Bad At Love

Chapter Four

I watched as the people of the café shuffled out as they finished their meals. Whereas I sat on the cushion of the seat. I hadn't bothered to leave after Kiera had left. There was no need for me to. I didn't have to return to work, they let me stay out for the rest of the day to see my sister.

So, here I was, wasting away in a booth while everyone had their friends and family to keep them company. I began to whistle a short tune, my fingers twiddling as I let my mind think of things they had never thought of before. I thought of crazy things, like how fast a frog could jump away from a predator. Or if an elevator was really just a fancy escalator – it was. But none of the things on my mind mattered. I only wanted to get him out of my mind.

"Farrah?" A familiar masculine voice called my name. I turned towards my right to see the man I was trying so hard to forget. His face was freshly shaven, no stubble in sight. His smooth jawline catching the light from the window. He donned an olive green t-shirt and a pair of loose fitted jeans. His hair was hanging disheveled on his forehead. A few strands dipping below his forehead to cover his eyes.

"Silas?" The name slipped from between my lips. I couldn't help but let a smile take over my face as I watched him glance around the cafe. I didn't know it was possible for him to be even more handsome than before, but here he was proving me wrong.

"Are you waiting for someone?" He wondered, his brows furrowing together as his hands slid into the pockets of his jeans. His head was tilted to the side as his eyes danced around the room. I couldn't help but wonder if he was trying to find someone.

"Actually, they left a little bit ago. I was letting my stomach settle before I headed home," I answered as I pulled a few stray hairs behind my ear. My tongue rolled over my bottom lip, before sucking it between my teeth.

"Well, would you mind if I joined you?" He raised his brow, a small smirk on his face as he began to lean down into the empty booth seat across from me. I let out a small chuckle as I shook my head softly.

"You're already sitting, so you may as well," I mused. The corners of my lips rose to a smile, while my cheeks warmed up at the thought of him and I spending more time together. I hadn't expected to ever lay my eyes upon him, especially any time soon. But as he sat across from me, his eyes staring into me, I was thankful for it, "How have you been?"

The question rolled off my tongue before I could stop it. I had no clue how to talk to him. My tongue was tripping over itself. And the little people in my brain ran around with no clue about what was going on. The first time we met, I wasn't this nervous wreck, but I could probably thank the copious amount of liquor for that.

I watched as his chest shook with laughter.

"I've been good, I have been working and running errands, as usual." He mused as he leaned his elbows on top of the table, his chin resting firmly in his hands. He flashed me a small smile before glancing around the diner, his thumb fidgeting with the bottom of his jaw.

"What is it that you do?" I asked, my brow raised as my curiosity piqued. We hadn't properly discussed our personal lives and the things we did in our free time. I was certain the conversation wouldn't last more than a few minutes. I had little to no self control. I hoped the conversation would last beyond a few ice breakers.

"I finance for manufacturers, businesses, and sometimes people for mom-and-pop shops. It's not a great job, it can be annoying because many people can't handle financing money. Plus, nine times out of ten, their ideas are s**t and they just want someone to feed their feeble dreams." He elaborated as he made eye contact with me again. I couldn't help but let a small giggle out at his last comment on people and their dreams. I slightly pursed my lips and nodded briefly. I understood what he was getting at, though. I worked at a tax office. There had been plenty of people waltzing through the door expecting us to lie on their tax forms. Which was completely insane. I don't think anyone wants the IRS to go after them for Tax Fraud.

I opened my mouth to speak, before Silas beat me to it.

"Want to get out of here?" He directed the question towards me, and for a moment, I half expected him to assume we were going to hook up. But the more I examined his features, he seemed uncomfortable. His shoulders were frigid, his biceps were flexed underneath his t-shirt. His eyes were glancing at every corner of the small cafe. I nodded slightly as I grabbed onto my purse, the strap now sitting on my shoulder.

"Sure, I know the perfect place," I mused, a coy smile playing on my lips.

"You're kidding! There is no way that you did that." I shook my head in disbelief. The duo tried to convince me that Silas had been able to get onto a rollercoaster completely nude. They must have assumed I was born yesterday to believe such a wild story. It sounded completely made up.

