I can't believe I became that woman who has a wardrobe full of clothes but is always complaining she has nothing to wear. When I worked in an office, I owned a dozen pencil skirts and some of those work-appropriate pants and cute blouses. They were basically uniforms. To go out, I used to wear tight short dresses in all forms and colors and that was it.

But then I moved here, and now my wardrobe consists of jeans and tank tops, old dresses and lots of old smart clothes. Since I spend most of my days at the bakery and I gave up the club/bar scene, I haven't really cared about dressing up.

So, as I stare at the pile of clothes on the floor, I consider just picking up an old dress and going with it. But then, I'm afraid Thomas will think I'm purposely trying to tease him.

"Damn, just pick anything, Lisa!" I tell myself right before I hear my phone ringing.

"Hi, Thomas," I answer.

"Hey, are you excited to celebrate the beginning of our friendship?"

"Very."

"I can feel it in your voice, you know?" He chuckles. " Anyway, I just got in the car and I have no idea where you live."

"Right above the shop. Just text me when you arrive and I'll head downstairs." I smile when I see a cute blouse at the bottom of my closet, only to realize it's a little torn. Damn! I need to go shopping soon.

"Okay, then. See you."

"See you." I hang up and call Alexia.

"Hey girl," she answers after the first ring.

"I don't know what to wear! Thomas is picking me up in about thirty minutes and I have nothing nice to wear!" I plop on my bed.

"I thought it was not a date..." She teases me, making me groan.

"I'm serious, Alexia!"

"Me too! I just don't see you putting that much of an effort when we go out together." She laughs.

"You know what? Whatever! You're right, it's not like it's a real date. I'll just throw on some clean jeans and a shirt."

"Not old jeans and those horrible shirts you have!"

"Hey! They're not-"

"Yes, they are! Let me think... Okay, how about that black maxi dress. It's casual enough, so it doesn't seem like you're trying too much, and you look hot in it.

"You think?" I get the dress she's talking about and try it on.

"Yeah, I guess you're right. Thanks, girl. I knew I kept you for a reason."

"Love you too, sweetie!" She chuckles. "But hey, Lisa?"

"Yeah?"

"I know that guy who tried to force you in to... I know he did a number on you, and that deep down you're afraid to trust Thomas. And there's all this Greg thing, but... just don't let the past define your future."

"I know..."  I say even though I can't ever forget what happened.

*****

Thomas will be here any minute now,  so I get my phone and look through his Instagram photos while I wait for him. Most of his pictures are shots of landscapes but one of him holding a cute tiny cat makes me smile. He looks like a giant holding the little kitten, but his expression is so genuinely happy it makes me pause.

I'm so mesmerized by his smile, I startle when I hear my phone ringing. "Hey Thomas," I answer.

"Just parked in front of the shop."

"Okay, give me a second."

I head downstairs and the moment he sees me, he grins. "So she really wore a dress."

"Shut up." I chuckle as I make my way to him. He is wearing dark jeans and a light blue button-up shirt, casually rolled up to his elbows.

"You are gorgeous," he says, now seriously, and I feel my face getting hot.

"Thomas..."

"Just putting it out there. You're gorgeous! You talked about how handsome I am, but you should know you are beautiful. And I've seen you puking first hand, so..." He shrugs.

"God, you'll never forget that, right?"

"I'm afraid not." He smiles and opens the door of his car for me. "What is it?" he asks when I don't get inside.

"Do you mind telling me where we're going first? I mean, I- I haven't gone out with someone I don't really know in a long time and the last time I did I..." I take a deep breath and shake my head, embarrassed to meet his eyes. How did I become this woman?

"Oh! Yeah... Uh. Sure! Of course! I have a reservation at that seafood restaurant near here. It oversees the lake and you told me you don't really get out much. I thought you'd like this outdoor vibe they have... but we can go to another place you choose. I-"

"Thomas..." I touch his shoulder and smile. "It's perfect! I love seafood. I just want to be safe, you know?" I give him a small smile and he nods.

"Why don't you text one of your friends and let them know where we're going?"

"You see, this is one of the reasons I can't offer you more than friendship right now." I feel myself blushing while I send Alexia a text letting her know where we're going.

