Helloooooo! I know its been a little bit...or at least it seems like it, but I'm back with another chapter! Like usual, I wanna give my girls a shoutout to JustCherry73, wwechristina and GoldenGirl1920 for your continued love and support! I love you ladies to the moon and back!

I don't own anyone affiliated with the WWE, I only own Maddie any other characters and the storyline.

Enjoy!

Maddie POV

The smile on my face just got bigger and my mood better ever since texting AJ. Who by the way, I haven't been able to get off my mind all day. While it's been a good day, it has been a little trying with the occasional difficult customer who was pushing my patience to the limit. And I have A LOT of patience. So getting to see AJ before the day is over sends my heart and stomach into a happy frenzy.

It's seems like it's been forever since talking to AJ and I've been by myself for the last couple of hours. Susie wasn't feeling well about halfway through the day, so I sent her home early, promising to lock up for her and that I'd take care of her store. She of course fought me on it, not wanting to leave me alone, but I insisted. So before leaving, Susie went to go make a duplicate of the key to store, telling me that it's mine.

Susie…are you sure? This is only my second day," I tell her and Susie nods her head.

"I'm very sure my dear. You've given me no indication that I can't trust you. You've been a very hard worker and such a sweet girl. I know I'm leaving my store in good hands. It will also help me out tremendously, knowing that I won't have to open the store every day now. I know I'll be able to count on you to do that when I ask or need you to," she replied and I looked at her in awe.

"Well, I'm extremely honored and you won't regret your decision. You can definitely count on me. I'll treat the store like it's my own," I reassure Susie.

"Oh I know you will, sweetheart. Now, I'm going to go get a copy of the key for you; I'll be no more than 30 minutes," she informs me.

"Take your time, Susie. I can hold the fort up," I grin, earning me a chuckle.

That was about 4 hours ago and it's been pretty much quiet the rest of the day, so I've been walking the store, taking inventory on what we have and blocking the items, making it look more professional and neat.

The cowbell above the door goes off, alerting me of a customer and I shout out a hello and let them know I'll be right up. I don't get a response, but I think nothing of it. I take about another minute, wanting to finish up on the row that I'm working on. I'm so focused on my task that I'm startled when hands cover my eyes from behind and I'm pulled up against the body the hands belong to.

"Guess who," the voice whispers and I instantly smile recognizing the strong southern accent of AJ. Deciding to mess around with him a little bit, I wrap my hands around his wrists and lean further into his body some.

"Austin, is that you?" I said with a smile and teasing in my tone, but I don't think AJ heard it because he pulls away. I don't let go of his wrists for a beat before releasing them and turning around to face him. The look on his face is anything but amused. He actually looked hurt and devastated by my words and my smile drops instantly.

"Who–who is Austin?" AJ asked, sounding defeated and withdrawn and I know I have to backtrack and fast.

Closing the distance he created, I raise my hands and gently frame his face, stroking his cheek with my thumb. "There is no Austin, baby. I was just teasing you, but I take it that it was too soon and I apologize," I replied. AJ hesitated to touch me and I nod my head subtly with a small smile, letting him know that it's okay if he does.

"So…there is no one else?" AJ asks timidly, his touch on my waist barely there and I continue to smile up at him with a shake of my head. Taking his hands, I tighten his hold on me, wrapping his arms completely around me before placing my hands around the back of his neck, lacing my fingers.

"No one. Just you, Allen Jones," I said, playing with his hair that poked out from the bottom of his baseball cap. "I'm sorry; I didn't mean to upset you. It wasn't my intention," I whisper and I feel his hold on me tighten, but he looks away. At something behind me, but I don't say anything; I let him gather his thoughts before he looks back down at me.

"I'm sorry…it's just. I can't believe I'm actually going to tell you this after just meeting you, but there is something about you that's telling me that I can and that you won't hold it against me, but–I've been cheated on before and it nearly destroyed me. That is until I realized how big of a bitch she truly was…is," AJ told me and I look up at him in disbelief.

"AJ…I'm so sorry. I…," I go to reply, but the cowbell goes off again, alerting me of another customer, "…I close up in less than an hour. If you want to hang around, we can talk when I get off. We can do or go wherever you want. You know this town better than I do anyway," I add and AJ smiles softly down at me.

