A Friendship Or More

Moving Forward

More months past and Norman and I still didn't talk. I tried to keep him out of my mind, but he was there. Why didn't my mind except he was gone. Sure he wasn't gone, gone, I saw him every day, maybe that's why I couldn't let go, he never really left.
To day was no exception, I was getting ready for the day when everyone came in. Travis had told me the night before he wasn't filming today. So who came and sat in my chair was anyone's guess. I waited. Andy found my empty chair quickly and sat down with a smile. I smiled back, then I saw Norman sit beside him. We had managed weak smiles up untill this point, so I gave another. Norman did the same and I went to work.
"So you broke up with her for that?" Andy started. Norman stopped what he was doing on his phone and I cought him look tward me out of thr corner of my eye. I pretended not to listen.
"Yeah," he said lowly.
"Norman you go threw women like water, or in your case Jack," Andy pointed out.
"Not my fult, I asked her to leave it alone, she couldn't," Norman got defensive. I was really intressed in what happend.
"It's a bikini," Andy finnaly said. Bikini? I thought, still working like I wasn't paying them any attention.
"It wasn't bought for her," Norman clarifed. Andy snorted.
"Who was it bought for and why do you still have it? Buddy, I can tell ya right now keeping your ex's clothes isn't healthy," Andy said. I thought about it, a bikini? Not for her. Surly it wasn't the one he bout for that stupid painting me idea. Norman sighed.
"It was for an art project, my modle bailed on me," He said. I stopped. I didn't mean to but I did.
"I did not, you never called, you still haven't," I was annoyed, how could he act like this? I bailed?! He's the one who never called me.
"The phone works two ways!" He snapped, I looked at him now dead in the eyes.
"Your idea, your art project, you grow the hell up and call me," I was pissed. I could see Andy and a few others watching this.
"Your the one who doesn't even act like I exist anymore. To busy with that boyfriend of yours! News flash he's gonna die!" Norman yelled. I looked at him pissed.
"I act like you don't exist? You see me every day and your mouth still works, you can talk to me as easily as I can talk to you. Aparently your too busy going threw women like Jack!" I snapped using Andy words. "And for my boyfriend, I've only had one in all this time were you have had three girlfriends," I pointed out. He looked at me.
"Three? Where the hell you get three? I've had two, Morgan and Brittany," he was quick to correct me and give me names. I really wondered who he an Janis were talking about that day.
"Doesn't matter, I'm still on one, and for someone with a commitment issues you keep finding women," I was angry, he had told me he didn't want a relationship and here he was having two in the time I had one.
"Odviously still having commitment issues! Can't keep a dam woman," He pointed out.
"Odviously, your just too damn picky! She wore the bikini, that's not a reason to break up with her!" I defended, I'm assuming Brittany, and I didn't know why.
"I told her I wasn't for her! I bought it for you and you never wore it!" He snapped. I glared at him.
"I told you in the beginning I wasn't going to, you don't listen," I couldn't believe no one had stopped us by now, we're were just getting lowder.
"Yes! I don't listen and I'm an asshole! Anything else you feel the need to point out to me?" Norman asked angrily. I looked at him.
"Your horrible at trying to fix a friendship," I finnaly said. He stopped.
"What?" He asked. I looked at him.
"The first time you've talked to me in months and we just argued for about five minutes," I pointed out. Norman laughed.
"I'm an ass, remeber?" He said with a smile. I smiled, god it was good to hear him talk to me. Andy cleared his throat.
"Well that went well," he smiled. We looked at him.
"You asshole!" Norman said with a smile. I looked between the two.
"You planned this?" I aksed. Andy laughed.
"Been waiting for a while to figure out the right thing to bring up that would get you two fighting and talking, that bikini finnaly did it," he explained. I shook my head.
"Stupid thing, I'm glad it's gone,"I said. Norman looked at me.
"I still want to do that art project, I'll just buy you a new one," he smiled. I looked at him.
"Gonna have to check with Tavis to see if he's ok you painting me," I said. Norman's eye's went deadly. I had never seen them like that before.
"So you did date the first guy that threw himself at you?" he asked annoyed. I looked at him, what was with the aditude?
"I did not! He sweet and funny and he makes me happy," I said. Norman rolled his eyes.
"Yeah whatever," he said going back to his phone.
"Are you Jealous? Because Reedus you sound it," I pointed out. He looked at me suprised.
"No! Just think you shouldn't just jump at the first guy who says your pretty," he said. I looked at him.
"No, your right, the first one turned me down, so I went with the second," I pointed out he did have a chance, he just didn't take it. he growled lowly.
"The first one didn't turn you down, he just didn't want to mess up your friendship, but aparently he did. Besides, the second ones not all that great," he said. I looked at him.
"If the first one would have said that then this whole fight could have been avoided. You don't know the second one," we were arguing again. I would take it though, it was some sort of communication. He rolled his eyes again.
