Falling For It ✔️

Eight

I didn't know what to say. 

I had no idea that today was the anniversary of her death. 

I didn't even know she had died. 

I looked back over to the penguins and sat with him watching them enjoy their day. 

A sudden urge to comfort the man next to me washed through me and without thinking, or even looking, I took hold of his hand. I laced my fingers between his and held on tightly. I saw that he looked over to me but I kept my eyes on the tank hoping that this wouldn't make anything awkward. 

It didn't. 

He took a more comfortable grip curling his fingers over the back of my hand. 

They sat comfortably locked together on his upper thigh, and we both relaxed back into the bench. 

There was obviously a depth to him that he didn't show very often. And I kept quiet as I sat there, not wanting to break the peace. 

But when we were finally back in his car on our way back home, I had to ask him. 

"Why did you want me to be there with you?" 

"You said you would take me as an apology." He smirked, obviously trying to keep the atmopshere flirty instead of serous. "And I enjoyed your company." 

I was going to let it go. But I feel like that's what most people did with him. They didn't make him talk about how he was feeling, or about what things were important to him. Other that producing music. 

"No, I mean. You picked today knowing what it meant to you. You claim to have never brought anyone with you before. So why me?" 

His eyes remained forward and he took hold of the steering wheel with both hands. I let him take his time, not wanting to push him but hoping hard that he would answer. 

"I guess you make me feel comfortable." He finally said. 

"Why though? I was never particularly nice to you, and this was supposed to be my way of making up for that."

He smiled. "I wanted you there." 

"Oh." 

I turned back towards the road, and I felt butterflies in my stomach. 

What is that? 

I didn't bring it back up again. It felt...strange and I didn't want to make it worse by beating an answer out of him that he didn't want to give me willingly. When we pulled into my parking lot he parked the car and turned towards me. 

"Thank you for your apology. You are officially forgiven." 

I rolled my eyes. "Good." I said. I extended my hand to him. "Friends?" 

He smiled and took hold of my hand. The same electricity I felt whenever he touched me shot up my arm and down my spine giving me goosebumps. "Friends." he repeated. 

"Thank you for bringing me home." 

"No problem." he let go of my hand and grabbed my purse from the back seat. "I'll see you later?"

"For sure." I smiled. "I hope you have a good rest of your day." 

"Oh, I'm sure I will." I stepped out of the car but before I could shut it, I heard him call me. "Noona!" I turned around and leaned down to look at him. He was smirking again, the arrogance clear. "You should wear shorts more often. You have great legs." He winked and I rolled my eyes leaning back and slamming the door shut.