A/N: I finally decided to post this story, even if it isn't finished yet. I planned it out to be seven or eight chapter, I'm not really sure yet. I also don't know how regularly I will update, I'll try to update every two weeks. I hope you enjoy this and I don't own anything. Please leave a review if you can.
Chapter 1
"You seriously didn't call him?" Hailey asked with a giggle. She's my best friend. Black hair, brown eyes and dark skin. She is entirely mental of course, but I still love her. We became friends on the first day of college when she couldn't find her first class. She, like me, is also a lawyer.
"No! Hailey you've met the guy, he's a tool!" Melissa, another friend said. Her current dilemma was about a guy. Again. She likes him, but he has a crappy personality. No surprise there. Personally I think she really goes out of her way to find an asshole to date.
"Well yeah, but he can be good for other… stuff." She said and we all laughed again. We also have the twins, Katherine and Kayla. Even though they're twins they couldn't be more different from each other. Polar opposites would be the most correct term.
"You're so gross! I'm gonna go get another round of shots so we can continue to celebrate our new adult life." I said and was applauded by my friends. I took a bow and made my way to the bar laughing. It's Friday night and everybody is out to have fun, but what do you expect in the city of Chicago. We all graduated today and to say it was the happiest day of our lives would be an understatement.
"Hey Ryan, another round of shots please." I said to the bartender, squeezing my way between two customers. He owns the bar and he knows us all by name. I looked back at the group when another round of laughter was heard. A few of the other patriots stared at them before turning back to their own conversations. Standing here now I realized how loud we must be. Well I guess tonight it doesn't really matter, does it? We are finally done with all the studying and life is gonna be good now, I can just feel it.
"I will pay for the round of shots if I can buy you a drink." A British voice said, interrupting my line of thought. I turned my head in his direction and almost forgot to breathe.
He was breathtakingly beautiful, an Olympian god. There are no other words to describe him. Brown/blonde hair that looks disheveled. His skin is as pale as ash, but I can't be sure in this lighting and he had red eyes? The alcohol must be getting to me.
"Uh sure, why not?" I said and he smiled. Wow his smile. My insides feel like jelly.
"I'm Demetri by the way." He said and I smiled. "Well Demetri, since your paying," I said and turned towards Ryan.
"Make it two rounds." I said with a wink. He smiled and continued filling up glasses. My luck today is completely awesome! First graduating, then meeting a hot guy, plus he's buying us drinks! Bonus.
"Please add four more to my tab mate." Demetri said with a smirk. Ryan placed four shot glasses in front of us and Demetri grabbed one. "To meeting new people." He said. I grabbed the first glass and drank before putting the glass down.
"You never did tell me your name." He said grabbing the last shot. "No, I did not." I said and drowned the second one. That one burned.
"Thanks for the shots, it was really nice meeting you." I said and turned towards our table. The shots were already there and Hailey was turned towards me, waiting. Oh boy, here comes the Hailey inquisition.
"Well?" she asked the enthusiasm clear in her voice.
"Well what?" I asked innocently. Oh how I loved teasing her.
"Well did you get his number?" She almost screamed next to me. "You know I don't ask for numbers Hailey." I said and she glared at me.
"Did he get yours then?" she asked again and I shook my head. "He's hot! What is wrong with you?" She asked from next to me with her hands thrown in the air and I smiled.
"Relax! He'll be here when we leave." I said and she laughed. "You little minx!" She said bumping my shoulder and laughed again. The rest of the night passed with girl chatter and me frequently staring at the bar. Demetri had his back to me, but he would look behind him every now and then. By now the bar was almost completely deserted and Ryan had already yelled for last call. He was busy calling cabs for the few customers that wouldn't make it out the door, let alone home. He did this every night and I just loved him for it.
"Okay, I think we should call it a night! It's almost closing time anyway." Melissa said looking at her watch and I nodded. We all stood up and hugged goodbye until it was only me and Hailey left.
"You gonna go talk to him now?" she asked with a raised eyebrow and I nodded. "Well then, I guess I'm leaving without you." She said with a smile.
