Tommy

Some long hours later, Kimberly and I are shoveling past the crowd of Central Park. There isn't an off-season when it comes to the city, it's crowded and bustling with people 365 days a year. Even the evening isn't off-limits, especially on a Saturday night. Luckily for me, I was only recognized five times in the hours we've been walking. Kimberly seemed surprised every time someone called out my name. I guess in a way I don't consider myself a celebrity since I've never really done anything worthy of being given the attention— unless you count dating Kat— but I appreciate every person that boosts my already giant ego.

Kimberly and I have been walking through the park for about three hours and somehow time has slipped away. I asked her to dress casually and I don't know what it is but I find her fucking sexy this way. She's carefree and relaxed… and to top it off, I found that she's just so easy to talk to. The brick wall she has in place has a few cracks and she's slowly letting me in.

"Hmm," she says as she takes another bite of the street hotdog I had just convinced her to try.

"What do you think?"

She chews on the food in her mouth for a moment longer and then replies, "Honestly? It's terrible."

Then she giggles.

I nod as I also take another bite of the hotdog that reminds me of my childhood, "It is but nobody makes it like Marty."

"Thank god," she laughs and I laugh too.

Everyone has an idea of what home means to them. To some it's a smell, like coming home from playing basketball in the street until the sun goes down and getting that hit of whatever mom was cooking in the kitchen. To others it may be the sound of dad snoring on the recliner after he falls asleep watching the Yankees lose another game… but whatever it is, I wouldn't know because I never had that. Instead, I was bounced from foster family to foster family. There was never that constant in my life… nothing like Marty. I could depend on him to make the same hot dog day after day, year after miserable year. I would walk miles to come get this stupid hot dog because I could depend on him to be there. I could come here after getting running out of the Marshall's house or even the Spencer's and Marty would be there with his dirty apron and oil dripped tongs to give me the worst hot dog in New York City.

Kimberly remains quiet as she continues to eat the food and I can't help but wonder what she's thinking. Does she think I'm absolutely insane?

"Kind of quiet over there," I smirk.

"Sorry," her nose scrunches and she shakes her head as if to gather herself. "I guess I was just wondering what makes you come to this place over and over again if you know it's down-right awful."

I laugh, "It's the worst thing I've ever had in my life, but there's something about Marty that's familiar, you know?"

"Maybe…" she smiles, "But why not find something that tastes great?"

I think about it for a moment, "Because… because I'll never be surprised. You can go to a great restaurant, have some great food, and then come back the next time and it can be awful. Marty has never let me down… I can always count on his terrible food. He's never even attempted changing his recipe. I used to come here all the way from Brooklyn."

"That's… sad, actually," She says softly.

Way to go, Oliver. You killed the mood. I don't want her pity. I don't want anyone's pity. I might not have had a great childhood, but I still built myself a great life.

"My kids say I make the best Mac and cheese in the whole world," she smiles. "AND I'm consistent. I haven't had one unsatisfied customer."

There was something endearing about the way she said it. She had sensed the shift in me too and decided on turning it upside down.

"Maybe you can make it for me one day, " I smirk.

I note the pink on her cheeks. "That would mean that I would have to stick around."

"Is that an issue?"

"No but I'm pretty sure your relationships have an expiration date. What is it, 72 hours?"

"What?" I laugh, "I'm insulted."

She rolls her eyes, playfully. "Come on, you don't expect me to believe that you actually have any meaningful relationships, do you?"

She would be 100 percent right about that, but I don't want her to think that things with her would be the same. She really is different. And I'm not just saying that.

"Well… Okay, yes, you're right," I bite my lip, "But it's only because I haven't found anyone worth pursuing, you know?"

"And what makes you think that I am?"

"Because you are," I say, quickly and she rolls her eyes like she doesn't believe it. "It's true! You are different. I've never worked this hard trying to get someone to like me before."

"So you're trying to tell me that every single girl that you come across is suddenly smitten by your greatness?" Her gaze holds mine and my heart begins to pick up.

