Mallori sipped on her glass of Merlot as she flipped through the menu. It had been a long day and she was absolutely starved. The food smelled delicious and she couldn't wait to dig in to a hearty meal. Sitting on the patio of a swanky steakhouse that overlooked the Tampa Bay, she rubbed her bare shoulders as a light wind from the waterfront blew across her.

"You always look so beautiful when your hair blows in the breeze."

Mallori looked up and grinned. She couldn't help but blush. It was flattering all the same but Paul had never been short on compliments. Sometimes it was embarrassing, especially since she felt so undeserving.

"Thanks," she returned his kiss on the cheek as he took a seat next to her. "I thought you'd never get here."

"Sorry, love, I got tied up. Forgive me."

"Forgiven," she tipped her glass.

"What's good here?"

"Everything. I think I'll have the London Broil with baby potatoes."

"Sounds delicious," he agreed as they put their menus aside. "So…"

She looked right at him.

"So..."

"What's new?'

"Nothing much," she shrugged. "Gosh, you act like we haven't seen each other in months. It's just been a few days."

As the popularity of NXT grew, the rookies began appearing on more and more WWE house and televised shows. Paul and Mallori had been able to travel together for a few weeks.

"I know but I worry about you."

"I'm fine."

"You certainly look great but that's nothing new," he spoke in his sexy South African accent. "How did your match go last night?"

"Pretty good. Jinx defeated Alicia Fox and that was pretty cool. I think we put on a good show but that's not the reason I invited you here tonight."

"I do admit that you have me curious."

"I have breaking news," she teased.

"Are you going to tell me or do I have to guess all night?"

"I'll give you a hint."

"Fair enough."

"Guess who is competing against Michelle McCool for the Women's title in three weeks? And guess who is going to win?"

She could barely contain her enthusiasm.

"That's a tough one but I'll take a stab at it. The most beautiful diva in the WWE who just so happens to be sitting across from me right now?"

"Wow," she played along. "You must have ESP."

Paul frowned.

"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?"

"Just a joke, never mind," she giggled, forgetting that English was his second language. "But yeah. I just heard the news last night and I am absolutely over the moon."

"Congrats."

"Thank you. This is so unexpected and so soon but I feel really ready for it, you know?"

Paul nodded.

"You bust your ass in that ring. You deserve it, love."

"Thank you."

He tapped his fingers against the table.

"Does this mean the Jinx-Morrison era is over?"

Mallori shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

"No. I don't know."

"Do you want it to be?"

She sighed.

"Paul, I don't know what I want anymore."

"How are things with John?"

"Do we have to talk about this right now?"

"I think it's a good idea because it's obviously on your mind. No pressure but you know I'm here for you. Always."

"I know," she rubbed his hand. "I appreciate it. You're right, though. I do think about it, about him as much as I try not to."

"Any changes?"

Mallori shook her head.

"We really don't talk anymore. Ever since I told him everything."

"I know it's hard but you did the right thing. Sometimes facing the truth isn't easy but in the end, it's good to get it all out. You know, I remember how hard it was for me to talk about my dad, even when you and I met. I thought I had come to terms with it but there were still so many things that bothered me. Once I dealt with it, it was so much easier to move on."

Paul Lloyd Sr. had been a well known wrestler in South Africa and Europe. He had trained his son to follow in his footsteps ever since the boy had been old enough to climb in the ring. They were closer than close but Paul's whole world had shattered his senior year in high school when his father had been murdered by the husband of his girlfriend. He had carried the loss with him always but had gracefully defended his beloved father's memory the best way he knew how by carrying on the great legacy. Mallori was one of the few people he had ever shared his feelings with regarding the incident. She had been sympathetic and understanding and it had only made them closer.

"I am moving on," she played with her water glass.

"I'm glad but, uh and please don't get mad but I think there are still unresolved feelings between the two of you."

"It doesn't matter, Paul."

"But it does. You still care for him."

"I can't just turn it on and off. It doesn't work that way."

"I know."

"Too much has happened."

"A lot has happened," he corrected. "But it's not too late. It's never too late, only if you let it be."

"What am I supposed to do? John was dead wrong. He is the one who jumped to conclusions and listened to Ted's garbage. He is the one who said he cared about me, then was humping his trifling ex not even five seconds later. And he is the one with the double standard who had the nerve to be mad at me about my relationship with you when he didn't even know what the hell was going on. He said some pretty horrible things and it hurt my feelings. That's not so easy to get over."

"The guy was a jerk but people make mistakes. He can't take all the blame."

"Why are you defending him?" she wrinkled her nose. "Whose side are you on?"

"The side I'm always on, yours, but I'm being realistic, love. Both of you had your issues and it basically blew up but you need to talk about it. You care for him and I'm sure he cares for you. Maybe it's too late for a relationship but it's never too late to be friends."

"I'm still mad at him."

"You can't be mad forever."

"I know. I just don't know what to say. It's weird. Besides, why does it have to be me? Why hasn't he…"

"If you keep waiting for each other and no one ever comes forward, what's the point? Sometimes you have to put pride aside."

"Paul…"

"I'm not trying to tell you what to do but I think he's a good guy who just messed up. Happens to the best of us."

"I do miss him," she admitted.

"Why don't you tell him so?"

"Because I'm afraid," she answered honestly. "Afraid of everything…afraid to hear what he has to say, afraid of how things will or won't change, afraid of what will happen next, how I'll feel…everything."

"Will it be worse than what you're going through now?"

"I don't know."

"And you never will until you give it a try."

She gave him a small smile.

"Why do you care so much?"

"Because I'm one of the good guys," he winked. "And because you're a wonderful girl who deserves to be happy. I honestly wanted that happiness to be with me but I understand that it just wasn't meant to be with us. But I love you enough to want you to be happy, even if it isn't with me. I'm not the man for you but maybe John is."

"John made his choice. He loves Melina."

"I see the way he looks at Melina and it's not nearly as powerful as the way he looks at you."

Mallori fought back tears.

"I wish I was as optimistic as you but…what can I say? I guess we'll just have to see."

"I guess," he took her hand in his and kissed it as the waiter interrupted.

"If you folks are ready to order, I'd be happy to take care of you," he smiled warmly.

"Absolutely," Paul nodded.

"May I ask what the occasion is?"

"A celebration," Mallori spoke up.

"Wonderful. What are we celebrating?"

Mallori looked right at Paul and winked, forcing a tone of certainty and clarity.

"The future."

As scary and unpredictable as it appeared, Mallori know she would have to face it full on. Now, more than ever, she was ready.