"I'll talk to you tomorrow, I promise." I said as we hugged again. She gave a small wave and disappeared out the door. It was almost twelve, but I wasn't tired yet.
"You still drinking alone?" I asked him as I slipped into the empty stool beside him. "It was either that or go home." He said with a glass of what looked like scotch in his hand.
"And where would that be exactly? It doesn't sound like you're from here." I stated.
"That would be correct. I am from London, England. Here on a business trip that could possibly make my career." He said still looking in front of him.
"Well what is your profession?" I asked and he chuckled. "You know love, I usually don't give out this type of information to strangers." He said turning to me for the first time, our legs brushing against each other.
"What do I get if I give you my name?" I asked and he chuckled again. "Another drink and the pleasure of being in my company sweetheart." He said and I laughed. He's certainly not shy.
"Who said I wanted to be in your company?" I asked and he leaned towards me, stopping with only a few inches separating his lips from my ear. "You wouldn't be sitting here if you didn't." He whispered and I blushed.
"Point well made. My name is Elana, Elana Smith." I said and he smiled.
"A pretty name for a beautiful girl." He said and I blushed again. He's also very good with words it seems. Maybe it's a British thing.
"So, what is it that you do Demetri?" I asked resting my elbow on the bar, with my head resting in my hand. My head is feeling really fuzzy and he is super-hot. I hope this is not like one of those times that alcohol makes the guy hotter.
"I control the finances of a very big company in Italy. What do you do for a living?" He asked, finishing his drink.
"Besides hanging out at the same bar every Friday night? I graduated today, so you are now looking at the best lawyer that will ever live." I said with a big smile and he chuckled. I felt proud of myself and couldn't help my smile stretching over half of my face.
"Congratulations, I'm sure you're glad it's over?" He asked turning to me fully. His black Henley clinging to him and showing off his obviously well built body.
"About the studying and no sleep yeah sure, but I'll miss the parties and hanging out with my friends. I'm afraid that since we all have to start working now, we'll grow apart." I said somewhat concerned. All of us have been together for four years and now suddenly all of us are going our separate ways.
"Well if it's any consolation, remembering what I saw tonight, I'm sure that will not happen." He said with a small smile. Our moment was broken when Ryan said we had to leave. Sometimes the closing time with this bar really sucks. I grabbed my coat next to me and made my way over to the door with Demetri. He pulled on his grey jacket and opened the door for me. Who said chivalry was dead? Once outside he took my coat from me and helped me into it.
Thank you for the drinks and your company, I had fun." I said with a smile, pulling my hair out from underneath my coat.
"Anytime love. Not to be forward or anything, but do you want to go get a coffee?" He said and for a moment I thought I saw a sliver of uncertainty in his eyes. It was weird, seeing him unsure of something. All night so far he has been confidant about himself and now, when he is asking me for coffee, he gets nervous?
"Sure, Starbucks is just two blocks from here." I said and he gave me a megawatt smile. Looking down I started walking and heard him fall into step next to me.
"Have you ever been to Chicago before?" I asked looking up at him walking beside me.
"A few times actually, I've traveled quite a lot." He said as he grabbed my elbow to make way for a group of drunken what looked like teenagers.
"Thanks. Do you enjoy coming here or would you rather prefer another city?" I asked as we turned a corner.
"I love London, if I could move back I would in a heartbeat. But I don't think that will happen anytime soon. And as for Chicago, if I didn't enjoy it before, I certainly do now." He said glancing down at me. I blamed the cold for my red cheeks and definitely not the blush from his words.
"I think you should move back to London if you really want to. I grew up in DC, but I love Chicago more. My parents are here and my best friend. I couldn't leave even if I wanted to; she would drag me back here by my hair." I said and he let out a laugh, it was a nice sound.
"It's not that easy, my life is in Italy now. Like you, my best friend is also there and my boss will kill me if I decided to leave." He said and this time I laughed.
"I'm sure he can find another whatever it is that you are." I said and he chuckled. We finally made it to Starbucks and he held the door open for me. It was much warmer inside the shop than outside and for that I was grateful.
