Getting To Know You

Chapter Three

Poppy and I shuffle back into the house, I'm still stunned by the kiss on my forehead. Oh my, I think while my back leans against the door. That man is going to drive me crazy. I go into the living room, plopping down on the couch as I flip through the TV. I'm not really paying attention- I just need something for the silence as I ponder Denver. It has been awhile since I've dated anyone. I had a few boyfriends before, but once I realized the certain... aspects of a relationship that I enjoy, I completely shut off anyone who has even tried to come close to me. I mean how do you explain to someone that sort of thing?!

I huff, having to stand from the couch and start pacing. You don't, that's how. My hand subconsciously reaches down to pet Poppy, who is right on my heels as she can feel my stress level rise. "I'm sorry girl," I lean down and kiss her between the eyes. "I'm okay, go lay on the couch!" I shoo her into the living room as I walk down the hall toward my room. I chew on my lip, thinking about Denver again. I barely know him, I wouldn't dare spill my secret to him. Not unless I wanted the whole town of Hendra to know! I grab my fuzzy onesie and some socks, turning around to head into the bathroom. I know it is dumb of me to get too involved with Denver, it will never turn into anything beyond friends. While I turn on the water I let out a loud groan, "Who even said he wanted to be more than friends?!" I shout to myself, turning around to put music on my phone and start to undress.

As I am singing along to my music and rubbing my loofah over my tummy, I hear Popcorn start to bark. She isn't normally a talker, so I know something must be going on to make her shout. Quickly rinsing off, I wrap my Lion King robe around me and head out of the bathroom. "What's wrong, Poppy?!" I rub her head, watching her jump and spin around. "What is it girl?!" Popcorn runs to the front door, jumping up.

I approach the door, sighing since I know I'm about to be killed by a murderer and open the door. Popcorn wastes no time as she jumps onto the screen door out of.. excitement? Once I look up, I'm shocked to see Denver there. Oh God, Denver there. "Oh God, DENVER!" I yelped and used the door to cover my body. "I mean, uh, hi. Denver!" I shoot him a smile, petting Popcorn to let her know to calm down and sit on her bottom. She does so and Denver finally looks up from Popcorn.

Denver looks me in eyes then his gaze drops to what little he can see of my outfit then back to my eyes. His smile from polite to enormous as he laughs loudly, holding his stomach. I hadn't seen him laugh this way before and all I could do was stand there in awe. How could I have ever met a man so attractive? His brown eyes were squeezed closed while his head was thrown back. He had never looked so young as he did right now, and all I could think was I'd let him laugh at me any day. In fact, I'd like him to laugh at me more often.

I moved out for behind the door, crossing my arms and looking at him angrily. "Go ahead- laugh it up," I sigh, rolling my eyes. Shockingly, his laugh immediately stopped when he saw my whole outfit. I felt like prey with the way his eyes looked me up and down, my smile fades away and so does his.

It feels like minutes before anyone moves, blinks, says anything. Finally, he clears his throat and returns his face to the polite smile. "I'm sorry if I am intruding, Olive. I should have called before arriving." He looks almost embarrassed as he shifts from foot to foot. "You had left these at my house. They were on the counter?" I finally look down into his hands, seeing my keys as he holds them out.

"Oh! Wow, thank you Denver! Though, I'm not sure why I even carry them around," I laugh as I unlock the door and open it wide enough for Denver to slip through. He followed my cue, coming into the house and immediately leaning down closer to Popcorn to give her more belly pats. After closing the door, I grab the keys out of his hand and walk into the kitchen, placing them on the counter.

"Of course." Denver leans next to me on the counter, his hand going into his pocket though Poppy is directly beneath his feet- basically begging for attention.

