Pursuing Nirvana.

f i v e

It felt like everything moved in slow motion and time itself was trapped in Brayden's embrace along with me.

Despite how much I despised him most days, I knew I still had feelings for him. These feelings were growing exponentially, every second. In that moment I realized I was falling for him, hopelessly, no matter how toxic he was. His poison was such a thrill, and I could never get enough.

My eyes began to close and I started to doze off on Brayden's shoulder. He laughed softly and stroked my hair, "Cecelia, you really should be running the shop right now. If I'm distracting you then I'll just leave." He spoke so gently, which was a big change for, quite honestly.

"No," I mumbled sleepily, "I don't want you to leave, just five more minutes."

My lack of sleep from the previous night was beginning to show itself. Especially since I was saying I didn't want Brayden to leave, that was another first.

He stopped stopped stroking my hair, "Cecelia, there's a line of people waiting for you to check them out, like you need to get up now," Brayden urged, a little more seriously now.

My eyes snapped open and I stood up quickly as I realized what I was doing.

There was indeed a line of people, all holding records and staring impatiently at me. I stood up quickly and stumbled to the counter, apologizing profusely for falling asleep on the job. I heard a couple annoyed murmurs as I unlocked the register which I just ignored and continued to help the first person in line.

........

"Oh my god, I'm so glad that the day is finally over," I sighed and stretched my arms in the air.

Brayden laughed and walked over to me, "I'm glad it's over too." He had hung out in the shop all day and kept me motivated, of course the way Brayden would, by being a jerk and threatening to leave.

Although it seemed a little unconventional to anyone who didn't know us, it worked for me. His hands slipped around my waist and he rested his chin on the top of my head.

"We should go out somewhere tonight," Brayden suggested boldly.

I grinned to myself, "Brayden, is this your way of asking me out?"

"Maybe," he said hopefully, sending me a wink.

I closed my eyes again, still smiling from ear to ear, "Then of course, where do you have in mind?"

His eyes lit up and a smirk spread across his face, "You'll see, I'll pick you up at eight."

With that, he removed his hands from my waist and hurried out of the shop. I squeezed my eyes shut again in an attempt to repress the urge to jump up and down and scream like a little girl. Butterflies were fluttering in my chest like mad as I felt the nerves and excitement for my date tonight. My date with the devil.

........

I hurried home as fast as I could with the dumbest smile plastered onto my face. I was so excited to get ready for an actual date, I haven't been on one since high school. None of those ever ended too well, but I was convinced that tonight would be different. After all, Brayden was really shaping up to be a good guy and I trust him.