As the weeks flew by she grew frustrated. She'd lose sleep, tossing and turning all night. When she managed to shut her eyes, it seemed to only last a moment before waking up to an empty bed. The thing that pushed her to leave as quickly as possible. There were no calls, no texts to explain as to why he never returned home, which only added fuel to the fire.

Today, she arrived at 7:38 in the morning and by 8:45 Prince had arrived carrying two coffees as before.

"Morning," she spoke walking up to his desk.

"Good morning," he responded, a bit startled, handing her her drink. "I didn't know you were here. Wasn't expecting you this early."

"Yeah, rough morning," she groaned.

"Everything okay?"

"Yeah," Stacy sighed. "Just—just do your thing. I'll be in my office."

Stacy sat in her chair, reading through a distribution contract when her phone rang.

"James," she sighed into the receiver, mentally preparing herself for his excuse.

"Baby, I'm so sorry about last night. It was rough. When I left the hospital, the guys and I hit the bar. I got a little carried away," he explained. "Next thing I know, I'm waking up at Doug's place."

"You know I don't buy that," she spoke. "You never get that wasted."

"There's a first time for everything."

"At 45," she huffed, her irritation flowing through the line. "Seriously?"

"You know what, we'll just talk about this later. I have to get some sleep for this night shift."

"Really, James?"

"Yes, really, Stacy," He hung up.

Stacy stared at the cellphone until she launched it across the room.

Come lunchtime, Prince took it upon himself to grab Chipotle. Shitpotle if you asked him about it. She hadn't had the food in a while. It was her favorite, he figured it'd cheer her up. He racked his brain attempting to remember her weird burrito bowl. Chicken and sofritas, he knew that much. "Who mixes chicken and tofu?" He thought to himself.

He knocked softly on the door, before entering. "Got you lunch," he announced, sitting the bag on the desk, then once again making his exit.

Around 5pm, he prepared to leave. He knocked once more, before entering. Her chair was turned towards the view, leaving him to stare at the back of it.

"Stacy," he called. "Is there anything you need before I head out?"

Prince crept towards her chair until he was standing in front of her. "Are you okay? Did I fuck something up?

"No," she cut him off. "It has nothing to do with you. You're fine. You've been great actually."

"Well, is there anything I can do to help."

"Doubt it..." she sighed.

"Probably is but you won't let me," he countered.

"Someone wants to lose their job after I just complimented them."

"But technically speaking," he checked his watch, "I'm already off the clock," he smirked.

She shook her head. "You're really pushing it, Nelson."

Prince leaned down to her eye level. "What am I pushing? Your buttons?"

Stacy lightly pushed him back. "Go home..."

"Let me help you first." He offered. "It'll be something fun."

Stacy shook her head lightly before closing her eyes. "Prince, please don't make me fi—"

The sensation of his fingertips brushing over her knees, pushed her to the edge. And it wasn't that hard to tell. "I'm kidding," he chuckled.

"Just go home, Nelson."

The distaste in her voice stung. "Seriously, Stac—Ms. Tailor, I was only fooling around. In all seriousness, I just figured you needed a drink or something to unwind. You've seemed a little off all day."

"That's not a good idea, Prince."

"It's my treat," he smirked shyly. "C'moooonnnn, you know you want to."

Stacy swayed in her chair. She could go for a little more time away from home. It wasn't like it'd matter. James wouldn't be there.

"Sure, but I'm in the mood for something other than drinks."

"Okay. What do you have in mind, Ms. Tailor?"

They'd been driving for quite some time, taking the streets to evade some of the rush hour traffic. A Caribbean inspired R&B jam filling the void of conversation.

"So, uh, you live this way or something?"

"Nope," she replied, popping the p. "One of my favorite spots is here. The only location. It's worth the trip though."

"What is it?"

"Patience. Just a few more blocks."

The SUV returned to its deadened state. The music being the single breath of life. For a moment he nearly regretted asking to take her out. He wouldn't have taken her this far astray if he'd been driving.

Suddenly they turned on 118h and immediately pulled into a spot. "We're here."