"Now, Poppy! You are not starved for attention! Go lay down, girl." I lean down, shooing her away from Denver and she sadly moves out of the kitchen- looking back before she goes to the couch. "Wow, you would think I just killed her!" I roll my eyes and smile, looking over to Denver as I lean back against the counter's ledge. "May I ask you something?" Denver keeps his cool composure, shrugging as he maintains eye contact. "I didn't notice a bed, where are you sleeping while you wait to furnish the house."

Denver chuckles, not nearly as hearty. "Now, you can't laugh at me.." He trails off and pushes away from the counter.

"Oh! Like you laughed at me?!" I accuse with a laugh.

"That's different! Look at you! You look like a child! It's adorable!" I can feel my face turn beat red, but not of embarrassment- he said I was adorable! My lip juts out in a pout, staring up at him. "Now, don't give me that look! I just wasn't expecting it." Denver kept the smile on his face but pulled me in for a hug, his hand on my neck to encompass me. "I'm sorry."

I couldn't breathe, I couldn't move. He was hugging me, I was surrounded by his smell of cleaning supplies and cologne. Oh my, I was sure he could feel my heart racing out of my chest. What was I supposed to do?! HUG HIM BACK STUPID!! Immediately, my arms wrapped around his middle and my face squished against him. I could have sworn I heard a groan from how tight I was squeezing him but it was by far the warmest hug I've ever received. I could live in this hug. To my dismay, he eventually pulls away and his hands fall from around me.

"I figured it would just be a night or two before I can get a bed in there so I've been using the rug and a few blankets and pillows I have." Denver reminded me of my original question, shaking me from my thoughts and returning me to the hear and now. He had seemed casual, like the encounter did not phase him.

"Excuse me?! You're sleeping on a floor! Of a dusty old house rug nonetheless?!" My yelling had caused Popcorn to come bolting into the room, immediately at my side between Denver and I. I reached my hand down to hold her head, showing her that it was okay. After a huff, I turned around and headed out into the hall with Popcorn following closely behind- leaving Denver in the kitchen.

After a few moments, I return in my pajamas (not the onesie I had originally picked out, but rather a pair of shorts and T-shirt) and many blankets and pillows piled above my head. Once I am in view, Denver rushes to help me carry everything to the couch. "That's nonsense, Denver. You're a grown man, to be sleeping on a rug on the floor?!" I roll my eyes and throw everything down.

"Don't roll your eyes at me," Denver commands. His voice had shifted so suddenly it caused me to stop what I was doing and look at him. "I let it go the first time because it was jokingly. It is disrespectful, please." Though he left some leeway in his words, I knew there wasn't any by his tone. I simply nodded, quickly looking back down to the task of the blankets. "Here, let me help." His caress was so gentle as he touched my lower back. My head was spinning, I couldn't believe how he could change so fast. I was left speechless, and moved away. Popcorn and I watched as he started to set up a fort for us, using all the equip I had in the living room.

He had dusted off his hands and smiled at his creation, looking back to see me with the widest grin imaginable. "FORT!" Like I was racing, I dove into the fort, spinning around and making myself comfortable in the blanket pile. "Fort! Fort!" I shouted as Popcorn copied my actions and laid by my left.

I could see Denver bending at the hips, smiling at my reaction. "I take it you like it?" My head jerked up and down so fast I could have gotten whip lash! I loved it! This was so cool! My laughter filled the room as he took off his shoes and crawled into the fort beside me on the right. It was funny to see such a big man fit into this small area. He sat criss crossed beside me, slouching so as not to ruin the roof above us. "I'm glad you like it. I'm sorry I got upset earlier, Olive. I never meant to be so rude to you."

Denver had suddenly gotten so serious and it caused my smile to fade as well. I whispered, not wanting to ruin the soft glow around us. "Is Otay," and with that Denver grabbed the remote with an affirmative nod, flicking through the stations until we decided on something we both enjoyed.

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Hey everybody.

I am sorry I'm not that strong of a writer. But I hope you're enjoying at least the idea I'm trying to get across. Let me know if there is something wrong or a part you liked, didn't. Whatever!

Have a good one!