Reluctant Lovers ( COMPLETE)

Starting Over

Maggie's was uneventful. The regular Friday crowd came and went and I found myself snuggled in bed with my tv and beer before I knew it. I work all day Saturday, with the potential to make my rent in one day, I'm happy to have the hours. Liam keeps asking if Marc has called. Why would he? I quit, he's got much better things to do than talk to me, I think. I left him stuck with Karen on the Brandord deal, but Carol text me and I already know they landed the account. Not only did they land it, Marc told Carol they were so impressed with my work they want me on another job. As flattering as that is, it only makes me cringe at the thought of working so closely with Marc again. I thought I could leave and be over it, but I have had no other thoughts but Marc and that stupid kiss.

*Marc- Hey.

Speak of the devil

*Me- Hey.

*Marc- what are you doing?

*Me- It's 11 pm. What do you think I'm doing? I'm washing the car.

*Marc- Funny, I see you haven't lost your sarcasm.

*Me- Never

*Marc- I miss you at the office.

My heart constricts.

*Me- It's only been a day.

*Marc- Will you go to dinner with me? You don't work for me anymore so technically you're not dating your boss.

Man this guy just doesn't let up does he? If I go to dinner maybe I can shut him down. If I give him a tiny bit of information I can scare him away enough that I don't have to keep doing this, I've never met anyone who takes the word no so badly. It's like it just isn't in his vocab. I can't fault the guy for trying can I? I mean he's relentless.

*Me- You don't give up do you?

*Marc- Nope.

*Me- Okay, one date, no kissing, no flirting, you can't touch me, and we take separate cars. Dinner and that's it, Monday night. Take it or leave it

I wait for what seems like eternity and then he finally responds.

*Marc- So I can hold your hand?

Oh he thinks he's cute doesn't he? I can't help but smile though for some pathetic reason.

*Me- No Touching smarty pants.

*Marc- just checking, I'll take it. So I pick the place then, because you've decided everything else. Let's meet at Delilah's on Sunset. 6:30 Monday, if something changes let me know.

Delilah's?! You can't get in there without a months notice. How in the world can he do that. I also, don't have anything to wear to a place like that, I don't want to go shopping for this stupid date. One date, Jordan, then it's over and you can start looking for a new job, maybe I can get a reference out of all this. After all, he kissed me, I could file sexual harassment! Yea right who am I kidding, I wanted it just as bad.

*Me- Fine thank you.

*Marc- *Aleena, it's my Pleasure.

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"Good morning sweet cheeks, did you sleep ok?" Liam is in the kitchen, coffee in hand, ready for me.

"Screw you and your morning peppiness." I grumble out

"So! What's on the plan for today, I know you have to work this morning but Taylor and I are going out to this new dance club, everyone will be there, do you want to come, it's gonna be so fun!" He is buzzing around the kitchen finishing up breakfast, Taylor must have stayed last night because I never eat breakfast and he's cooking for an army.

"I don't know Li, I might ask Betty if I can work a double, I have to find something soon or I'm not going to be able to make my bills. Can I tell you something without you getting stupid excited?" He raises his eyebrows and smiles but nods his head, I know he's going to squeal like a damn 13 year old girl anyway. "I need your help, Marc asked me to dinner Monday night, Delilah's, I have nothing that fancy in my closet. Do you think you could ask Megan?" Megan is Liam's sister and she is my size, not only is she my size but she has more clothes than I could ever dream of owning.

"Sure, I can do that." He shrugs, he's strangely calm, for the bomb I just dropped.

"What's up with you?" I ask, I have lived with this guy for 5 years, he is too calm.

"Nothing's up Leen, come on, you said don't get excited, this is me not getting excited." He counters

"Alighty, well, I'm going to work, I'm working Sunday night too, and I'm going to ask her for days for a while until I can find another dream job, do you want any pie from Maggie's? It's blueberry? I finish

"No pie, but Taylor and I will be in for dinner before we hit the club."

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Betty agrees to put me on days, and I follow up with Maggie to make sure she has done it. I really love the diner, it's simple and if I didn't have student loans I might just hide out here forever. I know deep in my heart I was meant to work with computers though, it comes so easy and it's a passion I can't get rid of. I know I'm good at it too, the feeling I got fixing Danny's fuck up was like a high I didn't want to come down from, and pleasing Marc, seeing how grateful he was. Well, it warmed me inside, not like when I satisfied Brian, I never made him happy, or when I help Liam, this was different. I know I have to do a job like the one at Dilford.

I'm wiping up the counter when a delivery boy comes in with a gorgeous bouquet of 2 dozen pink roses. They are stunning!

"Aleena Jordan?" He asks

"uh that's me." I studder, surely those aren't for me.

"These are for you, have a wonderful day." He finishes and walks out.

"Who are you boning Leena?! Those are beautiful!" Leave it to Betty to ruin the moment.

"I'm not boning anyone, this must be a mistake, I Have never gotten flowers before." I'm standing there looking at them like they may start talking to me.

"Well, don't just stand there open the card!" Maggie says as she turns the corner. I open the card and my heart constricts in the only way he can make it.

Here is to starting over, I look forward to Monday. -Marc