"Whatever," he said as he went back to his phone," I reached over and slapped his arm.
"Don't you whatever me," I said. He looked at me side ways.
"Or what?" He asked cocky. I threw him a look.
"Don't you whatever me Reedus," I said again. He smiled at me.
"Fine," he said. I smiled.
After they went to shoot I was bored again. I cleaned up my work space and waited. Travis texted me and we talked about dinner said he had something important to tell me. I wondered what that ment, but I happily agreed to dinner. He was the best boyfriend I had ever had. I was really enjoyingour time together. Around luch time Norman walked in to the trailor. I looked at him he smiled at me as he made his way to me, still in his Daryl clothes.
"So your boyfriend say you can't go to lunch with me?" He asked. I looked at him. I smiled.
"I didn't ask him, but I don't think he would have a problem with it. He said I could go out with my firends," I smiled. I loved being friends with Norman again.
"I'll kick his ass if he thinks about having a problem with it," Norman pretended to be be mocho. I laughed.
"No you won't," I said. He made a face.
"Fine," he said mellowing out. I smiled shaking my head.
We got in his Jeep and started to leave the parking lot. It accrued to me that I didn't even ask where we were going. I willingly, like the first time, just jumped in to the Jeep with him. I just trusted him, sence the beginning. I felt a slight shaking when I looked over.
"Huh?" I asked. Norman laughed at me.
"You alright?" He asked " Space today?" He laughed. I looked at him.
"Actually I was thinking, I never ask any questions, I just jump in the car with you," I said with a smile. He looked over to me with a smile.
"You trust me," he said. I smiled.
"Well dah," I laughed.
"Then whats your answer smart ass?" He laughed. I looked at him. I did trust him, more then anyone else that I knew. In such a short time too. I smiled, at him.
"I don't have one I was just making an observation," I said. He smiled at me, as he parked the Jeep.
"I'm glad you do," he said. I blushed I couldn't help it, even after what we just went threw, with the fight and the not talking. He still gave me butterflies. I still had feelings for him, I had to push them way. He odviously didn't feel the same that's why we hadn't talked in months. I felt my arm being grabed gently.
"Sorry," I smiled as I turned to get out. I was stopped.
" I mean it, I'm glad you still trust me, even after I was such an asshole," he said. I smiled weakly.
"No you weren't. I just..." I didn't know what to say. I just got the wrong idea? Can't help myself from falling for you? He smiled.
"I know," he said lowly. I wondered what he knew. I nodded insted and we got out. We headed in and got a table. We ordered our food and drink. Then sat there and waited.
"So, how have you been?" I asked I felt akward, it had been months now and I didn't know what to say to him anymore. He smiled.
"Shitty, truthfully," he kinda laughed. I looked at him why was this funny to him?
"I'm sorry?" I was still confused. He laughed again.
"Stephanie, I missed you. You still are one of my best friends," he pointed out. I smiled now.
"I hear ya, I've missed you too," I agreed. It was true and it felt nice to tell him. He smiled.
"Luch is on me then, to apologize for being an ashole," he said. I looked at him.
"We both were assholes, not just you," I pointed out. He shook his head.
"Just let me," he said. I sighed.
"Fine, should be use to it anyways" I said, he looked at me.
"Why?" He asked. I looked at him now.
"You never let me pay for things before. Sean didn't when he took me to lunch and Travis never does," I told him with a smile.
"You went to lunch with Sean?" He asked. I looked at him.
"Umm yeah, you saw me with him," I pointed out. He looked like he was thinking.
"Ohh yeah, I was wondering what you two were doing. He refused to tell me," Norman said. I smiled.
"Just lunch, between friends," I smiled. Norman gave me a look.
"Ok, I know Sean," he said. I looked at him.
"Ohh and what do you think happend then?" I asked, wondering what he thought. Our food showed up and Norman thanked the waitress with a dazzling smile. I rolled my eyes, what a player. Norman caught my eye roll.
"What?" He asked. I shook my head.
"Nothing," I said. He looked at me a minute.
"No, you looked like you had something to say," he said. I looked at him, threw a scawel.
"Nope," I said as I looked down at my food. I couldn't be jealous about him flirting with a waitress. I had a boyfriend, an amazing boyfriend.
"Hey," he said lowly. I looked up. He smiled, I smiled. "Don't worry she's not my type," he sais with a wink. I laughed and shook my head. What was that supose to mean?
The rest of lunch went well. I avoided anything that had to do with Travis, Norman seemed to get irritated when he was mentioned. I was like we hadn't even had a fight though. We laughed we joked. He still took my breath away. I was sad to see lunch end and for Norman and I to get back in the Jeep and head back to set. I had missed him I really did.
We made it back to the set and parked. I didn't want to get out, because I didn't want the afternoon to end. I didn't want to go back to work, and I didn't know when I'd be able to hang out with Norman again. He lit a ciggarette and offered me one. I took one with a smile.
