anything is better than what we have going right now
Please Fran

Franny
. . .
. . .
Maybe

He chuckled, maybe. Better than nothing. He sighed, laying his phone on his nightstand.