"I hope you know that friendship with me means you leave your control freak behavior at work. Cause it's just not something I'll stand for," she freely expressed, completely removing the barrier she'd placed between them -if there ever was one.
"Oh wow," he dragged, a tad bit bothered by her statement, "you really think that's all there is to me?"
"It's all I've been able to observe, experience, and label you with. Judgmental? Probably, but it's all you've shown me, and it won't change unless I see something else," she sat back in her seat, quite tired of her milkshake. At this point she really wished that she'd just ordered her regular milkshake flavor.
"Wouldn't giving me, actually no, giving each other the benefit of the doubt apply here? Cause I'm deadass not walking into a space where there's no room for learning one another. If you're gonna have that kind of mentality then we might as well stop whilst we are ahead," he blatantly said, wearing a straight face.
She sighed, looking at him without single response in mind for him. She wasn't sure if she wanted to be petty about it, or if she wanted to be a decent human being. At the same time, she did not want to admit that he was sort of right.
"Definitely think you heard me say unless I see something else. Calm down, honestly," she slightly rolled her eyes, her chest slightly heavy for some reason.
The silence engulfed them yet again, both a bit bothered, or rather unsettled by the slight back and forth they just had. He kept on releasing breaths through his nostrils, and she had taken the liberty of picking up her straw so she could play with her beverage.
The jazz musicians then switched up the tempo, completely changing the atmosphere in the room. The lighting then followed suit, moving from normal lighting to a royal purple hue - which caught Shane completely off guard. Being someone who liked the color purple, she was completely enamoured with the setting.
"Gorgeous," she gasped, before meeting his eyes which were on her, and didn't bother to move when the made contact.
"I agree," he simply said, but those two simple words carried so much weight because they both knew it had nothing to do with the setting.
She wasn't one to be affected by compliments easily because she received them on a regular, however, the two words caught her breath, and her words.
"We're heavily treading on the lines of friendship here," Shane warned, hoping he'd take a step back, but knowing him, he'd probably try to provoke her further. She knew that she'd admitted to not wanting to go down the intimacy line with him, but she'd gotten a sudden itch - even though it wasn't big enough that she wanted to scratch it.
"I know," he said, as though his answer was just enough to substantiate what he was doing to her.
"No office romance, remember?" She tried to be the decent friend in the duo, because clearly it wasn't going to be him. Her body seemed to be reacting in a totally different way than her mind was.
"Never said anything romantic towards you sweetpea," he simply stated, he kept his eyes on her, and she did not want to be weak and look elsewhere, so she kept on looking right back at him.
"Stop," she barely spoke above a whisper.
The table between them held all the chemistry the two seemed to be oblivious to. Her leg swiftly brushed against him, deciding to play game, and see where it would go.
"Stop what?" He lifted an eyebrow, "this?"
Again he brushed his knee against hers, and watched as her face told him all that he needed to know, "thought you said you didn't want to go down this road with me,"
"You're the one provoking me, and you literally said the same thing,"
"I'm chilled." He shrugged, "You're the one who's hot and bothered, and don't lie, I can definitely tell,"
"Are we still friends, or are you now fishing for something else?"
"We agreed to be friends," by this point she was annoyed by his basic responses that had no flesh to them.
"Hendrichs,"
"Shanae," he simply reiterated what she'd said.
"Don't you think it would be better to just scratch the itch and call it a day? Cause I don't see how we can be just friends, if I'm being honest," in a short space of time, she'd thought about it all.
Friends did not flirt in the way that they did, nor did a friendship start because someone asked to be your friend. It had to be natural, hence things didn't even work out with Annalise like she knew they wouldn't.
"I'm not into the whole hookup culture, so no. I'm flattered though," he took his final sip of his latte, before being done with it.
"You definitely look like a hookup culture kinda guy, if I'm being honest,"
"Well, sorry to disappoint. Very much a marriage kinda guy," he leaned back into his seat, getting comfortable yet again.
"Whaat?" She snorted, "You lie!"
She was completely caught off guard by the words she had just heard come out of his mouth. A celibate guy? Someone waiting for marriage to have sex? And he was of male species? It was appalling to say the very least.
"I've got no reason to lie,"
"So you're telling me you've never had sex?" Her tone definitely told him that she was in disbelief, such that he couldn't help but to give a soft chuckle.
