Private Practice Adrienette ( sin🍋)

Chapter 9 - Chance Encounter

"Hey" Adrien answered.

Luka looks as if he might throw up, pass out or both. I feel very much the same. A cute, athletic - looking guy steps around him and extends a hand.

"Hi, I'm Nate." I lean forward and shake his hand.

"Pleased to meet you."

"The pleasure is all mine. It's nice to finally meet some of Luka's friends from home."

"Good old Blue Lick.You never know where we'll turn up." Adrien said.

"In all the best places, obviously." Nate added.

I'm amazed at how unperturbed he seems to be caugh shopping in an adult to emporium. Luka doesn't seem to share his friend's nonchalance.

"We were just...ahhh..." Luka trailed off.

"Shopping for a friend's bachelor party." Nate continued. He aims an impatient look at Luka. Clearly something fishy is going on.

"That sounds fun." I answered a little too enthusiastically.

"Oh it will be." Nate said smirking at Luka.

"Well, we should get going.let you two get on with you shopping" Luka sazs motioning for Nate to follow.

"Bye!" Nate called back.

"Nice to meet you." I repeat waving at them. They disappear around the corner. The mortification crashes over me in waves. I can't even look at Adrien.

"I have to use the rest room."

"Take your time." He says. I certainly don't waste any as I flew to the bathroom. Alone in the stall, I dissect every nuance of the encounter with Luka.

sooner or later he's going to figure out why I was there....and then he'll probably think I'm some kindly nympho. which,come to think of it, is exactly I want him to thinlk! Maybe the whole awkward incident is actually a blessing in disguise.

The thought cheers me up until I factor Adrien into the equation.

What if Luka thinks Adrien and I are seriously involved? No. Everyone in Blue Lick knows Adrien Agreste and "Seriously involved" go together like schnapps and pickles. Luka will assume I'm the last in a long line of women Adrien passes time with. That's .....Embarassing. I just don't want him to think of me like that. And why does the thought of being a woman Adrien passes the time with leave me feeling hollow and depressed?

I ease out of the stall and shake my head at my reflection. Adrien specializes in careless fun and doesn't pretend otherwise. Hoping for more from him is like going for a display of fatherly interest from my dad- stupid and futile.

Focus on your goal, Marinette. Seeing Luka tonight conceivably brings me one step closer to convincing him we are meant to be together.

By the time  I return to the store, Adrien is still waiting for me by the main door, all checked out and ready to go. I hurry over and reach for the shopping bag, but Adrien lifts it away from my grasp.

"I was going to buy the stuff." I said.

"Don't worry about it. I picked up a few things from my own list while you were gone." He uttered making me curious but I don't ask either way. He heads out the door and i scurry after him.

Adrien s done so much for me lately. This arrangement is starting to feel very uneven. I should return the favour. it's wrong for him to spend money on my experiment.

"At least let me pay you for my things." He holds his hand out for my car keys and I reluctantly hand them over. I climb into the passenger seat and start digging through my purse. Adrien tosses the bag into the backseat.