Ch. 3: New Opportunities

"What am I doing here?" Darren asked. "This is my coffee shop. And seeing as you just moved here, I should be asking what are you doing here?"

"I like coming here because the coffee is amazing, but the atmosphere is quiet and undistracting," you smirked emphasizing the last two words.

"Well that's usually the reason I like to come here too, but today I think I found a new reason," he said.

"Wow, has that line ever actually worked for you?" you laughed.

"Hahaha, that was not supposed to be a line," he said. "But, do you mind if I sit with you?"

"No, go ahead," you said. "How are you?"

"I am good," he said as he sat down. "How are you? How are you liking living here?"

"It's been going good so far," you replied. "I am finally feeling settled."

"That's good," he said. "You know, to be honest, I haven't stopped thinking about that night."

You smiled and blushed slightly. "I have to admit. I kinda regretted not giving you my phone number. It's just my past has made it difficult and somewhat scary to trust people."

Darren smiled. "Look, life can be scary, and so can trusting people, but you never know what great things can come out of meeting new people unless you try."

"That's what my friends and family keep telling me," you said.

"If you don't mind me asking," he said. "What made you afraid to trust people?"

You blushed. "To be honest, it's really difficult to talk about."

"No worries," he said. "You don't have to share. Your past is your past, but hopefully you feel like to can somewhat trust me or feel like you can?"

"Yeah I do," you smiled.

"Ok good," he said. "First things first, before this conversation goes any further, can I please have your number? I will give you mine in return."

"Hmmmmmm… let me think…" you smirked. "One question, why me? I mean you are some pretty hot shot TV star, why not go after someone famous?"

"Because I am just drawn to you for some reason," he said. "You are one the few people I have met that doesn't even seem phased by my job. You look at me as though I am just some normal Joe Blow, and not someone famous."

"Well please don't take offense," you said. "But, I don't really watch TV, so I haven't seen your show."

"I won't be offended if you give me your phone number," he said.

You and Darren both exchanged numbers. You continued talking about work, family, favorite activities, and many other things. Before you knew it you had been talking for three hours.

"Oh my gosh!" you exclaimed. "I totally lost track of time! I am supposed to be meeting my friend Jessica for dinner in 30 minutes. I am sorry, but I have to leave."

"Don't worry about it," he said. "I am sorry to have kept you. I do want to see you again. What are you doing next Saturday?"

"I'm not 100% sure, but I should be free," you replied.

"Ok, well I will call you and hopefully we can set up a date," he smiled.

"That sounds great," you smiled back.

"I am so glad you started coming to my coffee shop," he smirked.

"Please, you totally crashed mine," you replied.

"I was here first, coffee crasher," he said. "I call you later cutie."

With that he walked out of the coffee shop and you quickly grabbed your stuff and dashed to your car in hopes that you wouldn't be too late to your dinner with Jessica. She got some time to herself and wanted to come check out L.A.

"I am so sorry I am late," you said as you sat down at the table. "I completely lost track of time and got here as soon as I could."

"Don't worry about it," Jessica said. "I wasn't even waiting that long."

"Ok good," you said. "So how are you?"

"I am great," she said. "So what made you lose track of time? That's not like you."

You couldn't help but smile and blush. "Well I went to my favorite coffee shop to drink and read for a little while, and it turns out that it's Darren's, that guy from the night club, favorite coffee shop too."

"You ran into that guy again?!" she exclaimed. "Please tell me you gave him your number."

"I did!" you smiled. "We ended up talking for like three hours before I realized I was running late to dinner."

"Oh who cares about you being late to dinner," she said. "Tell me everything."

"We just talked about work, family, hobbies, and then he asked me out to dinner on Saturday!" you said.

"He asked you out?! Oh my gosh!" she exclaimed. "See, didn't I tell you this was move was a great idea?"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah you told me so," you retorted.

"Did you tell him about your past?" she asked.

"I told him that it was difficult for me to trust because of my past, and he asked why, but I just wasn't ready to tell him that just yet," you replied.

"I understand that, which reminds me," she said. "I need to tell you something."

"What?" you said concerned.

"Greg called me," she said.

Your face turned white. "What?!"

"Greg called and said that you moved and was demanding to know your address," she said.

"What did you say?" you were going to be sick. You began to feel a panic attack coming on.

"Kim breathe," she said. "I didn't say you lived in L.A. and I did not give him your address."

"This cannot be happening," you said. "Not again! I cannot do this!"

"KIM," she said forcefully. "You are going to be fine. He doesn't have your address. You don't live alone; you live with your brother. You live in a gated complex on the third floor, and you have safety locks on your doors. Everything is going to be ok."

"It's like no matter what I do I cannot get away from him!" you said.

"Kim, he doesn't know where you live," she said. "You will be ok."

"I can't handle this right now," you replied.

You didn't know what to do. Although Greg didn't know where you moved to, it didn't silence the fear and panic that began to rise knowing that he was trying to find you again. You have come so far, and you didn't want it all to come crashing back down because of him.

Yay so that was Ch. 3! Please let me know what you think. Like always, ideas and comments are always welcome! xoxoxoxoxo