"What you seek is seeking you."
― Mawlana Jalal-al-Din Rumi

"How many guys have you been with?"

"A lot."

"A lot?"

"Hundreds in my mind." Michonne pointed to her temple with a serious expression.

"Michonne?" Rick urged in hopes of having their conversation continue without any further lag or abrupt change in the subject. They were both trying to understand if it was mutual interest or something just as fleeting. It was evident the energy they were sharing kept them quite nervous at the prospects once the hostess led them from the bar to a fancy table set for two.

"What?"

Rick was startled by the response. "How many?"

"Hundreds is too many?"

"Real life, yes, I would find very concerning."

Michonne smiled. She was becoming more comfortable over the dinner they were having at Mulberry's Steak House. "I have only been with two guys." She admitted.

"What happened, if you don't mind me asking?"

"He informed me we weren't together-together even though we were sharing a one-bedroom apartment. Three years of my life wasted. Now, the second guy was married. He had a whole wife and kids. I found out two months into thinking I found my guy, but instead, I had captured someone's husband."

"How did you find out?"

"When his wife came to gather him in the middle of the movie theatre by his ear. How about you?"

"I've had one girlfriend in high school. After that..." Rick shrugged rather than complete his sentence.

"What happened?" Michonne nudged for more details.

"College happened. Never anything serious. I guess, looking back, I was more into having a good time after realizing the good guy got me nowhere fast."

"You seem like you would make an awesome boyfriend."

"I've yet to have a woman I am honestly attracted to, to consider me."

"Were your intentions ever clear?"

"Always."

"Their loss."

"How do you like your steak?"

"Delicious! You?"

"Medium well done." Rick chuckled.

"This wine list is out of this world."

"Which bottle would you like for me to get for us?"

"A good one."

"My dad prefers his wine dry."

"Dry?"

"My mom likes her wine smooth, complementary to the dish served."

"Smooth?"

"I probably should know more about wines, but I have never taken much interest to be a good judge."

"How about chocolate wine?" Michonne scanned the wine list again in hopes the flavor she was in search of was included in one of the many expensively priced bottles from France.

"A dessert wine?"

"I thought you didn't know anything about wine, Mr. Groomes?" Michonne glanced from the menu over at her Co-worker who appeared amazingly scrumptious in his suit and tie, and she couldn't blame it on too much to drink because she was sober.

Rick grinned. Michonne turned her smile to the waiter, who was ready to take their order. Rick took the liberty to order for them both. He had spent enough time around Michonne to have a slight inkling to what she may like, and if he had it wrong, he was positive she would have spoken up. She remained silent, only nodding her acceptance to the waiter that she agreed.

"Very smooth, Rick." Michonne complimented.

"I try." Rick fought to keep from beaming. He thought to say something about her saying his first name but decided to roll with it. He was pretty sure he was going to hear her say it sooner or later. The gingerbread contest was more of a formality for her to do it around their team members who all addressed him as Rick and thought nothing more of it.

"After the first bite, I will know for sure if I can trust you."

Rick tipped his head to the side.

"I'm talking about a whole lot of trust."

Rick continued to eye Michonne after her statement. "I don't know why I wish you could see my parents together."

"Yeah?"

"You should see my parents together. You will have a clearer picture of who created such a great guy."

"I'm looking for more than a great guy."

"I know. You are looking for someone you can trust."

"Exactly."

They both paused when the wine bottle arrived by cart in a bucket to remain chilled after each glass was poured, an amount that was satisfactory to each of them. Their dinner went well. Rick's choices were on point, and Michonne was pleased beyond measure that the food, the wine, and his company were all top-notch.

Rick didn't want the night to end as he walked her to her car parked near his. Their undeniable chemistry became the elephant between them. He leaned down to kiss Michonne, but somehow his lips landed more on her cheek. Rick didn't dare try again since she kept her eyes cast downward, insisting she had to get home because she had to be at work early the next morning.

Nothing could keep Rick from replaying the whole interaction in his mind over and over that night as he tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep. He was surprised to get a call from her just a couple of hours later regarding a spider...

Please, God, let this happen. I promise I will not tell a soul!

"I am going to wash my clothes," Michonne announced barefoot through his kitchen to get to his small laundry area.

God heard his prayers because it did happen after she finally emerged from his bathroom, dressed in one of his oversized tee-shirt barely reaching her mid-thigh. His eyes were transfixed. His thoughts were impure, knowing she had no panties on while scoping the curve of her ass as she leaned down to grab a large box of Tide detergent had him ready to perspire.

"Okay." Rick quickly stood up from the couch, his hands clasped together in front of him, trying to shield what could appear to an observant eye a fast-growing hard on.

"Tide, huh?" Michonne wore a quizzical expression.

"Problem?"

"Amazing what seventeen dollars an hour affords you."

"Tide has you questioning and not the restaurant we had dinner tonight?"

"You were trying to impress me. Splurging at a restaurant and placing it on a credit card is the price a man is willing to pay in order to impress. Tide is a lifestyle. Do you really expect me to believe that you purchased Tide because you knew I was coming here to wash my clothes at some point?"

"Isn't that what all this manifesting really about?"