"Nothing ever ends poetically. It ends and we turn it into poetry. All that blood was never once beautiful. It was just red."

―Kait Rokowski

I flitted around the house all morning, dusting and packing away things in an effort to subdue my agitation of seeing Nathan again. I was acting like a lovesick teenager and I rolled my eyes at my ridiculousness.

"He's just a guy Taylor. Just a guy," I told myself while I rearranged the books on the shelf in the living room for the third time. "Just a really hot guy who has the power to bring you to your knees with want―"

I groaned and bit my lip. It was frustrating the way my thoughts drifted back to him regardless of what I was doing. Sighing, I grabbed my phone from beside me and scrolled through my songs, hoping to drown my thoughts with music. Music was always the answer.

I clicked on a Green Day mix and put the phone back after adjusting the volume.

"Do you know what's worth fighting for
When it's not worth dying for?
Does it take your breath away
And you feel yourself suffocating."

I raised my brow at the lyrics and then shrugged, deciding that I'd rather be depressed for a bit than pine away for Nathan.

"Does the pain weigh out the pride?
And you look for a place to hide
Did someone break your heart inside
You're in ruins."

"I totally dig the vibe," Hailey's voice floated above the music.

"Care to join me?" I asked, reaching for the phone to lower the volume.

"I can't," she pouted, putting her arm around me. "I'm meeting Michael in a few."

I groaned. "Ugh, him."

She swatted my arm and took a seat on the couch. After a few minutes I joined her and placed my feet on the coffee table as Basket Case started playing. "I don't get what you see in him," I told her.

"You wouldn't," she replied. "But I love him Taylor."

"And he loves himself too," I countered. "You keep putting yourself through the same heartbreak over and over and over―"

"I get it," she cut me off. "You can shut up now."

I shot her a glare. "You're an idiot."

"And you're not?"

"We're not talking about me."

It was silent for a few minutes with only the music playing in the background to ease the tension. Hailey and I had this conversation more times than I cared to remember and it never ceased to amaze me how ridiculous it was.

"You act like you don't feel the same way that I do about Michael when it comes to Brian," she accused.

I sighed. "Don't do this Hails."

"I love him," she said quietly. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. When I reopened them and glanced at her, she had tears in her eyes. "I love everything about him, especially his flaws."

"You love the fact that he's a selfish asshole who only remembers you when there's no one else?" I asked not bothering to conceal my irritation. "Hailey, you're his five minute cigarette break. He lights you up whenever he's in the mood and then when he's tired of you he grinds you out with the bottom of his shoe."

Silent tears streamed down her face but I wasn't done yet.

"Stop," she whispered.

"You stop," I snapped. "Stop allowing yourself to be his doormat. You're so much better than that."

She ground her teeth and stared at the floor. "I'm not."

I wanted to pull her into my arms and hug her pain away but I couldn't. I wasn't about to empathize with her for belittling herself.

"Don't kill the flowers growing inside of you for someone who doesn't appreciate the way you bloom," I told her, repeating the same line that I'd been using since college. It was fruitless then and probably still was, but I had to try.

She sucked in a breath and I continued. "You're a rose garden Hailey. Don't you ever forget that."

She wiped her tears away and let out a shaky breath. "I have to go or I'll be late."

I stared at her incredulously. "Did you not hear a single word that I've said?"

"I heard you Taylor; I'm just choosing not to listen," she said rising to her feet. "I'll call you later. Have fun with Nathan."

I watched her leave and when I shook my head something wet hit my legs. It took me a second to realize that it was a teardrop. I swiped at my eyes and sighed.

"Do you know the enemy?
Do you know your enemy?
Well gotta' know the enemy, ohaooh!"

Billie Joe Armstrong's voice echoed throughout the mostly silent room and I almost laughed at the irony. In Hailey's case the enemy was herself. While, I'd love to blame her issues on her asshole ex it wouldn't be fair. She was damaged long before she met him but instead of healing her wounded heart he shattered it all over again.

"Asshole," I muttered.

**

I arrived at the coffee shop half an hour earlier than I was supposed to and took solace at the table that I'd crowned as 'ours'.

"Hey, what can I get you?"

