"You didn't have breakfast, do you want anything before we go there?" He asked through the door as I was getting ready.

"It's okay!" I shouted.

"Are you sure?" He asked.

"Promise."

"Okay." He mumbled.

"You can come in." I laughed.

I loved my outfit.

I just didn't wanna lace up the boots.

He walked in and paused, that same face he always makes coming up.

But I think I finally understood when he couldn't make eye contact and his face got red.

I smirked.

"Is it too much? Should I change?" I pouted, enjoying the blush on his face.

"N-no. You look really good." He cleared his throat.

I should've caught on sooner, now I felt dumb.

"What's that face for?" I brushed my fingers through the curls.

"Nothing." He shoved his hands in his pockets.

"Turns out, we have a meeting but it shouldn't be too long. He's not a friend, he's a jackass and hates my father. He's two faced and don't be shocked if he brings a Russian blonde who wants to fuck me. Or any blonde." He nodded.

"Cool." I turned off the light, carrying my boots with me.

"You have time-"

"Don't." I grumbled and he refrained from the comment about the boots not being on my feet.

He nodded and we walked to the car where he opened the door for me.

"Thank you." I sat down and he shut it, going into his side.

"This is your test." I looked at him and he smiled.

"Yeah?"

"Yup." I said before looking out the window.

-

"Don't walk in barefoot." He pleaded.

"I have socks on! It's okay." I sighed.

"No. It isn't. Pretty please." He pouted.

"Cute." I laughed, opening the door by myself and he scoffed.

"What?" I asked.

"Close your fucking door. Let me- I swear to god-"

"Or what? What will you do?" I smirked and he froze.

"Mmhm. I thought so." I got out and closed the door.

I held the shoes and he just slowly got out.

"Come on slow poke." I ushered him.

He just blinked at me.

"Do I need to hold you hand and help you?" I asked.

"Please." He put his hand out and I laughed.

"Wow. Smooth." I rolled my eyes and he raised his eyebrows, looking at his hand.

I put mine out and he immediately walked to me, intertwining our fingers and I smiled.

As new as this was and as fast as it was happening, I really liked it.

It felt good.

I was happy, and I don't honestly think I've felt that in a very long time.

I felt human.

He took my shoes from me as we walked in.

He led me to the same booth we met in.

"Don't sit yet." He let go of my hand, kneeling in front of me.

"You do realize that all of your regulars are staring at us right now right? Even the bartenders and waiters." I looked around as he placed my left foot in my boot.

He looked up at me and smirked.

"Because I don't kneel for people Victoria." He continued working on the laces for that one as a man and a blonde walked up.

He cleared his throat and I didn't know what to do as Reid was ignoring him.

I put my hand on Reid's shoulder for balance as he lifted my other foot.

"Excuse me." He spoke.

Reid ignored him.

"Mr. Weston, I don't have all day." He continued and when he finished tying my shoe, he slowly stood.

"If I pull back my call receipts I believe you called me and ordered this meeting so, if you want this to happen, you can wait until I'm done assisting my wife with what she needs before I attend to someone who means lesser." He adjusted his cuffs before clearing his throat.

"Lets fix this, it's nice to see you Mr. Ivanov, please have a seat." He nodded and I sat, scooting over so Reid would fit.

They sat across from us.

"So you do have a wife. I'm shocked." He chuckled.

"Stop thinking you're funny. You're not." Reid sat back, waving over a bartender.

The man was silent.

"What can I get you Mr. Weston?" He asked.

"Whiskey, light ice. Sweetheart?" He looked at me.

"Rum and Coke please." I smiled at the guy.

"Certainly, you two?" He asked the others.

"Water for her, a glass of the finest brandy you have." The man smiled with crooked and damn near rotted teeth.

I felt my stomach roll imagining the possible lack of hygiene the man had.

He spoke as if he'd been in America forever and I know toothpaste and the dentist exist.

I leaned as far back into the seat that I could, crossing my legs.

Reid grabbed my hand, looking at me.

"You okay?" He asked when the man was speaking to the girl he brought.

"He's gross." I whispered and he laughed.

"Absolutely." He patted my hand, before turning his palm up.

