A/N: I feel this again is a little wishy washy plot wise, but don't worry after this I have some twists and turns and plenty of surprises that no-one will guess. I would love to give a special shoutout to Cloudywithachanceofpeddie, HoAMR, XxAquaMangoXx and Unique me luv.

Chapter 6 -

I felt my face flush bright scarlet. "What do you mean I need to be careful of Eddie Miller?" It was Amber who next to broach the subject "Look, Patricia we just hear silly rumours, that's all they are rumours." Why won't she tell me what these rumours are, why am I the only who knows absolutely nothing. "Please tell me what people say?" I look at each of them "Amber?" "Joy?" "Mara?" All three of them turn to face each other, nod and look at me blankly, it's Joy who's next to speak "Look, Patty we just think it's best for you to not get too involved with him. You understand." Actually I'm far from understanding but I guess they aren't going to tell me now. Maybe if I can corner one on their own, then they spill. So I nod in agreement and decide it best to move on from the subject. But they are not quite finished yet as Mara is still determined to interrogate me some more "So….does Piper know about this little deal?" I shake my head, in response "Alfie does though." My voice sounding like a whimper. "ALFIE, you told your sister fiancée." Joy sounding flabbergasted by the revelation. "Well yeah, I told Alfie because Eddie's a delivery boy for Alfie's restaurant." All three of them nod in agreemeet, which at least means they understand why I told Alfie.

It's at that moment, my parents walk through the door. My mouth becomes dry and palms start to sweat. Their presence is making me nervous and I'm not even sure why. I had avoided them all morning so that I wouldn't have any more awkward conversations. They scan the room until they pinpoint me and then they hurry towards me, like they have something important to say. I'm unable to speak, my mouth open but no words can come out so Joy is the first to break the silence "Peter, Julie, Patricia told us that you were visiting. How are you both?" It was mom as usually who spoke for the both of them, "We are great, Joy. How's your mother?" The small talk was becoming increasingly frustrating, so I swallowed the lump that had formed in my throat and broached the subject on everyone's mind. "Why are you even here?" My voice rising slightly through the agitation of this impromptu meeting.

"Patty, don't be like that, your father and I wanted to invite you and your boyfriend, Edward was it…" I saw my father's eyes roll at the word boyfriend, he clearly wasn't a fan of Eddie, but this was only temporary and then once the week is up we will go our separate ways so he really had nothing to worry about, but he doesn't know that.

"I think you mean Eddie, mom!" My response coming out a little sharp.

"That's it; well we wanted to invite you and Eddie to dinner tonight at Alfie's restaurant."

"Wont Alfie be working, so how are you going to swing it?"

"Alfred has already said he taking the night off. So you better be there!" It was my mother who was becoming forceful now, she had already made the decision I would be there, but she hadn't made Eddie's mind up for him. So maybe, I could get him out of this shambles.

"Okay mother, I'll be there but I can't promise Eddie will be there." I couldn't be around him until I worked out exactly what these rumours were and whether they were true or not.

"Well, I think we will be seeing you both later then." Did she not hear anything I just said, well it looks like she won't be taking NO for an answer. So I simply nod and watch as my parents descend out of the pub. I take this opportunity to leave myself saying goodbye to Amber, Joy and Mara and promising to keep them posted on further details.

I left the pub and headed south in the direction of the park. A place I often visited when I need alone time, which right now was exactly what I needed. The park was virtually empty; a few small children playing on the swings, other than that the park had been deserted. It gave me time to wrap my head around everything said about Eddie. He seemed so genuine, what could have happened in the past? What happened with his ex? It was at that moment; Eddie was walking through the park, "Patricia?"

"Eddie, urm, what you doing here?" My voice flustered by his sudden appearance. I looked down to avoid his gaze, his beautiful blue eyes, because I knew if I looked everything that was said earlier would not matter anymore.

"Well I was off to my next to my next delivery, is everything okay, you seem….jumpy." Eddie was looking directly at me now; I could feel his gaze burning through the top of my head.

"I'm fine, quit asking questions Miller." I was more on edge then when he first arrived. He knew something was up and by the looks of things he was about to drop the matter.

"You heard something about me, didn't you?" How could he know, was I that obvious.

"Well not really" that was true, I hadn't officially heard anything, "Look all I need to know is am I going to get messed about. Are you going to stick to this deal?" I was desperate now, I needed to know, and I couldn't just have him embarrass me in front of my parents not now. It wasn't just that though, I could face being messed around again by a real or fake boyfriend.

"Look, Patricia we have a deal okay. You can trust me." I felt myself relax after that, for some reason it was all I needed to hear. Eddie sat beside me now on the park bench. We just sat in silence, but this time it wasn't awkward, it was comforting, it felt good. I knew I had to broach the subject of the meal at some point and after a few moments of good silence I braved it, my stomach was in knots. I said to myself do it, ask him "Eddie, my parents have asked me if whether you would join us tonight for a meal at Alfie's restaurant tonight. If you cant make it, I understand you know I would be happy to make-"Eddie placed his finger over my lips, that single touch making me powless to his every demand, he had me silencened "Patricia I would be happy to come, it's part of the deal right." Eddie got up off the bench about to walk away but I stopped him with my hand grabbing his arm, trying to feel his warmth radiating through my body "Yeah it part of the deal, so I will see you later, 8ish?" "Of course, eight at Alfie's. See you Patricia " He left moments later and could help but smile to myself, like my life at this moment was good. Even if he was my fake boyfriend!

The rest of the day went quickly and it was time to head to Alfie's.I made an extra effort with my appearance; spending and extra ten minutes over my hair and make-up all because he was going to be there. I needed to get grip, I couldn't be falling for him, I barely knew him. After thirteen attempts to decide what to wear, I settled for my purple ASOS dress with my Doc Martins, to say the least I thought I looked good.

All this effort didn't stop the nerves though. I couldn't wait to see him and to think I was dreading it earlier was an understatement. We all left together for the restaurant and once we got there Eddie wasn't to be found. So we all agreed that I would wait outside for him. Eddie was late and I was about to give up hope until I saw him striding towards me looking HOT! He was wearing a navy blue shirt that griped to his bulging muscles and some tight jean, that show a little too much, if you know what I mean. We both greated each other and then made our way inside where we were welcomed by the front house. I could see Eddie tense next to me, he obviously knew the young lady greeting us. Of course he did, she would be here when he made deliveries. Then I noticed the young girl looking me up and down. I couldn't help but notice how obvious she was being, did she have some sort of problem with me. We had never met, maybe she was jealous. Eddie however was quick to acknowledge her "KT, how are you this evening…" she turned her gaze from me to Eddie and merely whispered "I'm great Eddie, I see you had to settle for the other one." It was at that moment I realised why Eddie had agreed to the deal. I knew exactly what he wanted and it wasn't to help me.