It was only moments until Joe would be showing up, Lyss paced back and forth. Attempting to rearrange her jumbled words. She imagined how the confrontation would go. Would he scream at her? belittle her?

Or worst, would he lash out in rage and put his hands on her?

She thought back to the last argument she had with a man. That man was her ex Jax. She remembered that argument so vividly, that was the weekend she left. She never spoke of him, because she was so ashamed of what he did to her. What he made her. That argument led her to losing her unborn child, and she never forgave herself for it. Although it wasn't her fault, she still couldn't help but to thing "What if I had left sooner? What if I had fought back?" Those things lingered in her head constantly.

The fact that she had this attraction to a man she felt wanted to use her, just made it worst.

While deep in her train of thought, she was pulled out of that trance when she heard a soft knock at the door.

She stood on her tip toes to look through the peep hole. Low and behold, she saw an attractive Samoan man on the other side. She took a deep breath, and opened the door. There stood Joe in all of his glory, with the most beautiful flowers she had ever seen.

"Uh, hey Lyss." He said very sheepishly.

Lyss didn't say anything, she just moved aside to give the man room to get in.

"I brought you these, don't think I'm trying to buy your forgiveness. They were just so beautiful, they reminded me of-"

He was quickly cut off by Lyss. She let out a snarky

"Gee, thanks." As she rolled her eyes.

"Lyss, please don't do this. I genuinely want to fix things. I want to know you better. I want to know how I can be a better friend to you." He reached out his hand to remove the pieces of stray hair from her face.

Then he noticed her flinch and close her eyes as he did so. Lyss tensed up, genuinely she was afraid. It wasn't just of Joe in particular, yet of every man who raises a hand to her. Even if it's in the kindest of ways. She knew deep down, that earlier she let her mind get the best of her. She knew he wouldn't be stupid enough to harm her. Yet, she was just a fearful woman.

"Lyss.." Joe spoke out, watching the tense woman standing there. He knew about her ex thanks to AJ. Yet, he never knew to this extent. He could tell she was obviously an abused woman at that point. Just the way she would coward at his hands even getting close to her. He slowly began trying to comfort her.

"Lyss, I don't know much about your past... Yet, I would NEVER harm you. I'm here to make things better with you. I- I'll keep my hands to myself if it helps."

Lyss looked at him shyly, she reached out for the flowers. Disregarding Joes last comment. Trying to break the awkwardness.

"I should put these in a vase. Wouldn't want them to die on me." She gave a fake smile and walked towards the kitchen.

Joe silently sat on the couch, his head replayed everything that just happened. As he felt his heart break for her. No wonder she has her guards up. She's afraid everyone is out to harm her, make her feel small. He wondered how he could change her opinion of him. It obviously wasn't flowers.

He watched her walk back from the kitchen with the vase, setting it on the coffee table in front of him.

She felt bad, watching him so deep in thought. She knew he felt terrible. So she decided to break the mood again.

She began to speak. "Can I get you something to drink? I have Beer, a few different juices. Pepsi-"

Joe cut her off quickly. "I'll have a Pepsi, I gatta drive tonight" he said with a smile.

She quickly disappeared and grabbed two sodas from the fridge, and brought them over to him.

She went to walk away again when she felt a gentle hand on her wrist. She turned to look at him, when he said "Sit" to her.

She decided to actually sit, and hear him out. She hoped she wouldn't regret this decision.