"No rush, I assume though, you have plans with what's his name?" He asked. I shrugged.
"Yeah, kinda been inseparable for a while now," I said. He looked ahead.
"That's not good for ya, to be together all the time," he said kinda annoyed. I looked at him. I was upset again. Travis was the one who was there when Norman left.
"We use to be," I said. Then I got the courage to say what I really wanted. "He's also the one who's helped me threw our fight," I told him. Norman looked over at me.
"You and I are different, and I figured he swooped in when you were most vulnerable, vulture," he said lowly. I made a face.
"You can't say that! You don't know him! He's sweet and kind and the best man I've ever dated," I hated that Norman didn't like Travis.
"Aparently you date shitty men," he threw back. I growle lowdy.
"Don't do this," I said trying to stay calm. I heard Norman let out air.
"I just worry about you. I don't feel he's good for you. Your my best friend I'm trying to protect you," he said keeping his cool. I shighed.
"Thank you, but trust me, he's a good man," I said. Norman grummbled lowly but didn't say another word.
"So when are you free to come hang out?" He asked, changing the subject. I looked at my phone.
"I'm sure anytime, just have to let him know I'm going to," I said. He did say he didn't care if I had lunch with Sean or any other friends. Norman grummbled again and rolled his eyes. "Norman," I said warning.
"I just know I wouldn't be happy if you were my girlfriend and you wanted to hang out with another man," he said defensive. I sighed.
"You just a jealous person, aparently. When I asked if it was ok if I went to have lunch with Sean, Travis said he didn't care if I had lunch with Sean or any other friends. I had a life before him," I repeated what Travis had said. Norman looked at me.
"I maybe jealous, but I know someone like you is worth being jealous over," he said. I looked at him. What did that mean?
"Thanks?" I asked unsure of how to answer that. Norman smiled.
"I just mean you're deffenatly worth holding on to. Your not like other girls," he told me what he always told me. I smiled. I was worth holding on to he just wasn't the one that wanted to hold on to me. I sighed.
"Well thanks," I said, confused about my feelings.
"Yeah, looks like he's lookin for ya," Norman said looking out the rear view mirror. I looked out the side mirror.
"Oh, well thanks for lunch. Text me later?" I asked not sure what to say. I could tell that Norman didn't like Travis he made it very odvous.
"I won't fight him," he said. I looked at him.
"Behave," I said warning. Norman smiled. We got out of the Jeep and I went to Travis.
"Hey!" He greeted me with a bug hug and kiss. I smiled, looking up at Norman. He faked a smile, I could tell, in all the time I had known him I knew his smile.
"Hey! I went to lunch with Norman, hope ya don't mind," I smile. Travis smiled at us.
"No, I'm glad to see you two are talking again!" He said happily. I smiled I was too.
"Yeah, well I guess it just took a good argument to get things moving," I giggled. Norman smiled.
"Alright, I'll text you later," Norman said. I smiled and we hugged, he hugged me extra tight, I smied.
"Please do," I said as we parted. He waved at Travis and was off. I looked at Travis who smiled.
"I'm glad to see you happy," he said. I smiled bigger. It was true I was happy. I also shook my head.
"I've been happy," I pointed out. He chuckled.
"I've mean, you've kinda been in a funk, sence you and Norman stopped talking. I know you're happy with me, but you've been stressing over him," Travis pointed out. I made a face, was it that odvous I was upset about Norman?.
"Oh," I said lowly. He smiled.
We shared shared a hug and a small kiss. Everyone knew we were dating, but till we kept mostly to ourselves. He went to get his clothes, and I went back to the make up trailor. Everyone came in again. Travis came right to my chair and went shared small talk about dinner. Norman on the other had sat at the he other end of the trailor and threw dirty looks my way. I sighed, Norman would never be excepting of Travis, and it hurt.
They all left, and after that the day was mostly boring as we waited around for someone to come in and need make up touched up or something added. I was happy when the day was over. As I picked up my work station, I could feel someone standing behind me. I turned to see Norman staring at me. I looked at him funny.
"Are you adding creepy stalker to your resume?" I asked unsure of what he was doing. He made a face.
"No smart ass, I was trying to figure out how to ask you, to come blow off your boyfriend and come over Saturday with out sounding like an asshole, but that didn't work," he said with a smile. I made a face at him. Norman didn't care about being an asshole about Travis, I already knew that.
"Ok or you could have said, will you come over Saturday," I didn't feed in to his ego. I couldn't understand why he hated Travis so much. Sure he said he was protecting me, but I felt like that wasn't really it.
"Or that, but I like to know your blowing him off from me," he smille. I rolled my eyes.
"What are we doing Saturday?" I asked. Norman smiled.
"I'll pick you up around nine," he smiled, and started walking away. I went after him.