"W-w-well, yes?" I stutter like a damn idiot and then I hear my own response. "—I mean, No!"

My words come out too loud and several heads turn our direction. Immediately I hear the sound of Kimberly laughing come into my ears.

"Come on," she says as she grabs onto my hand and pulls me towards a bench on the side. Her nose scrunches as she takes another bite of Marty's terrible food and she forcefully swallows it. "You see this hot dog? I hate it," She waves it around in the air and then tosses it in the trash, "It's terrible. I don't like it… but you… I like you. I do." She brushes my shoulder with hers, "Now you don't have to try so hard."

I sat there in surprise. Really?

"You like me?" I grin like an idiot.

"Yeah," she pauses. "You're… I don't know, weird—but in a good way," she adds, quickly.

Weird? I'm weird? What the hell does that mean? She sure knows how to build me up and then tear me down in her next breath. I mean, how do I take that besides as an insult?

"Not really the word I was looking for."

"But you are! You are weird. You're this successful guy that could have any woman in the room but you look to me. Why me? I'm nothing special and you are… well, you. You're the most eligible bachelor… my best friend is probably secretly in love with you. You can't honestly think that I'm not the least bit suspicious of your motives."

Can I really blame her? I am that guy… usually. I'll pretty much say anything to get a girl to come back to my room but I didn't want to be that guy with Kimberly. Unfortunately, my reputation had already painted a bad picture. What used to be a good thing has now suddenly become my biggest enemy.

"Maybe I did have ulterior motives that day at the airport, but it's not like that anymore."

Silence.

"I'm not here to get another body on my bed. If I wanted that then I would have taken up Katie's offer," I answered honestly.

"Some guys like a challenge."

"And I'm right there with all of them," I confess, "but not you… I don't see you as a challenge."

She turns away from me and I'm unsure if she believes me or not. "So you've never had a real relationship before?"

When she turns to face me again, I know that she knows the answer to that question. I wasn't wrong when I said she had looked me up. She must have.

"There was someone," I answer softly.

She was silent for a moment.

I swallowed. I knew where this conversation was heading.

"Is she… was she… special?"

A puff of air escapes me and I think back on it. My relationship with Katherine happened so fast. She changed my life in many ways, both good and bad. I don't regret the time that we had together, but I wish I could move on with my life without having to be constantly reminded of her wherever I go.

"She was," I sigh. "I thought she was going to be the person I was going to spend the rest of my life with."

I look out to the people around us and I'm not sure if this is the right moment to be speaking about this, but I ignore my instincts and keep talking. Something about Kimberly makes me feel like I'm in a safe space.

"She decided that I wasn't the one for her and ended up sleeping with an intern at her father's company."

I feel Kimberly's warm hand on my forearm, "I'm so sorry."

"Me too," I swallow, "but she wasn't and I can't really be upset about that, can I? I mean, it's her life. She has every right to decide what she wants. She decided at the time that I wasn't worth having… and I can't say I'm surprised. I'm not that guy. I've never been that guy. I haven't been wanted since birth. I never had a stable place to call home when I was growing up. I thought that I had finally found it with Kat. Her family seemed to love me and I thought I had a safe space with the Hillard's, but Katherine didn't think I was worth settling down with… I think I've come to realize that I'm my own family."

Kimberly's hand fell softly from my arm and I started to feel that disconnect between us once more. Immediately I regretted speaking up. I said too much. I scared her off because that text message from Katherine keeps popping into my head.

"Family is who you make it, Tommy."

I've come to realize that I don't know myself as much as I thought I did… because in that moment, I had to use all of my fucking strength to stop myself from grabbing her by the face and kissing her lips. When has this happened before? Never. I do what I want, I let my body lead the way, I head into battle with a smirk and a lick of my lips.

Something inside of me forced me to slow the fuck down before I did something a little too hasty. Kimberly's sincerity, her soft velvet voice, and her warm smile has me feeling like a kid at Christmas morning. Do you know how special that is? I've never known the feeling.