I glanced at the girl standing before me and tilted my head to the side so that I could read her nametag— Sara. "Do you have anything for the sad hearted?"

She smiled and scribbled something on her notepad. "I'll be right back with a pumpkin spice latte."

I nodded and turned my gaze to the window, willing my thoughts not to drift to Hailey.

"Here you go," Sara said giving me a small smile as she placed the coffee on the table. "Told you I'd be right back."

I thanked her and took a tentative sip of the latte. Not bad. Not bad at all, I mused.

I glanced at my watch and sighed. Twenty long minutes more until I'd get to see Nathan. I took another sip of my latte followed by two more before I glanced out the window.

Turns out I didn't have that long to wait after all because Mr. sinfully-sexy himself showed up about ten minutes later with a smile that mirrored my own.

"Hey," he said, almost in a whisper.

"Hey yourself," I replied unable to contain my joy at seeing him.

"I don't know about you, but today has been just about the longest day of my life," he said with a laugh. "I was counting down the hours until I'd see you again."

I crinkled my nose. "Creep."

He flashed me a broad smile and I clamped my legs together to keep the floodgates closed.

I'm going to hell in so many different religions. I thought with a wry smile. Straight to hell, no stops, no detours.

Sara returned to our table and took Nathan's order.

"Can I get a refill?" I asked, pointing to my almost empty cup.

"Sure thing sweetie," she replied with a smile before going to the booth behind ours.

"So, Taylor," Nathan began.

"So, Nate," I chuckled and at his amused expression I hastily added, "it's cool if I call you Nate right?"

He shrugged. "I've been called worse."

I laughed. "People always say that but what's the worst thing that someone can call you? Asshole? Dickhead? Shitface? Cunt-muffin?"

"Woah there," Nathan chuckled. "There are little ones around."

I glanced around me. "Yeah, way over there," I said pointing to the other side of the coffee shop. "I think it's safe."

He rolled his eyes and I laughed.

"I love your laugh," he mused.

"This old thing?" I asked. "Oh please."

A ghost of a smile appeared on his mouth and he shook his head.

"What?" I asked, sipping my latte.

"I've only known you for three days and I can't get you out of my mind," he confessed. "It's freaking me out and then you laughed and I can't imagine what it'll be like not hearing that sound ever again."

I raised my brow a little. "Is that so?"

He nodded. "You've wormed your way into my life Taylor and I fear there's no getting rid of you."

I couldn't resist smiling. "That is the single nicest thing you've ever said to me," I told him, clutching my heart. "It hit me right here."

He let out a quick burst of laughter and I found myself staring at him. His laugh was just as infectious as his smile and the thought crossed my mind that I'd do just about anything to keep him from losing that.

This was one of those times that I wanted to wrap him in my arms and hug his sadness away. I knew it was there right underneath that laugh. It was the same with Hailey, the same with me. Sadness was always there, lurking beneath our laughter.

"You're not gonna bail on me again are you?" he asked, his expression somber now.

My breath hitched and I hesitated, staring at my hands wrapped around my cup instead. "I can't make you any promises," I finally answered, glancing at him.

He nodded but I doubt he understood. It's not that I wanted to be the kind of person that finds running away easier than staying but sometimes I couldn't help myself and sometimes running away was actually the better option.

"You don't have to be afraid of getting hurt," he said, reaching for my hand. I let him take it.

I closed my eyes when his hand met mine. Sparks of electricity tingled throughout my body when he cupped my face with his other hand. "Look at me, Taylor," he commanded.

I shook my head. "I can't."

I wanted to stop this moment from being so intimate but it was too late. Something as innocent as him touching my face sent my body into overdrive and I hated it.

"Look at me," he said again, softer this time.

I opened my eyes and cringed when I found myself staring into his. He was looking at me the way Brian used to. I immediately looked away.

Nope. I wasn't going there today.

I risked another glance at Nathan and offered him a small smile. I wasn't going to run away today either.

"Wanna get out of here?" he asked, still gripping my hand in his.

I nodded and he left to take care of the bill.

As much as I liked my independence and all that ish I wasn't about to offer to pay. No way José. If the coffee was free then I was a-okay with that.

