Reclamation

5 - Beginnings

Ever since Vic escorted me to my apartment Trevor hasn't come back. I try to be grateful but the loneliness is starting to get to me. Fortunately,  work has gotten better now that I don't feel so guilty about sleeping with my ex every night.

Vic and I sit in the office across from each other. All the kids have left and now it's time to go home. This time he holds three checks in his hand.

"Can you hold them a little longer?" I ask.

"Kellin, you need this money. Why won't you take it. You're practically working for free at this point." Vic says exasperatedly.

"It's just..." I sigh. "I don't have a bank account so I can't cash the checks."

"Oh, well that's easy to fix." Vic smiles and looks something up on his computer. "We can go to the bank tomorrow. Sign you up."

"But I don't have my id or social security card." I remind him.

"Oh, right." He frowns. "That's okay, you can cash the checks at any ATM. They'll just charge you a small fee."

"I didn't know that. I'll try with one first." I take the oldest envelope from him and put it securely in my backpack. "Thanks, Vic." I stand to leave but he grabs my hand.

"Wait, Kellin." He pauses then stands up and straighten his shirt. "Can I take you and Ella out for dinner?"

I raise my eyebrows in surprise. "Really? Like a date?"

"It doesn't have to be, but if you want it be then I'd like that." He smiles, taking a step closer. I swear he glances down at my lips and I can't stop my cheeks from warming.

"I would like that too." I smile. "We close early next Monday, is that good?"

"That's perfect." He's so close that i can feel how warm he is. He looks at my lips again and I can't help but look at his.

"W-we should go." I say breathily.

He nods, laying his hand gently on my back and leading me out of the room. He carries Ella for me and drops me off at home. He even walks me all the way up to the door. Even though Trevor has yet to show his face.

"Goodnight, Kellin." Vic leans in and kisses my cheek sweetly.

I can't keep the smile off my face. "Goodnight."

MONDAY NIGHT

Vic has been extra sweet since he asked me out. He's always touching me and driving me home even though we both know Trevor isn't coming back.

It's 5 o'clock right now. We closed one hour ago and we just finished cleaning. We both wore our date clothes to work. Mine happens to be the same button up and jeans I wore to the interview. He's wearing a very sexy dark blue shirt and black jeans. The shirt is short sleeve and hugs his biceps. I just to run my hands up and down those muscles. I don't realize I'm staring till he walks up to me and cups my face, tearing my eyes away from his body.

"Ready to go?" He asks me.

"Just a sec," I kneel down and start to fix Ella's hair. She's wearing her nicest dress today and I borrowed a bow from the lost and found that was the same pink as her dress. Once she looks like she didn't just run around for the last ten hours I straighten again. "Okay we're ready."

"Vic, where are we going?" Ella asks.

"It's a surprise." He says, putting his finger to his lips. "You'll see when we get there."

He begins walking out to his car and we quickly follow. I'm equally in the dark about where were going, but I trust Vic to find a nice place. I watch as Vic buckles Ella into the car seat he has before he gets into the driver's seat. I take a deep breath and get in too.