Love Has a Color

Lunch

I got to the office a little late this morning. Not that anyone, including myself, would be surprised by that. But, what may surprise you, is that Asher beat me there. I was only a tad later than usual, and on any other day he still would've been there after me. This morning, however, he seemed as chipper as ever just waiting in my office in his little corner desk, ready to go.

"This is weird," I note as I enter.

"What's weird?" He asks, looking up from his desk to flash me that on-brand grin.

I raise my eyebrow at him, wondering what's up, and shuffle over to set my bag on my desk. "You're here way early. And, you don't look like you've slept for a total of fifteen minutes. What's with you today?"

He gasps, the smile still garnishing his tanned face, and places his hand over his chest. "Wow, that stung, Indigo."

I can't help but laugh at him as I roll my eyes. "Okay, I didn't mean it to sound like that. But, seriously, where is Asher and what have you done with him? I mean, you even brushed your hair this morning."

"My hair always looks good. But, if you must know, I have a date today."

My head nearly snaps off as I spin around to glare at him. "A what?" I try to hide the the pain that caused, but, I'm pretty sure my face is betraying me.

"A date," he repeats. No, yeah, thanks I got it the first time.

I turn back around in order to avoid looking at him, fidgeting with some files on my desk. "Do I know her?"

I hear some noises behind me, hinting that he's moving towards me. I force myself not to look in his direction, but I know where he is when he speaks. "You do," he casually comments. Why is this so easy for him? It's seriously only been three days since...well, since...whatever, we haven't even gotten lunch together yet and he's going on a date? And rubbing it in my face? Honestly, he comes in here looking all happy and totally hot, like I'm not going to see that he clearly put in some effort this morning. Then, just straight up tells me he's going on a date? I mean, I guess I appreciate the honesty, but, what the hell?

"Oh," is all I can muster. I can feel my face heating up as I fight back the tears, the negative thoughts and the hurt flooding to my eyes.

"I guess it's not technically a sure thing, though," he says.

"What do you mean 'not a sure thing?'" I hear that he's gotten closer, so I finally turn around to look at him as he approaches. I turn to be met with his chest inches away from me. I lean back, trying to inch away from him, but being stopped by the desk.

"I mean I still haven't asked her. Speaking of, are you free for lunch?"

"I'm always free for lunch. But, why does that matter?" I snap, still quite bitter at the fact that he's being so nonchalant about this.

He tilts his head in confusion, a small smirk gracing his face, before shaking his head at me. "Really, Scar?"

"Really, what?" I ask. What, am I missing something here?

"Okay, as fun as it is to mess with you, it really is better when I don't have to explain it. I'm asking you to get lunch with me today."

My eyebrows automatically scrunch up as I try to fill in the blanks. I'm about to announce the obvious fact that I'm confused, and open my mouth to do so, then realize what he meant. "Ohhhh," I say. He mimics my expression, his mouth forming an "o" as he nods his head. We just stand there in silence for a moment, Asher staring at me. "What?"

The smile on his face just grows as he laughs, that velvety sound twisting knots in my stomach. "Meet me at my car around twelve, okay? I'm taking you out, dork." He leans over, pressing a kiss to the top of my head before ruffling my hair and walking out.

"Wait, where are you going?"

"I have a meeting!" He calls, shutting the door behind him.

Well, that was embarrassing.

———————

12:15. I only notice the time when I see Sarah walk by the room with a bagel in her hand, something she does at the same time every day. Shit. I got just a tad busy with some case files, and was counting on Asher coming back from his meeting before lunch. Before our lunch date. Date!

I hop up from the desk and grab my purse, scurrying towards the door before realizing I should stop in Violet's office. I sigh, shutting the door behind me and heading down the hall. When I reach the room I pause for a second as my hand hovers over the handle. What should I tell her? I don't want her getting any ideas, especially when I'm not even sure what exactly this is.

Finally entering the room, I great both Sarah and Violet. "Hey guys, I'm just heading out for lunch. Want me to bring anything back?"

Violet gave a quick glance to Sarah, who shrugged her shoulders, and then looked back to me with a smile. "Nope, all good here. See you in a bit," she chirps. Hm. Guess everyone's in an abnormally good mood today. I glance down at my watch and realize I should get going before Asher thinks I'm ditching him.

I rush down to the parking lot and search for his car. The wind blows my curls across my face, and I sputter the hair from my mouth while trying to pull it behind my ears and simultaneously scan the area for Asher. "Scar!" I hear. I turn to find the man in question leaning oh-so attractively against his car, laughing at my struggle with his bright whites gleaming in the sun. With a sigh I head towards him. He follows me to the passenger side of the car, opening my door before retreating to his own. "So much for twelve, huh?" He teases, adding that wink and arch of an eyebrow.

I roll my eyes, predictably, and pull my seat belt on. "You said around twelve. Twelve-thirty is around twelve." He just shakes his head, smile still present, and swings the car out of the lot. I decide that staring at him the entire ride may seem a bit creepy, so I opt for focusing on the scenery outside my window. "So, where are we headed?"

He shrugs at my question. "Surprise."

I raise a brow at him, twisting in my seat to get a better angle for my glare. "What do you mean, surprise?" He smiles, shrugging again. "You don't have a plan, do you?"

"Of course I do," he replies. I raise an eyebrow in disbelief before turning my attention to the window.

A short ride later, we end up outside a small cafe downtown. It doesn't hit me at first, but after a few moments of soaking in the exterior of the building I realize where we are. "Really? Here? Why?"

Asher winks at me before exiting the car and walking around to my side, where I'm still seated and sulking at having to come back to this place. He opens the door and leans down to give me his hand. I glare at it, then turn my eyes up to meet his soft smile. Well, at least he's not smirking at me. That's what I expected.

"Come on, Scar," he encourages, grabbing my hand himself.

"Fine, but you get to tell me why this, of all places, is your choice." I follow him into the building and we order our food. We choose a cozy table in the back corner and sit across from each other. "Okay, Black. Why here?"

He laughs and scoots his drink away from himself. "Kind of a full circle thing, don't you think?"

"I guess. But, this time I won't spill any pop on you."

Asher laughs at the memory, and gives me a gleaming smile. "Good. And this time I'll make sure to leave with you."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean I shouldn't have let you leave like that. I shouldn't have left it up to chance. I should have asked you for your number the moment I laid eyes on you, or after you got off the ground at the very least. It's not very often that a woman as beautiful as you literally falls into your life. I don't think I would've ever gotten over it if I never got the chance to actually meet you. I'll be honest, after that day I couldn't get you out of my head. I was enamored with you and I didn't even know your name. So, now, here we are. Back where we first met, for our first official date. Full circle."

I can't help but smile at his declaration. Okay, I'll admit it. This is the perfect date.