I moved my fingers along the ridges of his palm, gently feeling the pattern to keep myself sort of distracted from their conversation.

I enjoyed keeping him company, I didn't care for the conversation or drinks as much.

The waiter came back.

He set our drinks down and I smiled at him.

"Thank you."

"Of course Mrs. Weston." He walked away and I stiffened, that entire sentence being entirely weird to me.

His hand closed over my fingers, squeezing twice and I looked at him.

"You don't like that? I can tell him to call you Tori." He mumbled as the man kept trying to speak to him.

"No. No it's fine. I just wasn't ready." I laughed.

"Excuse me! Your manners are out of line and I can't handle me being ignored for a woman's sake of speaking. Can we meet another time without the girl?" He asked.

"No." Reid gave him a tight smile.

"Fine. Goodbye Mr. Weston." He huffed.

"Tootle-oo." He smiled.

"I'm sorry, I don't mean to-"

"You're not. You need to learn your importance Victoria. I don't come home after a long work day to those men, I don't buy them shoes, and I sure as hell would never take them to dinner and pay for them. That's all you baby. You need to get used to this because this is the only area you lack your confidence. You're essentially a mafia queen. You gotta have that mindset." He laid his head back on the booth, looking at me and I smirked.

"That's all I needed to hear." I winked, sipping my drink.

He shook his head, laughing.

"Do you ever travel for work?" I asked.

"Mmhm. I try to avoid it. I hate planes." He smiled.

"Motion sick or heights?" I asked.

"Motion sick. And it's just uncomfortable." He took his hand back and I frowned.

"I get that." I shrugged.

"Am I too touchy? I'm nervous I'm freaking you out or something." He drank his drink and I laughed.

"You're fine." He was adorable.

Big tattooed man worried about freaking me out.

You can't tell me that's not adorable.

Because it is.

"Okay." He whispered.

"You're soft." I smiled.

"What?" He asked. That caught his attention.

"Soft. You." I poked him and he frowned.

"Am not." He scoffed.

"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone. You said it yourself, you don't kneel for anyone." I whispered, pushing my tongue in my cheek to hide my amusement.

He immediately scowled at me before putting his head on the table, using his hand as a block to hide his face.

"It's not a bad thing honey." I laughed.

He didn't budge.

"Reid. It's literally not bad. I like it." I put my hand on his back and he looked at me, his eyes closed as he covered his mouth with his hand.

"Yeah?" He asked.

"Well yeah, you aren't two faced, you showed me that and you're touchy and considerate, it's just cute that's all." I laughed as he put his face in his hands.

"Let's go." He whispered.

"Like leave?" I asked.

"Mmhm." He covered his face, disguising it as frustration until we got outside.

"What's wrong with you?" I laughed, yanking his arm from his face and he was bright red.

I died, watching his eyes water as he laughed in embarrassment.

I cackled, losing my shit.

"Stop laughing Victoria." He grabbed my arm.

"You haven't seen yourself, you're nearly crying." I lost my balance but he caught me.

"Stop. Get in the damn car." He laughed, pushing me to the car as he opened my door for me.

He got in the drivers side and I looked at him, red patches on his face and neck, the tips of his ears bright red.

He looked in the mirror and shook his head.

"I don't think I've ever blushed before." He touched his face and I laughed.

"I'm flattered." I smirked.

"Stop. Whatever you're doing with the comments and the stupid telling me what to do all the time should stop." He raised his eyebrows but I couldn't take him serious.

"No." I shook my head.

"Victoria-"

"It won't. Blushing isn't a bad thing, you've made me blush on multiple occasions." I shrugged.

"When." He deadpanned.

"When you told me red looked good on me or when you told me that I was important last night. When you always offer to help me out and make food. It's sweet and I do blush." I nodded.

He paused, rubbing the scruff on his face.

"It's different." He turned from me, starting the car.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"It is." He mumbled and I had to buckle myself.

"No it is not. Diva." I rolled my eyes.

"Am not!" He frowned.

I chuckled, patting his arm that was on the arm rest.

-

We pulled into the driveway and I chose to press on his embarrassment.

"If the difference you think exists is that you have actual feelings for me, then you're assuming. And if you ever want a kiss you could just ask." I kissed his cheek before walking inside.