"You can go grab a seat and I'll order coffee, be right back sweetheart." He said and made his way to the counter where a very sleepy employee sat. I chose a booth near the door and made myself comfortable. Sitting still I could feel the effects of sleepiness starting to affect me. I was so gonna have a hangover tomorrow.
"You look tired, are you sure you don't want to rather head home?" I heard Demetri's voice from in front of me and my eyes snapped open.
"No! I'm fine really. After coffee I'll go home and sleep." I said and he nodded. "Why did you want to become a lawyer?" he asked and I sat forward a bit.
"Well I want to help innocent people. Many people go to jail for something they didn't do because they had a layer who didn't have the time to help their clients. I don't wanna be like that; I want to help people no matter what. I also want to put bad guys away, obviously." I said and he smiled.
"Obviously." He said with a chuckle. He looked up towards the counter and went to grab the coffee. He also had a very nice behind; this man is the entire package.
"Drinks and coffee, it seems you like to waste money on girls." I said and he smiled shaking his head.
"Only on those who grabs my attention love. And grabbing my attention is a very hard thing to do." He said with a crooked smile.
Oh dear god this man is hot.
"Thank you for walking me home." I said once we stopped in front of my apartment building. I wanted to spend more time with him, but I was beyond tired.
"It is no trouble, really. My hotel isn't that far from here anyway." He said with an easy smile. Tonight was incredible. I wasn't really expecting anything like this, but I'm glad I met him.
"Well thank you again for a lovely night and I hope you enjoy the rest of your time in Chicago." I said and walked up the steps. Really? Enjoy your time in Chicago, that's the best you could do? Ugh, I could've gone with something like 'Do you want to meet again tomorrow for lunch?' or 'Come inside for coffee-
"Elana!" Demetri yelled, interrupting my thoughts, and I spun around with my hand on the doorknob. Hope blossoming in my chest. "My business card is in your jacket pocket." He said scratching the back of his neck and it was the first time tonight I saw him actually looking nervous. Like 100% nervous.
"I'll be sure to call." I said and made my way into the building and upstairs to my bed for some well needed sleep.
"Why didn't you kill her?" Alec asked, appearing next to me out of nowhere. Why did Aro have to team me up with him? He's like a four-year old child, annoying the hell out of me.
"Do you have nothing better to do than follow me around all night?" I asked annoyed.
"I was done feeding and when I went back to the bar you were talking to her outside. I was about to leave but you, my dear sappy friend, asked her for coffee. Then I wondered, why would the ruthless Demetri ask a girl to coffee if he was going to eat her anyway?" Alec said, but I interrupted him at the entrance of our hotel.
"Look Alec, I'm really not interested in your theories." I said and he chuckled.
"I wasn't even finished yet D. Then it hit me, you like her! The heartless Demetri has found another being fascinating, a human none the less. I don't judge. She is a pretty little thing, even if I do say so myself." Alec rambled and I pushed the elevator button a couple more times. Can't this bloody thing go any faster?
"And now for my conclusion, I just have to ask. What makes this human girl so interesting?" he asked, turning to face me. I expected him to be amused, but for once he looked serious. I sighed and ran my hand through my hair.
"She isn't like everybody else, she's different." I gritted out and he looked confused. "Like what? AB blood type?" he asked and I chuckled.
"No, she just- I don't know yet." I said and he smiled. "Maybe she's into all that dom and sub stuff. Jane says 50 Shades of Grey is quite interesting." He said and laughed when I made a move to hit the back of his head, but he was already out the elevator.
Bloody idiot.
Hey I just met you and this is crazy, but here's my number, so call me-
"Oh god no!" I groaned and slammed the snooze button on my alarm. Why did that song have to play every morning? Oh yeah, because I have an awesome best friend that has dreadful taste in music.
I was almost asleep again when a few loud knocks came from my bedroom door, giving me a mini heart attack.
"Get your lazy ass up! We're meeting up for brunch in thirty." Hailey shouted through the door. How does she manage to be up so early in the morning when she drank more than I did last night? Knowing that trying to go back to sleep again would be futile, I threw the purple covers aside with a groan and left the warmth of my bed. I hate winter. It's cold, wet and gloomy.
