Just Between Us

Chapter 30

Stefani's POV

Lillian looks entirely different...

Especially when my dad isn't around.

She's really pretty, especially when she's speechless over half the damn time.

A part of me hopes she never gets comfortable with a lifestyle like this, just as much as I find myself hoping I have another window of opportunity to do something like this with her again- even if it's for the wrong reasons..

"My tone with you earlier? You said you didn't like it," I brought it up again and her eyes were still taking me in.

"No, I was just- upset at the time.. I overreacted," she softly mumbled and turned a bright shade of pink and our waitress came back with iced waters and stood in the distance towards the flight stares awaiting further requests.

I shrugged, we're really doing this.

"You're doing it again," I opened my menu again to examine all of my options making sure I chose the right one.

"Doing what?" I could hear the level of concern in her voice that she had a worried expression.

"The pulling away thing whenever I make an attempt to open up, you know how I feel about repeating myself," I was still skimming through the menu and finally set it down.

"I-I'm sorry-

"For the rest of the night, the only thing that I ask you not to do is apologize. If anything, I'm sorry if I've upset you in any way. And I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable by bringing you here tonight. You were so excited to go to dinner with my dad- so excited, you burnt a batch of cookies. And then dinner got cancelled over an algorithm that I could've provided in less than five minutes. I didn't want to see you come home disappointed- I wanted to make you feel better. I'm sorry I overstepped, I can take you home if you want," I closed the menu once and for all to look up at Lillian to see tears falling down her face.

I hate it when she cries in front me.. shit makes me sad and I hate feeling sad.

I pulled out a silk hankie from my coat and handed it to her. I have no idea what the issue is, I honestly think I'm making this worse.

All she has to do is tell me to take her home and it's said and done.

"The more I want to go home and the longer I sit here with you.. I really don't want to be anywhere else but here," Lillian's timid voice caught my ears and my eyes locked in hers.

"Mmmm that's a good start. Tell me how was shopping," i got acquainted in my seat again and looked at Lillian clean herself up quickly.

I could feel myself wanting to smile because of how effortlessly beautiful she is, but tonight is already at its climax with all sorts of emotions being unfolded.

I'll just have to hide it for the time being.

"I only tried on three dresses and chose the third one," she sighed with a small smile.

"I see you've made your choices carefully," I took a sip of my water taking her in again.. she's really stunning.

"I don't think I've made any choice today carefully," she shrugged.

"Mm, why's that?" I became curious.

"I chose to approach you this morning, I chose to engage in a seriously stupid conversation, I chose to listen to you about going shopping, I chose to listen to you about getting the dress-

"Lillian, if you want to say any decision you've made in regards to me has been reckless, just say that sheesh," I shrugged and she giggled.

"Are you ready to order?" She changed the subject.

"Please, and here I thought I was waiting on you," I scoffed and waved at the waitress.

"lady of the hour orders first," i gestured towards Lillian and her eyes glistened with a smile I didn't think I could be the reason of.

"Lemon grilled salmon with roasted peppered asparagus," she closes her menu.

"And for you hostess?" The waitress turns to me.

"I'll take your Guinness glazed lamb chops with grilled onions and garlic," I handed her both of our menus and the waitress excuses herself with both of our orders written down.

"Onions and garlic huh... I won't be kissing you tonight," Lillian was careless with what she said and I saw a shock of fear flash in her eyes when I locked a gaze.

"I-

"I wasn't aware of the possibility of tonight's events ending with a kiss, shall I go get the waitress to change my order?" I smirked at her.

Lillian became flustered and I surely was resisting the urge to smile at how ridiculously cute she looked when she was baffled.

"Stefani, stop it. It's hard enough as it is," she mumbled nervously as if somebody is watching us.

"I don't even know what it is you're referring to. The fact you said it or the fact you're having a hard time being in my presence and always have.. you can say I've been distant and closed off all you want, but Im present now and there's no where for either one of us to run off to without the both of us leaving together." I rested my head on my chin and raised a brow at her.

She's beyond speechless and im just enjoying myself..

"You're right.. you being distant has been an excuse for me to shy away from the fact that you do intimidate me with just a single glance..." she sips her water.

"Any other plans for tonight?" I continued to look her up and down.

"Could you not look at me like that?" Lillian began to blush and I backed off.

"I really like that dress on you," I said plainly and she continues to be at a loss of words.

"I'll just wear it around the house if you like it so much," she mumbled miserably.

"I like you in your apron much better, just to be clear," I sipped on my water and she looked like she was getting strangled by air.

"Wh-what do you like about me wearing an apron?!" Lillian literally doesn't know, neither do I.. but I sat back in my seat and contemplated what she'd look like in her apron right now...

and that's when I went to hell with it:

I smiled.

"It's clear you like to cook and something about the air in the house being more breathable when you're in a good mood. Not to mention the possibilities of me tying your apron occasionally as a valid excuse to try and be next to you- I know it's hard to believe when all I do is scoff and roll my eyes. But lastly, your hair is twitsted into a low messy bun held by a clamp and you have two locks falling down on its side and you think I'm watching the food you cook when I enter the room but I'm only watching you.. I don't like being seen vulnerable, but the only time I am is when I miss my mom or-

Lillian's phone goes off causing her to flinch and she apologizes.

"H-hello?" I noticed she was quickly wiping away tears. I honestly don't believe flirting is my strong suit. I make this woman cry every ten minutes.

"Oh nothing, me and Stefani are- having a girls night out," she nervously chuckled and I smirked at what she had done.

"What's that look for?" she frantically shoved her phone in her purse.

"You lied to him," I took a sip of my water.

"No I didn't!" She gasped.

Oh yes you did Lillian, but I won't say anything. This one can eat you alive when you sleep at night next to him.