The Taste Of Loneliness

Chapter 4

Rachel stood in front of her vanity mirror wiping off the little makeup she still had on from the day.

"The nerve of him. Thinking all I wanted was sex. " She huffed shaking her head as she picked up the brush and began attempting to tame her hair. Her intentions were purely to talk but he couldn't see past that which upset her. She'd never try to take advantage of a man who'd just lost his wife.

"But you shouldn't have thrown your wine on him.. " She muttered to herself feeling slightly awful that she made such a scene in the restaurant. Glancing down as her cell phone began ringing. Her friend from college, Ashton was calling probably wanting the details of her date.
Reluctantly she pressed the answer button holding it up to her ear with a sigh and roll of her eyes.

"Hello?"
"Rach! How did it go? Was he all hot and smouldering or mysterious and..."
She cut her friend off quickly.

"I threw my wine on him and left him because he thought I only wanted sex. Called him an asshole so yeah."

"What?! He thought.. Oh my goodness gracious. He's such a prick then. I'm sorry he thought that. "

"I know. But I probably pushed to hard to talk about things. He doesn't seem like a person who shares his feelings anyway. But now it's just going to be incredibly awkward seeing him at work. " She groaned moving back to sit on her bed. Glancing out the window of her apartment, seeing the sun setting.

"Oh well his loss. We need to meet up soon for lunch and some shopping. "
She smiled lightly at the offer.

"Yeah we should. I gotta go. Talk later Ash. " Hitting the end call button and sitting her phone on the nightstand.
Knowing she was spending the day running errands tomorrow she decided to hit the hay early. Taking off the dress and pulling on some yoga pants and a loose tank top. Laying down in bed wishing she would forget about that evening.

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Negan awoke Saturday morning with the worst hangover he'd had in years. The empty bottle of Jack Daniels was in the floor beside the bed, having fallen off sometime in the night. Groaning he pulled the pillow over his head wishing the world to just stop for the day. All he wanted was to lay in bed and forget.
But he needed coffee and he was out at the house. Which meant he had to go to town. With a loud grunt he he sat up from bed, moving to his closet and grabbing a tee shirt and some jeans. Sliding his shoes on then going to the bathroom. Popping two Tylenol dry before grabbing his car keys and leaving the house.

Driving down to the coffee shop wanting the biggest cup possible. Waiting in line not really paying attention to anyone around him. Until he heard a familiar voice in front of him. His throat tightening up as he saw Rachel making her order and waiting patiently off to the side.
Everything in him was telling him to turn around and walk out. Save them both some awkwardness. But he didn't move. Not even when she grabbed her cup of coffee and turned around, their eyes meeting across the few feet that separated them. Her cheeks turned slightly red as his shoulders sagged with defeat. Clearing his throat he spoke first.

"Good fucking morning.. " He uttered softly hoping she didn't bring up the previous evening.
She sighed nodding slowly and flashing a small smile.

"Good morning Negan. " Her tone was flat and unwelcoming, she moving to walk past him to leave the shop. But he reached out grabbing her arm gently.

"I'm fucking sorry I said all that shit. And made a fool of myself in the damned restaurant. I was just...fucking frustrated." He rambled to her in a rush knowing she was probably extremely pissed off at him.
It took some seconds but she finally smiled lightly at him.

"I'm sorry I threw my wine on you. That was...pretty dramatic for me. "
She let out a soft laugh of embarrassment. He laughing with her as he rubbed the back of his neck.

"I fucking deserved that don't be fucking sorry." He dropped his hand from her arm and nodded to the door.
"I should let you get going then. Probably have as much shit as I have to do today."
Stepping up as the line moved, he ordering a large black coffee with two sugar and light cream. And a banana nut muffin since he hadn't had breakfast yet. All the while feeling her eyes boring a hole into the back of his head. After paying for his order he turned and looked at her. Grunting softly.

"Wanna fucking sit and talk? " he muttered moving over to sit at a table. Half expecting her to blow him off again. Hoping she didn't throw her scalding hot coffee in his face this time.
But he was met with her soft smile, she sitting down across from him. Looking at his choice of drink and food. Scrunching her nose up in disgust.

"How on earth can you drink that? It's just.. Coffee.. No flavor or anything.. "
He just chuckled raising an eyebrow at her now.

"Because it's fucking good like that sweetheart. Helps wake you up more. Rather than.. Let me fucking guess, some fancy cappuccino shit or exprreso. " he couldn't help tease her now. She instantly huffing slightly annoyed but smirked at him in response.

"I'll have you know it's a chai latte."
He just chuckled more shaking his head.

"Typical white girl. " Unable to resist winking at her now. Which made her blush again, he remembering faintly when Lucille was always so bashful around him like this. Clearing his throat he pinched off some of the muffin and popped it in his mouth. Offering some to her which she declined.

"I don't like bananas."
He scoffed immediately at her, but smirked lightly.

"You're fucking weird then. Fancy coffee shit and don't like bananas. Let me guess you don't like sports either?" He questioned sort of curiously now.

"Oh no I love baseball.. " Her eyes lit up now as she began speaking. Taking a sip from her cup before continuing.

"Me and my dad would go all the time to pirates games. He had season tickets, he coached little league. So I pretty much grew up around it. " She shrugged not thinking it was a big deal although it surprised many guys that she liked baseball.
He was surprised most of all, knowing he had something else to tease her about.

"I know you women. You just fucking like looking at their asses." He rolled his eyes taking a sip, seeing her roll her eyes and blush again.

"No I do not thank you very much. It's a very beautiful sport if you look at it. And more entertaining than football or basketball. Baseball is kind of like dancing, you have to make the right steps or you'll fall. Or be ridiculed for messing up. "

He raised an eyebrow as she compared the two, but just shrugged for now.

"It's a bunch of sweaty guys hitting balls and swearing. Oh and don't forget taking drugs. " He chuckled lightly.

"I bet that's why you like it mhm? All the profanity. " It was her turn to tease him some.
He just chuckled again nodding once.

"But you enjoy my colorful fucking vocabulary. It keeps things even more entertaining than damned baseball."
He stated matter of factly.

She couldn't help but laugh, flashing her perfect smile at him.

"Yes you're a very entertaining person Negan. Despite the vulgarity. " She sipped on her drink more, watching him. Noticing how his eyes would squint some whenever she said something odd. Or when she laughed or blushed they seemed to widen into pie plates. The almost amber like irises burning a hole into her as they talked.

"Oh sorry what? " She laughed turning red.

"You were fucking staring at me." He chuckled lowly leaning back in his chair as he drummed his fingers against the table top. Watching her now with an intense gaze. She looking like a deer caught in headlights. Her hazel eyes soft and almond shaped. The way they stretched when she laughed and widened as she blushed at his inappropriate comments.

"Oh oh.. Sorry I didn't mean to.. "
He raised an eyebrow curious at her. Blurting out without thinking.

"You're fucking beautiful so I don't mind.. " Making her turn even redder than before.