Rhys was back at the cafe across the street. his palms were slippery with sweat as he clutched the mug of tea. He gripped it with such a force his knuckles turned white. Seven minutes. 420 seconds. He had to wait seven minutes until he would be absolutely ecstatic again. Until he would talk to his mate again for the first time in a week. The minutes slowly ticked by, he waited what seemed like an eternity.

When the clock struck 1:00, Feyre's lunch break. He watched her go inside and he leapt up. He smiled at the Barista, Samjai he had learnt, and handed over the coins he owed. He awaited her arrival outside.

She came out 5 minutes later with a small bag and began to head out, not seeing Rhys. He walked up to her and smiled, his heart thudding away in his chest.

"Oh, good afternoon High Lord," She said with a curtsey. He was growing frustrated at the formalness of her attitude towards him.

"Hello Feyre, first of all, it's Rhys, and second, may I ask where you are headed?"

"To lunch, it's my break..."

Rhys, sensing her hesitance said

"well what a coincidence, I'm going for lunch as well, perhaps I can escort you?"

With that they headed into Samjai's café.

Rhys' POV

As we walked in Samjai's head turned towards me in confusion. Then he saw Feyre's uniform. He looked across the street to the restaurant and to my normal seat and then back to Feyre's uniform. His eyes flicked to mine and smirk pulled across his face. I knew I was red but I walked up to him anyway and ordered lunch before looking to Feyre. She was looking to me and then back to the menu board.

I nearly slapped myself. Feyre couldn't pay for these things. After ordering the same for her, I leaned into her ear and whispered

"it's on me"

Once we had sat down she turned to me and said "I can order for myself you know." Delight filled my heart. She was feisty. Under all the shyness and manners she was feisty. I loved her even more for it.

We sat there talking about her family, after she had asked me if I was here to send her away. I had finally got her, my mate, I wasn't about to get rid of her, but if she wanted to leave, that would be okay. I would understand, would hate it, but understand.