As It Should Be

CHAPTER 4

It was a great trip but I'm glad to be home. Walking up the driveway I'm listening to the voice messages over speakerphone and there were about five and counting from my Mr Man.
Not wanting to think about our relationship at the moment I stop the message midsentence and put the phone away
"Oh yeah? That's what you do?" 
I look to the right and there stands all six foot five inches of Ren Rutherford.  Things are a bit distant between us at the moment of course that's on my part, I'm just not sure I'm ready to commit to anything yet. I want a relationship; at least I think I do but things have been moving kind of fast emotionally in a short time.
After being sick the thought of being intimate with anyone was terrifying. My physical appearance wasn't the same, I am five feet ten inches and used to weigh a buck fifty, now I'm struggling to past 125 lbs. The disease reeked havoc on my joints so I was left with a slight limp and deformed fingers. Along with my cleavage and big ass I lost my self confidence but it has gotten better because now I can look in mirrors. Whereas before I'd have them covered, removed or didn't acknowledge their present.
The closer he got the more I pulled away. Don't get me wrong I liked the attention I got from him. He made me feel like a priority and little by little he was cutting away my barriers.

We exchange pleasantries, he takes my bags and invites himself in, says he'll cook while I unwind. I don't know what he's planning but I'm never passing up a home cooked meal. I sneak a pic and send it to Katia, he looks damn good moving around the kitchen, I wonder who taught him those skills.
I'm chatting up a storm about the trip  trying at all cost to keep clear of relationship questions, subjects or subtitles when....

"So, did you get all the info about me you were searching for? Anything else you'd like to know" 

"No I'm good"

I did my research, and was able to confirm what he had told me about himself and then some. Born to a Japanese mother and an African American father, who was never in his life. His mother remarried when Ren was three years old and had no other children.
Cooking isn't just his hobby it's his passion, he's a well sought after chef who is now focused on starting a chain of double r "RR" restaurants around the world. 
He wasn't upset I was prying because he had nothing to hide. He's being patient and is content in waiting for us to build a stronger foundation. I sit watching him talk nothing really registering.
I've heard it all before, that was the same nonsense spewed by every jackass I connected with, on that damn POF dating site then they ended up trying to scam me or being a fake. Ok so I also have trust issues...
I quickly change the subject back to the trip and the updates I was getting from Jess and Jay.
After eating we watched Curse of the Black Pearl, I'm a sucker for any Pirates of the Caribbean movies and watched them all over five times. I'm not big on cuddling but I enjoyed cozying up to Ren on the couch, he smells sooooo yummy.
My mind starts to wander to our first time meeting, it was at an early Spring Gala in NYC to raise funds for the free veterinary clinic I started.  I was running late, turned the corner and ran right into Ren's broad back which caused a domino effect of champagne spillage. Since then he's been persistent in being a permanent fixture in my life.
I honestly don't know why he puts up with me, he really seems to be a good guy but I keep giving him the cold shoulder and he still sticks around.
Katia has held nothing back when reminding me what a complete ass I'm being to towards him. They met once and clicked and I think he has recruited her help to get in my good grace.
"You're standing in your way Hanna, let the man love you" was her favorite line.
Jayla has only spoken to him on the phone but seems to be okay with our relationship. So why am I giving him such a hard time? We hadn't even had a real kiss yet, just a few pecks here and there.
When the movie was over I thank him for dinner and the company and we call it a night.
As I lay in bed I made a promise to myself to treat Ren better and give our relationship a real chance. I roll over and grab my phone

Me
"Thank you for a wonderful evening let's do that again soon"

Ren
" I would have stayed if you wanted me to, no pressure we could have just cuddled 😉 "

Me
"Goodnight Ren"

Ren
"Goodnight Hanna sweet dreams😘"