Sunday morning around 10 AM Roman stood in his kitchen looking over at Sierra's house. He had met all the neighbours the day before and everyone trashtalked her and called her the neighbourhood slut. Since he had always been a man to make up his own mind about everything, he grabbed a small bag of coffee and walked over to her house.
"Roman?" She asked surprised.
"Sorry to bother you this early but my coffeemaker broke while moving and I was wondering if I could use yours and maybe share a cup with you," he held up the bag. "It's some good organic coffee."
She gnawed on her right side of her bottom lip, a move he couldn't help but see as a bit sexy although she propably did it because she was nervous.
"Just coffee?" She asked.
"Just coffee," he smiled reassuringly.
"Okay," she said.
She turned and took a couple of steps away from the door and he hurried inside before she could change her mind. He followed her to the kitchen and handed over the bag of coffee, sat down and watched her start the coffeemaker. Shortly after they were sitting across from each other with a cup each.
"So how did your little tour go yesterday?" She asked.
He could tell by her tone she was nervous. Undoubtedly wondering what people might have said about her.
"Uneventful quite frankly," he answered. "I met most of the people but none of them were really that interesting. Except for you."
"I'm not interesting," she blushed and looked down to hide it.
"I disagree," he smirked. "All those women were too busy showing their big rocks and heavy built husbands. You, on the other hand... You were about to send me off without any explanation."
"Sorry," she said.
"Don't be. You wanna protect your world, that I understand. However, your world seems way more real than any of theirs," he said.
She shrugged her shoulders, not knowing what to say. He was right about her protecting herself and hiding away in her own little world. However, it was clear he wasn't gonna let her do that around him and she wasn't sure if she should fight him or just go along for the ride. It had been a while since a neighbour had been friendly towards her.
"How does dinner tonight sound?" He asked.
"What?" She looked up.
"As a thank you for letting me get coffee. I'm a grumpy old bastard without my morning coffee. You saved lives by helping me. No telling what I would have done without it," he said.
She laughed at his silly words. Deep inside her a voice screamed to go along for the ride. Take the chance and let him in.
"What time should I come over?" She asked.
He looked surprised, as if he had actually suspected she would decline. He quickly put a smile on his face and his eyes just seemed so honest.
"6.30? I'm not much of a cook but I'll make something that won't poison you," he said.
"Okay, I'll be there," she said.
"Sweet," he smiled again. "See you then, Sierra."
She was nervous that evening as she moved towards his house. She had thought about changing her clothes but she had decided against it. It wasn't a date, nor did she want it to be. He was just being friendly, seeing he was new and knew nobody. She knocked on his door and he opened shortly after with a big smile on his face.
"Hey, come on in," he said.
He walked her into the livingroom where the table was already set. She sat down while he moved out in the kitchen to get the food.
"Like I said, I'm not much of a cook so I hope you can survive on fish and chips," he said.
"Sounds good," she said.
"I did make a strawberry pie for dessert. Baking has always been my strong side when it comes to food," he said.
"Now that sounds perfect. I love strawberry pie," she said.
They sat down for 30 minutes, slowly making their way through the fish and chips while they talked and got to know each other a little better. He was a warm and easy going man and she felt comfortable around him. Once they were done eating, he cleaned up the table and carried the plates to the kitchen.
"Should I make coffee to the pie?" He called from the kitchen.
"I didn't bring my coffeemaker," she called back.
He quickly came walking back and his eyes had an apologizing look in them. He sat back down across from her and let out a little sigh.
"I lied this morning," he said.
"About what?" She asked.
"It's not broken. I just wanted to talk to you," he said.
"Why?" She asked.
He reached over and grabbed both her hands while keeping eye contact with her.
"Because I don't believe anything the others said about you," he answered.
"You know," she sighed and yanked her hands free.
She looked down at the table, feeling so ashamed. Once again he reached over and grabbed both her hands, running his thumbs over the back of them.
"Do you wanna tell me what happened?" He asked.
"You won't believe me. No one ever does," she answered.
"Try me," he said.
She sighed again and dropped her shoulders even further down. She couldn't look up and meet his eyes. She was too embarrassed.
"There was a street party two years ago at Dana and Dolph's house. Dolph caught me alone in the garden and tried to kiss me. I pushed him away and called him a scumbag and then I went home. I thought that was the end of it until everyone started calling me the next day, telling me what a slut I was. According to him I came on to him in the garden," she said.
She held a small pause and he just sat there in silence, still running his thumbs over her hands.
"I don't even get why he said anything. No one saw us. I would never have told Dana what a scumbag she married. I guess I hurt his pride and he decided to ruin my reputation," she said.
It felt weird to tell him the truth. She still looked down, not sure if he would believe her or judge her like everyone else on the street. He let go off one of her hands and placed his free hand under her chin, lifting her head up to see she was gnawing on the right side of her bottom lip again. He moved his thumb across her lip, pulling it free of her teeth.
"Hey," he said calmly. "You want coffee with the pie?"
"What?" She asked confused.
"I believe you," he said. "So is coffee a yes or a no?"
"Yes," she piped. "Thank you."