Chapter 2

One morning I was laying on my air mattress, looking around and getting annoyed on how empty my house was. It was getting depressing. I have been living here 2 out of the 5 months that I have been in LA, and the only room that was 'finished' was the kitchen. The first 3 months I was living in a motel while waiting for this place to open up. The motel was awful, but this place was worth it. It was a 1 bedroom, 1 bath, with a great kitchen and living room. There was a bonus room the previous owners had added, and I couldn't wait for it to house my myriad of books.

It was nothing huge, but it was perfect for me. I couldn't believe what a great deal I got on it. It was in a great area just outside the city and it had a decent yard that made me want a dog. I always wanted one, but I could never really justify having one in New York. I was becoming more and more excited about my new life out here in LA.

It had been a few days since I visited the Avengers set with Scarlett, but it was not hard for me to keep myself busy. I was working my ass off at my shop in order to procure a steady stream a clients. Luckily all my hard work was paying off and I had 5 big Hollywood parties within the next 2 weeks, and they were all paying top dollar.

I rolled over and grabbed my phone to text Scarlett.

"Hey chcia! My place is bare and bumming me out. Tell me where to go so I can fix this! -E"

I laid there watching my ceiling fan spin round and round. Moments later my phone went off. It was Tom Hiddleston going "LOKI'D!" I need to remember to change that before I saw him again. That would be a little embarrassing.

Scarlett had sent me a whole list of places where I could find the type of stuff I wanted and needed. I had a quirky sense of taste, but she got me.

I spent the rest of the day going into store after store picking out stuff that would finally fill up my place. Scarlett suggested some totally great places. The best thing about them was that they all had free delivery. By the end of the day my car was packed with frames, artwork, rugs, mirrors, nerdy book ends, and a bunch of great vintage lamps. I shamelessly got a tacky pink flamingo to put in my back yard. They were always a guilty pleasure for me.

The next day all my furniture got to my place. I looked around at the horrid mess of boxes and forgot that I would have to put all this crap together. I decided to be a smartass and texted Scarlett

"Hey, I have a bunch of furniture that needs assembling. I need to talk to you about the Avengers Initiative."

She replied "You're adorable. I'm on my way. Bringing a friend. Put on some pants."

I laughed at that. While I waited on her to get there I was able to put up some floating shelves on my wall and hook up my sound system. It was a nice day so I opened all the windows and left my front door open because it was unlikely I would hear anyone knock due to the volume of my music.

I turned on The Wombats and started sock skating around the house. I would be lying if I said that this place having smooth wood floors wasn't a reason I got it. I was dressed in a very tacky fashion (thigh high tube socks, daisy duke shorts and a star wars t-shirt) It was comfortable so I didn't care. I was about to.

I heard car door slam outside in between songs. Actually, I heard a few car doors slam. It then hit me what he text said. Well it was too late to change, so I just hoped that whoever it was would like my tacky socks. They did have stormtrooper helmets around the top. I decided to be cool and do a run and slide into my living room to greet Scarlett and my mystery guest. Well, turns out it was guests.

I made that discovery in mid slide and it took some mad skills and a gift of god for me to not fall on my ass when I saw who just stepped into my house. Scarlett was helping herself to some cookies I had made earlier in the kitchen, and in my living room was Jeremy Renner and Tom Hiddleston.

They were in my living room dancing to my music. Oh god they were adorable. And really getting into it. Scarlett came in and handed me a cookie. We exchanged a look, then joined Tom and Jeremy. We were all trying to do the worst dancing possible. Well, at least I assumed that to make myself feel better, I was actually trying, but I was still awful. During the next few songs Tom managed to dance closer and closer to me until we were actually dancing with other. He took me in his arms and spun me around a few times. That sent my heart a twitter. I turned and saw Scarlett and Jeremy dancing together. They were so cute. Scarlett told me how she had a thing for him, seeing them together made it really sink in.

The album came to an end and our out-of-breath laughter filled the room. I then felt a sensation on my back. Starting from in between my shoulder blades down to the small of back. I turned and saw it was Tom mindlessly running his hand down my back while we all looked back and forth at each other still laughing. Once he reached the small of my back he seemed to realize what he was doing and jerked his hand away and place it on his hip.

"Oh, sorry..." He said quietly so only I could really hear him "...I don't ever really do that."

