Enchanted

Chapter Ten

Regina sat at the table with her friends with a slight frown. She was quiet, but listening intently to Glinda as she spoke about her new neighbors, whom she swore were porn stars. Regina shook her head in disbelief while the others sat engrossed in the story.

They were at their brunch spot in Soho; Tinkerbell had called to schedule a brunch to give her friends news. Her dating website had won an award. Regina was immensely happy for her friend, but her mind was preoccupied with other things: work, Robin and Robin. Things were supposed to be easy now that his past had been put to bed. Of course nothing was as she had imagined and things were extremely tense between the two.

Regina had her suspicions about the 'innocent' night he had spent with Marian, although she had no right to be angry. They were not together; still she couldn't help but feel jealous of his ex-wife. Robin had taken offense to her accusation that something had happened between them, and the two had left things poorly the last time they spoke a week ago. He had not tried to call her since and it hurt her that he had given up so easily. Not that she had been reaching for the phone either.

Regina looked down at her hands in sudden boredom. She wanted him back. She knew that much. Even the delicious food on her plate was of no interest to her. She played around with the ham and cheese frittata and citrus coconut salad on her plate.

"Then I saw her going to get her mail," Glinda said. "I'm no medical professional, but a nurse's uniform should be about five inches longer."

Regina rolled her eyes and looked up to find a scowling Tinkerbell staring back at her.

"I need to go the bathroom," Tinkerbell announced, dragging her chair back. Regina knew she had better follow, lest Tinkerbell caused a scene.

Once behind closed doors Tinkerbell started to speak. "This is supposed to be a day of celebration, and you're moping over your mimosa at the table," Tinkerbell whined, folding her arms.

Regina rolled her eyes. "Moping?"

"I'm serious, Regina," Tinkerbell huffed. "Why do I even bother?" She sounded exasperated.

"Okay, okay." Regina caught her friend's arm before she left the bathroom. "I'm sorry. I am proud of you. Happy even. I may not believe in your soul mate nonsense, but I do know you work your ass off every day for your company."

"Of course I know you're happy for me. I wasn't implying that. I just meant that you shouldn't be moping. You should be with Robin."

"I-"

Tinkerbell silenced her friend. "No more excuses. You've run out of them."

"Spot me," Robin said to Will, as he reclined on the bench under the weights.

"Did you hear from Mulan?" Will asked, from above his friend.

"Yeah." Robin took a deep breath before lifting the weights above his head. He released it when he set them down. "Email, she's fine. Wanted to know if I found a new apartment yet." He did a set of ten then rose up to take a drink of water and towel off the sweat from his face. He swung the towel around his neck and was about to return to his workout when Killian interrupted him.

"I thought Marian gave you back the house?" Killian asked, slowing the speed on the elliptical.

"She did, but I'm not moving back there," Robin said dismissively.

"Why not?" Will asked. He was not even pretending to work out. He leaned against the weight bench eating a granola bar.

"Ahh, he can't bring the new woman home to the house he shared with his ex-wife," Killian said knowingly. "That should be a law."

"Precisely," Robin added.

"Things are back on with Regina then?" Killian asked, stopping the machine completely now.

"Nope." Robin shook his head, setting down his water bottle down at the side of the weight bench.

"What's the holdup then?" Killian asked.

"Regina is a complicated person. I feel like she keeps making up these obstacles for us not to be together."

"Ever thought she's just not that into you?" Will interjected.

Robin shook his head. "I know she wants to be with me. I'm certain. But it's like a part of her doesn't want to be happy."

"So what? You two are done?" Will asked.

"Not if I have anything to do with it. I don't think I've been aggressive enough," Robin stated.

"I like where this is going," Will snickered.

"Not like that," Robin said. "I just have to inspire her a little."

Regina stood from her chair and stretched until she was on the tips of her toes. She had been reviewing their sales for the past hour. When the words had become blurred lines of nothing she decided to take a break. There was a knock before Ruby swung her office door open.