I took a quick shower and dried my dark brown curly hair, only to wear a white beanie to protect me against the biting cold. After pulling on a pair of jeans and a white blouse, I grabbed my black pea coat and pulled on my boots along the way, almost falling on my ass a few times too.
"About time, we need to leave now or we are going to be late." Hailey said jumping up from the sofa. I quickly looked down at my watch and breathed a sigh of relief.
"We still have 10 minutes, so I can quickly do my make up." I said and she groaned, falling back down on the red sofa. I applied my usual natural brown eye shadow that looked best with my big dark green eyes. Light lipstick and eyeliner was easier and much faster for now. Dabbing my full pink lips a few times I turned around and Hailey nodded her approval.
"Seriously, why can't you just be an early riser like me?" She asked with a sweet smile and I rolled my eyes.
"Well maybe because I'm normal and have a slight hangover. But I see you don't have the same problem because you seem positively chipper." I said finishing up my mascara.
"Why wouldn't I be? It's a good day today." She said and I smiled. "Well come on! We wouldn't want to be late." I said and grabbed my bag from the counter.
"So did you get his number?" she asked next to me in the elevator and I frowned, feigning ignorance.
"You know exactly who I'm talking about Elana. Anyone who forgets about someone like that is completely mental." She said crossing her arms and I laughed.
"He slipped his card into my coat when he helped me into it last night." I said and dodged a skateboarder on the sidewalk. Damn people didn't even care about the other people walking here.
"When are you gonna call him?" She asked and I let out another laugh. "You know I don't call guys Hailey." I said as we walked into Fransesa's. It's a little Italian restaurant in the building right next to ours. It has the most amazing food ever.
"Oh yeah, your weird rule about not calling the guy first." She said with an eye roll.
"Table for two?" the hostess asked with a smile. "No for four please, the rest is coming soon." Hailey said as she led us to a table by the window.
"Look I'm sure you can ignore your rule for once. I mean he doesn't have your number and what's the chance of seeing him again?" Hailey said leaning over the table slightly.
"Maybe, you know he's British." I said and her mouth dropped to the table.
"And you still plan on following your rule this time? You're crazy for wanting to not call that!" she almost screamed at me and I giggled. "We'll see okay? Where are Katherine and Kayla? It's almost ten past." I said looking at my watch again.
"I don't know. They don't live that far away." Hailey also said with a frown. A few seconds passed when Hailey's phone buzzed on the table. She picked it up and gave a frown.
"What's wrong?" I asked immediately.
"Nothing major, Katherine is sick and you know how she gets." She said with another eye roll. Hailey's right, that woman is down right evil when she's sick. Last time Kayla was out of town and I had to look after the blonde and I almost lost a finger, twice. I'd rather not remember how.
"Yeah, so let's just order then." I said and she nodded. I looked up to see if our waitress was nearby when I spotted the brown/blonde haired god at another table.
"Oh my god, it's him!" I said putting the menu at the side of the table. Like that's not suspicious or anything. "Who?" Hailey said making a move to put down the menu, but I slapped her hand away with a scowl.
"Ow! That hurt bitch." She said rubbing her injured hand. I rolled my eyes at her and peeked over the menu before ducking again.
"The guy, Demetri, from last night!" I said and she seemed to forget about her hand. "Where?" she asked, also peeking over the menu. "There, in the corner." I said hoping she'll find him without me having to point at him.
"He's even hotter than before!" she said with a huge smile. "What should we do?" I asked and she grabbed the menu before I could hit her again.
"We are gonna sit here like the adults that we are and go on with our brunch like we didn't even notice him." She said matter of factly while placing the menus neatly on the table.
"Hi, are you ready to order?" A blond waitress said next to me.
"Yeah, we'd like two waters and one Caesar Salad and an Insalata Caprese." Hailey said and handed her the menus.
"Do you think he saw me?" I asked while biting my thumb nail. Oh my god, what if he saw me when I was trying to hide behind the menu? I feel absolutely mortified!