"Wait what are we doing?!" I asked again. Norman refused to look at me again and kept walking. "Reedus!" I yelled after him, but nothing. I was growling to myself when someone else came up behind me. I tured to see Travis. I smiled.
"Everything alright?" He asked I looked at him.
"Just Norman being, Norman," I told him. He smiled.
"That a bad thing?" He asked. I kinda laughed.
"It's an annoying thing, sometimes, but he wants me to come over Saturday," I said. Travis smiled.
"Glad to see you hanging out again," he said lowly. I made a face.
"Truthfully it will probably be an all day thing," I said. He smiled weakly.
"It's fine," he said. I felt bad, I made an face and then smiled.
"But I'm all yours after that," I said hugging him, he smiled and pulled me tighter. He just smiles down at me. I smiled he really did make me feel special. We said our good byes and I headed to my car. I was going to shower and change. Then Travis would pick me up in an hour. I got in my car and checked my phone. I had a message from Norman.
'If I told you now, you wouldn't understad,' I read. I looked at the message and wondered what the hell that ment. I answered.
'???' I sent the text and headed home. By the time I made it home there was a new message from Norman.
'Trust me,' it said. I shighed. I did, I always did, that was my problem.
'Alright' I said as I went inside. I showered, and picked out an outfit. Then looked at it and tried again. I wasn't happy with anything I owned. I shighed. Setting on a skirt I had bought a couple months back and a cute tank. I heard my phone go off and looked at it exspecting to see Travis's name, but insted it was Norman.
'Wear real shoes on Sat,' he wrote. I smiled.
'Does that mean we are going out on thr bike?!?!?! :)' I texted back. As I walked to the bathroom to curl my hair and do my make up.
'Naw, just like makin fun of how short you are, ;)' he answered. I smiled and shook my head.
'Fuck you!' I answered. I knew he was kidding, but I also knew he'd understand my answer. It didn't take him long to respond.
'When you're single again, hit me up, :p' he wrote. I wanted to slap him. I called him insted, putting it on speaker.
"I knew you wouldn't let me get away with that," he answered.
"Reedus! I swear to god!" I yelled.
"What?! You offered," he said. My eyes widden. As I ran product threw my hair.
"I did not you pervert!" I said, but couldn't help but laugh. I heard Norman chuckle.
"Sounded that way to me," he said. I rolled my eyes as I checked my curling iron.
"Well I didn't," I repeated. I heard him let out a breath. He was smoking.
"Alright, so what are you doin?" He asked. I had started curing my hair and was almost done.
"Getting ready for my dinner date, with my boyfriend," I said, spaying a curl. I heard Norman grummbled.
"Oh, when we gonna go out? I still know of a place in Atlanta," he said. I smiled, I wanted to go with him.
"When ever your ready to go," I said, finishing my hair and starting my make up.
"Maybe Saturday," he said I smiled.
"Sounds good, I'll let Travis know, I'll be out all night," I giggled. Norman laughed.
"Tell your boyfriend he's gonna have to get use to sharing," I could hear the egotistical asshole he was trying to be.
"Sounds fun to me," I said ingonoring what tone of his voice. As I finished applying my make up and gave myself a once over. "Hey could I get you opinion on this outfit, if I send you a pic?" I asked him. There was a pause.
"Sure," he finnaly agreed. I quickly took a picture deleted it and took another. I was finnaly happy and I sent it to Norman. There was a long pause.
"Did you get it?" I asked. He hummed... "And?!" I asked impacent.
"You look good in a skirt, never seen you in one. Didn't think you owned one. A little short though, lotsa cleavage. I think you should change," Norman finnaly said. I smiled. I spoke Norman, I know what he was saying was I looked good and he didn't want Travis looking at me.
"I think I'll stay in this," I finnaly said with a smile.
"Whatever not sure why you asked me then," he was annoyed, I could tell. I sighed.
"Norman, he's my boyfriend and for some reason you don't like him. Now a short skirt and cleavage is what guys like, especially boyfriends," I pointed out. Norman made another noise.
"Whatever," he said. I sighed and shook my head.
"Norman, don't worry, maybe one day I'll wear a skirt for you," I laughed. He made another sound.
"Maybe one day you'll be single again too," he said lowly. I froze, what did that mean.
"Norman," I said lowly. It's all I said. I was hurt, I didn't know what to say.
"I didn't mean it like that," he said lowly. I breathed. What did that mean? How did he mean it?
"It's fine, I just have to finish getting ready," I said, unsure of what else to say.
"Alright, baby girl, I'll see you tomorrow. Becareful," he said sounding sad. I sighed.
"So are we going for a ride on the bike?" I asked again to lighten the mood. I heard him chuckel.
"If that's what you want," he said, sounding happier. I smiled, even though he didnt like Travis or approve of our relationship, I hated hearing him hurt. It broke my heart.
"That's what I want. To spend the day with you on the bike," I said.
