Who was this creature rising up from him? This kind and caring man who held back his hurtful comments and comforted the woebegone?
"It's not okay, it's pathetic," I took his hand in mine. "I appreciate you trying to be nice."
Greg smiled, "You're right, it is pathetic."
I laughed, "Hey! I didn't say stop trying to be nice." I took a sip of my drink quickly, "How'd you get Wilson back on your side?"
"He gives in to me quite easily, I assure you," he pulled away. "What do you say we get out of here?"
I paused, "And go where?"
His voice lowered, a small murmur, "You said you'd never let anyone have an effect on you like that Charlie guy. Then how do you feel about me?"
"That," I stood up. "That's a completely different story."
"Oh, come on," Greg smirked. "What do you think about me?"
I breathed in, "I don't know where to begin."
"Start with 'I like…'" he mocked me.
"I like…" I thought for a moment. "Sorry, I don't like anyt-"
Greg shrugged, "I get that all the time."
"I'm kidding. I am kidding," I laughed. "No, I like that you try to show you don't care about anyone."
"I like that you think I'm high maintenance."
"I like that you're mean to everyone except our daughter."
"I like the way you stare at me and act like I don't notice…"
I trailed off into a list of stupid small things I had noticed about him over the past month or so. "I like you. A lot."
Greg stared at me for a long time, just taking in my words.
"It's your turn," I giggled.
He closed his eyes tightly, "Damn."
"Come on…"
Taking a breath, Greg bit his lip, "I like that you think that you're low maintenance."
"Hey!" I laughed.
"I like that you worry a lot."
"I like that you treat me as an equal, not as a superior."
"I like that you smile at everyone you pass. And your laugh is loud."
I listened to a small list of small things that made me smile. When he finished, I was blushing furiously, "Wow."
"And I like that you kiss me when I say something mean to you."
I put both my hands on his cheeks, "Do you want to know why I kiss you when you say something that's mean?"
"I don't know, you're kind of crazy like that," he shrugged.
"I kiss you because deep down, I know you care. I know the only reason you're saying it is because you're trying to show that you care. And I'll take that," I lowered my voice and closed my eyes.
Greg's lips touched mine slowly, pressing his palms into my sides. There was something different now. Something good. Something felt so right inside of me, not that butterfly feeling in my heart, but something much deeper. He pulled away first, "Why don't we get out of here?"
"Go where?"
"I don't know."
We ended up walking back to my house, holding hands. He didn't even complain about his leg. When we went up to my front door, I sighed, "I have to go get Rosie from the neighbors."
"Well, how late did you say you'd be?" Greg leaned over me.
I swallowed, "Um…I don't know, midnight?"
"Can I come in?" he looked down.
I nodded slowly, kind of in a speechless daze. Pulling out my keys, I unlocked the door, turned on the lights and let out a deep breath, "It's a bit cluttered today."
Greg looked the way I was looking. The dining table was full of papers, notebooks, and other supplies, "It's not that bad." I felt his arms wrap around my stomach, leaning down to my neck, "Marilyn…"
"Stop," I pulled away. He jumped back. My eyes began to well up with tears. "I can't, Greg."
"Can't what?" he asked.
I blinked, feeling tears fall, "Greg, I think I'm falling in love with you."
Silence.
"And it's scaring me," I whispered.
He touched my shoulder, "Why?"
I turned and looked up at his face, wallowing in guilt, "I'm afraid to fall. Because the first time a fell I got hurt."
"You never tried again," Greg muttered. "You never tried again."
I tried to catch my breath, "You can't hurt me, you can't hurt me like Charlie did."
"Marilyn," he smirked. "If there's anything you know about me, it's that I am not Charlie."
I giggled, trying to hold back more tears.
Greg took one of my hands, "I'm trying. I'm trying to be a different guy. For you and Rosie. It's hard, but I know right now that I can promise you I won't drop you like an old hat."
"That makes me feel so much better?" I frowned.
He closed his eyes, "It's hard for me to care. And I'm glad you see I do, but it's still hard for me."
I wrapped my arms around his waist, resting my head on his chest to hear his heart beat, "Don't stop trying."
Touching the back of my head, Greg whispered, "I'm falling in love with you too."
"You…you are?" I looked up.
Without another word, Greg kissed me. It grew into a deep and passionate kiss that seemed to go on and on. I placed my hands on his chest, not wanting him to let go of me. He pushed me back, lowering his hands. Our kiss ended so we both could breathe. I whispered, "Stay with me."
"I'm here…"
"Tonight, stay with me."
Greg smiled, "Are you sure?"
"I've never been more sure in my life," I slipped off my high heels. "I want this."
Greg forced my back up onto the dining room wall. I put my legs around his hips, feeling each kiss he put to my neck.
It was so sudden, such a spur of the moment decision and at that moment, I didn't want to fear him. So I didn't.