"No, well maybe. Look, it doesn't matter either way." She said and I nodded. "You're right; I mean what if he saw me? So what." I said trying, but failing, to calm my nerves. Why am I being such a girl about this?
"I need to go to the bathroom, be right back." I said and stood up making my way to the restroom. Hopefully he does not notice me. Even if the bathroom is like right next to his table. It's not like I'm going to the bathroom on purpose, of course not! Who am I kidding of course I am, the guy is hot and anyway I can spend time with him is a bonus for me.
"Elana?" Yes! Wait no, this can turn out bad. "Demetri, what are you doing here?" I asked, turning around to face him. "Just came to get coffee and doing some work." He said gesturing to the laptop in front of him. In the better lighting I could see him clearly and he definitely had red eyes. Yesterday I thought it was the alcohol, but I wasn't wrong.
"Well I don't want to bother you." I said and he frowned. He looked even hotter doing that! Focus Elana. "No you're not a bother at all, do you want to sit down?" he asked and I bit my lip.
"I'd love to, but I'm here with my friend." I said pointing with my thumb over my shoulder to nowhere in particular.
"I understand, maybe another time then." He said and I felt disappointment rise within me. I turned around to walk back to our table when his voice stopped me again.
"Elana?" he asked and I spun around. "Would you like to do something tonight? Maybe we can go for drinks at the same bar as last night?" he asked and I did an internal happy dance.
"Sure, how does six thirty sound to you?" I asked and he nodded.
"Great, I'll see you tonight then." I said with a smile and went back to Hailey. Our food was already there when I arrived.
"I have a date tonight. With him." I said as soon as I sat down. Hailey gave me a slow smile before letting out a giggle.
"Oh my god! This is gonna be epic, do you want me to sleep over at Melissa's tonight?" she asked with a raised eyebrow and knowing grin.
"No! Thank you, but that won't be necessary." I said taking a bite of my salad. "Oh but I think you wish it was necessary." She said and I choked on my salad before talking a sip of my water.
"Really Hailey, now?" I asked and she just let out a loud laugh.
I can't wait for tonight to come, it's gonna be wonderful.
"Do you think he has a hot friend?" Hailey asked from her spot on my bed. In three hours I need to be ready for this date and I still have nothing to wear and my best friend is asking if he has friends?!
"Hailey! I asked you to help me, not sit here and flip through a magazine." I said with my hands on my hips. Really sometimes I wonder why she's my best friend.
"Fine, don't get your panties in a wad. Classy or sexy? Or maybe both?" she asked while shuffling through my closet.
"I don't know maybe I should just cancel." I said and fell down on my bed. "No way are you canceling! This man could be your future husband for all we know. Now please put on a shirt, it's weird that you're just in your jeans and a bra." She said and threw a t-shirt my way.
"Oh its weird when I do it, but when you do it it's completely normal." I said and pulled it on. She just waved her hand in my direction before pulling out a few items.
"Okay, so let's do a classy beautiful look. For the second date you can go clubbing and then we can do the entire sex appeal thing." She said and I laughed. I think she's already planning the wedding. She threw a pair of skinny jeans, my black Louis Vuitton's and a red button up blouse.
"You can borrow my blazer." She said with her arms crossed in front of her chest. "I have a blazer." I said and she gave me a look.
"What's wrong with my blazer?" I asked sitting up. "Honey no, just no." she said and left the room, closing the door behind her.
I thought she loved my checked blazer?
The bar, as usual, was packed. When I came through the door I looked around to see if Demetri was here, but I saw no sign of him. All the walls were lined with comfy booths and in the middle of the bar there were tables and chairs pushed very closely to each other. The bar was a few steps from the door and Ryan was behind it serving drinks.
Ryan looked up towards the door and smiled when he saw me. Even if it was in the middle of winter he wore a black t-shirt that showed off his muscled arms. Ryan was definitely nice to look at, I mean the black hair, blue eyes and nice body combo would make any girl swoon.
And believe me they did.
However he's like a brother to us. We don't just see him at the bar, we actually hang out. He's helped each of us in some way and I'm grateful to have him as a friend. The only person I think doesn't see him as a friend is Katherine. They have been playing and flirting with each other for as long as I can remember, but they just never take the plunge. After I sat down at one of the bar stools, he made his way over to me.