**

He took me to a gallery a few blocks away and we sipped free wine while I pretended to be interested in the scenery.

I sighed and dangled the wine glass between my fingers as I stared at the canvas before me.

"What are you thinking about?" Nathan whispered in my ear.

His nearness sent shivers down my spine and I swallowed before turning my head in his direction. He was so close...too close.

"You're into art," I stated. "I wouldn't have guessed."

He smiled and then pointed to the canvas. "What do you see when you look at this?"

I pretended to study it and then I shrugged.

"You didn't even try."

I rolled my eyes. "I see a painting just like any other."

He stroked his chin and I suppressed a giggle. "Really? That's all you see?"

"Can't I just enjoy the wine? I'm no good at the art scene," I mumbled and took a sip to emphasize my point.

He slung an arm over my shoulder and pulled me closer to him. I sighed and rested my head in the crook of his neck. He smelled nice.

"You smell nice," I mumbled. "Do you always have to smell so nice?"

He laughed and I stepped away from him. That laugh was going to be my undoing.

"Come back here," he sighed and held out his hand.

I shook my head and took an involuntary step back. I needed to put some space between us. I was sure that I was going to fall for him no matter what I did but the least that I could do was minimize the pain I'd feel when this fantasy ended. And the best way to do that was by putting as much room between us as possible.

"What do you see when you look at the painting?" I asked, taking a sip of my wine.

"I see hope," he replied, not missing a beat.

"That's a pretty sad looking painting," I argued, staring at it once more. "What's so sad about hope?"

"Some people say that having hoped is worse than having loved." He looked at me and I raised my brow.

"Why?"

"Because there are at least a million songs about the latter."

I nodded in agreement and tipped the glass back, downing the rest of the wine. "Alrighty then."

He smiled and my heart skipped a beat. "Your smile is quite the masterpiece," I heard myself say.

"It's reserved only for you."

I smiled at him. "That's hot."

He grinned and was about to respond when someone behind me cut in.

"Nathaniel?"

He cringed at the woman's voice and his smile faded.

"Nathaniel," she repeated, stepping into view. "I thought that was you."

He stepped closer to me and put his arm around my waist, pulling me to his side. I raised my brow but didn't comment. Instead, I focused on the stunning blonde standing a few inches away from us.

'Pretty' is not the word that I'd use to describe her because she wasn't pretty, she was simply stunning. She had the kind of beauty that had just a hint of bitterness to it.

"Emily," he said with a nod in her direction.

She raised a perfectly plucked eyebrow. "What's this?"

"What's what?" he asked, the words sounded strained.

I tried to back away but his grip tightened and I sighed in defeat.

"Who are you?" she asked, addressing me with a hint of disdain in her voice.

I raised my chin and flashed her a smile. "Why don't you try introducing yourself and we'll see where it goes from there."

The glare that she threw my way would've made anybody shrink away, but not me. I was beyond intrigued.

"I'm Emily Brock, the fiancée and you are?" she asked sweetly.

I tried not to let my disgust show but the way Nathan's grip faltered made me feel nauseous. "Ex fiancée," he corrected her and then glanced at me. "Ex fiancée."

She rolled her eyes. "Technicalities darling."

"Nate," another woman equally as stunning as Emily said, appearing at his side. "I didn't expect to see you here." She hugged him and then glanced between the three of us.

"Taylor, this is my sister Kelly. Kelly, my date Taylor," he said, sounding drained.

"Nice to meet you Taylor," Kelly greeted me with a smile. "You're the coffee shop girl right?"

I gave her a tentative smile. "That'd be me." I didn't say that it was nice to meet her though because the verdict was still out on that one.

I was still trying to get over the fact that Nathan introduced me as his date and had an ex-fiancée when Kelly hugged me. It was enough to overwhelm anybody.

I patted her back awkwardly and glanced at Nathan. He mouthed the words 'I'm sorry' and I narrowed my eyes at him.

"Davenport!" a guy yelled, receiving disapproving glares.

Nathan grinned and I sighed in relief that it wasn't another female. If his mother showed up I was out of there.