"I'd love that. I'm gonna take you on that offer and stick around, but I'll stay out of your way. I noticed Miss Susie isn't here and I don't want you to be alone any longer. Go finish up," AJ replied quietly and leans down, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead. Providing him with a small, but genuine and happy smile, I nod my head once and make my way back to the front of the store.

AJ POV

I watch Maddie walk back up to the front, smiling at how easy it is for her to interact with people and how willing she is to help. How warm her personality is towards them and how easily it is to gravitate towards the positive energy she possesses. I don't know how I became fortunate enough or what I did to have that connection with Maddie or for her to even show an ounce of interest in me. She wasn't even disgusted or turned off that she discovered that I'm just simply a mechanic at a damn auto shop. But the way she looked at me and eyed me from head to toe earlier today…it had me grinning like a goddamn fool.

But when I think back to when Maddie called me Austin, it had my stomach lurch up into my throat thinking that I lost my chance with her before it even had an opportunity to happen. That is until she adamantly reassured me that there was no one but me who had her attention. And I believe every word she said, simply by looking into her eyes and seeing the honest sincerity there. When Jessica tried to reassure me of suspicions that I've had about her, I never saw that look in her eyes that allowed me to believe her without a second thought. But I did anyway because of how much I loved her. Now I realize that she was the biggest mistake in my life. I just wish I had noticed it sooner, but all things happen for a reason.

I don't even realize how deep in thought I am until I feel a pair of arms wrap tightly around me from behind. I grin widely, gently gripping Maddie's forearms, "hey beautiful…finished already?" I asked, smiling down at her when she rounds my body, not letting up her hold on me.

"All finished and locked up," she said, "…you looked like you were miles away. Is everything alright?" Maddie asked, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear, showing off more of her gorgeous face.

"Yeah, everything is fine; just thinking. You ready to go?" I asked, wrapping an arm around her tiny body, pulling her in closer. I feel Maddie lean further into my touch as she looks up at me with a smile.

"Yeah, I'm ready. I just need to grab my purse from behind the counter and we can go," Maddie told me, releasing her hold on me and I follow her to the front of the store. "Alright, let's go," she smiles and I stand behind her, protectively as she locks up. I know it's a safe town, but I'm not going to take any chances. Regardless of if I'm with her or not.

I go to ask Maddie where she wants to go, but her stomach answers for me and she smiles sheepishly up at me. Chuckling, I said, "I was going to ask where you wanted to go, but I have a feeling I know the answer. There is this quiet diner right down the road where we can have a late dinner…if you'd like," I propose and Maddie nods her head with a smile.

"That sounds amazing right now. I remember passing it when I got into town the other day. It must be new because it wasn't there 5 years ago when I left," Maddie said and I look down at her with surprised eyes.

"Wait…you use to live here? How have we not crossed paths before?" I asked, completely flabbergasted by this new bout of information.

"Let's head to the diner and I'll tell you there," Maddie said and I nod my head in agreement. "I'll follow you there in my truck," she said, but another idea popped into my head.

"It's a beautiful night out; why don't we walk there and I'll walk you straight to your truck afterwards," I responded and Maddie without argument agrees. I honestly thought that she would have protested that idea, but apparently I was wrong.

Maddie catches me off guard when she links her arm through mine and leans her body onto me, latching onto my bicep. "Lead the way Mr. Jones," Maddie smirks up at me.

"Yes ma'am," I smirk back, relishing in the contact she's created, not to mention her playful teasing. But it's also a breath of fresh air that she doesn't seem to be stuck up and attention demanding like every other female in this damn down. Granted, none of them have come flocking to me and for that I'm extremely grateful.

"So, you've been here your entire life?" Maddie asked and I feel her eyes looking up at me, so I returned her stare. I see the sincere true interest in her eyes when she asks the question.

I nod my head, looking back ahead of me as we get closer to the diner. "I have. It's nothing special, but it's home. It has gotten a little better though, now that you're here," I replied and look back down at Maddie with a small grin. She quickly broke eye contact and looked down, her face turning red at my compliment.

