Hey everyone! Realized I hadn't even written a thank you to those of you who have read the last few chapters. I just couldn't stop thinking of this story, so I had to write it down. I also love love love Norman Reedus! :) So yeah, let me know what you think. I know I may regret saying that later. BTW, this is my favorite chapter so far.

By the time she sunk 4 balls in a row, I realized I had been hustled. The others soon gathered around our table. Andy was sitting back laughing.

"That's 5." she said walking around for another shot.

"You know omitting to tell me you were a poll shark, wasn't really fair." she missed her shot. "I at least told you I used to play."

"Never give up the advantage." she said with a shrug of her shoulders. I lined up my shot an sunk my first ball. She nodded in approval.

Shit. I got nothing. I took a long shot and missed as expected.

"Boooo!" Cudlitz said. I flipped him off.

I noticed Rachel had taken a seat by Andy. They seemed to be having a serious conversation. Andy nodded at whatever the blond was saying.

"Last one." I heard Anna say. My head snapped back over to the table. Fuck, she was good. She walked over to me to line up her shot. "You're gonna owe me 8 questions, Reedus." my heart skipped a beat when she called me by my last name.

In order to get the best angle she had to stand right next to me. I didn't move to offer her any room. Part hoping to mess her up and part longing for that closeness to her. I saw a camera flash, and turned around to see Rachel taking a picture. She just smiled at me and signaled for me to turn around.

She nudged me trying to get me to move. I didn't budge. "Mature." she said.

"Someone told me to never give up the advantage." I said. She rolled her eyes. Her body brushed against my side as she lined up her shot. Her side was pressed up against my side. I couldn't breathe. I felt the overwhelming urge to touch her. Just as she took the shot, I stepped away to avoid the temptation.

"Yes!" she shouted. "That'll be 8 questions. When would you like to pay up?"

"How about no more than one a day?" I suggested.

"Deal. You can expect your first one tomorrow morning." she informed me.

"Fine. I think I'll hold onto my one question." I said.

"Suit yourself." she said. I laid down on the pool table. "What are you doing?"

"Taking a picture." I said simply.

"Well well. Not many beat Mr. Reedus in pool. That was a real pleasure to watch." Andy said smugly while pulling me off the table. "And this guy takes pictures of everything. Beware."

"Yeah. Yeah." I said walking towards the door. "Be right back."

I walked to the bar and waited for Travis to free up. It had gotten busy in there. I guess it was almost 9 now. "Hey Travis. Could I get 7 shots of Jack and another Amaretto Sour?" He nodded. I pulled out my phone and opened my instagram. I switched the pool table photo to black and white, added the caption 'Got my balls handed to me #Shark' and hit upload. I scrolled through a few tweets from fans and followed a few. I checked Anna's page. There was a tweet to her from BlondBaker 'Well well what do we have here?' a picture was attached. It was the picture Rachel had taken. Anna was right up against my side concentrating on taking her final shot while I was slightly glancing down at her. You couldn't tell it was me; which is probably for the best. But I couldn't figure out why she would tweet this; I can only imagine what Anna's husband will think when he sees it. I followed Rachel.

Just then my phone alerted me to a tweet. Anna had commented on my photo. 'Hope the stakes weren't too high.'

I tweeted back. 'I never squelch on a bet.'

She responded. 'Noted.'

Rachel tweeted 'Norman Reedus followed me, bitches!' I laughed and faved it.

Travis set the drink down in front of me. I paid and headed back to the pool room. They had moved on to darts. It looked like Andy was winning.

"Here ya go everyone. Let's do a shot!" I said setting the tray down. I handed Anna the shot and drink, "Figured I owed you a drink."

"Why I do think you're trying to get me drunk Mr. Reedus." she said setting her drink down. I shook my head slightly and looked down. "Relax, I'm just messing with you." she said walking past me towards Rachel.

"What should we drink to?" Rachel asked.

"Season 5?" Josh suggested.

"New friends." I said simply

"To new friends and a killer Season 5!" Andy said. We all shot our drink and set it down.

"Let's get another." Cudlitz said.

"I'll pass. I'm driving." I said

"Me too." Said Rachel. Michael nodded and left the room.