"As you wish," he said, I could hear the smile in his voice. I smiled.
"Talk to you tomorrow," I said, hoping he felt better.
"I'll be your wake up call," he said. I smiled
"I wouldn't have it any other way," I said, and I wouldn't. He cuckled again and we hung up. I smiled as I looked up at myself in the mirror. Then my phone went off again and I looked down to see a text message from Travis. I smiled.
'Knock knock,' it read. I laughed, he was kinda dorky, as I went to the door and opend it.
"Hello beautiful!" Travis said as I stood in front of him and he pulled me tight in to a hug and a passionate kiss. When we parted I looked at him breathless
"That's a hell of a hello," I kinda laughed. Travis smiled.
"Your too beautiful not to be loved every time I see you," he smiled. I blushed.
"Thank you," I said, not sure how to respond to that. He smiled biggeer.
"So beautiful," he said as he pulled be back in to a kiss and squeezed my bottom. I squeeked. We parted and he kinda chuckled.
We finnaly parted and we headed out to the restrant. The drive to the restaurant was great, Travis kept telling me how beautiful I was and how lucky he was to have me. I felt so special, and lucky to have such a great boyfriend.
When we reached the restrant, and it was the nicest place I had ever been, with a valet. Travis gave his name when we got inside and we had reservations. I felt like a princess, and he was the best princes I had ever had. We started with a wine I couldn't pronounce. I smiled at Travis.
"This is the best dinner ever," I smiled. Travis chuckled.
"We haven't even had dinner," he chuckled. I smiled, and blushed.
"Sorry, I'm just excite i guess," I said nervously taking a sip of water. Travis reached over and patted my hand.
"I'm gald, I'm so happy that your happy," he told me, I smiled. He made me happy.
Dinner went well, and we had such a great time. Travis kept tellin me how beautiful I was and I felt like the night couldn't get any better. Finnaly at desert Travis looked at me, funny. He sighed, I looked over at him.
"What's up?" I asked, he smiled weakly.
"I have a confession. I asked you to dinner for a reason," he said. I smiled.
"I fugred," I laughed slightly. Travis looked serious though, I frowned.
"Not just to spend time with you, although I do love that. Seriously though, I know we agreed on me not telling you anything about the show, but it's kinda important," he said, sounding upset. I shighed.
"You have bad news," I said lowly. He nodded. "When do you leave?" I asked, knowing what he wanted to tell me. Travis looked down.
"Tomorrow I film my last part," he said. I pushed my food away.
"So," I didn't know what to say. He looked up.
"I know it's a long shot, but have you very thought of moving?" He asked, but his face was stone. I sighed.
"Travis," I said. He slighed.
"I know, it was worth a shot," he said kinda smiling. I smiled weakly.
"So that's it?" I said, kinda sad. He looked sad.
"I don't want it to be, but I know it will be. Please at least give me the rest of the night to prove to you I do care about you," he said. I smiled.
"Alright," I agreed. It killed me that he was leaving, I had been the happiest for a while. He was there for my fight with Norman. He had been my Norman for a while. I smiled at him, even though I knew this was the end of Travis and I. I couldn't help but feel it was only going to make Norman and mine relationship stronger.
I tried my hardest to smile and make the best of the rest of the night. After dinner we got Travis's car and started home. We were mostly quiet but talked here and there. Finnaly Travis looked at me and smiled.
"Do you want me to take you home?"He asked. I looked at him, with a smile.
"No," I said smiling. I wanted to be with him, even though we were over, I wanted to be with him. He smiled as we headed to his place. We arived at his house and went in he looked at me. I went to him arived hugged him tight.
"I'm going to miss you," I told him as I hugged him. He held me close.
"I'm going to miss you too. I hope he can make you happy," he said lowly. I looked up at him.
"Who?" I asked lowly. Travis gave me a weak smlie.
"Norman," he finnaly said. I looked at him, was he still on that?
"Norman and I are just friends," I said for the millionth time. Travis smiled st me kissing my head, like Norman did.
"I telling you, I've seen it from the beginging, that man has feelings for you. I'm just glad I got to love you for even a short time," he said holding me. I looked at him. There was no way Norman had feelings for me. I smiled though, and pushed the thought away as I kissed Travis.
"Your not gone yet," I told him between kisses. He smiled and we went to his room.
The days went by and Travis left. I was alone. I felt it just like I felt when Norman and I had our fight. I cried, like I cried for Norman. Norman was there though, for most of it, but at night is when I needed him the most, and he wasn't there. I was never more happy when Saturday moring came and Norman called me.
"Good moring baby girl," Norman said, I could hear the smile in his voice.
"Good moring," I said back, feeling happy to hear his voice.
"You ready?" He asked. I smiled, I loved how happy he sounded.
"Ready for what?" I asked with a giggle as I lit up a ciggarette. I head Norman take a drink.
"Mmmh, for the best day ever," he said happily. I smiled.
