"You know, I helped you. You have to help me now," I stated.

We were in his personal office and Eli had given the address of the gym to the company that he ordered new equipment from. Which I might add was my idea.

"Aren't I already helping you?" he asked. "If anything you've earned your keep." he claimed.

"You don't even know what it is, yet!" I mentioned.

"Fine. Lay it on me." he turned in his rolling chair to face me.

"So you know the dinner party this weekend?"

"Yea."

"I need something to wear but..."

"You need money?"

"What? No. I don't want your money."

He looked shocked by those words.

'Does he think I'm poor?'

"I just want you to come with me."

"Go with you where?"

"Shopping."

"Absolutely not." he replied and turned his chair back to face his desk then began writing.

"Why not?"

"I hate shopping."

"But I don't really have anything to wear let alone know what to wear at things like these. So, I need you to help me."

"Why can't Kendall go?"

"She doesn't know either."

"You're just gonna have to guess."

"You do know that if I go and I look bad then it'll be a bad look for you, too, right?"

"That's the risk I'm willing to take, baby."

"Eli, pleeease."

"No."

"Please..." I stood in front of his chair so he'd have to look at me.

"You're not breaking me this time. No." he said assertively.

"Move." he demanded.

"No."

"Leyla."

"Eli."

"Move."

"Come with me."

"You're acting like a child," he claimed.

I hopped up and sat down on his desk.

"All you have to do is say you'll come with me."

He looked me in my eyes and repeatedly smacked his pen onto his finger.

"For how long?" he asked.

"Until I find the right thing. Whether that be five minutes or five hours." I answered and he sighed.

"Alright, but I'm not driving." he finally agreed.

"Fine by me." I said with a wide smile.

"Mhm, now get off my desk."

____________________________________

Eli had only one fight tonight and after that we got in the car and headed home.

"When do you wanna go?" he asked.

"Tomorrow. The rest of the week I'm busy and I'm off tomorrow."

"I have to go into work in the morning but the evening is fine," he explained.

"Five?" I asked referring to time.

"Five works." he answered as he pulled into my driveway. "I'm starting to think you like spending time with me." he stated.

"I'm sorry, who asked who out?" I asked as I opened the car door. Before I could attempt to get out, he gently grabbed the back of my neck and pulled me to him then turned my head to the side to kiss me passionately.

"I'd do it again." he claimed and gave me one final peck on the lips before letting me go.

I tried to contain my joy but I knew I was doing a terrible job.

I hopped out of the car and headed towards the door.

...

I slept in a lot later than usual. It was 12:30 when I got up and the only reason I woke up was from the ringing.

"I'm coming!" I shouted at whoever was constantly pushing my doorbell remorselessly.

When I opened the door I was not surprised by who it was.

"What took you so long?" Jesse asked.

"I was fucking asleep." I said and walked to the kitchen.

"You owe me French toast," Cam said as he shut the door behind them.

"I owed you French toast yesterday and you weren't here."

"I was busy." he insisted.

"Yea whatever, I'll do it after I brush my teeth." I said and walked to the bathroom.

I finished getting ready and walked into the living room only to see Cameron and Jesse having a juggling contest in the kitchen. Cam with three eggs and Jesse with three oranges.

"WHY?!" I shouted and accidentally made them drop their materials.

"You're cleaning that up." I told Cameron.

I'd fixed brunch, since I slept too late to consider it breakfast, and we ate.

"Where's Ken?" Jesse asked as he ate a mouthful like the animal he is.

"Work." I answered and took a sip of juice.

"Damn."

"What do you mean 'damn'." I asked.

"Leyla, I hate to break it to you, bae, but Jesse doesn't come here for you." Cam explained.

I gasped so hard it hurt my lungs.

"YOU LIKE KENDALL?!"

Jesse slapped Cameron on the back of his neck. "Bro."

"WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME?!!"

He shrugged and took another bite of food.

"This is great news! Ask her out."

He coughed and almost choked on his food.

"What?"

"Ask her out. Just trust me," I said and took a bite of food.

"I don't do things off of trust. I need to know exactly why." he stated.

"Damn trust issues much? She likes you. You like her. Ask her out."

"She-...WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME?!"

"I THOUGHT IT WAS OBVIOUS!"

____________________________________

After arguing with Jesse for a few more minutes and watching two movies, it was time for me to get ready to head to the store with Eli.

"Where are you going?" Jesse asked.

"The mall." I answered. "Kendall should be home in thirty minutes."

"You're going to the mall dressed like that?"

"It's hot outside Jesse."

"Dude. You're being dramatic." Cam stated.

I was wearing a tight crop top and low rise jeans.

"Bring a jacket." Jesse demanded. I rolled my eyes and marched back to my room to find a jacket.

"Happy now?" I asked as I came out.

"No, the shirt is still too small but you can go."

I sighed and walked to the door to leave.

"Don't break anything!" I yelled as I walked through the door.

"We won't!" They shouted simultaneously.

I hopped in the car and reversed all the way into Eli's driveway then sent a text to tell him I was outside.

He hopped in and we headed off to the mall.

"Should I be worried?" he asked.

"About what?"

"Your driving."

"I am a phenomenal driver. No ran red lights, no tickets, no accidents."

"Why is that hard to believe?"

"Fuck you." I laughed.

"Not yet." he responded.

My heart punched the inside of my chest and I kept my eyes glued to the road.

...

We arrived at the mall and I was looking through clothes while Eli sat down somewhere and waited on his phone.

"Hey." I called to him.

"Hm?"

"They've got nothing. Next store."

He sighed and got up.

"Don't be like that."