I lick my lips as I stare at her, probably a bit too long, but I can't turn away from her. I want to see her until her image is forever engrained in my head.

To be honest, this feeling is terrifying. I've programed myself to not get too invested in someone before. That was my number one rule and now I feel like I want to break it in order to have her be mine.

Just fucking kiss her.

She might slap me but I can guarantee myself that I will have zero regrets afterward.

Okay, I'm going for it.

"So this girl is the one that broke you," she says, standing up.

Ugh… I look up to her and her hand is reaching out to mine.

Fuck. There goes my plan.

I take her hand in helping me up and we walk as I think about what she just said. Did Katherine break me? I don't think so.

"I think that I thought she had at the time," I answer.

"And now?"

"Now I know it wasn't true. I think I was more into the idea of finally feeling like I belonged. I had placed so much hope into thinking that I finally had someone that loved me."

Her eyes soften, "You don't think she loved you?"

I shake my head, "You don't do that to someone you love."

"You've never cheated on someone? The guy that has girls hanging off each arm?" She said, almost like she couldn't believe my answer.

I smirk, "No. I'm honest about who I am and what to expect. Everyone does their research too, Freckles. They know who I am."

"And who are you?"

I put an arm around her waist, pulling her towards me. I can feel the heat of her breath against my cheek, calling to me. I lower my voice, "A man that always gets what he wants… and this time what I want is you."

I might have embellished a little, but you have to admit, it sounded great, didn't it? No, I don't always get what I want, but I do 99% of the time. The odds are in my favor.

Her lips curve into a devilish smile as she pulls away, "Have you always been this arrogant?"

"Arrogant?" I chuckle. "I am not arrogant."

She bites her lip, "Pretty sure you are."

"Confident," I correct her. "I have to be in my line of work, don't you think?"

She shrugs, "Confidence in your skills and confidence in your diagnosis, sure. But confidence that you'll get me? That's arrogance."

I rub at my grin. How do I tell her that I have her right where I want her to be? "Listen here, Hart. I was confident that I would get you to have dinner with me last night and I did. I was confident that I would get a second night with you and here you are. I'm confident that I'm going to kiss you before the end of the night," I say softly and I can see her eyes dart to my lips, "and I'm confident that you're going to kiss me back."

"You play mind games, Dr. Oliver," she whispers, "I'm not a fan."

Mind games? Me? I'm the most straight forward man breathing. She swallows and her lips part.

"If anyone is playing mind games here it's you," I counter. "You can pretend that you don't want me all you want, but we both know that's a lie."

She throws her head back, laughing, "You're delusional."

"Nope," I shake my head, "just honest."

I can see her smile from the corner of my eyes and I begin to feel some fucking way in my chest. When I'm with her, it's easy. She doesn't pretend to be anyone else but unapologetically her. She's a fucking firecracker and I can't help my reaction to her. There's such an ease in talking to her that I have never felt in my life. Ever.

"I'm the girl that broke your perfect streak, remember?" She says as she pulls away from me.

I follow closely behind her and throw my arm around her waist, again. "Did you, though? Or are you exactly where I want you to be?"

She giggles into my chest and for a moment I'm terrified she's going to hear how loud my heart is beating. For her.

"You make me walk for hours, buy me the world's worst hot dog, talk about your ex-girlfriend, and still expect me to kiss you by the end of the night?" She bats her eyelashes at me playfully, "This is the worst date I've ever been on."

I laugh to myself for a moment. "That does sound terrible… but the nights not over yet."

"Unfortunately."

"Keep talking like that and I'm not going to let you in on my secret."

She rolls her eyes, teasing me, "And what is that?

I take a quick look at my surroundings to recognize where I am. We've been walking by the lake for about 45 minutes and I can faintly hear Bethesda Fountain in the distance.

"That I'm going to be the reason that you get out of your clothes tonight."

