There is nothing more painful than having to leave someone who wants your naked body in the middle of his bed all night, but as usual, reality had to hit and I had to work in the morning. I admired his patience, figuring he would have torn my underwear off and had his way with me right there on the floor...and I probably would have let him. Twitching at certain touches, my body trembling under his weight, he sensed my insecurities when I so obviously couldn't. That left a deep impression on me.

Even as I sit in front of the computer at work, my blog booming and gaining more and more responses, as well as people wanting their letters answered. I guess Elena was right, you mention aspects of sex just once, and they just crawl out of the woodwork. My blog was meant to fuel my self–discovery journey and I had no desire to go into great details involving sexual content, but I planned on expressing my personal experience with this as well as get advice.

Still, I had Andrew on my brain. The soft-touch of his lips against me, the heat from his skin, my fingers running through his hair. I've got to get out of this place! There were only three hours into my work shift left, and I was half tempted to leave early just to be near him. It was either that or go insane. That is until I remembered Andrew wouldn't be getting off the clock until late that night, and he wouldn't even be home. I huffed and planted my head onto the keyboard and let out a whine.

My phone vibrated against the desk, I got a text from Riley wanting to him to meet up with me in the lounge for coffee in ten minutes. Usually, when I got a text like this I ended up going after more than just crappy work coffee. Now that we are back to being office besties this meant that he wanted to ask me something or that we were scheming against our boss. Either way, it was going to be interesting.

Standing but the coffee machine he was cleaning out the spare filter as another pot brewed. I found delight in watching him pick at the used grinds while snarling his nose in disgust.

"Finding the coffee to your dissatisfaction as usual?"

"Most definitely." Riley tossed the filter into the sink and wiped his hands. "I have a favor to ask of you."

"Straight to the point, I like that," I smirked and folded my arms.

"Greta and I will be having our first date tonight."

"Awe," I replied, teasing him. "Do you need help using skype?"

"Funny, but no." Riley suddenly looked nervous, "Because she's already here."

"What?"

"Well not...here, here." he explained, "Her plane lands this afternoon and she wants to go out and talk. I guess to catch up on old times since she will be staying at my place and not a hotel."

"Ooh," I smiled, "Off the plane and straight under the duvet eh?"

"It's not like that," Riley poked at me. "I'm a gentleman after all, and she will not spending her stay here in San Francisco's sleazy one night in. She will be staying with me in her own room unless things change otherwise."

"Well in that case I hope you get laid," I said smacking him playfully in the arm. "Thanks for dragging me in here for that."

"Oh I'm not finished," He grinned, snatching up my arm and pulling me back. "She has requested your presence there also."

"Kinky, but I'll have to pass."

"No...at the café." He explained, "I'm taking her to the Coffee Bean. I had such a wonderful experience there with you that I want to share it with her too."

Ah, yes. The Coffee Bean did have a way of making life cozy with fresh drinks and warm sweets to fill your heart's content. It will be the first time going in there since my fight with Jasmine that I wonder if they will even let me back in there. Luckily, it happened on a day our sweet Cookie baby wasn't watching over her little shop. I feel that kind of commotion, especially one between the people she loved as her own children, would have been an emotional strain on her.

Then there was Beckett. I have made my peace with him, and we have gone back to our old ways, even though I don't think we could ever truly be the same. There would be no more awkward conversations. That only left Jasmine, and I am so far done with that one, I refuse to lower my gaze or shutter into a corner when she walks into the same room. No, I'm going to be bold, happy, dress the way I want and carry my pride individuality...however silly it looks.

After work, I rushed home and got myself a good shower, annoyed Keiko and Evelyn who remained on the couch watching Tv, then left for the Coffee Bean. The weather was conflicted with the sweet-smelling seasons of fall and a touch of winter. Feeling both warm with a touch of ice in the air, comfortable enough to go out with or without a light jacket.

I just wore some nice black leggings with a shimmering maroon sweater that covers my backside, keeping it dressy and comfy since I'll be falling over at home shortly after this. Riley sits on the other side of me at the café table nervously tabbing his foot and looking at his watch. Apparently, Greta didn't want him to pick her up at the airport, but rather she meet us here. From what I told she was an adventurous one.

Finally, I leaned over to him, "You keep shaking and I'm going to stick you with a pen."

"I'm sorry, I just," Riley took a breath. "I haven't seen her in five years. What if she doesn't like the way I've changed, what if I'm too fat."

"Trust me when I say there isn't an ounce of fat anywhere on you," I snapped at him, "Say something like that again and I'll smack you...and if she rejects you I'll smack her too."

Riley looked towards the door and did a double-take. "There she is."

My jaw dropped.

In came a young woman with enough radiance to shame the warmest bulb. She wore a black skirt that hugged in just the right places and showed off her fair legs beautifully. Her top was loose with long sleeves and completely backless, it's material a shining gold the reflected every passing form of light. I was so jealous of her luscious dark wavy hair. She looked like a model or a celebrity with her fair skin and red lipstick.

Over and overall I could think about was what in the world made Riley attracted to me. She was a goddess! The most beautiful creature on two legs. Jumping up, Riley pulled back her chair. Even as I watched her sit down she moved with the grace and elegance of a queen. They were already chatting and greeting each other while I sat there completely flabbergasted.

"And you must be Cora," she turned to me. "Riley has told me so much about you."

"Has he now," I smiled, feeling my blood rush. Even her accent was alluring. "Hopefully nothing too embarrassing."

"Oh no not at all," she assured me. "All good things, and he says you're an artist."

"Well, I'd like to think that I am."

"She's being modest," Riley spoke up, "Cora does beautiful work."

"What do you do?" I quickly asked before Riley could go into too much detail on me. As much as I love fans of my artwork, we were here to talk about them and slowly ease the tension which could lead to some smooches later. Between them...not me.

Turns out, Greta runs a cosmetic brand called Evermore, and when I say run I mean co-own. It was the reason she and Riley went their separate ways years ago. Now her tiny business is booming and branching out, which was one of her missions on coming here. I just hope this ends well for Riley, he looks like an ecstatic puppy on the other side of that table. His blue eyes beam and never steering away from her presence.

"Your complexion is beautiful," Greta reached over and touched my chin, tilting my head to the side. "What makeup do you use?"

"Oh I don't wear makeup, I'm very allergic to most brands here."

"Really?"

"Yep. Whatever I use, whenever I use it, I break out the next day." I explained, "Plus having acne in high school that I couldn't conceal. Every time I tried it just got worse."

"We will have to plan a girl day then," Greta beamed. "Evermore is a new, organic, no cruelty-free makeup that serves a healing purpose rather than concealment. I'd be happy to show you some tips."

"I'd like that very much."

Greta was a go-getter that's for sure. I can see why Riley loved her so much. Clear, confident, and headstrong...all the things I wish I was at our age. The world was a scary place and someone like Greta ran at it with both fists ready.

I liked this one, another unique individual I could call my own. I had a feeling we were going to see more of each other. It was another successful evening at the Coffee Bean.

No Andrew in this chapter, but soon my pets...soon. Like, the very next one where things take another intimate turn. Softies read with caution.

Introducing Greta who I have picked to be casted by Emma Watson, lovely girl. What do you think about her thus far? and I wonder if she plans to light Riley's fire or turn him down once again.