Jumping out of the vehicle, Prince followed behind her as they step to the store front.

"Popcorn?" He questioned with a chuckle. "We came all this way for popcorn? We could have just walked to Garrett's."

Stacy was quick to retort. "Alright, so Garrett's is cool and all but this place," she pointed. "This place is far better. This place is the shit." She yanked him by the hand. "Just trust me. I know what I'm talking about."

Dragging him into the store, they earned a few looks, until the cashier recognized Stacy once she turned. "Stacy, what a pleasure to see you. It's been a while."

Stacy smiled at the older woman. "It's nice to be seen. How are you?"

"I'm well, sweetie," she replied, glancing over at Prince. "Did um," she lowered her voice, leaning towards Stacy. "You and James separate or something? I mean, he's like—"

"Oh, oh, no," Stacy stammered, stepping back to add Prince to the conversation. "This is my new assistant, Prince. Prince, this is Ms. Wanda."

Prince shook her waiting hand. "It's nice to meet you"

"Likewise, baby. New assistant though?"

"Yeah, Tasha's on vacation for a while and when she gets back, a few things will be different so...but anyway we're here for this fine popcorn. I was telling him that you had the best in town and all. Can you hook it up for us?"

"You got it. How much you need?"

Stacy glanced over at Prince. "Well I don't know about him, but I'll take one of those gallon tins. Mixed please."

Wanda gave her a side eye. "Baby you going through it?"

"Something like that," she chuckled. "What about you Nelson?"

"Umm, I'll take the smallest mix."

"Oh c'mon. It's my treat."

"It was supposed to be mine, Ms. Tailor," he reminded looking up from the ground.

"Right," she remembered. "Well, it's mine now. Get a bigger bag because you're not having any of mine."

"No, no. It's alright. I'll get a small mix."

"Small mix it is, Ms. Wanda."

Just as it was on the way to the popcorn shop, it was silent on the way back. With an occasional statement here and there. "You not gonna try it?"

"I'll eat it later."

"Nah, eat some now," she ordered. "I wanna know what you really think."

"If you're expecting it me to say it's better than Garrett's, you got me all fucked up. Aint shit better than Garrett's, Stacy."

Stacy was a little taken a back. "I'm Stacy now, huh? Eat the damn popcorn Prince."

"Alright, alright."

Opening the bag, he threw a few pieces in his mouth.

It was good. Really good. Would he admit that to her? Not a chance.

"So...." she pressed for a verdict.

"It's alright. Nothing special."

Stacy smacked her lips, "Well, can't win 'em all. So, uh, your car at the office or..."

"Yeah, but at this hour I'm not gonna find a spot at my place. Can you just drop me off at my place? I can spot you for gas, especially since this was supposed to be my treat."

"It's no worries. I kinda needed to do something. Anything really. You're good," she reminded. Digging into the tin of popcorn, she munched on her comfort food. "What's your address again?

"4414 N Hazel St. Uptown."

It grew silent again with the exception of Stacy munching on her popcorn.

"So..." he dragged.

"Yeah?"

"Wanna talk about—

With the music coming to a halt, the incoming call notification popped up on the cars radio screen. "James..." he read aloud. "That's your husband right? It's been a while and I've never seen him swing by the office. He works that much?"

Without a second thought she touched the screen hitting decline. And with James being James, he called her again. Just as before she hit the decline button.

As James continued to call, Prince reached for her cellphone that was clipped to the dash. "May I..." Swiping up the menu, he placed her phone on do not disturb. "Nifty little feature..."

"I've never used that."

"Maybe it's time to start," he grinned. "And maybe, when we can get towards my place we can stop somewhere for a drink?"

"Nope."

"C'mon," he pressed. "You know what, no to drinks, but yes to food. You need something besides popcorn. Don't you like ramen? There's a spot two blocks away. How does that sound?"

"Prince," Stacy whined glaring at him. She could never resist ramen. "Fine. You better hope this place makes a damn good whiskey sour."

"Thought you didn't want to drink?"

"Ehhh," she shrugged. "I changed my mind."

AN: aye, umm, excuse the typos and this super short filler but umm...it's something right?