"I have. Because I was engaged, and completely thought it was a for life kind of situation, I indulged, but I won't indulge again," for some reason she was relieved that he'd crossed that line before. She didn't know why, because the sense of relief caught her by surprise.
"Two questions," she raised her two fingers, and he had a hunch on what she wanted to ask him.
"Ask away Shane," he was amused, and so he watched her like he'd been doing all night.
"Robyn?"
"Yes, and what's your next question?" He didn't give room for her to go further into this particular topic. He didn't want to go further than the answer he'd given.
"You're celibate due to religion? Or by choice?"
He smirked, before straightening his face, "Perfect moment to tease you, but I won't."
"Such a shocker," she laughed with a slight rolling of her eyes.
He simply smiled before he responded to her question, "I have two or maybe three questions for you in return,"
She nodded her head in agreement, "It's actually both. But really more of a choice because I'm not just following some set of rules. Because I value my relationship with God, I simply honor him by following his perfect plan,"
"I definitely commend you hey," and she did because she couldn't do it. Even though she'd been celibate for three years, it was only cause she wasn't in a relationship. Shane was a person who believed in being intimate when a relationship was present, except for when she was highly tempted. She however, hadn't been tempted heavily in such a long time.
"It's not hard when you've disciplined yourself in that manner. You can get the urge but it quickly fades away. First question, where do you stand spiritually?"
"What does that have to do with anything?" She lifted an eyebrow, confused as to why he was asking her that.
"I guess you could call it curiosity,"
"I don't know. I kind of did my fair share of exploring different religions, and spiritual aspects. Just so I could figure what I wanted for myself, and not just because my parents raised me in the Christian faith,"
"And what conclusion have you come to?" He genuinely asked out of interest. He, himself was also trying branch into having actual conversation with her, and step away from just flirting.
"I don't know really. I'm definitely under the Christian faith yes, I however can't necessarily call myself a Christian, haven't been living like one nor been having that desire to go in that direction. I don't know, I just feel like I need God himself to reveal Himself to me, before I can fully...uhm, step into faith," she shrugged her shoulders, having being honest with him unexpectedly at that.
"Definitely understandable. I had the same struggle of wanting to experience God for myself sad not just read about Him, and it's happened for me. I hope that it happens for you as well,"
"Yeah. So, your second question, sir?" she swiftly moved along from the topic. She wasn't one who liked to discuss religion that much, so this was very brand new and uncomfortable for her.
"How are you? I haven't checked in since the last time I left you at your parents place. About the whole Amaru situation and just you in general," she could tell that he was genuinely concerned. He had this thing where he could just switch into the most compassionate person, and it was honestly nerve-wrecking for her because she didn't want to like him.
She sighed, thinking about her journaling session the previous night. "I don't know how I am. I'm angry, I'm hurt, I'm trying to sort through the mess. So...yeah," her tone dropped as she twiddled her thumbs, and looked at her thumbs. "I don't know. My dad has me doing this whole therapy situation, without actually being my therapist. He says it's unethical," she briefly looked at him with a small smile on her face.
Opening up to him, it came easy for some reason because he was the one to comfort her, and to see that she was back within her safe haven.
"I commend you for trying to sort through the mess. I know it's not easy, and you want to hold onto the anger for the trauma left behind."
She chuckled at his statement, "You're definitely right about that. I don't want to forgive him for what he did. I feel like I'd be letting him off easy, you know."
"I hear you. I have no choice but to forgive him because that's my friend nonetheless and it comes with unconditional love." He shrugged.
"I don't think I've asked how you feel about almost losing your friend? Then having to arrange everything, you must be exhausted,"
He too laughed - then sighed. "Ah Shane, I'm definitely exhausted. Emotionally drained if I'm being honest. Then Mike called himself picking a fight with me because I attended to you, and not to Amaru when there were more than two people there,"
"What is Mike's problem?" She rolled her eyes, quite annoyed by his recent behavior.
"Don't know, and at the moment - I really don't give a damn. He just wanted the responsibility on my shoulders, and for that moment - I just couldn't handle it." He closed his eyes, the exhaustion coming forth onto him as though he'd spoken it into existence.
"I don't know. It's exciting to lead, but sometimes you also need someone to lean on," he confessed with his eyes closed. Just so he could convince reality that he hadn't been slightly open with Shane.
"Completely felt. How's about we get out of here and do a round of bowling? Loser plans the next outing, which is obviously going to be you," she pushed her drink forward showing that she was done.