"What will it be?" he asked with his boyish smile. "Nothing yet, I'm waiting for someone." I said and his smile widened.
"What's his name, tell me everything!" he said resting his chin on his hand with a dreamy expression that made me laugh. "Have I ever said that you're a dork?" I asked and he let out a chuckle.
"On multiple occasions actually." He said and I smiled again. "His name is Demetri and he's really hot. Where's Katherine?" I asked and his smile fell a bit as he wiped down the already spotless counter.
"She's mad at me because I flirted with someone last week. She won't even return my calls. Yesterday when you were here she wouldn't even talk to me." He said and I grabbed his hand, giving it a squeeze.
"You guys obviously like each other, maybe you should take her out. Do something special for her, you know how she secretly likes all the sappy romance stuff." I said and we both laughed. He enveloped my hand in both of his and gave it a chaste kiss.
"Thanks, I'll call you if I need any help." He said and I smiled at him.
"Elana?" I heard a voice behind me and saw Demetri standing in jeans, a white button up shirt with a thin black tie. He looked like a freaking runway model and my breath caught. He frowned as he focused on my and Ryan's hands.
"Oh uhm, Demetri this is Ryan. Ryan, Demetri." I said and stuffed my hands into my jean pockets. Well this is not awkward at all. "A booth just cleared up, Jesse will come by shortly." Ryan said to me with his smile back in place. I nodded and made my way to the open booth without looking to see if he was following.
Sliding in, I looked up to see him sliding in across from me. His frown from earlier was still present and my own formed. I'm guessing he thinks Ryan and I are more than just friends.
"So you and the bartender know each other?" he asked tentatively. "He is like a brother to me, well to all of us actually." I said with a hesitant smile. Ryan and I never were and never will be anything more than friends.
"That's good to know." He said with a nervous laugh. "I apologize, I read that completely wrong." He said sheepishly and I gave him a comforting smile.
"Don't worry about it. How long will you be staying in Chicago?" I asked while I shrugged out of Hailey's blazer. "Well that depends on how long business here takes, but maybe another week." He said and I felt disappointment rise within me once again.
"You will return to Italy then I presume?" I asked and he nodded. "Tell me more about it." I asked and he leaned back, thinking.
"Italy itself is a very beautiful country. I've seen every town there is to see, no matter how small. The town I live in is also quite small. Volterra has a very rich history and it is very old, the buildings alone are a dead giveaway. The people are always pleasant and the town just has a great feeling. Outside the city there are grass fields as far as the eye can see. I don't know if anybody else knows about it but, I discovered a lake about an hour outside the city. It's entirely secluded from the rest of the world with trees hiding it from sight. It's one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen. The water is so clear you can see yourself in it. Everything is just so peaceful there." He said staring at the table with a wistful smile.
"It sounds beautiful; I would love to see it." I said and he seemed to snap out of his memories to look at me. The same intense stare as yesterday and I could feel butterflies in my stomach. When I was younger I always wanted someone to look at me like that and it feels great, even if I am finding it very hard to breath.
"You- I could take you." He said and I blushed. He let out a chuckle and looked at me. "I apologize, the filter between my brain and mouth doesn't seem to work around you." He said and I smiled. It was good to know that I can also effect him in some way.
"I think if I was the spontaneous type I would've said yes immediately." I said and he frowned again. "Why aren't you?" he asked and I paused. Am I afraid to do anything reckless? Probably yes.
"I've done bad things in the past, like drinking when I shouldn't have or sneaking out with a boyfriend my parents didn't approve of. But I don't think I've ever done something reckless, I always think everything through. The positive and negative aspects of a situation and how it would affect the people around me." I explained and he nodded.
"I think you should do something impulsive, at least once. Something that would make you happy even if it's just for a few hours." He said leaning forward again, trapping me with the intense butterflies in the stomach stare. Jesse, the waitress, broke Demetri's stare and we both turned towards her.
