H E R

Chapter 9

I didn't expect her to start crying.

That was not what i wanted, she assured me that she was crying for a good reason but i couldn't help but still feel terrible that she shed tears because of me.

We sit here on the ground but at least on a blanket this time between us and the cold ground. Leaning against the tree she sits in between my legs as we both eat sandwiches, i don't know how to cook but i can make a very good sandwich and there is some fruits and brownies for desert.

"You wanna know why i loved this tree." She says in the silence.

"Because it's the most peaceful place on the earth to me." She says taking another bite. I think hard about what to respond with, something i love about Paisley is her mind. She is so smart and i love to hear her thoughts they make me fall in love with her more and more.

"The most peaceful place on the earth to me is probably the roof of my office building." I say, "I used to smoke so i'd be up there a lot. And the later the night, all the more smoke breaks." I tell her. I didn't mean to get all that deep but it's Paisley telling her about me seems natural.

"I didn't know you smoke." She says, she doesn't sound judging making me kiss her head.

"Only at my worst." I say putting my head on her shoulder and wrapping my arms around her tighter. I finished my sandwich and she was just i'm finishing up too. After her last bite i can't help but pick her up and sit her on my lap properly not in between.

"I used to smoke weed." She says casually and i can't help but look at her shocked.

"No way." I say disbelievingly, she looks back at me and grins "Yes way." She defends.

"I can roll joints." She whispers to me and my smile only gets bigger.

"Paisley Henley who knew you were such a bad girl." I can't help but poke fun at her.

"Smoking cigarettes is worse." She says defending herself, "That's right baby. Never smoke darts."

"Darts?" She giggles using the slang. I kiss her cheek "It's another name for it, fag, dart, cig. Same thing"

"Shouldn't say that." She hums softly.

"I know I know baby i'm sorry." I apologize, i know she doesn't like it when i say things like that.

I bring over the fruits and put it on Paisley's lap, she excitedly opens it and grabs a grape from the container of assorted fruit. We honestly devour the fruits, we eat the strawberries and the brownies together after Paisley has the idea to eat them together. Surprisingly good.

We sit there and talk for hours, about nothing really. But some how all that talk of nothing really seemed like the world to me.

When it started getting dark and cold that was when i knew i had to cut off the date. I notice Paisley holding back shivers and i take that as a hint to take her home.

"Come on baby let me take you home you're freezing." I tell her chuckling.

We stand up and start to walk.

"What about the stuff?" She asks me, i pull up my phone quickly and text my assistant to come get everything.

"Taken care of. Let's go." I say wrapping my arm around her shoulder and starting to walk back in the direction of her house. We walk huddled together her saying she's absolutely freezing while i'm only a little chilly with just my dress shirt on, i don't say anything only smile at her dramatics.

When we get to her house we stop on her porch, "Are you going to come in?" she asks lightly.

I shouldn't i have work tomorrow and i know that if i stay the night i won't get any sleep.

"No Babygirl I'm sorry, I have to go home tonight." I say kissing her cold hands and puffing hot air onto her frozen fingers. "Can I have a kiss?" I ask grinning.

She gets up on her tippy toes and reaches up to kiss me i eagerly meet her halfway down in a hard kiss. I'm going to miss her tonight and I really don't want to leave. Next weekend she'll stay the whole time at my place to make up for it. I kiss her harder running our tongues together.

I pull away before it gets too heated and i can't.

"Goodbye baby i'll talk to you tomorrow?" I say still keeping our faces close and occasionally rubbing our lips together lightly when i speak.

"Okay Mav. I love you." She says quickly, she closes her door and slips through my arms in a second while i stand there in shock.

'i love you'

She didn't even let me say it back.

I pound on her door after her. Receiving no answer i stand there in ecstasy and shock.

Having no other option I slowly walk to my car parked across the street and sit in it. There's a car in her driveway I'd never seen before, when i go to the report i had made of my little Paisley i see that it's the same make and model as her mothers car making me let out a breath. I look at the clock its almost 10 now and her mother works crazy hours she's probably asleep.

Trying not to think about it too much i put my car in drive and think about Paisley saying the words i have dreamed coming out of her mouth again. I never thought it would be a reality but here we are, this is better than any plan i could ever had made up. Absolutely perfect set up by fate itself.