There is nothing wrong with going out to dinner. I mean it's just two people eating food and talking. That's completely normal.

Right?

I mean it's not like it was a date. Just two coworkers, coexisting in the same area for the same amount of time.

Even if he is deliciously handsome. But also a complete and utter ass.

It's just burgers and fries, nothing to fancy.

My thought are interrupted by the car door opening.

"You coming?" Nick asks in a gruff tone.

I nod slightly and get out of the car. I figured we would have gone to a cheap place. But NO! Why would we?

I mean he's Nick freaking Knight. Cheap to him is a five star restaurant.

Which is exactly where he took me.

I absentmindedly follow Nick as he leads me through the fancy restaurant. I couldn't even take in the decor.

I was so underdressed.

We sit down at a table next to an aquarium. The colorful fish swam around like all the awkward tension wasn't there.

Trust me it was. You could cut it with a knife.

"So see anything you like?" Nick asks breaking the silence.

"What?"

"On the menu? Anything interest you?"

I hadn't even looked at the menu. I was to distracted.  I open the menu and quickly scan through it. Everything here was so expensive.

"Can I take your order?" A lean brunette asks, as he approaches the table.

"Um I'll take a glass of whiskey, and the ribeye." Nick responds.

"And for you ma'am?" The waiter asks turning her attention to me.

"Um, I'll just take a glass of water and the chef salad."

Nick raises an eyebrow at me.

"A salad? Are you sure that's all you want?"

No. But the truth is I can't afford anything else.

I mean I'm not poor, I get by. But Ollie and Opal take up a lot of my money and extra time. And we don't ever eat out.

I slowly nod my head at Nick as the waiter takes the menus.

He crosses his arms and glares at me.

"What?" I ask shrinking back from his glare.

"I can't figure you out."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, normally when I bring someone to dinner they don't order a salad. They order an actual meal and something to drink."

"I got something to drink."

"Water is not what I mean."

I shrug my shoulders and lean back in my chair.

"What's your story? Why didn't you splurge?"

"My story?"

"Yeah"

Do I want to give him the real reason I'm the way I am, or should I go for the short half truth version?

Nobody knows the real reason expect two people.

"I just didn't want to spend a lot of money, that's all. I promised my sister I would treat her to a trip to the Bronx zoo."

Nick raises his eyebrows again and uncrosses his arms.

"The Bronx zoo?"

"Yeah. My sister is in college majoring in  zoology, and minoring in marine biology. I told her if she kept up her hard work and helped me around the house I would take her. She loves animals."

"How old is she?"

"Nineteen"

"She lives with you?"

I curtly nod my head.

I really didn't want to get into this right now with him.

"Where do your parents live?"

I hang my head.

I'm not gonna cry.

I'm not gonna cry.

I AM NOT GOING TO CRY.

Damn it.

Tears stung my eyes as they threaten to spill. I hate crying in front of people.

"Excuse me." Nick says to the waiter as he walks by our table.

"Can we get our food boxed up? We're gonna head out."

The waiter nods, and hurries back into the kitchen.

"You Don't have to leave" I tell him sincerely.

"Yes I do. Because I'm with someone who is crying, I have a rep I have to keep that doesn't involve crying girls."

And Mr. Asshole is back.

The waiter shortly returns with our food in bags, and Nick hands him a hundred dollar bill.

"Keep the change" he tells the waiter as he stands abruptly and grabs the bags.

I hastily follow him out of the restaurant and to his car.

"Are you gonna get in or not?" He snaps from the drivers side.

I duck my head and silently slip into the passenger side.

The ride is silent as we make our way back to the office.

The air is thick with tension and Nick's body is tense. His white knuckled grip on the steering wheel proves it.

Once we reach the office I quickly get out of his car and stand on the sidewalk, my bag of food in one hand and my purse in the other.

Nick gets out and locks the car before heading inside.

I sit down on the bench to wait for the bus. I pull out my phone and text Opal.

Hey, is Ollie in bed yet?

Just put him down. Why?

No reason, just want to be sure he's ok.

Haze I'll always take good care of him.

I know I'm sorry, it's just been a bad day.

A cuddle kinda day or a ice cream kinda day?

Both.

I shut my screen off and shove it in my purse.

I bury my head in my hands as the tears flow freely down my face.

Why did my life have to be so messed up? Why couldn't I ever let someone in?

My phone dings with a new text.

It's from Troy.

Darling you are so fantastic! The sexy outfit totally worked! He couldn't keep his eyes off of me!

I smile at my screen as I type out a reply.

I'm glad T. How was the date? What did Nate have planned?

It was amazing! He took me out to that new seafood place in staton island. And the crab legs were to DIE for! After that we just went to take a walk and he brought me to this really nice area that had a great view, and you'll never guess what happened.

HE PROPOSED!

I blink a few times as I reread his text. Nate proposed to him?

Wow. That's great Troy!

I'm so happy Hazel! We need to grab lunch this week!

Definitely!

I'll call you.

Before I can respond there are footsteps walking towards me.

"Why haven't you left yet?" Nick asks in a gruff tone.

"I'm waiting for the bus"

He rolls his eyes and motions for me to follow him.

When I don't move he turns and faces me.

"You coming or not? I don't have all day."

"I-I'll just take the bus."

"It's supposed to rain, just get in the car and I'll drive you."

"Really Mr. Knight I don't want to impose."

"Just get in the damn car" he growls as he continues to walk away from me.

Hesitantly I follow him to his car and slide into the passenger seat.

"Address" he barks.

"What?"

"What's your address?"

"Oh uh. It's 1911 Goodman lane"

He nods and puts my address into his gps on his phone before pulling out of his parking spot.

Another awkward, tense silence falls between us as Nick drives to my house.

The drive feels longer than it should. My palms are sweaty and my heart is beating out of my chest.

Nick and I never spent any time together outside of occasional meetings. So for us to be spending time together. It's strange.

My phone dings again. I quickly pull it out and check my message from my sister.

Hey where are you? Ollie is missing you.

Don't worry I'm on my way.

I put my phone down just as we pull onto my street.

Nick pulls up in front of my house and parks the car.

"Get out" he snaps coldly.

I don't respond to him, instead I get out and head to the front door of my house.

I hear his tires squeal away as soon as I reach the door. Even though he can be an ass, at least he waited until I got to the door.

That's halfway decent.

Right?