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

 Walking down the sidewalk, she felt like every step was a stone weighing her down. (F/n) really considered pretending to get lost as she got closer and closer to the terrible destination. As if Tristan predicted her possible action, she heard her name being called and his familiar voice. "(F/n)!" Inwardly irritated, she faked a look of confusion and glanced around for him. There he was. He was further down the street from the café.

A light denim jacket was on him along with black jeans, grey t-shirt and grey and black sneakers. His hair was messy, wavy and curly in the front, yet he had it brushed to the side as though his hair state of disarray was intentional. Tristan's light blue eyes held a deceitful kindness in them, and she didn't wear a smile. Instead, she waved to him and met him halfway. "Didn't trust that I'd show?" she asked once she got close enough.

Chuckling, he shook his head. "No, I just thought that it might be nice for me to walk you there." She hummed in doubt, which only caused him to emit another chuckle. He took her left hand in his right and began walking. How she wanted to rip her hand away, but she forced herself to keep holding hands with him. They had at the park, so she'd keep up appearances. "How have you been? I heard that business is still doing well." Yeah, Kaleb probably loved that news.

"The usual. How about yours?"

"Good. I drew up some designs recently that I'm really proud of. I'd have to show you sometime."

"Oh?" She quirked a brow and looked up to him. "Is this your way of inviting me over to the hotel?"

"Possibly. I certainly wouldn't mind." He smiled back to her and gave her hand a gentle squeeze. Nearly, she cringed, but she acted indifferent instead. "I'd like to get your opinion on them at some point."

"I'm no interior designer, Tristan," she commented, looking ahead again and acting like she didn't know why he'd ask for her opinion. But, she knew. He wanted to make her feel more welcome in the business, lure her in and take her away so that Anita and Kaleb could run the café together.

"That doesn't matter," he reassured and gave her hand another squeeze. "I still want your opinion because I'm growing to like you."

"Even if it's horrible? What if I affect one of your relationships with one of your clients or multiple?" she questioned, wondering if he'd crack under the questions. Unfortunately, he didn't.

"I assure you that wouldn't happen." They turned a corner and went down another street. "An outside opinion will be beneficial. It'll give me new ideas for future designs."

"Well, I suppose." She shrugged and didn't comment on his remark about growing to like her, but he brought it up in her place.

"Then, I take it that you'd be willing at some point," he mentioned, hopeful. She sighed and shrugged, which made him smile. "Does that mean that you're growing to like me more?"

"I haven't pulled my hand away, have I?" She even held their intertwined hands up, and she kept away the desire to vomit.

Smile softening even more, he nodded. "You're right. I could get used to this."

Returning his smile with a warning look, she responded, "Then, don't screw today up."

"Wouldn't dream of it." He looked away from her and held her hand tighter, feeling more confident. How wonderful. She just hoped that she hadn't given him too much confidence. Up ahead, she could see the sign reading Cup of Pastry. Maybe, she could let go of his hand and dash off as soon as he opened the door. Such a scenario sounded wonderful.

Rather, he opened the door and let her head inside before he entered after her. The place did smell pretty good. A rich smell of coffee and cinnamon hit her nose. She saw one of the workers placing a tray of freshly baked cinnamon rolls into the dessert display case. Tristan noticed her staring and smiled. "I'll get you one." That broke her stare, and she pouted a bit before she thanked him.

Going over to the counter, she looked over the menu on the back wall while they waited in line. It was a decent menu; what she'd expect of a coffee shop. When it was their turn to order, she got a dark roast cup of coffee with cream and a little sugar. She didn't want it to overpower the flavor of the cinnamon roll. Tristan ordered a cappuccino, and he paid for it all. (F/n) offered, but he refused to let her pay. It didn't bother her, more that she didn't want to feel like she owed him anything. Or rather give him the impression that she owed him something. If anything, he owed her honesty and needed to leave her alone out of respect for her as a person.

They made their way to a table, and she noted that it was towards the back of the establishment. How lovely. The table was square and sat two. Nothing was on the table, and red pendant lights illuminated the place. Such lighting made the space darker and gave it a more private feeling, especially since there wasn't anyone else sitting towards the back. Some ordered and left. Others sat at the front, but there remained tables opened at the front too. She just really hoped that he didn't try anything.

Soon, one of the workers headed back to their table and placed their order on the table. Both of them thanked the employee before they focused on their drink and food. Well, she did, but she could feel him looking at her. She didn't pay him any mind. (F/n) took a sip of her drink after she pulled off a bit of her cinnamon roll. "What do you think?"

After she swallowed, she looked like she was debating his question quite a bit before she answered, "Not bad. They put in enough cinnamon and added enough icing on top." Before she took another bite, she noted him staring. Almost, she groaned. No wonder he didn't order anything. He wanted some of hers to be cute or some b*llsh*t like that. Fantastic. Well, he'd have to ask.

Give it a second or two. "Could I try a bit?" There it was. He really shouldn't be so predictable if he was going to play games with her. Then again, she'd be the fool if she never had heard that conversation of his with Kaleb. She'd probably still be calling Lee a liar and playing further into Anita' trap. Even though that night had hurt, she was grateful for it because she now wouldn't be letting Anita, Kaleb and Tristan control her future.

"Why don't you order one?" she questioned, resting her chin on the palm of her hand.

"I might not like it," he answered after a sip of his cappuccino. "But if you don't want to, that's fine as well."

"... Fair enough." She sighed and ripped off a small piece before she handed it to him. "You did this on purpose, didn't you?" she asked in a teasing accusatory voice. A gentle laugh parted from him as he took the piece of food from her, but she knew the laugh to be a falsity.

"... Maybe." He smiled and popped the piece of cinnamon roll into his mouth. Tristan nodded in approval. "But, it was worth it."

Moving the plate closer to her, she didn't look amused. "Well, I'm not giving you anymore. So, you'll have to order another one."

Now, he chuckled quite a bit and smiled widely. "I will if I feel like it, but that was enough for now. But," his smile softened, "I'm happy that you're liking this place. Maybe, we can come more often. Or, stop for a coffee here before we go somewhere else." After another sip of his coffee, he suggested, "We could look at the designs."

"Ah, so that's where this is going," she commented, raising a brow.

"I couldn't resist." Yeah, she knew that already. The jerk. "But, Anita's been talking to Kaleb about another idea." That gave her pause, and she held his gaze. "I know. She always seems to be scheming," he chuckled out, and she sighed in agreement. "She was suggesting heading to the community center and going to the pool."

"... Oh." She glanced to her plate and somehow managed not to show any panic on her face. "What do you think?"

"It might be fun. But, I'm open to what you want to do." Of course, he'd say that. And, she wondered if Anita had given him any old pictures of her in a swimsuit. It wouldn't surprise her, but the thought also disgusted her.

"I don't know. If we do go, I might just sit on the side." Maybe, that'd deter him from going.

"Well, that won't be fun for you, will it?" he questioned before taking a sip of his coffee. She sighed again to answer him. Regardless of what they did for their next date, it wouldn't be fun. "So, where else would you like to go?" Away from him, but she forced herself to think of a different answer.