Angel

Part Three

The next night at work, I was currently stuffing my mouth hole with three hour old hot dogs when Detective Maddox walked into the store. I almost choked on my food. I'm all for choking around a big piece of meat, but this wasn't the one I imagined dying from. I took a long sip of my soda as he sauntered up to the counter, chuckling softly.
"You good?" He asked, grinning. I'm so good now. I cleared my throat.
"All good," I said giving him a dorky, two-finger salute, " how are you, Detective Maddox?"
"Fine...busy," he replied, "just came in for a coffee."
"Oh, you're in luck," I said smiling, "I just made a fresh batch." He hummed and made his way back to the coffee machines. I took a deep breath, trying to steady by beating heart. He came back with his cup, setting it on the counter.
"So I guess everything has been pretty quiet," Adrian asked looking to me, "you haven't called or anything?" I gave him a confused look. Did he want me to call him?
"Oh yeah," I replied, "it's been fine." I rang up his coffee and we exchanged currencies.
"Well, have a good night." He said turning to leave.
"Wait." I called out before I even realized it. He turned back, giving me an expectant look.
"Um...my break is in five minutes," I rushed out, "I can't really leave the store since I'm the only one here, but...um...there's a bench outside, would you maybe want to chat for a bit?" He glanced away and I thought for sure he was going to turn me down. Finally, he gave me a warm smile.
"Sure." He said shrugging. I smiled back and followed him outside. We sat down on the bench just a few feet away, our shoulders nearly touching. It wasn't too late right now so there were still people out. Adrian reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a half-full pack of cigarettes. He offered me one first, which I politely declined, before settling one between his lips and lighting it. He took a deep drag, exhaling the smoke overhead. He made it look so...sexy.
"You said you were in school," he asked and I nodded, "what are you studying?"
"I'm just taking all my intro classes right now, but I'm leaning towards a business degree," I replied, "I want to open my own florist shop someday." He gave me a lopsided grin.
"Oh yeah," he asked, "you like flowers?" I nodded enthusiastically.
"I love flowers," I replied smiling, "at my apartment...it's really small but the balcony is big so I have like a jungle out there." He chuckled softly, flicking the ash off the end of his cigarette.
"Cute." He murmured softly before looking away.
"What about you," I asked, "did you go to college or anything?"
"Nah, police academy right out of high school then I made detective at twenty-four that was four years ago." He replied. So he was twenty-eight.
"Do you like it?" I asked. He shrugged before tossing his used cigarette to the ground and stomping it out with his foot.
"It's alright...a lot of paperwork," he replied quietly, "my whole family are cops so it's to be expected." He didn't sound too excited.
"Well if you don't love what you're doing then there's no point in doing it." I stated simply. Adrian chuckled softly before taking a sip of his coffee.
"Wise advice." He said. I shrugged, laughing.
"My grandma always told me I had an old soul," I said, "whatever that means." His phone suddenly rang and he pulled it out of his pocket. He sighed deeply while glancing at the screen.
"I gotta take this," he muttered climbing to his feet, "one sec." I nodded as he walked a little ways down the sidewalk, his back facing me. I stared off to one side, trying to give him some privacy. He came back a few minutes later, but didn't sit down.
"I need to go," he said softly, "something came up...this was nice." I nodded, climbing to my feet.
"Yeah thanks for keeping me company." I said smiling. He took one more long sip of his coffee before tossing it in a bin nearby.
"You have any days off?" He asked.
"Oh...um...yeah," I choked out, "Mr. Ronaldo gives me Saturdays and Sundays off."
"You see that diner down there," Adrian asked pointing down the street and I nodded, "why don't we get lunch this Saturday?" Oh be still my lil gay heart. Was this a date?! Or maybe he just wanted to hang out?
"Ok," I quickly agreed, "what time?"
"Noon work for you," he asked and I nodded, "my cell number's on my business card if you need to get a hold of me."
"Ok," I said smiling "I'll shoot you a text sometime."
"Alright, sounds good," he said grinning, "night, Milo."
"G'night, Detective Maddox." I said. He chuckled softly.
"Just call me Adrian, ok?" He said across his shoulder as he walked to his car.
"Oh...ok," I said feeling heat flood my face, "g'night Adrian."

I was heading home after closing up for the night when my phone started ringing. I quickly fished it out of my pocket. Who would be calling this late? When I didn't recognize the number, I declined the call. A few seconds later, it rang again from the same number.
"Hello?" I finally answered a little annoyed.
"It's rude to ignore someone's call." A smooth voice greeted me. He sounded familiar.
"Who is this?" I asked confused.
"Now that just hurts," he said, "I thought we had a connection the other night."
"Rafael?" I asked lifting my eyebrows in surprise. How the hell did he get my number?

Suddenly, a sleek black car pulled up beside me. I halted to a stop and the back passenger window rolled down. Rafael looked over to me, setting down his phone.
"Let me give you a ride home." He stated smiling. I frowned at him, slipping my phone back into my pocket.
"How did you get my number?" I asked.
"I have my ways," he replied simply, shrugging, "get in."
"No thanks." I said turning away. I started back down the sidewalk when he suddenly appeared beside me. I glanced at him, shaking my head. We walked in silence for a few minutes.
"You know it's rude to ignore someone." He said glancing at me. I sighed deeply, quickening my pace.
"You're not worried about me finding out where you live?" Rafael asked. I halted to a stop and looked over to him.
"I'm sure you probably already know," I stated frowning, "if you were able to get my number." He shrugged, smirking at me.
"You're not wrong." He said simply. I folded my arms tightly across my chest.
"What do you want?" I demanded.
"Nothing much," he replied, "I just want to know more about you."
"Why?" I asked giving him a confused look.
"I find you very interesting." Rafael replied softly. I rolled my eyes, looking away.
"You weren't scared of that thug that night." He said. I shrugged.
"So what," I said blandly, "I've taken a few self-defense classes." Rafael chuckled softly.
"That part was surprising, but that's not what I'm interested in," he said, "that thug was...scared of you." I scoffed, shaking my head.
"I'm pretty sure he was just in shock," I stated simply, "besides he was basically harmless."
"Julian is a known felon," Rafael said, "he just got out of prison for nearly beating a man to death."
"Is there anything else you need," I demanded, "I'm tired and would like to go home?"
"Have dinner with me Saturday night?" He said. He phrased it like a question, but it sounded more like a demand.
"And if I refuse?" I asked lifting an eyebrow defiantly. Rafael smirked, taking a few steps closer. He was within striking distance, but didn't seem concerned. His confidence was admirable.
"We both know you don't want to do that," he said, "I know where you live, after all." I let out an exasperated sigh, throwing my arms up in defeat.
"Fine," I muttered, turning to leave, "text me the time and place."
"I look forward to it, mia amata." I heard him call out from behind me.