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"No one believes in love at first sight until that special person comes along and steals your heart."

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"What do you think you're doing?" Anakin questioned me as he watched me place a divider between his stuff and mine.

I knitted my brows, "Dividing our stuff?"

He reached over and grabbed the divider to put it back where I got it from, "No, I'll be paying for your groceries today. Ring them together please." He addressed the cashier as he shifted his pointer finger between our items.

If it was just the coffee creamer and eggs then I probably would have let him pay to avoid us bickering about it. But I had grabbed a lot more during our time here, I basically did my entire month's worth of shopping. That's what I get for coming to the grocery store on an empty stomach. I grabbed everything that looked even remotely appetizing, "Anakin, I can pay for my own-"

"Sh," He pushed his finger against my lips and I stumbled backwards. The cashier looked like he was holding in his laughter as he scanned our items, starting with Anakin's, "I kept you from work today, the least I can do is buy your groceries so don't be stubborn and let me be a gentleman." He removed his finger from my lips and poked my nose, causing me to blink involuntarily.

I shook my head with a sigh of defeat, knowing that no matter what I say he was going to get his way. If anyone is stubborn here, it's him, "Fine, but I don't like this." I complained in a low mumble.

He smiled victoriously, "And I don't care."

I rolled my eyes and walked around him so I could stand at the end of the conveyor belt and watched as a young girl bagged the items, "If I knew you'd do this, I would have grabbed less."

"We both know I can afford it, don't worry," He chuckled as he pulled out his wallet from his back pocket, a picture falling out as he did. It was the picture, the one I saw him take from the man who was following us. I caught a glimpse of it before he stepped back and covered it with his shoe — there was a smiling woman with two young girls, around the ages of three and five if I had to guess.

Would he actually hurt them like he threatened he would? Or was he only trying to scare the man?

I'm only hoping it was a simple scare tactic. It's hard to believe someone this sweet and kind could end the lives of anyone. Not even his record has him accused of murder, it just never seemed like his style to me — based off of what I've read, witnessed, and heard.

The only time I've ever suspected him of anything along those lines was the body in the alley, but by now I know it wasn't him, in fact we still don't know who that was and it's meant to be Connors job to figure out. But it seems he's been too busy ruining our marriage to do that, maybe I'll just take things into my hands and solve it.

I watched as the cashier scanned the last few items and my eyes widened when I saw the total, knowing the majority of it was because of me, "Your total is three-hundred and seventy-seven dollars and forty-two cents."

"What the fuck did I buy?" I whispered to myself while eyeing everything being bagged — I probably could have done without the three different kinds of chips.

Anakin looked at me with a raised brow, "The entire store."

I smacked his arm, "Don't tease me."

He laughed while he slipped his card inside of the reader and pressed in his pin, "It's a good thing I'm rich. You're an expensive date." The moment he mentioned he was rich, the young girl bagging the groceries, who looked to be around the age of eighteen or nineteen, glanced at him and her eyes lingered. She was checking him out and not being subtle about it in the slightest.

I got closer to him, feeling a bit annoyed by her, "Hey, I offered to pay for my own stuff, but you insisted."

"I know," He pulled his card out after it accepted and approved the transaction, the receipt then started to print, "I just love to tease you." He winked at me when he took his receipt from the hand of the employee who was holding it out to him, "Thank you," He smiled before turning his attention to me and ushering me to walk to the basket that was now full of our bags.

The moment I had my back turned I knew he bent down and grabbed that picture, because when I placed my hands on the basket to push, I looked in that direction and it was gone. Anakin walked by my side as I pushed the basket and his eyes were on the receipt, "Are you sure you live alone or have some secret boyfriend I should know about?" He joked and I knew he was joking, but it didn't stop my heart from skipping a dreadful beat.

I pushed a chuckle to escape my throat, "I'm hungry okay, I grabbed everything that looked good."

He laughed lightly as he nudged me aside and took control of the heavy basket, "Well try not to snack too much, I am about to make you the best dinner you will ever have."

Judging by the items he grabbed, I had a lot of faith in that statement.

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"Here," Anakin scooped up a pasta shell with a large spoon out of the pan, and held it up to my lips with a confident smile. I was currently seated on the counter next to the stove, being a good hostess and keeping him company as he cooked for me and I've been loving every second of it, "Be my taste tester." He brought it closer and the delightful smell engulfed my senses.

I opened my mouth as a way of accepting his request and as soon as I tasted it, I was in complete heaven, "Oh my god," I covered my mouth and couldn't help but moan, "This is amazing." I eyed the pan, admiring his skills. What he made for me was pasta mixed with vodka sauce, chicken, and sun-dried tomatoes. It sounds like a basic meal, but whatever seasoning he added to it made it taste like I got it from a five star restaurant.

"I knew you'd love it," He used the same spoon I ate from to stir the entree — which most might find gross, but it's not like he's never had his mouth on mouth.

"I agree with your sister, a chef would have been a perfect choice for you." He chuckled with a nod of agreement, but didn't comment on it, "Why didn't you become chef? Why a club owner instead?" I asked as I tossed a few chips in my mouth from the open bag I had next to me.

The smile he held slowly fell and he never made eye contact with me as he continued to stir the pasta that no longer needed to be stirred, "Money," He answered with a heavy sigh, "After my mother passed, money was an issue and the chef path wasn't offering as much as I needed. I had Ahsoka to take care of as well as mountains of medical bills for both my mother and her. Plus if I didn't prove I made enough in a certain amount of time, CPS was going to take her from me."