I could tell he was a little embarrassed, so I laughed it off "It's not a problem dollface." Ugh I needed to stop calling him that. Although he was a total doll and his face is gorgeous, I didn't want him to think I was weird. He just smiled at me and chuckled. I couldn't help but to gaze into his intensely beautiful eyes as he smile warmly at me. I was snapped out of the hypnosis by Jeremy.

"So you must be E. Great to finally meet you!" he said as he shook my hand

"Oh the pleasure is all mine!" all thoughts of trying not to appear excited were no longer. "I had no idea you guys were coming over to see my..."I looked around at the mess "...disaster of a house."

Tom placed his hand on my back again and in a reassuring tone said, "Now, you just moved in, it's perfectly understandable darling."

I smiled at him. It was such a nice person. As we all started to pick a piece of furniture, and got to work.

"Well thank you guys so much for coming and helping me. This place has been barren for months. It'll be great to make this place my own instead of feeling like a squatter." I said, so thankful for the help.

After about 2 hours of work, everything was put together. All I really had left to do is organize everything and I certainly didn't need help with that.

"Jeez, this are a lot of bookshelves." Jeremy said helping me move them into their proper room. We placed them against the wall and head back to join Scarlett and Tom in the living room. They were deep in conversation.

"Oh yeah, believe it or not I actually need them." I replied walking next to him down my hallway "My mom is sending me my books from New York. There were too many to take on my own."

Jeremy laughed "Well damn, that's a lot of books."

I laughed "Yeah, I was one of the few kids who willingly joined the book club." We went into the kitchen, we both needed another beer.

"So what kind of books do you like?" Jeremy asked. I couldn't tell if her was actually interested or just being nice.

"Well a little bit of everything. My favorites are science fiction and monster novels. War of Worlds, Frankenstein, books like that."

Jeremy nodded taking a drink of his beer "Do you read comics at all?"

"Oh-ho, yes I do." I was holding back a little. I didn't want to geek out too much. "Mostly Marvel comics, but I do adore DC's Batman, Justice League, The Flash, and Wonder Woman."

"No Superman?" teased Jeremy

I laughed "Nope, no Superman. I could never get into him. I guess I could never really connect with him."

Jeremy nodded "Well I get that. That's why I prefer Marvel. There are more characters that you can really really connect with."

"Yeah, exactly!" I replied with excitement and passion "They all had different personal problems. And X-Men I think everyone can connect with. Everyone knows what it's like to feel like an outcast or misunderstood. Despite their abilities that make them so amazing and special, they're still so human."

I heard Tom's voice behind me "Beautifully said."

"Mmmhmm." Scarlett and Jeremy grunted through a drink and a nod

"Thanks..." I said "...I know it's silly sometimes, but I get really into the things I read."

"Well why shouldn't you? Yes reading is a form of entertainment, but it is also for expanding your knowledge and wisdom." Tom opened his mouth to say more, but I jumped in.

"Even if they are fiction, they are still based in the same truths of our world. And if we're not learning from them, and bettering ourselves through them, why read at all?"

"Exactly!" Tom said with a smile that stretched across his face.

Jeremy started clapping jokingly "Damn guys! I am so motivated right now. I'm serious, I'm pumped. Let's go doing something." He started hopping up and down. We all laughed at him

"Easy there tiger..." Scarlett said to him, placing a her hand on his shoulder "...maybe we can go grab a bite?"

"That would be wonderful. I am starving." Tom said

"I'm game." I added

"Come on then. We'll take my car." Scarlett said grabbing her bag and her keys. Tom and Jeremy put on their jackets, I grabbed my purse and we left.

We went to a amazing sushi bar and spent the entire time laughing and having lighthearted conversations about our interests and views. It was amazing how all four of us got along so well and how much we all had in common.

Halfway through the night Scarlett and Jeremy had to use the bathroom, leaving Tom and I alone with our sushi and green tea.

Tom didn't seem to skip a beat "So earlier you were speaking to Jeremy about what books you like." I had a feeling what he would ask next "...have you ever read any Shakespeare?"

I was afraid he wouldn't like my answer "Well to be honest, no. But it isn't from a lack of trying."

"Oh really?" He laughed and leaned in to hear me better in the crowded restaurant.

"Well I have many of his works, but I find them hard to get through. I've been trying since I was very young, but I always seem to hit a wall." Tom continued to listen with a gentle look in his eye "I so desperately want to finish them, and have a deeper understanding for the meanings. The language is so incredibly lovely, but I often feel that it's too smart for me."

