Pillow Talk

"Now I've finally got you alone." Lyla said, walking into the kitchen of The Brewberry after closing time.

"No more questions." AJ said tiredly, "I got enough all day from Becca and Shiv."

"Granted, they asked a lot of questions." Lyla agreed, "But I guess it just surprised them when things started off on such a bad note with you and him."

"Yeah, well that's life. People can get off on the wrong foot and evolve with their relationship." AJ said.

"I know that." Lyla said, "But it's me. You can talk to me about it." She said whilst AJ continued scrubbing some dishes and trays.

"I know I can." AJ said, "But I think Becca and Shiv asked everything that needed to be asked." She nodded.

"Yeah, but I know that this is a big deal for you. I've watched you these past six years, after your attack, slowly trying to regain that part of your life back. You've never came close to being intimate with a guy." Lyla said, "So… Phil must be different."

"I trust him." AJ nodded, "I like being around him."

"And you had no regrets after?" Lyla asked. The most important thing to her was her friend's happiness and safety. That was all she was truly interested in.

"None." AJ shook her head, "But I'm not sure what it is we're doing. I don't think we're dating but… I know we're not just friends."

"You don't need to rush into anything." Lyla assured her, "Take it however slow you want to."

"I keep thinking about how sad it is that I've not gotten to feel like this for six years but… I think he's the one that's helped me feel ready. He listens and he understands. Doesn't make me feel like an alien for the certain ways I feel." AJ said.

"Sounds pretty nice." Lyla nodded to her, "Are you going to see him again tonight?"

"Yeah." AJ nodded, "He's invited me over to his place, actually. First time I get to see it."

"Oh, that could make or break you guys. His place could be a mess." Lyla teased.

"I doubt it. He barely spends any time in it." AJ shook her head, "You don't think I'm pushing myself too much, do you?" She asked.

"How do you feel about it all?" Lyla asked, "It doesn't matter what I think, really."

"It is overwhelming." AJ admitted, "But I'm not scared with him like I have been in the past with guys. I mean… just a few weeks I had a mental breakdown when Luke kissed me."

"Cause that asshole just flung himself on you." Lyla rolled her eyes, "Phil clearly respects the fact you told him what happened to you. He's obviously mindful of that when he's with you."

"Yeah, but I also don't want him to see me as some fragile little girl who needs repaired." AJ shook her head.

"I doubt he does." Lyla said, "I don't doubt that it's overwhelming for you. It's been six years. Not to mention the fact that the last time you had any kind of sexual encounter with a guy it was… awful." She said as AJ nodded, going back to scrubbing the dishes.

"I thought when I eventually had sex again that I would be constantly thinking about my attack but… last night wasn't like that. In fact… I forgot about everything." AJ nodded.

"Then I think you should keep seeing him and let it all play out naturally. Like you said." Lyla said.

"Do you think you'll learn to like him?" AJ asked.

"AJ." Lyla said seriously, "He's making you happy. I already like the guy." Lyla assured her as AJ smiled.

"Did we even say hello to each other?" Punk laughed a little, lying on his bed beside AJ who had her head resting on his chest, clutching the sheets to her naked body as they tried to catch their breaths.

"I don't think so." AJ laughed a little, looking up and noticing he was itching his nose.

"Your hair." Punk said, "You got a lot of it." He said as AJ chuckled, moving her hair to her other side so it was no longer tickling his face.

"Yeah, I do." AJ agreed, "I never even got to look around your apartment properly." She smirked.

"There's nothing to see." Punk said, "I've not really done much with the place besides put a sofa and bed in it."

"Yeah, you don't even have a TV." AJ said. She'd noticed that much.

"I never really have time to watch it. I come home from the coffee shop, eat dinner and then go to bed. Like a sad little man." Punk nodded.

"Then I'm just as sad as you." She nodded.

"Tell me about your day. I was going to ask you when you first came in but… I got a little distracted and you know…"

"Yeah." AJ laughed, "Honestly? It was exhausting. Becca and Shiv didn't give me a minute's peace." She shook her head.

"You couldn't just tell them to shut up?" Punk asked.

"No. That's mean." AJ tapped his naked chest with disapproval.

"What were they even asking?" Punk asked.

"Everything." AJ shook her head, "I guess they thought we still secretly hated each other. They were surprised."

"I got the same from Daryl." Punk nodded.

"Really? What did he say?" AJ asked curiously.

"Mostly just making jokes like the immature teenager he is." Punk nodded, "Then he tried to be funny and mention it to Linda. Told her you were my girlfriend." He shook his head, "So then I got mad, told him off and then he didn't speak to me for the rest of the shift."

"God, you're like an old married couple." AJ shook her head, "I bet Linda hated hearing that." She scoffed.

"You got beef with Linda?" Punk chuckled.

"No, she has beef with me." AJ said, "Before I moved here and bought over The Brewberry, Linda had her shop there. It was a bakery I think." She nodded.

"Really?" Punk said.

"Yeah. Apparently, she couldn't afford to run it anymore and she also had other health problems. When I got The Brewberry up and running, I wanted to invite her along to try some stuff, maybe get some advice from her but… she never showed, and she never really acknowledges me." AJ said.

"So, you think she's jealous?" Punk asked. It made sense why Linda was always so passive aggressive whenever he brought up AJ to her in the past.