"You're sweet, but surely you don't mean that," Maddie said, refusing to look up at me, but she rests her head on my arm and I can tell her eyes are downcast. Confusion consumes me when Maddie suddenly closes up on me some.

I stop in my tracks, causing Maddie to do the same and she looks up at me with confusion of her own. I look down at her intently, trying to show her through my eyes before I say anything that I meant every word I just said. "Why the hell would I not mean it? Because I did. Every word. Why can't you believe that what I said is true?" I asked her softly, not wanting to have her think I'm angry at her questioning. Instead, it makes me upset that she would think that her presence hasn't made Gainesville a better town to be in. Yeah, it may be small, but with how big of a personality and the light Maddie gives off, oh you better believe there is going to be a difference.

"Just…forget I said anything," Maddie said and released her hold on me, continuing on towards the diner that's only a handful of feet away. I jog to keep up with her and cut off her path, forcing Maddie to stop short. She stared up at me with a distressed look on her face and it's taking everything in me to not lean down and kiss her sorrows away. To show her that her presence really does make a difference in this town. To show her that her presence has made a difference for me.

"No Maddie; I'm not going to forget it. Talk to me, baby. Help me understand. Please," I said gently, cupping her face within my large hands, forcing her to have no choice but to look up at me. For her to see in my eyes that I WANT HER here. Be damned what anyone else thinks.

"I'm nothing special, AJ. I literally only came back because my father's health has deteriorated and he needs me to take care of him. If it were up to me, I never would have left Florida. I was happy there," she told me and I look down at her in disbelief.

"And you're not happy now?" I asked her and Maddie goes to open her mouth to respond, but I don't let her. "You are special Maddie and you're here now. I'm going to be selfish asking this because we only met the day after yesterday, but there is something between us. I feel it and I sure as hell know you feel it; so, do I mean nothing to you? Cause these past two days, you sure as hell have showed me that I do. And you sure as hell mean something to me, otherwise I wouldn't be here with you right now," I confessed to her and her eyes widen in shock. "You have no idea how badly I want to kiss you right now, but I'm not going to. What I'm going to do is take us into the diner, treat you to dinner and tell you all about me. And if you wanna tell me about yourself, I'll gladly listen and take what you give me because I want to know and learn everything there is to know about you," I said with determination, hoping to god that she believes me.

She looks up at me in confusion and wonder and I can't help but respond to her look with a lopsided smile. "How are you even real? No man in this world would ever say what you just said to me," Maddie replied and reached up covering one of my hands with her own, keeping it in place and nuzzles her cheek into my palm. I can't help but smiling adoringly down at her and lean down to press a kiss to her forehead.

"I could say the same thing about you; I've never met a woman quite like you before Madison Andrews, but I'm sure as hell glad that I did and I really hope you feel the same way about me because it would suck if you didn't. And it would make me feel like a complete and total fool with everything I've just said," I replied and Maddie smiles widely up at me and stands on her toes, pressing a kiss to my cheek, letting her lips linger on my skin.

"Don't feel like a fool because I do feel the same way about you, too," Maddie replied in kind and pulled back, but grabs my hand and practically drags me into the diner. Her happiness made me smile, but her strength took me by surprise. I wasn't expecting a tiny thing like her to possess the strength she has.

"Whoa Mads, where's the fire?" I laugh and pull her towards me, wrapping an arm around her small waist, holding her against me as we wait to be seated. Her laughter and smile are infectious, it's impossible not to join her, but it's also impossible not to fall for her. How this beautiful woman is still single blows my mind, but I'm not going to complain and I'm going to take advantage of her single status and attempt to make her mine when the time is right.

"Sorry, I'm just happy," Maddie replies and wraps her arms around me, laying her head on my chest and my heart swells in my own happiness knowing I'm making her happy.

"Good; I'm glad," I reply quietly, pressing a chaste kiss to the top of her head and smile at the hostess when she greets us.

"Good evening, y'all. How're you two doin' tonight? Just the two of ya?" Peggy asked.

"Yes ma'am," I answer.

"Would y'all like a booth or a table?" She asks and I look down at Maddie with a raised eyebrow, silently asking where she'd like to sit.