Her eyes widen slightly and I fear I may have gone a little too far, but when I keep staring at those beautiful pools of chocolate, I see a glimmer of darkness that hadn't been there before.

"And the delusions continue," She says.

I shake my head, "It's not a delusion. It's a promise."

I see her swallow and I feel this instant need to clarify.

"Don't worry, freckles, It's not what you think…"

Her breathing picks up, "And what was I thinking?"

I press my lips together. I know what she wants me to say but I'm not willing to deliver. I'll let her imagination run wild for a moment.

"Can't tell you that," I smirk, "There are children that might hear me say your dirty little thoughts."

She shakes her head at me and I tighten my grip around her waist. There's just something so natural between us that has me on fire. We fall in step towards the fountain and the crowd around us seems to disappear. The water is glistening under the moonlight, the lights surrounding the park illuminating the darkness.

In an instant, I'm transported through time. I get the vision of myself when I first came here, long ago when I left the Marshalls house the first time and NYPD was looking for me. I sat by the fountain until sunlight broke through the skyline, spending all night hoping that I could have a family that would love me. I threw coin after coin in the fountain after I lost my first patient as a resident, wishing that somehow their family would find peace. This fountain was the first place I went to after finding Katherine with John in our home… it was now that I've come to realize how much tragedy and grief I have attached to this place, but as I look over to Kimberly, I feel the pain and hurt lessen with every breath. This fountain may not be a secret but the significance that it holds in my life is. It's a place I've never shared with anyone, not even Katherine.

"It's beautiful," her arm comes around my waist as she pulls me towards her.

Her act surprises me and I look down towards her. The beauty that I once saw in this fountain pales to the beauty of the woman in my arms and I hold onto her a little tighter.

"Was this your hang out spot?"

"Yes," I answer. "It made every difficult moment in my life just a little bit better."

She rubs at my forearm with her hands and although it's my arms that are wrapped around her, it's me that feels the safest.

Somehow we spend another two hours talking about everything and anything that comes to our minds. We flirt, obviously, because I can't help myself, and laugh until our stomachs hurt. I'd somehow managed to convince her to finally give me her phone number and I find my opening. Somewhere in the conversation, our hobbies come. Back up and she tells me more about her short-lived gymnastics career and I share more about my love for martial arts. I've never worked so hard for someone to like me. I know she said she did but I find that hard to believe. We sit at the edge of the fountain as we slowly become the only people left in the area. It has to be close to midnight at this point. I know we need to head back to the hotel room but I'm just not ready for the night to be over.

"You've surprised me, Tommy," She says, "I was expecting… well, I guess it doesn't really matter what I was expecting."

"I've softened you up, haven't I?" I grin.

"Don't get ahead of yourself," She smirks.

All through the night I've thought about only one thing: getting my lips on hers. To finally taste what has been tantalizing me all fucking weekend.

"I guess it's time to finally head back, isn't it?"

I nod but as she tries to stand up, I grab onto her hand and pull her down to my lap.

She looks towards me in surprise as my hands fall to her hips. She could deny it all she wants but her body is drawing me toward her. It's this telepathic communication that's subconsciously driving me wild.

My fingers trail up her arms towards her cheek and I can feel the fine bumps of her skin rippling beneath my fingertips. She doesn't say anything but her eyes are telling me everything I need to know. Cautiously, I tuck a strand of hair behind her ear and my eyes dart towards her soft, plump, and awaiting lips.

My confidence? Through the roof.

Without a second thought, I drop my lips over hers and kiss her.

I know that a woman like her deserves a soft—perhaps gentle—type of kiss, but when her lips finally touch mine, I can't imagine doing anything but swiping my tongue past her lips. My actions are validated once I feel her kiss me back.

I knew it. Confidence is key.

My tongue dances against hers as I run my fingers through her wavy hair. Her thighs come on either side of me and I suddenly feel like I'm riding shotgun while she takes control.

I knew that she would be my undoing from the moment I first saw her. There was something different about her and I knew it. The softest little moan escapes her and I remember where I am. I made her a promise, hadn't I?

