Love Survives (BWWM)

Let Me Take You Out

*Edited*

The next morning when I came into work, my thoughts were consumed with Aaron. The man had left his mark on me.

Since going to sleep that night I couldn't stop thinking about him. He was in my dreams, the way he touched my arm and spoke those words to me in a gentle voice. The way he pulled me to his side and made me feel safe.

I loved every minute of it, but it was all a fantasy. He had a life and a daughter to go back to and so did I. It was sad to think that we'd never see each other again.

The thought of never seeing him again made me feel even worse. The constant reminder of what we shared. There was definitely something between us. But we'd never get to see where it would lead.

With my mind still on Aaron, I walked into the store, turned the open sign on, and unlocked the doors.

The door opened after I got settled behind the counter.

"Aaron?" My heart started to race in my chest. He was so good looking it was infuriating.

A warm smile broke free on his lips. "I noticed that you're open."

"Yup," I responded. That was so lame. God, he made feel like an idiot teenager again.

He leaned on the counter in front of me and immediately reached for my hand like it was a natural movement.

I nearly pulled my hand away, but his grip got tighter as if he knew what I'd been thinking.

"I need your help with something."

"What is it?"

"My daughter needs a dress."

Another one? That girl was seriously spoiled. "Bianca?"

He shook his head as his grip got even tighter around my hand. Not to the point of pain, but it was enough to make me look him in the eyes.

"My other daughter, Iris."

I yanked my hand from his grip like he'd burnt me. "How many kids do you have?"

He looked at me like I was crazy. "Three. Is that a problem?"

I tried my best to get a hold of my emotions.

He had three daughters. That was a lot to take in. Especially because Bianca was a spoiled brat so it was hard to picture the other daughters being any better.

I was willing to overlook it because business was business.

"Fine. Bring your daughter in for a fitting when you get a chance," I said finally.

He looked relieved, and I expected him to turn around and leave, but he wasn't leaving. He stood there unmoving.

I couldn't say I was happy about that, but I definitely wasn't disappointed.

"Tell me about this place," he requested looking around a bit.

"Do you really care?"

"Do you really love this place?" He retorted.

My boutique was my baby. I put everything I had into it, saving every penny I had made during and after college and accepted a loan from my parents just to buy the building.

It was a part of me.

"Of course."

"Then yes, I really care."

He wanted to hear about my boutique just because it was important to me. I had to admit that that was the sweetest thing I'd ever heard from a guy.