"Booth?" Maddie replied, looking up at me with a shy smile.

"Booth it is then," I tell Peggy and the older woman provides us with a friendly smile, grabs two menus and leads us to our seats.

"Alright, here we are. Your waitress will be Jamie and she'll be right with y'all. You two have a great night and enjoy," Peggy said and walks away without another word.

Maddie POV

Removing his baseball cap and fixing his his hair, AJ looks over at me after Peggy walked away and the look in his eyes has me taken aback. "What?" I ask him bemused, becoming suddenly shy under his stare and I can feel my face heat up when his smile broadens once he realizes what he's doing to me.

"Nothin'. I just can't get over how beautiful you really are, nor how you're still single," AJ replied and before I can reply, I'm assuming who is Jamie, walks up to the table.

"Good evenin', my name's Jamie and I'll be takin' care of you guys tonight. What can I get you started off with to drink?" She asked, pulling out her notepad from her apron and looks at me first.

"I'll just have a water with lemon, please," I reply.

Jamie nods her head as she jots it down, "and for you, sir?" She asked, looking at AJ.

"I'll have a coke, please," he replied and once again, Jamie nods her head while writing down his decision.

"Alright, I'll get that put in and give you guys some time to look over the menu," Jamie told us and left us to ourselves.

AJ looks back over at me with a slightly raised brow, "so…why are you still single? HOW are you still single?" He asked me, baffled, pushing back the hair that fell into his face. I watch his fingers card through his strands and can't help but think about when I'll be able to run my own fingers through his gorgeous mane of hair. It's the first time I'm actually getting to see it; every time I've been around him, AJ has had a cap on his head, hiding his hair.

"How? Because I choose to be and why is because I'm picky. I'm not going to date just anyone. He has to be someone I can see myself being with for a long time or someone who I see myself spending the rest of my life with. I'm only 25 so I have plenty of time," I explained and a shocked look crosses AJ's face. "What?" I ask and AJ shakes his head, pushing his hair out of his face.

"Nothin'. It's just, I didn't expect to hear you say that you're only 25. I…I thought you were older than that," he said, sounding almost conflicted. I instantly shrink into my seat, thinking that he's changed his mind about me.

"Is–is that…are you not wanting to do this anymore?" I asked, becoming upset with the turn of events and somehow AJ can see it on my face and my body language that what he said effected me.

"What?! No! God, no. You have no idea how much I want this, Maddie," AJ retorted, grabbing my hand that lay on the table. It's almost like the look in his eyes tells me that he's scared for whatever it is he is going to say next.

"So then, what's wrong?"

"Your age doesn't bother me, Mads. But, I'm afraid you're going to change your mind about me once you learn mine," AJ said timidly and I furrow my brow at him.

"What makes you say that? That isn't your call to make," I reply and he releases his hold on my hand. The look on his face telling me that it's almost like he's preparing himself for me to run for the hills.

"Because I'm…I'm 35, Maddie. I'm at the age where I should be married and settled down by now. You're young…vivacious. Beautiful. And can have any man she wants. Someone who is closer to your age," he explained, sounding defeated; sounding like he's already given up on whatever this is going on between us.

Honestly, I could care less that AJ is 10 years older than me. I wouldn't care if he was 15 years older than me. I feel the connection that is between us. I can't help but embrace it. I know we're meant to be together. Otherwise, we wouldn't have been brought to one another the way we have been.

"Is that what you want?" I retort, sadly.

"Hell no, it's not what I want. I want whatever this is between us," AJ replied, "I'm just afraid it's not what you want…not anymore," he adds, sounded dejected.

Before I can respond, Jamie comes back with our drinks, asking if we're ready to order, obviously not sensing the tension at the table, so I tell her we're not ready and that we need more time. I want to rectify whatever this is that is going on through AJ's head and ease his mind that his age doesn't bother me.

Jamie leaves us be and I look back over at AJ. "Good, I'm glad to hear that because I want the same thing. I don't care if you're 10 years older than me, AJ. Age is just a number. If anything, I'd want an older man as my partner. Someone who is wiser and has more experience at and in life. I want someone who knows what they want," I tell him with conviction, hoping that he can hear and see that he is the one I'm talking about.