Stevie had just made herself comfortable on the living room couch with a book in her hands, when the doorbell rang. Mick and his wife were out of the house and Stevie was all alone. She didn't necessarily had to get up and open the door, this wasn't her house. However, it could be one of the few people she'd gotten to know over the past several months.
"I hope I didn't wake you up or anything." Mark apologized, scratching the back of his neck nervously before sticking his hands in the back pockets of his jeans.
"No. Sorry I took so long." Stevie shook her head, looking down as she smiled locking eyes with him again. "Come on in." She let him through and closed the door. "Mick and Lynn are out, I'm not sure I'll be of any help."
"Uh, actually..." Mark trailed off for a second, chewing his bottom lip. "I was kind of hoping I'd catch you by yourself."
"Oh?" Stevie chuckled nervously. "Should I be worried?"
"No, uh... man, I hate these situations." Mark sighed.
"Well, first of all then, can I get you anything? A drink maybe?" Stevie offered, going to the kitchen, Mark followed close behind her.
"Just a glass of water please." Mark nodded and Stevie showed him to take a seat. He got up on the high stool at the kitchen island and nodded his thanks, when Stevie brought him the glass. "I feel so awkward."
"Why's that?" Stevie cocked her head to one side, crossing her arms as she leaned against the kitchen counter.
"Well, I'm not the kind of man, who's good at expressing his feelings. But..." He faked a cough, gulping down his water in one go. "I can't stop thinking about that kiss."
"It was nice, wasn't it?" Stevie half smiled and Mark nodded his head.
"I just wanted to let you know that I like you, a lot." He added. "I don't know how long it's been, since you came here, but I've loved getting to know you as a person, seeing you for you."
"I definitely made a new friend." Stevie moved to stand next to him, placing her hand over his.
"Just a friend, huh." Mark looked away, wanting to pull his hand away, but Stevie held onto him stronger.
"I'm not exactly looking for someone right now. I've got a lot going on as it is, Mark." She told him and it wasn't a lie.
Stevie liked him too. What's not to like about a man as handsome as Mark was. A couple of years younger, tall, jet black hair, gorgeous green eyes, his muscular chest always on display. Stevie could tell he wasn't a very sensitive man. He clearly needed to trust a person to open up to them and the more time the two spent together, the more Mark warmed up to her, which clearly brought them to the current moment.
"It doesn't matter to me, you know." Mark said, shrugging his shoulders. "I'd love to take care of you."
"Well, it's a lot more complicated than that, sadly." Stevie gave him a sympathetic look, disappointment written all over his face. She felt bad about it. It couldn't have been easy for Mark to come and tell her how he felt. Bringing her hand up to touch the side of his face, Stevie turned his head, so Mark would look at her. "I'm not saying never, but not right now."
Unsure of what else to do and feeling quite desperate, Mark wrapped his arm around her waist and stood up, towering over her. The palms of his hands, softer than she could have expected, cradled her face and he captured her lips. Taking by surprise at first Stevie remained unresponsive, but Mark showed no signs of pulling away and she locked her hands at the nape of his neck and kissed him back.
Someone cleared their throat loudly, causing Mark and Stevie to separate abruptly. They both turned their heads towards the interruption, seeing Mick standing in the doorway, his eyebrow raised.
"Uh, sorry. W-we didn't hear you come in." Stevie tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, embarrassed.
"Clearly." Mick nodded. "I can't leave you by yourself at all it seems."
"I think, I better go." Mark said, forcing a smile. "I'll see you around."
Mark left and Stevie and Mick were joined by his wife, who looked confused. "What happened?"
"Nothing." Stevie shook her head. "Nothing happened." She lied, giving Mick a look before disappearing upstairs in her temporary bedroom.
