Her // Joe Goldberg (COMPLETED)

18

We went three whole days without contact but that didn't stop me seeing you. I fell asleep to you falling asleep, I saw you have cocktail nights with Eddi and her girlfriend, arguments with Honey and even dancing around the Max issue with Cody. Once it hit three and a half days you waltzed into my bookstore, pretended to browse then slammed your palms against the counter. Oh fuck, what did you find out ?, you were oozing confidence and it was scaring me.

"Dove's Food Hub" you announced as I titled my head, I never heard of it. "Meant to have a great cuisine" I lied, why ?, I wanted to impress you. "You've been ?" you asked, I nodded, yet another lie. "Great you're going again. Seven o clock" you said through a smile as I kept my head at the same angle. "Alone ?" I asked curious as you scoffed. "With me. Come to my house first then we'll go. Don't be a man about it, I'm paying" you told me before checking your phone since once again, it was blowing up. Was it ever not blowing up ?. "The kindergarten, wondering where Cody's been all year. I sent him back today, not healthy for a kid his age to be following me around all day. He needs to mix with kids. I'll be questioned now at pickup. Where's he been ? I don't know, ask his father. Where's his father ? Oh, uh, he ran off and left us. Where's his mother ? Fuck knows. Y'see my problem. Alright, I'd better go, see you at seven" you rambled on before waving at me and leaving, just like that.

I'd let you pay, paying seemed to be a tug of war between you and Max but I vowed to be different to him so it will all be done on your terms... until I googled the place. The name made it sound like a better off fast food restaurant but nothing too fancy. I was wrong, there were pictures of waiters playing violins, women wore jewels and men wore three piece suits. You left me shocked but excited, I felt cheeky letting you pay, like a scrounger, I wouldn't argue but god, you'd make me feel guilty.

I arrived at you house exactly at 7, not a minute earlier nor later. Eddi opened the door and stepped to the side with what looked to be a smile, however this was Eddi, you could never be certain. "Have her home by midnight" she joked with her hands on her hips like a disapproving dad, it was comical so I laughed. "11:59 then" I joked back as she shook her head, again, she seemed to be laughing but I didn't want to jinx it. "You brought back her sparkle, thank you" she said softly, now I was really smiling. "She deserves it, she's been through a lot" I said honestly because you had, god knows anyone would've spiralled by now, not our Kelsey-Jay. Honey was listening in the living room so walked out to see me. "Bla bla bla, I knew you'd have second thoughts. I suppose I can put it all behind me-" she began but Eddi cut her off with a scoff. "He's here for Kelsey, ruin it for her and I'll ruin you" she said like the answer was obvious but she meant every word which made the deluded girl roll her eyes. "Chicago made you two close though, I knew I should've gone" she tried to begin but again, Eddi cut her off. "Don't break peoples brothers hearts then and maybe you'll get an invite back" she spat which left Honey flinching. "Max's body isn't even cold" she whispered which sent shivers down my spine but left Eddi shaking her head. Where did Honey get this from ? I rented a three piece suit, I had to look rich. This restaurant was fancy, I couldnt have you thinking I was one of those people not bothered to make an effort. I didn't want anyone to look at me next to you and think "Jesus, she could do better"

Honey stormed off and Eddi told me everything I wanted to hear, that I was doing everything thing right because your smile was back. I was about to reply when you walked down the stairs and left me shell-shocked, in absolute awe. Standing on the third stair from the bottom, you were wearing that knee length red dress, the one you wore the day I become besotted by you except now it was paired with heels. Your hair was down and curled, you were like a film-star, you'd be on the Walk of the fame next to Audrey and Marilyn. Eddi herself had no words for a couple of seconds. "W-what is it ? Is it too much ?" you questioned instantly, you were conscious, you were tugging your dress and nobody was answering because we'd all fallen in love eight times over so I shook myself out of it to form a sentence. "Not at all" I answered and I couldn't help but smile at you, you had that effect on me. You told Eddi to call if Cody needed you or wanted anything at all, she told you she definitely wouldn't be doing that and if you called to check in, she'd hand up. She wanted to savour every last second of tonight and actually enjoy yourself. This is what I've been talking about, you deserve friends who want you to enjoy your life. Nona came out of the kitchen holding Cody and they all waved us off as though we were royalty.