I looked around for Anna. She had made her way to the Jukebox and was currently sipping on her drink. I walked over to join her. "Anything good on here?" I asked.

"I hope so. I put most of these CD's on here." she replied.

"No shit?" I said moving closer to look at the selection.

"Yeah, my dad owns this place. Most of these CD's have been on here since before I left almost 10 years ago." she said with a small smile.

"What brought you back?" I asked adding some money to the machine.

"Family." Was all she said. I nodded, knowing she didn't want to elaborate.

"Here's for you." Michael said handing Anna another shot. She nodded her thanks and threw the drink back.

"It's been a while since I've drank like this. I'm sure I'll regret it in the morning. I am getting up to make you breakfast after all." she said. The comment caused me to shake my head a little to clear an image of her in one of my t-shirts cooking me breakfast.

"I could come up another day." I offered.

"Nope." She said. She was a stubborn one.

"Anna, it's just past 9 and you want me there at 6:30? I know that means that you'll be up even earlier baking." I said.

"I premade most of the dough this evening. I just need to roll it and bake. Come by in the morning." she said hip checking me.

"Fine." I bumped her back. "Now be quiet so I can pick out some music."

"You should play this one." she pointed at a cover.

"Woman." I said playfully and gave her a look. She made the zipper motion on her lips.

I picked out a few songs and motioned back to the group. Tom Petty's "Won't Back Down" started up. "Good choice. 1 for 1." she nodded in approval.

We took a seat and watched the others play darts.

"So how long have you been making cakes?" I asked.

"This your question?" She asked. I laughed.

"Not a chance. Just making conversation." I said

She smirked. "I've been doing it out of my home for the last 4 years. I just opened the bakery a few months ago."

"I knew it wasn't here when we filmed last season. So where did you move from?" I asked.

She furrowed her brows trying to figure out how I knew that. "You said most of the CD's were on here from before you left." She nodded.

"We moved from Tupelo, Mississippi. You met Liza today; she's 12, but I have 2 other children. Dominic is 8 and Caster is 4, almost 5. Collin and I had Liza when we were 20. High school sweethearts." She said while swallowing the rest of her drink.

Collin; I repeated the name in my head. Anna's husband.

"What about you? I know you have a son." Anna said switching the focus off her.

"Yeah, Mingus. He's almost 15. He lives in New York with his mom, Helena. He's the most interesting person I know; he's really growing up to be a cool guy. He'll actually be down next week to visit for a while. I'll have to bring him in; he'll love it."

"Another?" Josh asked holding out 2 shots to us. Anna took it and smiled. I shook my head. She drank it before I could say anything.

"2 for 2." Anna said. My confusion must have shown cause she said "Songs. The Doors. Good choice. I'm going to get another drink." She said.

"You sure?" She frowned at me. "Ok, I'll get it. Another sour?" She shook her head no.

"Umm..a Mt. Dew..." she mumbled the last word.

"You want a Mt. Dew?" I asked

"A Mt. Dew Me?" she asked softly.

I scoffed. "You want me to order a Mt. Dew Me?" She nodded biting her lip.

"Fine. Fine. You owe me." I got up. She drew an x over her heart.

I returned minutes later a little red in the face. I sat the drink down in front of her and took a seat.

"Travis give you any problems?" she asked

"Pft...no. He just raised an eyebrow and made the drink. I'm pretty sure he thinks I'm gay now," I said shaking me head. Anna was laughing.

"Probably not. Travis is my brother. He knows I'm back here, so I'm sure he knows it's for me. He runs the place now that Dad's a little older." she said between sips.

"Oh," I said more to myself than to her. I could see it now. He had her eyes and nose. However, Travis was almost a foot taller and much more intimidating.

"Wanna play us?" Rachel called over. Her arm was linked around Josh's. Interesting I thought to myself.

"Sure I said. But we need a handicap. My partner may not be playing up to her potential." I said jokingly.

"Yeah right." Rachel said. "She plays better drunk. Come on Lisy."

She smiled at me and grabbed my arm to pull me along. Little did she know I was beginning to think I'd follow her anywhere.