"Why are you going to call me back in like six hours?" I laughed. I heard Norman. Make a noise, he was unimpressed.
"No smart ass, your going to get up and shower, make yourself more sexy, I'm sure, then come hang out with me," he said. I didn't miss a word.
"More sexy? Reedus, is that how friends talk to each other?" I asked him. I heard him chuckel.
"I'm not sure," he said nonchalant. I rolled my eyes.
"It's not," I said. I wanted him to talk to me like that, but not just as a friend. No matter how hard I tried not to, I still wanted more. I heard Norman light a ciggarette.
"Fine, if you say so, but hurry up," he said. I smiled to myself.
"Always so pushy," I laughed.
"Get that cute ass of yours in gear," he laughed again. I shook my head.
"Friends don't check out each others asses," I told him. I heard him growle.
"What am I allowed to do?" He asked. I laughed.
"Find a girlfriend, if you wanna check out someone's ass," I laughed. I heard him laugh again.
"Your gonna let me get a girlfriend?" he asked. I had to stop and think.
"I mean, we are friends, I can't tell you yes or no on if you can have a girlfriend," I said, even though I wanted to say no. Norman chucked.
"Yes or no," he repeated. I sighed, I knew what he wanted.
"Am I allowed to have another boyfriend?" I aksed. It took him no time.
"Hell fuckin no!" He almost yelled. I was suprised he answered the question the way he did.
"Ohh," was all I could say. He cleared his throat.
"I mean, I just.... I would have to make sure he's good for you," Norman finnaly got out. I smiled.
"So never," I laughed. I heard him laugh too.
"Right," he finnaly agreed. "And me?" He finnaly asked.
"Fuck no, I've seen the girls you date," I said remebering his first girlfriend I had met. I heard him laugh.
"Forever alone, together," he finnaly said. I smiled. I could deal with that.
"I can deal with that, it's not really alone," I pointed out. I heard him laugh again"
"I think it sounds perfect," he said. I smiled, it did.
"Alright, Cassinova, I'm going to get ready now,"I said. Norman exhaled.
"Pick you up in an hour," he said. I smiled.
"On the bike? I asked excited, I heard Norman chuckle again.
"As you wish, baby girl," he said. I smiled.
"See you in an hour," I said. And we hung up.
I went and showered, then dressed. I wanted to put on heels, but I put on a cute pair of boots insted. I looked at my self and decied I looked ok. Then I though about again and changed my shirt. I put on another shirt, off the shoulders. I smiled as I gave myself another look, I looked way cuter this time. Norman did say make myself more sexy.
Even though I had just gone threw a break up, I couldn't help myself. It was Norman, I had thought he was adorable sence the first time I saw him in Boondock Saints. When I had met him those feelings had gotten stronger. Now those feelings had gotten so strong I had to fight them every day. I hated it, but at the same time, I didn't want to.
As I stood looking at myself and fighting my feelings for a man that would never love me, I considered changing. Before I had the chance I heard the door. I couldn't help but smile. I knew it was Norman. I walked to the door and opend it. I was pulled in to a hug before I knew what was happening.
"What's this all about?" I asked. Norman pulled back just enough to kiss my head.
"Nothing," he said smiling at me, but not letting go. I giggled.
"I missed you too," I said as I hugged him again. He hugged me back tight.
"You have no idead," he whispered. I smiled, no he had no idea.
"Ready?" I asked, smiling up at him. He frowned but let me go and smiled.
"Yes," he said as he grabbed my hand and led me out. I giggled as we went.
"Norman!" I giggled as we went to the bike. We stopped at the bike and he looked back and me and smiled.
"Ready?" He asked, pushing a helmet at me. I smiled, I loved the idea of riding with him, holding on to him. I could smell his colone, he always smelt amazing. I smiled at him.
"Ready!" I agreed happily. He smiled, put his helmet on and climbed on I did the same, and we were off.
I held Norman tight as we wizzed down the road. I leaned my head against him and listend to the sound of the bike and was lost in my thoughts. I was sad becuase of my break up. Even though we agreed to still be friends, I was sad, I missed him. On the other hand I had Norman back, and that made me happier. We pulled in to Norman's drive way and he cut off the bike. He got off then helped me off.
"Happy?" He asked. I looked at him.
"What do you mean?" I asked, he smiled.
"You got to ride the bike, you happy?" He laughed. I slapped him.
"Shut up!" I smiled. "No! I wanna go for a longer ride," I said. He smiled.
"What do I get outta this?" He asked rubbing his chin. I smiled, but then looked at him funny.
"What do you want" I asked circus and skeptical. He smiled lookig at me up and down.
"Hummm," he hummed still rubbing his chin. I looked at him. With a small weary smile. He pulled me close to him and held me again. I held him back. "Nothing," he finnaly said. I smlied.
"I don't need a longer ride, I'm just happy to be here," I told him, he smiled again.
