Mated to the Rogue *DISCONTINUED*

S E V E N

We walked down the busy street together, almost touching but not. We were both unsure, filled with doubt. What was I even doing with him? Did I think we would work out or something?

I pushed those thoughts out of my mind. There was nothing to do now except enjoy the moment. I couldn't change it and even if I could, why would I want to?

I reached forward and pulled the door open, stepping aside so he could proceed inside.

"Why, thank you. I knew chivalry wasn't dead," he said with a deep chuckle.

I gave a noncommittal shrug, not trying to hide my grin. "What can I say? I must be a gentleman at heart or something."

We shared a smile and the awkward tension started to dissipate.

It was empty, which was surprising, but at least that meant we didn't have to wait in the line. As soon as I spotted it on the menu, I knew exactly what I was going to get. I made an excited noise and my mate looked at me quizzically.

"Hot chocolate!" I exclaimed. Anything chocolate was my bae. I like chocolate more that I like to breathe.

He raised his eyebrows. "Let me guess. Extra whipped cream?"

"You got it, Homie."

"Homie?"

"Yeah, Homie. I still don't know your name, so until you tell me you're just going to have to live with this."

He shook his head, but I could see the smile playing on his lips. Those really attractive lips. Just the perfect shade of light pink.

No, Emilia! I don't know what we have between us, but it definitely wasn't a relationship. Plus, I was afraid of what would happen if my dad found out. He had been so angry in chapter 1...

After that, my homie placed and also paid for our orders, which I opposed, saying we should split but he would have none of it.

After receiving our drinks, my hot chocolate and his coffee, we sat down at the small round table that had two mismatched chairs in the garden area of the coffee shop. There was an umbrella over our heads, protecting us from the sun and a fountain in the middle of the cobblestone clearing. There were pink and white rose bushes lining the outside of the space with off-white tulips blooming from the scarce patches of dirt that the rose bushes weren't hoarding. It was a very charming place to sit and read for a few hours.

I took a sip of my hot chocolate, still glancing around at my surroundings. The hot liquid nearly burned my tongue, but I was past the point of caring. It was delicious.

I turned my attention to the man sitting across from me, surprised when I realized he was already observing me.

I took another sip, peeking at him from over the lip of the cup.

I set my cup down and braced my elbows on the table, placing my chin on my knuckles.

"What's your favorite color?"

He answered without missing a beat. "Red."

"Why?" I wondered out loud.

"It's the color power. Why wouldn't I like it?" He answered, mimicking my position.

"What about you?" I almost missed his question because of his close proximity. It was all I could do to not inhale a deep breath and take in his mouth-watering scent.

"Blue," I replied a bit quieter. "It represents wisdom and intelligence."

"It seems we value different things," was his only reply.