"You're tryna get your ass beat again?" He lifted his left eyebrow, and she gave him a full blown smile.
"Sir, that was because you cheated. This time I've got your ass,"
"I know you're a sore loser, so I'll just plan it regardless. You're sure you don't want food?" He questioned as he made a move to step out of his side of the table.
"How's about we get sushi for the next one, and you teach me all about it?" She suggested, knowing she wouldn't be buying anyway. She genuinely appreciated him willing to foot the bill always.
"I'm game, so bowling then ice cream afterward?" He stood to his feet, waiting for her to stand on her feet too, so she could walk out ahead of him.
"You definitely read my mind," she smiled, walking out ahead of him, and once again his hand found its way to the small of her back.
●●●
"Look at you, currently leading the scoreboard and all," he teased, his face close to her ear. A wide smile sat on her face as she was amused by his behavior.
"I mean, I did say you only won cause you cheated the very last time," she glanced over her shoulder, "how does it feel losing to a woman?"
"God don't like ugly, watch I make you upset again," he chuckled, swiftly biting the edge of his bottom lip.
"All I'm hearing is a whole lot of talk, with no action to back it up Hendrichs," her voice was sultry as she released the ball, and watched it knock out all the pins.
She turned around to face him with a smirk, and raised her hands up in celebration, "this round of bowling is so sweet,"
"Oh, is that so?" he lifted an eyebrow, taking a ball for her to use, a smirk forming on his lips too.
"Oh how the men have fallen," she went on, watching him release yet another chuckle.
"Hmm, I suppose the women can be great at something after all," he teased, watching her focus on yet another potential strike. Of which she ended up throwing a gutter ball.
He immediately burst out in laughter, "Totally told you that God doesn't like ugly. I'm weak,"
She wanted to be upset at him laughing at her, but she ended up giving a smile, and a short chuckle.
"Women are definitely not great," he went on, laughing at her, continuing to try and upset her as per their usual relationship.
"Okay buddy, I heard you. Play your round," she rolled her eyes, watching him walk towards the balls, and picking up an orange one for himself.
"Whew, that was hilarious Shane. Night made," he watched her not so amused face, with amusement all over his face.
"Haha, just throw your ball," she threw her hand for emphasis, and her smile grew less as he ended up throwing a double strike then a turkey, matching her score and surpassing it.
"There's the sore loser I know," he once again took out a ball for her, and gave it to her, "I was just taking it easy on you Shane. But you ought to know that I'm a beast at this game when it comes down to it,"
She sighed, closing her eyes so she could regain focus, "I know you're just trying to provoke me so you can cheat your way into a win. I'm not gonna let it happen,"
She threw a double strike, then a 7-10 Split, like the one Hendrichs had the last time they played in teams.
"I can help you take them both down," he offered, taking a step closer to her.
"Nah Uh, I'm gonna go it by myself, thank you very much," she bent over a bit, trying to think of a way she could imitate what Hendrichs did the very last time.
"You being stubborn is gonna lead to me winning," he offered yet again.
"Let me lose then, I'll do it myself." she responded immediately without taking her eyes off the pins.
"Suit yourself," he stepped back and folded his arms, and watched her release the ball and it hit one of the pins.
"Step aside loser," he tried to provoke her yet again. It was like repeatedly poking at a bee's hive. Like he wanted to get stung by her words.
She didn't pay him any mind though, and did just that, and watched him purposefully throw a 7-10 split as well. She couldn't even smirk because she knew that he was taking it easy on her. Which she did not like because she wanted to win fair and square.
"Come, let me teach you," he said to her, and she just kept staring at him before she responded.
"I didn't ask for a lesson," she monotonously said, to which he released a short chuckle.
"I know, but I still wanna equip you so you win the next time we play," his eyes were soft, so she could tell that he was being sincere.
"Who says there's gonna be a next time?" she moved one step closer still being stubborn as was in her nature.
"Cause you're Shanae, you never give up," he simply stated, not being shady nor teasing her, but just simply being friendly.
"I guess you could be right about that," she took yet another step, and he pulled her closer as he kind of grew impatient.
"Stop being difficult," he simply instructed, and she opened her mouth to speak, but closed it yet again.
He stood behind her as she positioned herself in front of the lane. He slowly explained to her how she should approach the challenge, guiding her body to the perfect position, and stance. He spoke with a low tone into her ear, as he used his hand to guide her arm into throwing the ball.