"I don't know if she's jealous. Maybe just mad that she couldn't keep her business running." AJ said, "I just know I haven't done anything wrong." She said confidently.

"I think she wants to marry me, honestly." Punk nodded as AJ rolled her eyes.

"Get over yourself." AJ said.

"I do." Punk insisted as AJ just giggled, that sound he loved the most.

"So your only two friends are mad at you? Sucks." She nodded.

"You see the trouble you've caused me?" He nudged her playfully under the sheets as she chuckled, turning on to her side to look at him better.

"It all just feels like white noise when I'm here with you." She admitted honestly.

"Yeah, I feel the same." Punk said quietly, looking into her eyes.

"I've always just had my work to think about. I've never really had anything else on my mind until now." She nodded as he smiled.

"Me neither." He said.

"How many girlfriends have you had?" She asked with a curious smile, tracing her finger around his snake tattoo on his chest.

"Oh, don't do this to me." Punk groaned.

"Is it that many?" AJ laughed.

"I've had a few." Punk said vaguely, "Nothing like this, though." He assured her seriously.

"You're just saying that." AJ nodded.

"I'm not." He said.

"What about your ex? You were with her for two years." AJ pointed out.

"Yeah, but I told you… in the back of my head, I never really saw a future with her. It almost just became convenient. We worked at the same place. Had the same friends." Punk nodded, "It stopped being fun."

"Would she agree with that?" AJ asked.

"Yeah, I think so." Punk nodded, "Can I ask what Lyla thinks about this? About me and you?"

"Why?" AJ smiled a little.

"Because she's clearly your bestest friend. And she's been there for you through everything." Punk said.

"I think she can tell that I'm happy. That I've gained some confidence from being with you. I suppose she's probably worried about me rushing into things but… this doesn't feel like we're rushing." AJ said, "It just feels… normal."

"Should I be asking you on a date?" Punk asked.

"You're not very self-assured, are you?" She chuckled.

"I just don't want to move too fast." Punk admitted, "Or force you into something you're not ready for."

"You just fucked me and you're worried I'm not ready for a date?" She asked.

"You know what I mean." Punk smiled.

"I like what we're doing right now." AJ nodded, "I don't think we have to put a label on anything yet. But… a date would be nice, soon." She smiled.

"Soon." Punk said, "Ok, noted." He smiled.

"Maybe we'll wake up in the morning and Linda will have told the whole town." AJ shrugged, "We may as well start flaunting it."

"I don't think she's like that." Punk said.

"Were you really that mad at Daryl today?" AJ asked.

"Yeah, he was pissing me off." Punk nodded.

"You did lock him in a fridge." AJ pointed out, "He was probably entitled to some kind of revenge."

"I was trying to help him." Punk said, "He just doesn't know when to shut up."

"Go easy on him. I think he, in a strange way, looks up to you." She said, "He lost his dad a few years ago. People might think that it was because he broke his leg that he kinda spiralled out of control but, I think a lot of it is to do with his dad."

"What happened with him again? Cancer?" Punk asked, trying to remember.

"Yeah. He had a brain tumour." AJ nodded, "I'd only been here for about two years when it happened. He was a good guy. Done a lot of charity stuff in the town. Always came into The Brewberry on a Sunday with Daryl and his sister." She said.

"Life can suck like that." Punk nodded.

"I think the whole town was at the funeral." AJ said.

"Ok, now you're making me feel bad for being mad at Daryl." Punk groaned.

"No… no, I'm not saying it to make you feel bad. I'm just saying… I think he's lacked that male figure in his life when he really needed it. Maybe he sees a little guidance in you." AJ shrugged.

"Yeah, but I'm still his boss. It's hard trying to figure out that balance." Punk sighed.

"You'll figure it out. You're still new to all of this." AJ said. Although she very much enjoyed the sex, she also loved just lying here talking to him about anything and everything. It truly felt like an escape from the outside world. Like only they existed at the present moment.

"Despite being mad at him today, everything actually ran pretty smoothly. The breakfast sandwiches went pretty well. We've got a good system going." He said, "I think me being the centre of attention managed to stop Daryl and Finn from hating each other."

"That's… good?" AJ said with confusion as he smiled.

"In hindsight, we probably could have avoided this by you leaving for work first and then me going a little later." Punk said, "To avoid the obvious."

"I'm never late for work. The girls would have gotten it out of me." AJ shrugged, "And honestly? I don't really care. I know they only want what's best for me."

"They're good friends to you." Punk nodded.

"Yeah, the best." AJ agreed, "You don't stay in contact with any of your friends from the city?"

"I stay in contact with a few. Mostly ones I've had since I was younger. Not anyone from the firm, for obvious reasons." He said.

"Wouldn't you want to invite the ones you still talk to here?" AJ asked.

"I've thought about it." Punk nodded, "Maybe once I feel I'm a little more settled."

"There's always the Summer Fair." AJ said.

"Or the Fall or Winter one?" Punk asked, "I can't keep up with this town, honestly." He said as AJ chuckled, leaning her forehead on his shoulder as he smiled.

"You'll get used to it." AJ smiled, lifting her head and placing her hand on his chest as he lifted it and kissed it.

"Come here." He murmured seductively, pulling her naked body on top of his as the sheets fell away from them, "I'm getting use to this." He assured her, pressing his lips against hers and kissing her passionately.