With Me Tonight

As I looked into the intense blue eyes of this stranger offering me a lighter, I couldn't help the warning bells that went off in my head. I broke my gaze away from him and looked down at the lighter he was holding. I hesitated, but took it from him. "Thanks," I sighed and tried to flash him a polite smile before I opened the lighter and struck a flame. I let out a breath of relief as the nicotine entered my body and handed him his lighter back. "Not a problem, babe." The man said to me before lighting his own, causing my heart to flutter. I mentally slapped my self, all he said was babe!
I let the smoke cascade out of my mouth as I watched the man lean against the wall a little bit away from me, out of the corner of my eye. "Rough day?" He asked. I turned to look at him and as I met his eyes I felt an immediate attraction to this man, like I was being drawn towards him. More warning bells went off and I quickly looked away, my eyes gazing over the now dark streets of New York. "Yeah, I guess so." I took another puff of my cigarette. "You?" I asked, still not looking over to him.

He let out a dry chuckle. "Yeah.."

I didn't know what to say after that, so I just nodded and did my best to keep my eyes somewhere else but his. I wasn't the best when it came to social situations, especially when the warning bell that goes off in my head when ever a guy makes my heart flutter is on loudly right now. "Nice sweatshirt." His rough voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

I looked down on it and saw I was wearing my Sonic Youth sweatshirt, making a small smile form at my lips, thinking of their music. I couldn't help but look up at him, Sonic Youth was one of the first bands I started listening to when I moved here and they have been one of my favorites since. "Sonic Youth.. They're awesome." He said, making my heart pound a little faster, but I ignored it.

"Yeah they're one of my favorites to just unwind to, it's so easy to just get lost in their music." As I talked I saw a smile form over his lips.

"I know exactly what you mean." He stated, searching my eyes. We both just looked into each others eyes for a while, forgetting about our cigarettes that were burning away. My mind was buzzing around in my head, feeling like I was in a trance from these strangers eyes. All the buzzers were going off in my head as my conscience was disagreeing with me. Don't get involved. Walk away. Loving someone just means losing them. It just means pain.

The sound of the door of the bar swinging open and the sound of laughter made me jump and break the stare we had. I looked to see Gus coming out of the bar with Veronica on his hip and their friends behind him. "Hey, Belle!" Gus called out and made his way over to me. His eyes connected with the cigarette that was in my hand and he frowned a little. "Do you know with each cigarette you smoke you are cutting off 5 minutes of your life?" He raised his eyebrows at me.

I took in a long drag and then blew out a smoke ring in the shape of an 'O' in his face. "Sue me."

I heard a very light chuckle come from the man I was smoking with as Gus's face squished up in disgust. I let out a small laugh and threw my cigarette on the ground, rubbing the bud out with my heel. Gus stuck his tongue out at me and I rolled my eyes as Veronica's friends said their goodbyes to her and then ran of to god knows where. "We're gona head back now, you comin?" He asked as he wrapped his arm around Veronica's shoulders.

"Yeah." I turned around to face the man behind me. "It was nice meeting you...?"

"Norman." He filled me in with his name. I nodded, "nice meeting you, Norman, see you around." I gave him a small smile and wave then started to walk back to the apartment building with Gus and Veroinca. As we got a little further down the street I looked behind me, only to catch the eye of Norman still leaning against the wall. Gus snapping his fingers in front of my face caused me to shift my attention away from Norman. "What?" I groaned at him.

"Who was that?" He asked.

I shrugged. "Just some guy that lent me his lighter." But, he wasn't just that, was he? I couldn't get him off my mind the whole rest of the ride back.. His eyes, the weird comfort I took in him, and the feeling that was making all the warning buzzers I had go off in my mind.

I mumbled a goodbye to Gus and Veronica when we separated ways, them going up one more floor on the elevator. I got off on the floor that was mine and started to walk down the hallway. When I got to my apartment I saw my favorite neighbor ever leaving hers. (Notice the sarcasm). I tried to ignore her and go straight to me door, not feeling like hearing her bitching right now, but sadly she saw me coming. "This is the latest I've seen you come home from one of your one night stands." She scoffed. The dumb bitch had somehow made up in her mind that every time I stayed late at work, I was really hooking up with someone.

"Don't be jealous." I said with an evil smile at her while I unlocked my door and stepped in. Luckily that ended the conversation, she can get bad..

I shut the door and locked it behind me, not bothering to turn the lights on as I made my way straight to my bed and flopped down on it.