They stepped back in sync, and watched the ball hit both pins before Shane turned around and gave him a smile.
"Guess you're expecting me to thank you Sensei," the corner of her lip slightly lifted.
"I mean that's the nice thing to do," he told her, and she simply smiled and checked the score. Because of the 7-10 split he had thrown, he'd won the game by one point.
"Well thank you Hendrichs, I'll at least get the ice cream, since you're covering our next outing," she started to walk away, and he followed behind her, as they went to the ice cream section within the arena.
"Thank you for suggesting this, I enjoyed myself," he said, standing right behind her as they stood in line. They was no space between them at all, so she could feel his physique against hers.
She smiled, but he could not see or tell, "You're most welcome, won't say it's my pleasure cause I didn't win,"
"It isn't about winning though," he answered.
"Everything between us is about winning though," she looked over at him through her eyelashes, "that's just the dynamic we have,"
"I thought that maybe changed with our new found friendship," he spoke with a low tone so the conversation would remain between them.
"In my eyes, it just ignited the flame," she shrugged before looking ahead of her as they moved in line.
"What kind of flame though, is the question?" he changed the tone of the conversation, further proving her point. She was about to speak, when someone nearly bumped into her, and he touched her waist to move her to the side, and against his body as though there was any space between them.
"Hendrichs," she simply called, her attention on the feeling his hand was evoking within her.
"Hmm," he glanced down at her, even though she did not turn around to look at him.
"Your hand,"
"Oh, sorry." he immediately removed his hand, not in the slightest bit apologetic for his move, "you were saying?"
She let out a breath, relieved that this feeling was dissipating. "Tell me something about yourself?"
"That's random," he sounded a bit on the surprised end, and that's because he was surprised that she'd taken that route.
"I know, but tell me," her aim was to steer this away from flirtatious vibes to strictly friendship because she knew there was nothing she'd be getting from him physically if she entertained it. She knew herself all too well.
"Just anything, or something no one knows," he tried to rack his brain up for an answer, because he did not know how to actually answer her question.
She smiled, the confusion in his voice highly cute to her, "Whatever you wanna tell me." They moved up in line, finally one couple ahead of them.
"Absolutely love hot milk in my cereal," he said the first random thing that came to mind, and she spun around, a gasp leaving her mouth before a laugh soon followed.
"No way! Same here. Logan actually got me into hot milk cereal. I gotta say, I love it. 10/10," she spoke with such excitement that he couldn't help but to laugh.
"You sound so excited," he was amused to say the very least.
"No, I just never thought we'd have anything in common but I'm glad we actually do. That means we can actually be friends,"
Again, he laughed. "Because of hot cereal?"
"Because of hot cereal," she confirmed, then moved up to the counter as the other couple left.
The cashier said her greetings, then proceeded to ask them for their order.
"I'll just have a large plain vanilla cone, I've had too much sugar for the night. Definitely coming back for the sprinkles next time," Shane smiled, then looked over to Hendrichs, "you can order what you like, I've got it covered,"
She just wanted him to know that she was serious about covering for ice cream, it was the least she could do. Not just to thank him for today, but for the drive to Maryland and to Boston.
"Okay," he gave her a smile, before looking at the young girl serving them, "I'll take a waffle cone, and a mix of chocolate and vanilla please, no toppings,"
"Chocolate ice cream is disgusting," Shane immediately commented, pursing her lips.
"Mind your ice cream business," he told her with her smile, whilst slightly pushing her shoulder.
"I'm paying for your weird taste buds please!" she exclaimed, and both of them smiled before she handed their server her card, then entered her pin soon after.
They moved off to the side, so they could get their ice cream.
"Tell me something no one knows," Hendrichs said, using his other hand to trap her between his arms.
"I enjoyed tonight," she admitted with no hesitation.
"Well, I already knew that," he once again dropped his tone.
"I want you to kiss me, but not tonight," she admitted, then turned around so she could face their new server.
"Thank you lovely," she said, receiving both their ice creams, as though she hadn't just caught him off guard with her words.
He might have worn their game tonight, but when it came to their flirtatious war, she'd surpassed him by far.
●●●
Greetings! I come back🐒
gimme your thoughts,
I'm curious to hear them???
thank you for 76K reads! Road to 80K. 100K seems so close, almost so surreal for me.
thank you for the constant love.
gracie🤍