Model Behavior

Delaney had never been to Louis’s flat before, so she was nervous when Candace told her that Louis wanted her to meet him there.

There was no doubt in her mind why Louis wanted her there. It had to be about the kiss – that earth shattering, mind blowing, utterly confusing kiss – and Delaney was terrified of what was going to happen. After the roller coaster Louis had put her on when they started working together, Delaney had nothing to expect but another downward drop.

She was ready for it, though, and she braced herself as she knocked lightly on the door. As she stood there, she silently prayed that she’d gone to the right flat, because that was the last thing she needed at that moment.

When the door opened, she found Louis standing behind it, his chin covered in stubble that hadn’t been there when they’d kissed the day before. She couldn’t help but wonder if his kiss would feel any different with the beginnings of the beard that was forming on his face.

“Delaney,” Louis breathed, blinking his eyes a few times as if he expected her to disappear. “Please, come in.”

Louis stepped to the side and Delaney followed him into his flat, while admiring that modern style he’d decorated it with. He wasn’t just good at designing clothes; the home décor in his flat was something to be appreciated as well.

“Candace said you needed me?” Delaney questioned as soon as Louis had guided her to the sofa in his living room. He sat on the end opposite her, one foot placed on top of the opposite knee, as his arm tucked onto the back of the sofa.

Louis nodded, taking a deep breath as he shifted uncomfortably in his seat. Delaney didn’t know what was going on, but every one of his movements made her a little bit more nervous until she could feel her palms beginning to sweat again.

“Listen, Delaney,” Louis said, letting out the breath he’d been holding for far too long. “I know I’m not –” Louis paused, leaning forward so his hands were in his lap. “I know I’m not the nicest guy in the world, and I haven’t really been the nicest to you. I’ve got – uh – I’ve just got a lot going on, and I know that doesn’t make it any better, but, uh –” Louis paused again, running his hands over the back of his head. It was obvious he was just as nervous as she was. “It’s not easy for me to say this, but… But, I messed up, Delaney. I was mean and hurtful, and you didn’t deserve any of that.”

Louis stood up from his seat, making Delaney’s eyes grow even wider than they already were. She was confused as it was, and now she had no clue what he was doing. He stood in front of her for a moment, looking down at her, and she wondered briefly if she was supposed to stand with him.

Before she could, Louis sat again, directly next to her so that their knees were touching. Both of their gazes fell to the place their bodies met before moving back up to one another’s eyes again.

Louis reached over, taking Delaney’s hands in his, and rubbed his thumbs lightly against her skin.

“I know I don’t deserve it, Delaney. I haven’t done anything to deserve it. But, I’d like a second chance.” He inched a little bit closer, making her throat tighten even more. Every word he said made her nervous, and she was still trying to piece it all together. “There’s something about you, Delaney. I don’t know what it is, but I just can’t get you out of my head. I need you, Delaney. I need a chance to prove that I’m not as awful as you think I am.”

Of everything that Louis said, that made the most sense, and it was the one thing that Delaney found herself able to respond to.

“I don’t think you’re awful, Louis,” Delaney said quickly shaking her head. “I don’t think you’re awful at all.”

Louis smiled at that, because it was true. Delaney didn’t think that he was an awful person. She always knew that, deep down, there was something special inside Louis – that same something special he’d seen inside of her – and she’d never stopped believing in that. He was special, just like she was, and together they had special something that just made sense.

With a smile still on his face, Louis leaned forward, catching Delaney’s breath between his lips as he took it away once again.