I probably had laid there for a good 20 minutes, just think about what the hell happened tonight, but as I took off my shoes and threw them on the ground with my bag, I put my thinking to rest with one final thought. Nothing happened, hell, I'm probably not even going to ever see him again and it's better like that.

-----------------------

The past week had been stressful with work. Gus had to take multiple days off to help with his wedding planning, which I was glad to see he was getting so involved, so I didn't mind taking over basically all week. There was a new shipment of tanks that came in along with multiple supplies that we stocked the store with for any customer that wanted to set up their own little aquarium.

I had ended up coming in early and leaving late the past two days doing a bunch of cleaning and paperwork crap, but at least today was Friday and Gus said he would take over for the weekend.

I let out a big yawn as I watched Tippy nibble on the carrot I was feeding him, enjoying every little bite. I looked over at the clock that was on the wall behind me, seeing that there was only a few more hours until closing time tonight. I let out a sigh and looked back at Tippy who was almost finished with his carrot, he was so cute.

The sound of the bells jingling on the door as it opened, made me look up. I watched as a cute little blond haired boy walked in(okay maybe he wasn't so little, but still a kid), causing me to smile a little, but then my smile fell as I saw the man walk in after him. He saw me too and he must have had the same look that was on my face; confusion and disbelief. I just looked at Norman; the man that offered his lighter to me and I thought I wouldn't see again... The feel of Tippy biting my finger made me jump and look down at him.

I heard a like chuckle come out of Norman as I shook my hand off to the side, my finger throbbing from the sharp bite. "Uh- hi, sorry, one sec." I quickly picked up Tippy and hopped of the stool behind the counter, putting him in his habitat behind me. I was caught of guard, dammit. "Woah! Dad, look at that snake!" The boy yelled. I felt a tug at my heart when I heard him say dad, but I quickly tossed that stupid feeling aside and turned back around.

I couldn't help the tips of my mouth perk up into a smile as I saw the boys interest in my snake. "That's Xavier," I stated, almost proudly.

"Coooool." He mumbled to him self. "I would take him out, but then I'd wake him from his nap, and he gets crabby." I watched as he smiled a little at how I talked about him like he was a person. I turned my attention to Norman and found that his gaze was already set on me. "Belle, right?" He asked.

I nodded. "Yeah, Norman right?" I asked, even though I knew it was Norman.

"Yeah, and this is Mingus, my son." He said, putting his arm around Mingus's shoulders, even though he paid no attention to us, just was looking around in amazement. I felt myself smile at him, I loved when people took amazement in the things I loved. "Can I go look around?" Mingus asked, looking up at his dad. I couldn't help but notice the striking resemblance and felt a little disappointed, he probably had a nice wife and family. This is why you shouldn't get involved. I thought. Norman nodded and ruffled his hair before Mingus went of, exploring the fish tanks with wide eyes.

"So you work here?" Norman asked, walking over to me by the counter.

"I own this place, actually." I stated.

"Really? That's awesome. This is my first time in here, and it's really amazing babe." He said, looking around, but then making eyecontact when he said the last part.

"Thanks." I let my eyes also wander around the store and saw his son looking very interested in the tank that held the Bala Sharks. Then, I remembered that I was running a store when the phone started ringing. I quickly turned around and made my way to the phone behind the counter. "He-" I started, but was but off by Gus.

"Belle, it's Gus. I just got a call from the company that ships us our tanks and they said that the truck went over just one too many bumps and pot-holes." He started.

I already knew what he meant, but I didn't want to believe it. "What the hell do you mean they went over one too many?" My voice came of annoyed.

"Most of them are busted up. They said they could still give us the ones that seemed fine, no promises on their condition, but we wont get the full shipment for at least another month or so." He was equally annoyed as I was, knowing the problems this would cause us.

"That's the best they could do? I've already came in early and stayed late everyday this week getting all the shit ready for them and we have to wait a month? Not even a discount?" I tried not to talk too loud, feeling Norman's intense gaze on me.

"Yeah I know. Not to mention that means we can't sell tanks for a whole goddamn month."

I ran a hand over my face, letting out an exhausted sigh. Gus must have heard it because he quickly chirped up. "Don't worry, Belle, I gave them a mouthful, you would have been proud of me." His words caused me to let out a small chuckle. "Okay, I'll see you soon, Gus."

"Remember, I'm taking over for the weekend and I don't want to see your face once!"

"Yeah yeah, I got it, I won't come in. Bye."

"See ya."

I hung up a phone with an exhausted sigh and ran a hand over my face. "Everything okay?" Norman asked. I turned around and saw that he was leaning against the check out counter, being closer than I expected, probably hearing the conversation.

