I took a sip of the white wine that Alfred had poured into our glasses. It bubbled and sizzed in my mouth. I set the glass down and continued to not meet Bruce's gaze. I appreciated that he had come to get me so soon, but this was irrational! "You alright, Harley?" His voice echoed off of the walls, making me jump. I looked up, forced a smile, and nodded my head.
"Yep, never better," I lied as I picked up my glass and tipped it, drowning. I set it back down and Alfred refilled it. Bruce finished his food and I suddenly wasn't very hungry anymore. I had only eaten half of the food that was on my plate. I stood up, tossing my napkin onto my plate. "I'm sorry, I have to go." I started for the door, not bothering with my purse or coat as I hurried towards the door. I was almost there when Bruce caught my arm. I stopped and slowly turned around to face him. "I should go home." He looked unconvinced as he took me in his arms. His muscles were tight around me and I felt myself breaking. For the first time since my father's death, I cried.
My knees gave way and I fell to the floor, taking Bruce with me. I buried my face into his shoulder and his hands moved to the small of my back and to the back of my neck. His face was buried in the crook of my neck. I sobbed into his polyester sweater, my eyes burning as I balled the sweater up in my hands. I was completely losing it, and everything was just hitting me all at once. Jack was coming back for me, and I was scared. For the first time in ages, I was SCARED.
Bruce whispered into my ear, trying to coax me and his grip tightened around me. I started to choke on air, and he loosened his grip around me. "I think that I should go home," I whispered. I rose to my feet and Bruce left the room. He came back with my coat and purse. I shrugged the coat on and took my purse from him as I walked out the door. It had begun to pour outside, but I kept walking through the rain.
"I can give you a ride home you know!" Bruce shouted behind me. I didn't look back as I pulled my hood over my head. I heard him running towards me. "Harley, please wait!" I didn't answer him, and he spun me around. He stood there, the rain dripping down his face like a faucet. His clothes were getting soaked and my hands brushed against the wet material.
"Bruce, please I really have to go." He shook his head as he pulled me closer.
"Harley, please don't go. I...I haven't felt anything for a woman until I met you."
"You barely know me, Bruce!" He shook his head.
"I know, Harley, but I can't help it. I am in love with you...and I don't want to see you get hurt." He leaned in and crashed his lips over mine. Maybe it was the wine talking, but I felt sparks flow through us. He stepped back and rested his forehead against mine. "Let me take you home." I nodded my head and he pulled me towards the car. I got in on the other side of him and he drove me home. He turned the heat all the way up as we left through the gates. We didn't talk the whole ride, nor when we got into the parking lot of my apartment duplex.
I got out and didn't say anything as I ran into the building. I unlocked my door and slammed the door behind me. I tossed my wet coat aside and headed straight for the shower. I turned the water to full blast and stepped into the steaming water, trying to warm my body up. I heard a frantic knocking at my door and I turned off the water. I threw on some clothes and hurried to answer the door. I opened it to find Bruce, still soaking wet, the rain dripping from his hair. "I'm sorry," he whispered as he stepped inside and he closed the door behind me. He took me in his arms and planted a sweet, soft, gentle kiss on my lips.