"Hey Elana, are you guys ready to order yet?" she asked and I nodded, falling back against the seat. "I will have Jim Beam Black, on the rocks and Elana?" he asked turning to me again.
"A glass of white wine please." I asked and she nodded before heading off to the bar again. Maybe something spontaneous would do me some good.
"Yesterday you said that you wanted to help innocent people, but I'm sure you realize there will be people you can't help or people who actually isn't innocent." He said after a few seconds of silence.
"Of course and I know it will certainly be hard for me if a client goes to jail because I couldn't help him. As for the not so innocent people, that's part of the entire lawyer thingy. You win some you loose some I guess." I said and he nodded.
"What's your favorite color?" I asked and he looked at me as if I grew a second head. "Excuse me?" he asked still looking bewildered and I laughed.
"You heard me. Come on Demetri, this is how you build a relationship. I need to know all these little things." I said, folding my arms on top of the table. He looked at me for a few more silent seconds before smiling and shaking his head.
"Okay then, I like red. What about you?" he asked and I smiled. "I'm obsessed with purple; it's like the greatest color on earth. Purple trumps every other color." I said and he laughed.
"Oh really? Well I beg to differ. Red is obviously the superior color." He said and I smiled. "If that's your opinion, then fine. Maybe being wrong is a British thing." I said nonchalantly and he burst out laughing again. I loved his laugh, it was just amazing.
"Now that our favorite color is covered, I think we can move on to more private matters." I said seriously and he raised an eyebrow in question.
"DC or Marvel?" I asked and he squinted at me slightly. "Your future view of me depends on this answer, am I correct?" he asked and I nodded.
"Well, I am not going to lie about my preference. So I'll just be honest, Marvel." He said and I studied his face, taking my time in seeing if he was being honest. The fact that he is a Marvel man can mean a lot.
"There are still a lot of things we need to discuss, but I approve of your answer." I said and he visibly relaxed. "You know you can really make a man stress love. And that was a comic book question. I think you'll make a wonderful lawyer." He said and I smiled. Jesse came back with our drinks before disappearing again.
He picked up his glass and took a sip. This moment seemed to pass in slow motion as my eyes focused on his luscious lips. After he pulled away his tongue darted out and swept over his lower lip. How can something so small be so attractive? I'm definitely blaming the accent, for everything from now on.
"What about your friends and family?" he asked and my eyes snapped to his. The small smile on his lips making it clear he caught me staring. Shit.
"Well I have the other girls, but Hailey is my best friend. We share an apartment and she is my sister. I was adopted a few months before my 11th birthday and my parents still live here in Chicago." I said and he nodded. "What about you? Friends and family." I asked and he seemed to close off a little bit.
"I have mentioned my best friend before, his name is Felix." There was a short pause where he looked at the door before back at me again. "My parents died when I was about six, so my uncle raised me." He said taking a gulp of his drink this time.
"I'm sorry; I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable." I said and he gave me a small reassuring smile. "It's okay, I just don't really talk much about them." He said and I nodded in understanding. Talking about my foster parents are easy, but my real parents? Now that's a completely different thing.
The rest of the date was filled with more alcohol and us getting to know each other. I learned that he was an only child; he likes art and history and loves to travel. He collects old cars as a hobby and still wishes to live in London. He is very polite and has an elegant, old-worldly way about him. His laughter is infectious and his smile beautiful. He enjoys talking about other countries, but he doesn't really talk about his past.
"Sorry Elana, but it's almost closing time." Ryan said next to our table and I nodded. He walked off back to the bar and we both stood. I shrugged into Hailey's blazer.
"Do you want me to drop you off at your apartment?" he asked standing in front of me. I looked up to answer, but realized he was standing much closer than what I thought. For the second time that night my eyes traveled to his lips and the same knowing smile appeared. Double shit.
"No I um- we can go for coffee again." I blurted out and he chuckled. I could feel my whole face heating up at the staring and my very forward approach.
"Sure, I wouldn't want to break our tradition." He said with an easy smile and amused eyes. I smiled even though I realized our tradition will be broken anyway when he leaves.
And that realization stung a bit more than I thought it would.