"I'm stepping out for lunch. Do you want anything?" she asked.

Regina looked at the girl and remembered she had yet to make a decision about her internship at the store. She had more to review and didn't feel confident in making a decision just yet. And Ruby surely wouldn't mind continuing to work at Enchanted.

"A turkey sandwich, thanks," Regina said. "And a water."

"You got it." Ruby closed the door when she heard the chime sound above the front door.

Regina went out to lend a hand, since most of the girls were having lunch. Anything to get her away from her desktop and the sales reports. Her breath caught in her throat when she saw the 'customer.'

It was Robin.

He smiled the moment he saw her. His gaze swept over her, from her red pumps to her black work dress, to the lazy curls in her hair, and finally his eyes met hers. She knew that look in his eyes and thought she was mistaken. He couldn't possibly- not with her employees right there watching.

"Hello there," he greeted calmly.

"Robin." Regina heard the whispers of the girls in the store. None of them had known she was dating, with the exception of Mary Margaret. Robin's visit was sure to change that. Belle, Aurora and Ashley usually packed their lunches and were eating behind the cash register. Ruby had already left and Mary Margaret was probably having lunch with David. And Ariel was re-racking a dress after a customer had tried it on. They all zoned in on Regina and Robin, but even she didn't care in that moment.

He was here, in front of her, screaming with his eyes that he was ready to fully be hers.

He smiled slyly as he closed the space between them in the middle of her store.

"Did you miss me?" he asked, familiar playfulness in his voice.

"What if I did?" she toyed back.

Robin chuckled, wrapped his arm around her waist and brought her snug to his chest. One of his hands winded into her hair and brought her face inches from his. Regina licked her lips just before he crashed her lips against his.

She barely heard the collective gasp of her employees. It resonated for only a moment before Robin deepened the kiss and her own hands found themselves around his neck. Then she forgot where she was entirely. She wasn't keen on letting go, but when she finally did, she caressed the side of his face. The girls cheered and whistled playfully at their boss.

Regina buried herself into Robin's chest, cheeks flushed with embarrassment from what she had just done. Robin held her tightly and kissed her forehead lovingly.

"Okay, okay, that's enough," she said, pulling away from Robin.

Robin smiled down at her and tossed a thumb's up at Belle and company behind the cash register.

Regina shook her head at them. "You come with me." She took his hand and led him to her office, far away from her employees.

He looked around the office with his hands in his pockets. He had never been there before, Regina realized.

"You are something else," Regina said.

"I missed you," he said, shrugging.

"I missed you too." Boy, was she glad he had to come to her.

"Will you have dinner with me tomorrow night?" Robin asked, walking slowly to where she stood near her desk.

"A date?" she asked, taking a step back, but his arm was around her waist in an instant.

"Exactly, a date." He pulled her closer and looked deeply into her eyes.

"I would love to." Regina smiled. She braced him by his chest before he got another idea. She was at work, though she had forgotten that earlier.

"I'll see you then." He leaned down and stole another kiss before letting her go.

When he left the store, she heard the girls react the same way… whistling and cheering him on. She chuckled to herself. Her heart was just about to burst out of her chest. She loved that man.

"What?" Robin asked when he caught her staring at him. They were just heading into the bar after dinner. They easily fell back into their old rhythm. Robin had never been happier.

She shook her head, smiling brightly. "Nothing."

"Hmm," Robin hummed. "Should I believe you or continue on with this nagging?" He surprised her by pulling her into his arms on the sidewalk right outside the bar.

"I won't let you go until you tell me," he said, rubbing her back over her coat.

"Fine." She laughed. "I just never thought that I would have this."

"This relationship?"

She nodded. "A career and a relationship. I always thought it was either or."

He pecked her on the lips then released her from his hug, only to take her hand in his. The two strolled into the bar hand in hand, large grins on their faces.

"What kind of cake have you two been eating?" Little John teased, seeing their indomitable smiles.