I pull back and I see the darkness in her eyes and the swell of her lower lip. She is so fucking sexy and she doesn't even know it.

"Confidence," I give her smug smirk.

She rolls her eyes at me but before she's even able to say anything, I pull her down with me into the fountain. We crash into the icy water, drenching us from head to toe.

The water is fucking disgusting. People run their dirty hands in it day in and day out, there's money lining the bottom, and I swear I've seen people empty their full bladder in it, but we both forget that as we break up to the surface.

"Ahh," she shrieks as she stands up. Her wet hair is sticking to her face as I laugh my ass off. "You jerk!"

I'm losing it at this point and she starts splashing me with the disgusting water. Somehow I feel sixteen again.

I pull her towards me and our wet bodies come together. Her laughter plays effortlessly in my ear as I bend down to kiss her again. There's just something about being with the person that has brought me nothing but joy in the place that used to house my sadness. This feeling—with her— is what I want to remember from this moment on.

Her hands come together behind my neck as my hands travel down to her waist. She's kissing me back like she's hungry for more.

"Mmm," I murmur against her lips, "Didn't I tell you I'd have you kissing me back?"

She smiles, "Your arrogance is a major turn off."

I place a kiss on her shoulder as she giggles in my ear. "Confidence," I remind her.

The wind bites at our skin and I suddenly regret this brilliant idea of mine. It's fucking freezing.

I lean in once again, capturing her lips with mine. I've had my share of kisses, to be honest, they are meaningless at this point, but something about the way that my body reacts towards Kimberly makes it feel like this is my first experience with a girl. Like I hadn't know anything before her.

We're pulled apart by a wave of light to our faces.

"You're not supposed to be in the fountain!" Someone yells towards us. We look up to see a figure in the distance wearing an NYPD uniform shining a flashlight at us.

"Fuck!" I take Kimberly's hand in mine and we immediately jump out of the fountain.

Water is pooling at our feet as the cop gets closer towards us.

"Being in the fountain is a violation and I'm going to have to fine you!" The cop yells.

I can see the headlines now, 'Internets hottest doctor fined by NYPD for jumping in Bethesda Fountain with mystery date'"

No fucking way I can do that to Kimberly. Not only will we be the talk of the seminar, but we'll be the talk of the internet for at least two weeks.

"Run," I whisper before I grab her hand and pull her in the opposite direction of the cop.

"Stop!" We hear behind us as we run into the darkness.

I'm not entirely sure what I was thinking at this point. I was leaving a trail right to me in the form of water droplets.

"Tommy," Kimberly squealed, "We have to stop."

"No way," I tell her as our legs keep moving, "Before it was just a fine, now we're fugitives of the law!"

"Meaning?"

"Jail time!"

"What?" She yelps.

I laugh to myself as I make her cut through a patch of grass. The calls from the cop are slowly sounding further and further away.

"If your mission was to give me the worst date ever, consider it accomplished!"

"My mission was to be the reason you get out of your clothes tonight. Considering you're dripping wet, I think I've won this round."

She lets out a low growl as I drag her out of the park. I don't think I've had this much fun with another woman in years.

We make it inside of our hotel without a moment to spare. We must have had luck on our side because we were able to lose the cop with not much effort. This is now something I can cross off my bucket list.

Once we make it into the elevator and the doors close, Kimberly and I let out a huge puff of air.

"I can't believe this," she says laughing. She runs her fingers through her hair, "I can't believe we just did that— I can't believe I just did that."

"Why is that so unbelievable?"

"Because—because that's so not me… I follow the law, I don't do anything careless…"

"I might be a bad influence," I move towards her.

"The worst," she teases.

"So I'm corrupting you, huh?"

I'm towering over her at this point, pinning her between my chest and the wall of the elevator. My lips fall towards her neck and she places a hand between us.

"We shouldn't," she whimpers.

"I think we should," I suck on a spot, "We would be so good together, freckles. I could make you feel so good."

