Reckless Behavior (Norman Reedus Love Story)

Chapter 11

Tonight I had decided to go for a drink with Norman, Seth, Ruthann, and a few others to try and relax. I had told Norman beforehand how I was nervous and didn't want anything crazy to happen like the last time I went out and he agreed to watch out for me.

The chances of me drinking were very slim too. Alcohol was what caused my incident last time. Soda is all I'm sticking to.

Norman offered to pick me up and offered a ride back. I accepted only if he promised to be sober enough to drive. A car accident is the last thing I need right now.

There was a knock at my apartment door.

Shit! I'm still sitting here in my PJs! I jumped up and rushed over to the door. Norman was yelling my name by the time I reached it.

"Harper! Harper! Open up!"

As I opened the door Norman was half smirking, almost excited to see me. I couldn't lie though, I am excited to see him.

"Hey! Come in. I'm not dressed. I messed up." I instantly started to apologize and ramble on. Hopefully, he wouldn't think that I was wasting his time. I oddly wanted him to like me and was looking forward to seeing him tonight. My mind was eager to mingle with his, maybe even get a few moments alone too.

What am I thinking? He works with me. Business and pleasure do not mix, and I couldn't afford to invest myself in a romantic relationship knowing how much it will interfere with my career. 

Norman brushed by me and came inside. He took a seat on the sofa and pointed to my bedroom. "Get ready! I'll wait." He grabbed his phone and started to watch a YouTube video, making himself at home. I nodded and headed to the bedroom. 

I showered, brushed and blow-dried my hair, and got dressed.  A simple outfit of skinny jeans and an emerald button-up blouse would compliment me well. I applied little makeup as I wasn't extremely worried about my appearance. Tonight was more about me having fun and relaxing with friends as I try to continue to recover after what happened the last time. 

I hurried to the living room to grab my flats. Norman was submersed in his video still. He lowered his phone and stared over at me from across the room. His eyes locked with mine. My heart was pounding in my chest as the butterflies started to dance in my stomach. I could feel his hot gaze as his eyes pondered over my legs, and hips very quickly only to return to my face. I wanted to audibly gasp but refrained. My God him staring at me across the room like that had my knees weak.

There was something about him looking at me that made me feel... small? No, that wasn't it. I didn't feel small as in less than, but I felt as if I was no longer in control with him in the room. Almost as if he was the more dominant one in the room. Mentally I laughed in disbelief as I'm not one to allow that to happen. That is probably why I am single and alone.

He broke our flaming gaze, "You ready? You look awesome!" Norman stood and grabbed his keys before coming over to me and opening the door. I locked up my apartment and Norman stood beside me, watching every move. I felt so much pressure I dropped the keys, like a dumbass.

I blushed a deep red and it was so obvious. I knelt to grab them, but Norman had already beat me to it. "Thanks." I smiled and took the keys before finally locking the door.

The drive to the Pub was quite pleasant. We talked about topics other than work for once. He told me about his newest art project he had plans for this year.

"I know it may be a little too much for some, but I'd love to paint my art on someone's body, naked, and photograph it." He explained how this image in his mind was eating at him to be made physical.

I nodded in agreement. "Nothing is too crazy. You may just find the right person for it." I tried to encourage him.

Arriving at the Pub, we could see Seth and Ruthann waiting outside for us on the patio. A few moments later a couple of other guys from Norman's department showed up. I hardly knew any of them. A couple of other women showed up as well. I knew I'd stick close to Seth and Ruth tonight, and maybe Norman if he wasn't too intertwined with his colleagues. I wouldn't blame him though. He invited me out with all of them, not just him.

We made our way inside and sat at the bar. I sat with Seth to my left and Norman to my right. I smiled to myself.  Ruth was beside Seth. Sitting beside Norman followed a row of other office workers. I was thankful not to be sitting next to one of them. Making new friends tonight was not on my to-do list

I started myself off with a Coke to drink, and Norman ordered chips and queso for us to share. "Separate tabs?" the bartender asked us. I went to say separate as I didn't want Norman to have to pay for me. "One tab. I'll take care of the bill." Norman spoke up. I blushed and started to protest but he argued with me. "Ah, ah, ah! I don't invite a lady out and not pay!" 

Wait... is this a date? Surely he would've specified if it was, right?

I took a deep breath and tried not to overthink. It wasn't a date, he was just being nice and we are all out as a group. I was silly to think otherwise. 

I smiled back at Norman, "Thanks for this, it means a lot." We both raised our glasses and cheered. "Glady, anytime." He winked as he set his glass back down.

Now I know I didn't miss that. I was going to react but one of the photography publishers came over and stole his attention away from me. I turned to Seth to try and take my mind off things, but he was grinning ear to ear as I looked over. 

"You've got to be shitting me..." Seth scoffed and trailed off. Fuck! He knew. and if Seth knew I wonder how many others did. I wasn't even sure what I was feeling, but clearly, it was written all over my face. 

"Before you judge me, I can explain," I said. Seth was all over this dirt and I made him vow to keep it a secret. I had to let Ruthann in on it too, only if they both promised to keep it to us. We ended up moving over to a booth with just the three of us to keep it more private. Norman was over with some others taking shots and whatnot. I began to explain how he saved me the night I went out with Lyndsay, we smoked weed, and how we have had this oddly intimate friendship developing. I had just poured my heart out to these guys and I knew I was crushing hard on Norman. All it took was me saying it all out loud. Seth was shaking his head at me, "I just can't believe it's him. He's such a cocky asshole... but he is damn sexy." 

Ruthann and I both gasped loudly and giggled. "Well, I hope it works out great for you both." Ruthann smiled. I thanked her and stuck my tongue out at Seth playfully. 

Seth tapped my arm and pulled me in close, "Please let me know how he is... ya know?" he signaled to Norman's crotch. I blushed deeply, "We haven't even done anything. He is just my friend... for now." I smirked. "For now..." Seth said lovingly. "Until he isn't," Ruth spoke up. 

The three of us spent another hour talking about Norman and I and how we could potentially have a relationship, but I am terrified for my career and I'm not sure what all we have in common yet. This is all so new to me and I'm having difficulty navigating the dating scene.

It was getting closer to dinner time. I approached the bar and asked the bartender for a menu. As I was glancing over food items, I felt someone come up behind me. "what sounds good?" I turned my head to see Norman who was slightly tipsy and was very close to me. His front was pressed against my side. A warm hand started to trace the dip of my back. I took a sharp breath as I could feel a fire burning in the pit of my stomach. His breath was sweet and warm of whiskey. I tried to act normal so he wouldn't think I'm desperate.

I cleared my throat, "um I'm not sure yet." My voice was shaky. He took the menu from my hands and I felt his touch leave me. "Ooh, you like crab dip?" He asked. "Yeah!" Norman began to wave the bartender over. "Get whatever else, I'll be over later." I felt his fingers graze my hips lightly before he left me to order. He was so intoxicating. His smell, his touch, his gaze. The way he speaks to me is like no other, it's the sexiness of his voice. The bartender brought me back to reality as she asked what I'd like. I placed the order for the crab dip while grabbing some buffalo chicken tacos as well. 

The bar was beginning to get crowded at this point and I kept looking for Norman as it was getting close for the food to be coming out. I could hear a bunch of guys from another group applauding and yelling in the corner. A few more guys walked in and I instantly recognized one of them. He was the last one to walk in. Tall. Short blond hair. Austin.

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