A/N: As usual, I would recommend putting the video on loop.

Out of all the outfits, (f/n) selected the one that revealed the least amount of skin. She didn't want to show off anything to Tristan and give him any ideas. In fact, she was tempted to make a sticker that read Anita made me wear this. That way, he'd get the hint that she wasn't trying to impress him. Then again, he might take that another way somehow and interpret it as her simply being funny. If only a punch to the face would be funny and considered polite to him. Happily, she'd give him that. And if Kaleb could be included, all the better.

Unfortunately, she'd have to hold off on such actions towards Kaleb and Tristan. She couldn't give them a reason to suspect anything. But, she still wished to wear jeans; however, she'd go along with Anita's desire to pick out her outfits for the time being since that was the norm. Breaking it would cause Anita to get suspicious or get her to be demanding on Tristan becoming her boyfriend. Nearly, (f/n) gagged at the thought.

Thankfully, Anita already had left, so she hadn't seen the expression forming on her face. A frown was there presently on (f/n)'s lips, and her arms were crossed. In front of her, the outfit was on the bed. This whole thing really was making her curse her past self for her decisions on clothes. But, she did like to dress up and show off every now and then, just not in this situation.

Hearing creaking behind her, she peered over her left shoulder. In the past, she would've jumped and spun around quickly, but she told herself that she trusted him. She could be more herself around him now than Anita. Lee stepped up beside her and looked over the outfit. It consisted of light blue denim shorts, a brown belt, grey v-neck and a black cardigan. There also was a pair of black ankle boots by the bed. A note was passed to her. Will you be alright?

"I have to be. I won't be comfortable, though." She huffed. "I'd rather not show off my legs around that creep."

And, changing your outfit won't work, right? Anita will wonder if something is up since you've always gone along with her behavior. She nodded and sighed deeply, clearly distressed over the matter. Well, you do have a cardigan, so you can hold that close.

"I know, but that doesn't make me feel any better about this." He knew that too, and she was in a rough, horrible spot. Lee placed his right hand on her shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze. She didn't remove his hand. "I either go through with this or have Anita and Kaleb come up with another idea to remove me from the café." A shiver went up her spine. "How do I string them along and not have him try to get closer? I really don't even want to hold his hand."

Admittedly, he didn't care for the idea himself, but the other route held a lot of uncertainties. Still, he didn't want her to put herself into a situation that would make her too vulnerable. She was his partner in this now, and he carried a personal connection to her. He couldn't deny that he wanted to look out for her the best way that he could. If you become too uncomfortable, tell him off. We'll have to be more cautious about what to expect from Anita and Kaleb.

Glancing to him, she looked surprised. "But then ..." A note was handed to her before she could finish.

I know what that'll mean, but I don't want you to find yourself in a dangerous situation either. You're already in one, but I don't want it to become even more so. His hand moved from her shoulder to her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. I've dealt with situations like this before. If things become more difficult, we adjust, and you can rely on me.

Her (e/c) eyes looked down to their joined hands, and she nodded slowly. He pulled his hand away and faced the clothes. Lee crossed his arms before he met her gaze. A note came soon after. Try them on. Let's see how they look.

Unsure of his motive, she raised a brow and gave him a questioning look. He didn't write anything down, just indicated to the clothes with his head. "Why?" Lee did the same motion, and she sighed. "Okay, fine. I don't get what this will accomplish." (F/n) grabbed the clothes and headed into her closet to change. She locked the door behind her since she still did want privacy. They may be working together, but that didn't mean that she was comfortable changing around him either.

When she was finished, she stepped out and saw Lee sitting on the edge of her bed. He stood up and closed some of the distance between them. Lee walked around her, and she felt ... nervous. She wasn't uncomfortable, but she wanted him to say something to break the silence and prevent him from staring anymore. Thankfully, he soon stopped in front of her and nodded.

It suits you. You look cozy, yet fashionable. A short denim skirt and black tights would look good on you too with the rest of the outfit.

"I'm not trying to draw more attention to myself, Lee." She huffed and walked around him before she seated herself on the bed and blew some of her hair out of her face. "And, I'm definitely not wearing a short skirt around him." Slightly, she glared at him, and she trusted that he would keep his promise about not acting like before around her.

I'm not saying you should. I'm simply saying that it'd look nice on you.

Huffing again, she muttered, "When did you become the fashion expert?" If only she knew, but he didn't plan on telling her. Well, perhaps, he could in the future if he was willing. They both had their secrets still, and she'd have to give a little for him to do the same. But, he did know that she was drawing him in more. "Anyway, can you tell me now why you wanted me to do this?"

To keep your mind off of Tristan. If he compliments you, don't think of it as him. Think of it as me. I already told you look nice. Focus on that.

For a moment, she simply blinked before she crossed her arms and chuckled lightly. She shook her head and quirked a brow. "Really?" An amused smirk touched her lips. "First you compliment me the other night. Now, you want me to think of you instead of him." She laughed quietly. He could see what she was getting at, but he didn't respond for the moment. "Are you flirting with me?" Honestly, the idea was very strange to her, but the whole situation was, and that probably was why she found it amusing in that moment. Her mind couldn't really think what to make of it, so it resorted to laughing as a way to keep her from looking too much into it.

I'm trying to help you feel more comfortable for tomorrow. You're laughing rather than frowning right now, aren't you? Her laughing stopped before she shook her head again and smiled a little. She did feel a little better after the conversation, but she realized that he didn't answer her question either.

"I suppose so, but what about my question?" Her eyes locked with his, and she wished that she could see his expression. When he began to walk closer to her, she couldn't deny that her heart beat a little faster. Did she like being around him? Well, more so than Anita now. There also was the fact that his comforting gestures did ease her mind every now and then. Probably, she could see him developing into a friend if he kept up this behavior. More than that was something that she couldn't think on at the moment. It was like before. But instead of laughing this time around, she forced herself to concentrate on the fact that he was now a couple of steps from her.

Looking up to him, she took the note he handed her soon after. I've told you before that you're attractive. But whether you want my comments to be flirting with you or not is your decision. I'm still undecided, but ... She saw him head over to her closet and retrieve her laptop and charger. Her eyes glanced back to the note. I do know that I want to look out for you.

Furrowing her brows, she questioned, "So then, you might like me?" Her words sounded doubtful, and she truthfully didn't know how to feel about his uncertainty. If asked before she had heard Kaleb and Tristan, she would've freaked out and made plans to get rid of him. It was disorienting sometimes how quickly things could change based on one event. Lee shrugged and signaled to the laptop.

"Right ... We should start looking for more information." She got up from her bed and grabbed her pajamas. (F/n) changed swiftly in her closet and met Lee out in her room since he had waited. They soon were walking down the steps to the other dining room. Neither of them said/wrote anything to the other at first, but she eventually mentioned, "Thanks." He continued to look forward, but he had moved just enough to indicate he was listening. "You did make me feel better."

At the bottom of the steps, he rested a hand on top of her head and ruffled her hair a bit. She tucked her head in a little, but she eventually looked up and saw him holding out the laptop and charger with his other hand. (F/n) took the items from him, and he motioned to the kitchen. "You're going to be cooking again?" Lee shook his head and wrote a note.

Just grabbing you some food. There are leftovers from today's service. I'll grab Scarlett's, not Anita's. At that, she smiled and nodded in thanks. He nodded back before he walked off. Most likely, he'd reheat it in the microwave due to the stove and him not being heat resistant. Whatever the case, she appreciated the action and knew that he wasn't a huge fan of cooking. But, a part of her wouldn't mind him making her another meal like before.