"Oh no, no, no darling!" Tom said placing his hand on my arm "Shakespeare is meant for all. And it's not about how much intellect a person possesses. It's about being open to accept the intense feelings and emotions his stories convey in such eloquent words."

He was so passionate about the subject, I couldn't helped feel lightheaded, hypnotized by his words.

I smiled at him "Well Tom, you have convinced me to give him another try. Any suggestions on what I should start with?"

"Hmm..." he rubbed his chin as he ran through the possibilities "Perhaps A Midsummer Nights Dream?"

"Alright, sounds good. I'll start it after my next book."

"Oh no, that's far too long away. You must start it tomorrow!" He said

I giggled and asked "Oh really? Why is that?"

"Well I would love to see how you like it next time I see you." He smiled warmly at me

I felt myself blush, I smiled and looked down at my plate attempting to hide my face. I didn't know if he was flirting with me, or if I was just reading the situation wrong.

He started to say something else, but then Scarlett and Jeremy got back at the table. Tom and I just smiled at each other for a moment before going back to the conversation the four of us were having before they left.

At the end of the night Scarlett drove us all back to my place where we all hung out for a few more hours talking over a few beers. Next thing we knew it was almost midnight.

"Okay guys, no more than 20 more minutes, then we have to go."

Jeremy, Tom, and I groaned like children

Scarlett cut us off saying "Ah-ah-ah! We have filming tomorrow and we need our rest."

Jeremy leaned over towards me and asked "Has she always been like this?"

Scarlett pretended to be offended and pout

"As long as I can remember." I replied

After that Tom and Jeremy questioned Scarlett and I about growing up together. Scarlett and I were laughing until our sides hurt reliving precious memories of childhood. I was so happy that we were together again. New York wasn't the same after she left. It sounds like I don't have any friends in the world besides her, just none who I was this close to. I looked at the clock and it was 1:15am.

Scarlett gave us a motherly stern look "Okay guys, it's past the deadline."

Tom looked at me and gave me the most adorable sad face I'd ever seen. Jeremy looked at Scarlett like he was going to kill her, jokingly of course.

"What about me?" I asked "I don't have filming tomorrow."

"What about that party you have to cater?" Scarlett shot back

I was having such a great time I had completely forgotten about it. "Oh fuck..." I said. We all chuckled at my explicit language

We all stood up, they got their things together, all gave me a hug and a goodbye.

I started gathering up the empty beer bottles as I listened to the car doors shut. I brought them into the kitchen to throw into the recycling bin. I thought I heard a car door shut again, but I dismissed it. It was probably the bottles. As I walked back into the living room I heard a knock on my door. I quickly rushed to open it. It was Tom.

"Hey, did you forget something?" I asked secretly glad he came back so I could get a better look at him before he left again.

"I did actually." he said rubbing the back of his neck and shuffling around. He seemed nervous about something. "I was wondering if I- if it's not too presumptuous- if I could possibly have your phone number. You know, to-um-phone you."

His awkwardness was unexpected but too cute for words. I thought I was crazy for a second, but I shook myself out of it.

"Of course you can!" I smiled at him

A look of relieved happiness came over him as he exhaled and struggled to get his phone out of his pants pocket. I caught myself looking down at his legs and his crotch, but looked away quickly in order not to get caught. After giving him my number he said he would text me so I would have his. My phone was over on my coffee table.

"There we go, aaaaand sent." he said with a push of a button

LOKI'D!

Oh my god, I had forgot to change my ringtone. I turned as red as can be and opened my mouth to something, anything to take his mind off of what just happened. But there were no words.

He just laughed to himself.

"What? Can you blame me? That skit was funny as hell." I said nervously

"Well then, I'm glad you enjoyed it." he smiled at me "Well I better go, or Scarlett will be giving me that disappointed mom look for the rest of the week."

"Ha, yeah she already is." I said pointing to her in the car.

"Oh shit..." he said "...well darling, until next time." He then reached for my hand, lifted it to his mouth and planted a soft gentle kiss on the top of my hand. His warm breath and velvet lips sent a chill through my body. He then turned and left looking back for a moment to smile at me. I returned with a shy grin and slowly closed my door. I couldn't stop smiling. I went over to check my phone to see what he had written me.

Coffee on Sunday morning? 9am?

xo-Tom

My face hurt I was smiling so big. I leaned back in my chair and felt my arm. I had goosebumps.

Tom, it would be my pleasure.

xo-E