Chapter 16

Rose debates with herself whether she should tell Cal about the note and after realizing she'd have to wait for a bathroom break to read it without him seeing, she caves and pulls it out of her purse.

Cal looks over and with question written all over his face he asks "Whatcha got?" Rose quickly tells him about the red shoe lady and they anxiously watch her open it, wondering why a stranger would be slipping her a note, how silly would it be if it was a woman who found her attractive and dropped her number for her. But that doesn't make sense, she would have seen Cal sitting there with her.

She thinks this and works through her head in milliseconds as she hastily opens the note. She reads it once to herself, confusion and shock clear on her face and rereads it to make sure she hasn't completely lost it. Cal speaks up, "Do you want to share with the classroom?"

The note reads, "I know who you are. I know what you are. And I know who he is too. Just know, you're not the only one destined to be with him, I don't share, and I don't do sloppy seconds. Stay away from him."

Still in complete shock Rose crumples up the note and throws it onto the ground by her feet. She leans her head against the window and sighs. "One thing after another." Cal is silent for a moment, his eyes look glazed over like he's not listening to her or even mentally there right now. Finally he comes back to reality and looks at Rose and smiles. "So someone else knows about your situation. I'm not intimidated by the note, you shouldn't be either. I am concerned that you were alone with her, even for just a second. And I'm concerned she found you." His eyes dart to the rear view mirror to check if he's being followed. He can't see anyone. "Rose we need a concrete plan."

Rose is hardly listening to him. She's fuming on the inside. Who the hell does this woman think she is and why does she feel entitled to this guy. Her guy. Rose feels disgusted with herself that she even has a drop of jealousy. She's literally running from this man and gets upset when she thinks about him with someone else. What's going on, why are these emotions happening?

She feels Cal pulling the car off the road, and sees they're about to pump gas. She hops out of the car and turns to Cal to ask if he wants anything from inside when she notices someone at another gas pump further down from hers. Her breath catches in her throat as she watches this man. He's beautiful. Dark, jet black hair, olive skin, his muscles rippling and flexing with every move he makes. His shirt is tight against him and she can't help but stare as he pulls the pumper out of its holder and slides it nice and slowly into his cars gas tank. Such a smooth move and she can't believe she can feel herself becoming aroused by the movement.

Imagining him, sliding something somewhere else. She subconsciously licks her lips. He leans against his car and tilts his head back, closing his eyes, waiting for his car to fill up.

Trying to think rationally, she can't stop her feet from moving towards him and quickly tries to come up with an excuse about why she's approaching him when before she knows it, she's right in front of him. Still staring and gawking he looks at her and smiles, revealing beautiful pearly white teeth. She wants to sob, how is he so perfect, who is this man?

He waits for her to speak, raising an eyebrow with an amused look on his face. Rose finally pulls herself together and tries to form words, "Yes, hi" shaking her head up and down as if she's said something she agrees with. Moving her arms around as if she's directing a PowerPoint, "Yes I am here. Right here. In front of you. Desperately trying to make a conversation but words aren't working, I physically cannot make a sentence... hi." She lets out a whoosh of air praying he doesn't bolt in fear of her weirdness but he just smiles, simply saying "Hi."

Then turns back to his car, where the weird arousal scene starts all over. He gently pulls the gas handle out and lightly taps it on the opening, getting the last few drops out and places it back in the pump. His muscles just flexing and jumping with every movement. Rose is just standing there gawking watching him do this manly thing trying to control herself, but she feels the moisture in her panties and clenches her legs together to ease some of the discomfort, he chooses that moment to turn back around to her and see her in her weird, leg clenching position and raises an eyebrow in question. She laughs, bending over a little as she does and straightens herself back out, clearing her throat. "Ha, yeah. So uh. Sooo um, you from around here orrr..." he laughs again with his perfect smile and says no, I'm looking for someone. Are you from around here?"

Rose laughs and says "Wow is that a pick up line or what" and stops dead in her tracks, she realizes what she just said prior to that. Her cheeks lit up in bright red embarrassment, "Holy crap. Ignore that, I didn't say that." And makes a rewind motion with her hands, as if she physically undid what she just said, and continues on as if it truly hadn't happened. "No I'm not from around here." Boldly she states, "I'm actually running from someone." And laughs.

The mans face stays serious as he gazes at her intently. She goes on to say, "Well if you're looking for someone named Rose, here I am." And winks, holding out her wrists, as if she was to be handcuffed.

The mans eyes go wide and he looks at the ground. Avoiding her gaze. Realization dawns on her and she nervously laughs, "It was a joke. You're not looking for someone named Rose are you??" He doesn't answer. "Wait, are you?"

Finally he looks up at her, and slowly says, "I am. Would it be alright if I took you to dinner and we could talk. We have quite a lot to talk about." Her face is complete shock. She is rendered speechless, she'd been running from this man and literally just walked up to him.

He stares at her waiting for her answer.