"Come on," he said as he grabbed my hand and led me inside. I giggled, I loved when he was excited. He was adorable like a little child. We made it inside and I smiled as he led me threw the house.
"What's gotten in to you?" I asked with a giggle. Norman smiled.
"Nothing," He said with a smile. I smiled.
"Alright," I said, I didn't really care, so I just agreed. I was with him and that's all that mattered to me.
"So, ya want a drink?" Norman asked, stepping back. I smiled.
"Waters fine," I said with a smile. He rolled his eyes at me.
"Don't you drink anything but water?" He asked. "Have a drink with me," he said with a smile. I smiled but shook my head.
"I know me when I drink, and I'm not me," I said with a small smile. He smiled back.
"Well who are you?" He asked, with a mischievious smile. I laughed.
"No one your gonna meet any time soon," I laughed. His face fell.
"Aww come on!" He whinned. I shook my head. " Bet your a lot of fun," he smiled, trying to tempt me. I shook my head with a laugh.
"Ohh I am, but that's not me," I said. He looked at me. He made a face.
"I think it's you, when your not over thinking things. Let loose," he smiled. I shook my head.
"No, Norman. I'm not going to drink. I'm sorry, I value our friendship more then that," I said, lowly. He looked at me.
"Oh," he said lolwy, I think he understood what I ment.
"Speaking of our friendship. I don't know what kinda friendships you've had before, but it's not apropriate to check out your friends," I said. Norman smiled.
"Why, when they are beautiful," he smiled. I sighed.
"Norman, thank you, but you can't just say things like that. It's not what friends do," I told him. He nodded solemnly.
"Alright, I'll try," he said. I smiled, then, he looked sad.
"Thank you, though, I do really feel beautiful when you call me it though. I just feel like comments like that or calling me 'baby girl' they make things more complicated and things get misunderstood," I didn't want us to have anothet misunderstanding, like before and end up in another fight. Norman looked at me and nodded.
"But you are my baby girl," he said. I smiled weakly.
"Thanks, but that's something you should call you girlfriend," I pointed out again. He sighed. "Norman I just don't want to have another fight, because I thought you were implying something you weren't," I finnaly said. He sighed lowdy but nodded.
"I understand. I don't wanna have another fight either," he agreed. I smiled, and hugged him.
"You really are the best, bestfriends a girl could ask for," I told him. He squeezed me.
"So are you, " he said. Then he leaned back enough, to lean in and kiss my head. Then he looked at me.
"I assume, best friends don't do that either," he said. I shook my head slowly. He sighed again.
"Bestfriends don't get to have any fun. What do I have to do to have fun?" He asked. I bit my lip.
"Truthfully all thr things you wanna do, are what I would consider a boyfriend doing," I confessed. I knew how he felt about this. He looked at me a minute.
"You have boring love life. If I was you boyfriend we'd be doing way more then that," he said a smile. I giggled.
"Why do you think I not drinking with you," I laughed. Norman smiled. "I have no boundaries when I drink," I told him. He smiled bigger. Then looked at me funny.
"What boundaries do you have to have with me?" He asked. I smiled.
"Crossing the line between friendship or more," I said. He looked at me.
"Hummm, I don't think crossing it would be a bad thing," he smiled. I fround.
"Norman, we already went over this," I said lowly. He sighed.
"I know I would rather keep you as a friend then mess things up. Besides I'm to old for you, what you gonna do with an old man?" He asked. I looked at him confused.
"Norman, I don't think your old. You age would have nothing to do with me dating you or doing anything with you," I told him he looked at me with a little smile.
"So what would you do with an old man like me?" He asked. I giggled.
"Same things I do if you were my age," I told him. He gave me his cute little half smile.
"Like?" He asked. I laughed.
"Use your imagination," I told him he raised his eyesbrows.
"I am and you are one dirty, beautiful, baby girl," he said with an evil smile. I slapped his arm.
"Pervert!" I yelled. He laughed.
"You said image it, so I am. Baby girl I don't know if I can do things like that anymore," he continued to imagine it, I assume.
"Stop imagining us having sex, or whatever you are thinking!" I yelled. He smiled.
"Can't say you never thought about it," he smiled again siding his hands from my waist to my hips. I forgot he was still holding me.
"Norman," I breathed. He smiled. Of couse I had imaged it, but I wasn't telling him my fantasies.
"Do they start off naughty? Or do you just imagine random acts of naughtiness?" He asked leaning toward me, his face inches from mine. My breath was cought in my throat. It depended on my mood. Soemtimes I'd imagine him loving me for hours. I there's it was a quickie in his trailor. Why?! Why was I thinking a bit it? Why was he asking me?
"Norman, stop," I said lowly. I didn't want to be hurt again, I had just been threw a break up. I couldn't imagine Norman doing things to me he never would. He sighed.
"Does Mac have to fallow all these rules?" He asked with with a smile. I smiled.