The other guy and Nathan did one of those man-hugs and then they fist bumped each other. He then turned to Kelly and released a low whistle.

Kelly rolled her eyes. "Caden. What an unpleasant surprise."

"Hi Caden," Emily piped up, flashing him a smile.

"Satan," he nodded at her.

"Caden, this is Taylor," Kelly told him, gesturing to me. "Nate's date."

He raised his brow and cracked a smile. "Holy hell."

Nathan tightened his hold on me once again and I glared at him. "Taylor, meet my best bud Caden Becket."

"Hello Caden," I said cautiously.

"Hello gorgeous," Caden said, giving me another smile before he turned back to Kelly who rolled her eyes again.

"I'm sorry," Nathan whispered in my ear.

I squeezed his arm to assure him that I wasn't that mad. It wasn't his fault that our trip had turned into a reunion of sorts.

"I'll take you home," he offered, finally letting go of me. I missed him at once.

"That's alright. I'll head back to The Atrium and retrieve my car," I told him, not missing Emily's glare.

I shot her a look that could probably melt ice and Nathan grabbed my hand. "I'll go with you."

"You're leaving so soon?" Kelly asked, disappointment evident in her tone.

"You guys kind of ruined our date," he said and kissed her cheek. "I'll call you later." And to Caden, "I'll see you tomorrow."

He didn't spare a glance at Emily as we left. I waved to Kelly and Caden and followed Nathan outside.

"I'm really sorry about all of that," he said as we walked.

"You should be," I said with a teasing smile.

He reached for my hand and laced his fingers in mine. "I am. Especially about the Emily bit."

I tensed at that. I didn't want to talk about her.

He brought my hand to his lips and placed a tender kiss on it before lowering it to his side, our fingers still entwined.

A contented smile made its way onto my face as I stared at our hands. "Why was I the only one who didn't know that we were on a date?"

"I wanted to surprise you," he grimaced. "And I was afraid that you'd bolt if I mentioned it before."

I laughed and bumped my hip against his. "Worst date ever by the way."

He groaned. "I know. I'll make it up to you next time."

I raised my brow. "Next time?"

"Of course we'll probably have to go underground to avoid my family," he joked. "Can I borrow your phone?"

I handed it over and he took a selfie of us. He then entered his number and saved our photo as his contact image before dialing himself.

"You'd better call me tonight," I told him, when we neared the parking lot.

"With that attitude?" he asked, shaking his head. "I don't think so."

I swatted his hand and he slung his arm over my shoulder. "So, Saturday?" he asked.

I braced against my car and studied him. He still hadn't let go of my hand and he was staring at me with a look that said he was definitely looking forward to Saturday.

"I have a rule against sleeping with guys that I'm not in love with," I told him and grinned when his smile faded. Better to let him know what he was getting himself into before we both ended up disappointed.

"Who said anything about sleeping together?" he asked regarding me with curiosity. "You have a filthy mind little vixen."

I covered my mouth to stifle my laughter and wrestled my other hand free so that I could thump him.

He caught my hand and pulled me into him, holding me tight against his chest. I resisted the urge to bury my face in his neck.

"You smell nice," he whispered into my hair.

"Thank you," I mumbled.

He let go of me for a moment and then he was pulling me close again. I rolled my eyes. "Make up your mind dammit!"

He chuckled and cupped my chin, tilting my face to meet his.

I held my breath as I stared at him. He was so handsome and those eyes― those striking green eyes seemed to bore a hole into my soul.

"You are so beautiful Taylor," he whispered.

I let out a shaky breath and nodded, unable to form a coherent sentence with his face mere inches from mine.

He lowered his head and smiled at my sharp intake of breath. I closed my eyes as his lips brushed mine, gently at first, teasing me. I smiled and wove my hands into his hair, pulling him closer.

He deepened the kiss and I parted my lips allowing him further access. I moaned softly when he grazed his teeth on my bottom lip and that moan turned into a groan when he pulled away.

"What?" I asked, feeling breathless. His kiss literally knocked the wind out of me.

"Saturday," he whispered. His gaze swept my face and he placed a soft kiss on my lips.

I nodded and tried to get my breathing under control, along with my hormones. "Saturday."