"Yeah, just some stupid people being stupid." I said walking over to the counter as he let out a light chuckle. "Shit, I'm sorry! Did you come here to get anything?" I asked, remembering that he was still my customer.

"Actually, Mingus just wanted to look at the fish," a small smile played at his lips for a moment, but then faded. "But, you seem busy and we don't need to disturb."

"Oh, no, It's okay, honestly, I don't mind the company, just been me all week." I said, trying to play it cool and not make it seem like I wanted him to stay. Did I want him to stay? He was just making my guard that I had put up around people weaken, and I didn't like it... but maybe I did?

He let out another chuckle and rubbed his hand on his chin. "Alright, babe." The way he called me babe seemed to make my heart pound like every other time he does, there is no getting used to it. "Do you just run this by yourself? Don't you have any employees?" He asked, his eyes glistening with actually interest.

I remembered when I caught one of my employees having sex with my cheating asshole of a boyfriend and felt a pang of anger and hurt, but pushed it down; that was a while ago. "Fired most of them." I shrugged. "But, Gus, he co-owns this store with me. He just has been gone all week planning for a wedding and all."

"You're getting married?" He asked. I swore I saw his face fall a little, but I wasn't sure because he had shook it off really quick.

I couldn't help the laugh that came out. Gus and I getting married? "Oh god no. I would end up killing Gus if we were married." I said between small laughs. "Gus is my best friend." I stated when I calmed down. "What about you? Are you married?" I bit my lip a little. Why was I like this? I can't be like this? All it will lead to is pain. I need to keep my guard up.

A smirk pulled at his lips, but he rubbed his chin again to get it to go away. "No. Broke it off a long time ago. Now it's just Mingus and I." He looked over in the direction of Mingus and I so desperately wished I didn't have the urge to smile, but I did. And I knew why. I was so interested in this man, drawn to him, wanted to know more about him, and it was a weird feeling that I wanted to avoid, but I was struggling.

We sat there in silence for a little, it was a tad awkward, but Norman broke the silence. "Babe?" I looked up at him. "Your finger is bleeding."

I hadn't even noticed that the little bite Tippy gave me was sharp enough to pierce my skin, I was too caught up in the situation. "Oh that little shit." I mumbled and went to the drawers in the desk behind me that held Tippy and Xavier. I pulled out neosporin to clean it with and a fresh band-aid, then went back over to the counter Norman was leaning on and set everything down.

I put the neosporin on with ease, but it proved to be harder than I thought to put the band-aid on because the cut was on my right hand, my dominant hand. I mumbled a few curse words to myself as I struggled and I heard Norman let out a chuckle. "Here." He said and grabbed the band-aid, then lightly took my hand in his. I watched his face as he concentrated on gently putting the band-aid on my finger. My eyes started to look at his lips, but when he looked up I met his eyes. We both almost seemed shocked as I only assumed he felt the same melting inside of him.. the feelings and attraction.

I cleared my throat and quickly looked away, then the trash, throwing it in the bin. Feelings aren't good... I can't allow myself to get sucked into that again. "Belle.." Hearing him say my name caused my breath to get stuck in my throat. I could listen to him say my name forever.... No! Stop stop stop! My conscience yelled at me, but my heart didn't want to stop.. I felt so much comfort in this man that I barely know... It was weird, but I didn't want to stop.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and faced him. "Yeah?" I tried to ask with confidence.

"Go to dinner with me?" His voice was a whisper, his words shocking me.

"I-I-" I stuttered, my confidence and guard shattering. "I shouldn't.. I-I can't." I quickly looked away and turned around, busying myself with feeding Tippy. "Shit, you have a boyfriend don't you?" He asked, his confidence also not as strong.

"No, I don't." I stated simply while I started to put Tippy's food in his habitat. I tried to ignore the fact that I heard Norman move and come closer to me. "Why then?" His voice was quieter now, insecurities threatening to come through, making me feel bad.

"Busy with work." I shut the top of Tippy's habitat. I could feel Norman's intense eyes on me, searching my face. "What about this weekend? Just dinner, nothing more."

I let out a breath and let my heart and mind battle for a while, I shouldn't... I looked up and once I met his eyes, I gave in completely. "Okay. Okay, I'll go to dinner." My heart won.. This man knew how to get under my skin, manipulate my own heart, make me feel comfortable with his pure friendliness and whole-heartedness, and he made me feel things... things that scare me.. But, my heart still won.