"You do," I told him. He raised an eyebrow.
"But I'm talking about Mac, he don't like rules," he said leaning closer. I sighed.
"If Mac don't fallow the rules, Norman gets in trouble," I told him. He grummbled.
"Why? It's Mac, I can't be held responsible for his actions," Norman said. I smiled.
"Yes you can, you're the same person," I reminded him. He sighed, pulling me close again.
"I don't think I would, not after Mac's done with ya. You'll be begging for more," he smiled. I sighed, it sounded amazing some hot steamy sex with Mac. I just knew it would never go anywhere.
"Norman, please," I said lowly, kinda hurt he'd put his wants before our friendship. He looked at me.
"Fine, am I allowed to invite you on vacation with me and Mingus?" He asked. I looked at him.
"What?" I asked. He smiled.
"Come on vacation with me and Mingus," he repeated. I looked at him still confused.
"Norman I have no money time go on vacation with you, and besides that's your son and your time together," I said. He shook his head and smiled at me.
"I didn't ask if you had money, I said come with me. I've spent sixteen years with the kid, we need a buffer," he smiled. I smiled.
"Norman againg, something you should probably ask a girlfriend," I said. He frownd.
"I don't have one at the moment and I want you," he told me firmly. I looked at him.
"And where exactly do you want me to go?" I asked.
"Aruba," he smiled. I looked at him wide eyes and shoked.
"ARUBA? What the hell are we going to do in Aruba?" I asked. He smiled. I was pretty sure I knew what Aruba was about but I was double checking.
"Well its a beach resort, so relax by the water and I get to enjoy the view," he lauhed. I looked at him.
"I know it! Your just trying to get me half naked to look at me you pervert!" I yelled. He smiled.
"Not just look, believe me," he chuckled. I looked at him. It hurt every time he made the joke.
"Norman, please!" I pleaded. I couldn't take the joke of him sleeping with me when I knew they only way it would happen is if I just wanted it to be a random one time thing. He looked at me.
"What?" He asked. I sighed, he didn't even get it.
"Please stop, nothing is going to happen. I'm not going to just sleep with you," I said. He looked at me.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean it to come off like that," he said holding me again. I'm not sure if he had ever let go. I sighed. How did he mean it then? He sighed. "Your the last person on earth it wanna hurt, especially again," he told me. I smiled.
"I'm just one of them people that believes one day she will find love," I laughed. "I know pretty stupid, but I want something real, with someone special. Not something easy with someone who doesn't care about me," I beard my heart. He looked at me seriously.
"Believe me, it wouldn't be with someone who didn't care about you. I care for you a lot," Norman told me. I gave him a small smile. Of course he care. He just didn't have feelings for me. That's the part I'd never get over. I gave him a weak smile.
"I care for you a lot too," it was true, I did.
"Then why are we even having this.discussion?" He asked pulling me somewhere. " You should already be in my bed," he smiled. I stopped him two could play this game, anytime he was going to say soemthing abut sleeping with me or something close I knew what to say, insted of getting hurt.
"You want me in your bed, make me your girlfriend," I finnaly said. Norman looked at me.
"So stubborn," he laughed. I smiled.
"You want what you want. I want what I want," I told him. He looked at me.
"You wanna be my girlfriend?" He asked. I smiled.
"Do you wanna sleep with me?" I asked. He rubbed his chin, with a smile.
"So you ready to go out and do something?" He asked. I smiled. I had either stumped him or he was considering his answer carefully.
The day was a good one, we spend most of I on the bike, just riding around to no place special. It's all I could have asked for though. It was a whole day with Norman, and that kept my mind off Travis. Finally after dark we made it back to his house. We parked the bike for the night and went inside. Norman handed me a water with a smile.
"You ready to go? Or can we spend someime catching up.on some tv?" He asked. I smiled, I knew it wasn't late so I smiled and walked to the living room, siting on the couch. He fallowed me with a smile. "Can we cuddle?" He asked. I wanted to say no, but he knew I couldnt, there were things I'd let him get away with.
We got comfortable and Norman went to his DVR and started one of his shows. We watched it, I fell asleep half way threw and I couldn't have been happier. Some time later, I felt Norman move, I looked up at him sleepily.
"Can I go home? " I asked. He smiled down at me.
"Just stay here," he said. I looked at him.
"No, Norman that's not a good idea," I said. He looked at me.
"Why not? You can sleep in my room I'll keep you safe and warm," he smiled. I sighed.
"Make me your girlfriend," I repeated. He made a face.
"Not giving that one up?" He asked. I shook my head.
"You gonna give up trying to sleep with me?" I asked. He shook his head. Finnaly Norman decied to bring me home. It was too short of a ride and I was sad when he dropped me off at my door with a hug and a quick kiss to my head.
"Good night, beautiful, baby girl," he said. I smiled
"Night Normy," I sais as I went inside.