A few more drinks and 2 games later. Josh and Rachel were submitting their surrender. Anna really was better tipsy. It was getting late. I needed to go.

"Andy, you ready to head out?" I called over to my friend who had spent most the night throwing darts. He nodded.

"I should go too. Rach?" Anna asked.

"I can drive you home. I'm leaving anyways." I offered. She nodded her thanks.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Rach. I'll be in early if you wanna come up." Anna said.

"I'll keep that in mind," the blond said with a smile.

Andy and I went to get the Jeep while Anna said good night to her brother. I waited for her at the door. When she walked out she swayed a little. She was more than a little tipsy. "Whoa there, Slugger. Let me help you." I held her elbow and helped her to the front seat. Andy was smiling in the back.

"Take me home first." He said.

It hadn't taken her long to get to the bar so I knew she lived in town, while Andy lived just outside. In doing this he was giving me more time with her. He knew she was married; that wasn't like him at all. I dropped him off, "See you in morning." I said.

"Bright and early," he replied. "Anna, it was a pleasure watching you kick my friends ass...in pool I mean. I hope to see you again soon."

"Bye, Andy." Anna replied sleepily.

"Where am I talking you?" I asked when I got in the Jeep

"Bakery. I live in the apartment above." she said before closing her eyes.

She really was beautiful. And she was funny, smart, strong, sarcastic. All those things together made her the most beautiful woman I'd ever met. And there wasn't a damn thing I could do about it. She turned towards me causing her hair to cover her face. I gently brushed the hair back and tucked it behind her ear. I let my thumb trace her cheek before I pulled away and gripped my steering wheel. I pulled up to the bakery too soon.

"Anna," I said gently. Nothing.

"Anna," I called a little louder. She at least shifted some.

"Slugger, wake up," I had smoothing down her hair.

"Hmm...had the best dream. Norman Reedus said..." she dozed back off. I chuckled.

I decided I would try to wake her by opening her door. When I did, she sat up fast but relaxed when she saw me.

"Here I'll walk you to the door. Give me your keys" I said holding my hand out. Once to her feet, she hooked her arm through mine and laid her head on my arm. She sighed quietly. I opened the bakery and walked her inside.

"The stairs are just over there." she pointed past the kitchen, I nodded and headed that direction.

"Here are you keys." I said placing them in her hand. When our fingers touched I swore I saw her smile. "Sure you don't want to cancel the early morning? I can come by another day." And every other day I thought to myself.

"You're sweet." She said with a smile. "I actually can't wait to see you in the morning. Did I tell you that Daryl is my favorite?" she turned to face me.

I smiled and brushed some hair from her eyes, "As a matter of fact you did. And thanks."

"Welcome," she said grabbing my forearm. "Oh wow. Did you know that woman post photos of you and hashtag it arm porn or forearm porn? I can totally see why." she gave my arm a squeeze.

I laughed out loud. "Well aren't you a flattering little drunk. I should probably go." If she didn't take her hands off of me I was going to lose it.

She took a step forward and said with a hint of challenge, "I'm not drunk."

"Whatever you say, Slugger." I said taking a step back. I felt like my heart was going to beat out of my chest.

"Maybe you're right. I'll make you breakfast another day. I think I need to sleep." she said sounding like she was coming to. "I'll text you. When do you need that picture?"

"Whenever is fine." she sounded strange. Cut off. She nodded, released my arm and moved to the first step.

"Norman." she said with her back to me. I took a step forward and rested my hand on the back of her arm. She turned, leaned down and gave me a small quick kiss on my lips. I was so startled that I don't even know if I responded, which was probably for the best. "Thank you for tonight. Good night," she kissed my cheek and walked up the stairs.

I turned towards the door and brought my fingers up to my lips. Did that really just happen? That should not have just happened. I'll have to stay away. I would not never be that guy. I nodded and walked to the door. A shiny plaque caught my eye, so I walked over to read it.

'Dedicated in memory of my loving husband and a wonderful Dad, Collin Baker April 26, 1982 - June 21, 2013.'

Yesterday.

My phone altered me to a DM. From blondbaker. Rachel. 'Hey, we probably need to talk.'