"No, I'm serious. I have a photo somewhere," I watched as Nic shuffled through his photo library on his phone. I stifled a laugh, before looking over at Silas to find him grinning wickedly at his friend. I couldn't help but smile at them because of how similar they were to Sofia and I. There was no question, they had an undeniable bond.

"Yes! See, look right here," Nic sounded excited as he turned his phone to face me to reveal the photo. They definitely weren't lying, I thought to myself as I examined the image. Silas was completely naked 50 feet up into the air with a facial expression of pure terror. His eyebrows were raised, while his eyes were as wide as saucers. His mouth was agape. His hands wrapped tight around the buzz bar, showing off his muscles as they flexed on his arms.

"Why are you screaming like that?" I choked out, trying hard to catch my breath from laughing too hard. I turned my focus back onto the cursed image, trying to decipher why he thought this was a good idea.

"The wind hurt my balls. I didn't realize how fast the winds would be going, and I ended up with bruised balls for two weeks. Two f*****g weeks, Farrah. It was literal hell." He answered between deep chuckles. I couldn't believe the words coming out of his mouth.

"You are insane, how could you possibly think this was a good idea?" I laughed out, trying to steady myself by holding onto the edge of the table.

"Hey, I was eigh-"

"Sup' bitches!" Sofia's voice rang out, gaining all our eyes onto her. She had a grin plastered on her face as she leaned down to kiss Nic on the cheek, earning my eyebrow to raise at her. She winked briefly, before sliding into the seat between him and I.

"Sof," I smiled wickedly as she leaned to bump her shoulder into mine. If all of us were together again, God only knows what was going to happen tonight.

"Whatcha talking about?" She inquired as she leaned her shoulder onto Nic to rest. I hadn't seen her this happy in a while, let alone affectionate.

"Well, we are talking about how Silas here makes a habit of riding roller coasters while he's nude. He loves the wind on his balls," I teased, my eyes watching his face for any type of reaction. It didn't take long for his face to contort into disbelief as his eyes squinted and brows raised.

"Oh yeah? You're just going to say that?" His lips pursed, before letting out a chuckle. He shook his head back and forth as he lifted his chair to slide closer to me.

"I mean, it's true." I started.

"It is not, and you know it. I love free balling, it's comfortable. But I don't like it when there's 100mph wind blowing my balls into shapes I never knew they could." He explained, before placing his right hand on my thigh to give it a light, teasing squeeze. I let out a small yelp while my fingers found his side to pinch in return.

"Whatever helps you sleep at night," I teased with a smile as I pinched his side, earning a scoff and light slap of my hand. I glanced over at Sofia and Nic as they hit it off again; they were laughing at something I couldn't quite hear. Which may have been for good reason. She leaned in closer and rested her hand on his thigh. She looked like she was having fun, and I couldn't help but thank Nic for that. She finally smiled and laughed with no care, no worry about her stupid ex.

"It's okay to stare, but you're staring awfully hard," Silas whispered in my ear. I tensed, my muscled jumping in reaction. I couldn't help but roll my eyes. He always commented on my staring habits.

"I'm just watching my best friend have a good time." I glanced at him out of the corner of my eye and noticed he was staring at me with an unreadable expression. I let my eyes linger on him for a moment.

"Are you okay?" I inquired, my brow raised.

"Yeah, I'm just thinking." He mused, his eyes never leaving mine.

"About?" I asked.

"You." He answered, earning a raised brow.

"What about me?" I hesitated before asking, not knowing if I wanted an answer.

"Everything. I'm curious about you, Farrah." He raised his brow, his elbow placing itself on the table as he rested in hands in his hands. His honey-hued eyes danced with excitement as he stared at me. My cheeks warmed at the sight of his undivided attention, again.

"What about me?" I mumbled, looking away from him to avoid further eye contact.

"I want to know everything there is to know about you, every last detail. I want to know your favorite color, your favorite food. I want to know why you act the way you do, tell me about your dreams and aspirations. I want to know why you haven't been snatched up yet. Tell me everything." He smiled cautiously as my eyes glanced over at him again. My heart began to slam against my chest, while my mind ran with thoughts about myself to tell him.

I didn't know where or how to start; which question to answer first and which story to tell him first. So, I did what I do best, and instead of thinking, I just started the first place my mind went to. I hoped he wouldn't judge me and leave me hanging, wondering if I was good enough for a man like Silas.