Closer to Love 💚

Chapter 9

Francesca put on shorts and a tank top with a plaid shirt on over it with her tennis shoes. She pulled her raven hair back into a pony tail, meeting Richard in front of her apartment building. "Hi."

He leaned down, kissing her on the cheek, "morning Fran. Let's go."

She followed him to his car, climbing into the front seat. He pointed to a coffee cup in the cup holder next to her, "thank you!" She heard him chuckle as he began to drive.

He sighed, "so how was dinner with Nick?"

She shrugged, "it was good. I like him. He's sweet."

Richard nodded, "I'm glad."

Francesca laughed, "are you?"

"Of course. I wand you to be happy Franny." He shook his head, "Fran. I'm sorry."

"It's really fine. I like when you call me Franny. Richie." She smiled as he laughed.

"Don't call me that."

She laughed, "I'm kidding. What about Rich? Dick?" She saw him shake his head as she smirked.

"Not Dick. Please. Rich?" He shrugged, "I guess. But only you." He smirked as he put the car in park. He grabbed a backpack from the back of the car before turning to her, "ready?"

She nodded, following him. "Let's go!" They walked for a while as they came to a clearing overlooking the city. Richard stopped, looking out and she stood next to him, "this is great Richard."

He smiled, taking off his backpack. "Thanks. I like to come up here alone and sit and look out over the city." He grabbed a blanket and laid it on the grass as he motioned for her to sit down. He sat next to her as he pulled out waters, handing her one. "I'm glad you decided to come out here with me. I've never brought anyone up here. I didn't know how your boyfriend would react."

Francesca shrugged, "he said he trusts me. I told him I was meeting a guy to go hiking with. A guy I slept with months ago but now am only friends with. And he just said okay."

Richard nodded, pulling out a sandwich before handing it to her, "wow. Okay then." He watched her eating her sandwich for a few minutes as she looked out over the view. "So you don't believe in second chances then?"

She sighed, looking back at him, "I'm sorry Richard. We work together. And like I said, I really like Nick. If you don't think we can be friends then we should walk away now. But friends is all I can offer you right now. I'm sorry."

He shook his head, "no. I'm the one that's sorry. We can be friends. I want to be friends Franny."

"Good. My birthday is next week. Maggie will be in town. Think you can behave enough to have dinner with us? And Nick obviously."

He smiled, nodding, "of course I can." He nudged her shoulder, "what do you want?"

She laughed, "like for a present? I don't want anything Richard. I just want to be friends and for you to get along with my friends."

He nodded, "okay then." He watched her for a moment, "if you could visit any place in the world right now, where would it be?"

"Um." She chuckled at the abrupt change of subject as she thought about her answer. "More getting to know each other? Probably Egypt. I've always wanted to visit Egypt."

"Me too."

She nodded, "so, Madden, any hobbies?"

He shrugged, "running. Reading. Rugby. Movies. I don't really get a lot of free time." He held his hands up at the view, "hiking."

"Who likes running?"

Richard laughed, shrugging, "me? You don't like running? What do you like?"

"No. Definitely not. I don't know anyone with boobs that actually likes running." She watches him as he chuckles, "what do I like as what? Exercise?" I shrug, "well, my favorite cardio happens in the bedroom."

He nods, "or in the backseat of a car."

Francesca laughs at him teasing her, "I never said it was the backseat. And sure, wherever it happens is good for me. But I like hiking, being out in nature. Yoga. Pilates. I do boxing."

"Boxing? Interesting. What about you, hobbies?"

She sits and thinks for a moment. "Reading. Music. I play video games. I love to bake."

He nodded, "you bake?"

"Yeah. I love it. Cooking is more experimental. Baking is more technical. If you don't get the right combination of ingredients, the cookies or cake won't turn out right."

He smiled, "that's great. I love it. You have to make something for me sometime."

She nodded, chuckling, "maybe I will." She rested her head on his shoulder, "thanks for bringing me up here. I love it Richard."

After a few minutes, he sighed, standing up. "Let's get you back home. Thanks for coming up here with me." He watched her get up as he picked up the blanket, "maybe we can do it again sometime?"

"Yeah! I'd love to."

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Francesca laid in bed after showering after returning from hiking with Richard. She laid, thinking about Richard wanting a second chance. She couldn't deny that she felt something for him. Why couldn't he have just called her after they slept together, maybe everything would be different. She sighed, that wasn't true. She still didn't want to be the assistant that slept with the actor. She heard her phone ding, seeing Richard's name; he must have heard her thinking about him.

Richard
In a month we won't work together anymore
Can I have a second chance then?

Francesca groaned. Why was he making everything more difficult, she was already confused enough.

Francesca
I'm dating Nick already Richard
I'm sorry

Richard
It's fine
I'll wait.

She laughed at his over confidence.

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Richard sat on his couch, waiting for a response from Francesca. He was willing to wait until she broke up with Nick, after all he was the first person she dated since she moved here. There was no way it would last, right?

Franny
That implies it won't work out with Nick

He laughed, her responding with what he was thinking.

Richard
That's exactly what I'm implying
You're meant to be with me
We both know it

Franny
. . .
. . .
. . .

He sighs when she doesn't respond. He groaned, reprimanding himself. He tossed his phone to the chair across the room. He overstepped, spooked her.