I can sense her slipping and I use my strength to keep her up. I've never wanted someone so bad… it's borderline painful.

"Stop," she lets out a shaky breath, "Camera."

I look at the upper left corner and see a red flashing light pointed directly at us. Whoever is on the other end of that camera is probably enjoying the view. Damn it.

It took everything in me to pull away.

"Fine.." I grumble like a child that didn't get his way.

The elevator dings on the eighth floor and Kimberly begins to get out. I follow closely behind her, needing these extra minutes so that I could close the night out.

Unlike earlier in the night where the conversation was flowing, I didn't have words. I was being a spoiled brat that didn't want the night to end. I can't just go back to my room and have that be it. Tomorrow is the last night and then… what? Would she still want to see me? She's so damn secretive about anything that has to do with her life. I got her phone number and that's a plus, but what's to say that she won't change it at the first chance she gets?

We make it to her room and like she had done last night, she opens her door and flips on the light.

"Thanks for tonight," She says, suddenly. "Believe it or not, I did have a good time… you're something else, Tommy."

I bury my hands in my pockets, "Is that a good thing?"

"Yes," she chuckles. "It is."

My forehead wrinkles, "Does that mean that you're gonna invite me in?"

I'm hopeful but even I know I can't possibly be that lucky.

"Definitely not," she whispers. "I can't let you think that your so-called confidence can get you everything you want."

I smirk. "I think we both know that if I really wanted to, I could have you begging for me to come inside."

"Is that so?" Her brow lifts.

I don't even pretend that it could be anything different. "Yes," I answer, calmly.

She narrows her eyes towards me.

"Goodnight, Dr. Oliver." I don't even get a moment to respond before she goes inside and shuts the door in my face.

What the fuck? She's turning me down? Again?

I stare at the door for a moment, probably a moment too long, and I consider my options. Do I knock and try again? Do I wait out here and see if she opens the door again? Do I go downstairs and say that my wife lost the key to our room and I need another one? So many options.

But as I think about them more, I realize something. Kimberly has me chasing her. I'm not used to that, it's usually the other way. Maybe I do play mind games, but only because they're so much fun. But I know that this round, we're both going to end up winning.

I go for option four: leave her wondering why I didn't chase after her and go to my room.

As I enter the large suite, I'm reminded of exactly where I was last night. I was in here, stressed the fuck out by Katherine's messages, and wishing that Kimberly was beside me.

After changing out of my wet clothes, a thought comes to mind. Was Kimberly doing the same? Had I finally achieved my promise to her? Was she slipping out of her wet clothes and thinking about me as much as I was thinking about her?

I reach for my phone and open up my messages. The first thing that I see is Katherine's message from last night saying that she misses me. My finger hovers over her message for a moment. She nearly killed me.

"She's in the past," I repeat like I did last night. "She didn't want you," I say. "We don't look back."

That was what got me through our breakup two years ago. I repeated it night after night until I could do nothing but believe it.

With a quick exhale, I swiped on her message and deleted it from my phone and thoughts.

I searched Kimberly through my contacts and begin to plot a message.

I spend at least ten minutes typing and deleting a message because nothing seems good enough. I want to be straight forward but I also don't want to come across as desperate. I want her to be with me, but I also want to give her the option. Decisions, decisions.

Maybe I'm thinking about this too much.

I type the only thing that comes to mind.

Me: Come to my room, Freckles. The night isn't over.

Now to wait…

Author note: Hey guys! Okay, I was finally able to finish the second part of the chapter. I hope you guys liked it and that it was worth the wait. Let me know what you guys think in a review or PM. That's going to be it for me for a few weeks. I have a huge exam coming up that I need to put 110% in. I'm hoping that things settle down after that. It's so nice getting to write and just have fun with a story. I've really been missing it and I know you guys have been missing my updates too. I know I tend tot disappear for a while but thank you for sticking with me through this exciting and wild time in my life. You guys are awesome!