"I told you I was fine being just friends..."

"I don't want you thinking I'm just playing hard to get, you know?"

"Okay."

"Seriously, I'm not sleeping with you."

"All right."

"All right? Simple like that? You'll not be expecting anything more from tonight?" I look into his eyes and he searches my eyes for a minute before answering.

"No." He keeps looking at me and I narrow my eyes at him.

"I know I may sound paranoid, but you're not lacking in the beauty department, you could really find a girl who's interested."

"Interested in what?" I feel his eyes shining with humor this time.

"Sex." I can't help but roll my eyes.

"You know, you're the one fixated on sex."

"I just never went out with a guy who was not interested in sex."

"Oh, I'm interested in sex all right."

"You know what I mean."

"Lisa, I heard you, okay? Loud and clear! But I like you. Can't it be enough? I think you're funny and straight to the point, and yeah... a little crazy." He chuckles when I narrow my eyes again. "But I like you. I still want to be friends."

"You're weird." I grin and he gives me a full smile.

"And you're adorable." He opens the door wide. "But I'm starving! Can we finish this conversation while eating some fresh oyster?"

"Ew! Disgusting, Thomas!" I get in and he halts.

"Sacrilege! Now, we'll really have to rethink this friendship thing." He gets inside the car.

"Come on, it is disgusting." I snort.

"People say they're aphrodisiac." He turns on the radio and it's my turn to laugh.

"What? No luck in the 'you know what' department?" I ask.

"What does 'you know what' mean?" He turns to me.

"Well if you have to ask..." I laugh and he narrows his eyes at me playfully.

"Just want to make sure we're talking about the same thing." He starts the car.

"Sex, Thomas! I'm talking about sex! Are you happy now?" I fasten my seat belt and turn to him. He's grinning silly and I can't help but roll my eyes once again.

"Okay, I'll won't say anything." He smiles and we drive in silence for some time.

"I think we're a little similar, you know?" He keeps his eyes on the road but I turn to him.

"Similar how?"

"How many serious relationships have you had?" He asks, his tone serious now.

"Like meeting each other's family and planning a future together?"

"Yeah." He answers.

"That would be... zero."

"Really?" He asks, clearly surprised.

"Yep."

"All right... well, I've had... some." He chuckles.

"Wow! Really?" I can't help the sarcasm.

"Always believed in love and that there must have a soul mate for everybody out there."

"Oh my God." I try to contain my laugh but it's impossible. "Thomas, I already told you I was not going to sleep with you. You don't need to sweet talk me."

"Again! Heard you loud and clear!" He winks at me. "But I come from a big family. My grandparents were in love, so is my mother and my father... I grew up listening to this shit. It kind of stuck."

"So what? You're saving yourself for marriage now? I thought you said you enjoyed-" I stop. Because, damn! What is it with me and saying the word sex around this guy?

"Sex." He laughs. "Say it! I know you can't help it!"

"I still don't get why you think we're similar." I change the subject.

"From what I see, you've banished all possibilities of having casual sex from your life. And I want just that right now. I'm tired of looking for the perfect girl, so I'm not looking for anything serious anymore."

"So you're saying we're similar because...?"

"We know what we want in terms of relationships. And because we want totally different things, there's no other expectation from us, only friendship."

"You're serious." I search his face.

"As a heart attack." I see him fighting a smile. "So what do you say? Will you finally stop fighting the fact that we get along and that there is nothing wrong with us being friends?"

"So, you're saying when you invited me to lunch the other day you were only looking for sex?" I cross my arms.

"Truth? I thought you're hot but then you puked on me... I knew from day one you were not interested, so..."

"So you got me into befriending you."

"I liked you. What can I say?"

"You know what? I thought I was weird but you, Thomas..." I laugh totally amused by his honesty.

"See, we have lots in common."

"Yeah, you're right. So let's have some amazing food and celebrate the beginning of this friendship thing."

"Now, that's what I'm talking about!"

------

A/N: So, friends, huh? ;)

Thanks so much for reading! Please don't forget to vote and follow me here: CelesteABrook for news and updates.

I'm also on instagram (same username) ❤️

XOXO

- Celeste