You had a lot of crooks trying to steal your heart
Never really had luck, couldn't never figure out
How to love, how to love
You had a lot of moments that didn't last forever
Now you in a corner trying put it together
How to love, how to love
For a second you were here, now you over there
It's hard not to stare the way you moving your body
Like you never had a love, never had a love

- How to Love by Lil Wayne

"Let me get this straight, you go to work, get back and your sister's gone and leaves a note?" Eddie asked.

"Yep, that's about it," Patricia nodded.

"Wow, that's messed up," he tried, trying (and failing) to lighten the mood.

Patricia glared at him.

"We'll be back tomorrow. But for the mean time I don't think it would be safe to keep staying here on your own."

"What?! I am more than capable to stay on my own here."

"Really?" he raised his eyebrows.

"Fine," she gritted through her teeth.

Eddie was slightly surprised that she did not argue with him further but wasn't about to say so.

"Also, you will need to have an escort at all times."

"Oh no, lover boy, I draw the line there."

"Thanks Joy. For letting me stay here and all," Patricia said while she dragged her bags into Joy's apartment.

"Oh, it quite alright. It'll be just like college; all fun and boys," Joy said patting a space next to her on the couch.

"One, you have a boyfriend and two, maybe the fun part just not the boys. I don't think I am ready for the dating thing after Jerome."

"Oh, okay. No pressure, when you're ready you're ready."

"Thank you," Patricia said, settling down next to her best friend.

"Let's go to the mall."

"No."

"Please."

"No."

"Please."

"NO!"

"Please."

"Okay!" she screams, giving in.

"Go change," Joy commands.

"What's wrong with my outfit?" Patricia asks glancing down at her pair of jeans and t-shirt.

"Just go," Joy says as she pushes Patricia into the spare room.

"Okay," Patricia holds her hands up in fake surrender.

"Hollister, Aeropostale or Abecrombie and Fitch?"

"Yeah," Patricia says pretending to listen. She was actually thinking about Eddie. Was that wrong? She just got out of a relationship three months ago and her ex is already engaged. That should be enough time to move on wouldn't it?

"Hello, earth to Patricia?"

"Sorry," she apologized.

"Hottie perfect for you at eight o'clock."

"Joy!" Patricia scolded. They were just entering the food court and the 'hottie' Joy mentioned was now directly in front of Patricia but he had his back turned away from her.

"Go talk to him," Joy urged.

"Oh no. I'm not letting you talk me into doing something stupid."

"Patricia," Joy whined.

"Joy," Patricia mimicked.

Patricia felt someone tap her shoulder and turned around. It was the 'hottie' himself.

"Hi," he greeted, extending his hand.

"Hi," Patricia replied, grasping it and shaking it slightly.

"Benji."

"Patricia."

"Nice to meet you, Patricia."

"Same, Benji." From the corner of her eye, Patricia saw Joy at one of the booths watching the two. Patricia swore that she saw Joy fan-girling a bit.

"You look amazing," he said assessing her outfit that consisted of dark colorful tights, a long blue flowery shirt and black stilettos. She did her make up and accessorizing as usual but curled her hair.

"Thank you. Not too shabby yourself."

"Well I better get going. Hope we meet again soon." With that he walked up to the cash register and whispered something to the server and she nodded.

Patricia walked over to the booth Joy was sitting and slid in.

"Tell me everything!"

"Nothing happened Joy."

"I could tell he appreciated your tights," Joy said, smirking.

"Ah," Patricia said in frustration, "You're unbelievable sometimes."

"Your order ma'am," a server said, handing her a letter.

"I didn't order anything," said Patricia, obviously confused.

"From the kind boy who just left" he said, winking.

'Not you too!" Patricia thought.

Eddie tapped his pencil on his sketchpad. He had been thinking of Patricia, the feisty red head.

He felt the need to draw like he used to back in college. But he gave up the profession for something more practical. A police officer is as practical as it gets.

Without warning, Eddie's hand began to move on the sketchpad paper. With no guidance, it looked like it was drawing someone. A girl. Patricia Williamson. He dropped his pencil when he heard his phone ring.

"Hello," he said.

"Eddie," a voice screeched. He smiled, knowing it was Nina. She always found something to say to him.

"Let's go shopping."

"Why am I here?"

"Because Fabian couldn't come," Nina said, as if it was obvious.

Eddie nodded as they entered the food court.

He and Nina slid into a booth in a dark corner.

Then he saw Patricia. What was she doing her? What if she wasn't safe? He was mentally freaking out. When he sees Joy, he mentally relaxed. At least she has an escort.

Then some guy comes up and starts flirting with her. That made Eddie clench his fist and made his blood boil.

Why would someone be talking to Patricia, his crush (Yes, he admits he is infatuated with her)?

Now that he thinks, does he have the right to feel this way? Sure, he likes her but she isn't actually his.

He doubts she even thinks of him that way.

"Eddie, are you okay?" Nina asked laying her hand on top of Eddie's, obviously concerned about Eddie.

He forces a smile and says, "Of course."

What could he say? 'Nina, hey. A girl who I've only known for a day and I have a crush on is her and some dude is flirting with her."

Eddie wasn't the jealous type. He always believed you should trust and love your partner and in this case they weren't even dating.

So he did what he knew best. He lied. He did what he thought he did best. He lied. But little did he know that someone could even do that better than him.

Review and what not.