So this is why he got mixed up in what he's doing, it was mainly all for Ahsoka. No wonder he's so hard on her with school and getting her life together, he gave up his for her and doesn't want to see her waste it. The more I learn about him, the more I'm starting to understand it all. I knew he wasn't a bad person, just someone who was dealt a bad hand at life and had limited options.

"What was wrong with Ahsoka? And is she okay now?" I questioned. That's one thing that that surprised me. I already theorized him needing money for his moms medical bills, and even CPS at one point, but I never knew she herself was racking up medical bills.

He nodded, "I'll tell you, but you can't tell her or anyone that I did or she'll smother me in my sleep," He tapped the spoon against the pan to remove some of the excess sauce before setting it down and turning off the fire.

I placed my hand over my heart, "You have my word boss."

He scooted over so he was in front of me and grabbed the hand that was over my chest so he could interlock his fingers with mine. He then placed himself between my legs and his other hand rested on my thigh, "After our mother passed, it hit Ahsoka pretty hard. She was young and confused on why her mother wasn't the one tucking her in bed every night anymore," His tone was sad and I noticed he was keeping his attention on our joint hands as he gently played with my fingers, like he was trying to distract himself in a way, "It took a mental toll on her, so until she was about fifteen she was in and out of multiple psychiatric institutions. I didn't want to put her there but I had no choice, I couldn't watch her like I needed to and leaving her alone terrified me because I wasn't sure what she was capable of," This conversation made a turn I did not expect and I was surprised he was sharing something so personal with me.

It actually felt wrong to know.

"All of this explains why she's so tough." I insinuated as I placed my free hand on top of his that was on my thigh as a way of comforting him during this topic that I'm sure is difficult for him.

He nodded in agreement, "Yeah, but thankfully she got better around the time Piett walked into our lives and even though they've only been dating for a year. I know she's adored him a lot longer than that," He smiled, he seemed glad that his sister found something to make her happy, "And him, her — it was love at first sight."

"So you really did know about them from the beginning?"

His smile slightly widened, "It was very obvious, and I know why she didn't tell me so I'm not mad she hid it from me. I wasn't the easiest on her when it came to boys."

"What makes Piett any different?" I tilted my head curiously.

Anakin remained silent as he thought for a moment, his brows knitting as his stared off like he wasn't here, "Because I know he only has good intentions with her, and he also knows that I may be his best friend, but I'm a brother to Ahsoka first so I will bury him in my backyard if I'm given a reason." He shrugged nonchalantly, his smile shifting into a mischievous, playful one.

I chuckled as I pushed on his shoulder, "You wouldn't hurt him. You've made it clear that he's your brother as much as she's your sister."

"Yeah I know," He pushed me back, but he was a lot gentler than I was like he was worried I would break if he pushed any harder, "But I will give him a very long silent treatment."

I raised a brow, "Oh yeah and for how long? An hour?"

"Hey, that's a long time for us." He fake whined. I couldn't help but laugh aloud, which made him smile more, causing the dimple on his cheek to show, "You're so beautiful when you laugh." He began brushing my hair behind my ear and my heart skipped a beat, our eyes locked on each other. Fluttering filled my stomach when he got closer, and involuntarily, I wet my lips and took in a sharp breath while I prepared for our lips to meet, "(y/n)."

"Yes?" I breathed through the thick air between us. I couldn't even hear the sound of my fridge anymore or the TV playing in the background. All I did hear was my own heart beating against my eardrum, and Anakin's nervous breathing.

"I'm falling in love with you."

My breath hitched in my throat and for a moment it felt like I was choking every-time I tried to speak — until seconds later I found my voice, although it was shaking. He made me nervous, "I-I know, you told me at your-"

"No," He shook his head, a calm and serene look in his eyes, "What I said at the house was I think I'm falling in love with you," He repeated, "But I'm not thinking about it anymore because I know I am. I know I'm falling in love with you. How could I not? You're perfect."

Water filled my eyes, I truly didn't deserve his heart, "Anakin," I choked on my words, "I'm not everything you think I am, and I'm far from perfect—"

He cut my words off when he crashed his lips to mine. He brought his hands up to my neck and gently held me as he turned his to the side, kissing me with every ounce of affection he had for me and it was...enthralling.

He kissed me a little longer before giving me one soft peck, and backing away so our eyes could meet again, "You're perfect to me."

I let out a shaky breath as I caressed his face, "Anakin, what are you doing to me?" I whispered as I held onto his face and brought his forehead to mine. This man...I can't explain it but in a matter of days he dug his claws so deep and I was completely head over heels for him. I didn't even care about the job when I was in his arms, I almost forgot about it completely.

"Can I ask you a question?" I broke the lingering silence.

He nodded, "Of course you can."

I swallowed and cleared my throat, "Do you ever dream of me?" Because I dream of him almost every night. Even if it's subtle, he's always there. And something my dad once told me when we talked about love and the future stuck with me — the true love of your life will make the world so much brighter and give you a sense of peace whenever they're around. And you're so infatuated with each other that you don't want to sleep anymore because you want to spend every moment with them, and even when you do sleep, they're in your dreams.

"(Y/n)," He cupped my face softly, "You are in every dream."

"Fuck," The fluttering in my stomach flourished as the air momentarily left my lungs. Every sign was pointing me in the direction of confessing that I was falling in love too, but I wasn't ready for that. I wasn't ready to say that out loud, mainly because I wasn't ready to admit it to myself. I knew what it meant if I did, "Please just kiss me." I grazed my lips against his, I was desperate to silence the guilty voices in my head.

"With pleasure," He smiled as he closed the distance between us and gently kissed me, making the world dim around us once again.

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Honest opinions? I'm a little nervous about this one. I hope I'm not going too fast 🥲
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