Wherever we're going, it's the same distance as the restaurant Seren took us to on our first date. It seems the city doesn't hold many activities that require open spaces. Part of the drive was filled with low music and just the soft sound of the engine and other passing cars on the freeway. But now, now I want to take this time to talk to Seren. Hopefully, without my awkwardness.

Clearing my throat, I glance at her. "How was your day?"

Seren smiles ever so slightly as she chortles. Her gaze remains on the road before she takes a second to look at me. "I had the first shift today at the club. Nothing major. Daytimes at the club are sometimes dead, but you'd be surprised how many businessmen come there for their meetings. Nothing like half-naked women shaking their tits and asses to go over transactions."

Her words should surprise me and make me blush, but somehow, they don't. I believe if it was anyone else, I'd have cowered in embarrassment by the crass and vulgar language. But not with Seren. She makes me feel mesmerized.

"So, not a hard day?" I ask, giving her a small smile. It comes off weird, I can feel the awkwardness on my face.

"No, I had a good day. I was just getting off when I called you earlier. Had to get dressed and everything."

So, that's what those noises were when she had called me. Nodding, I face the windshield and gaze at the gray skies before us. A shadow is cast, making it appear darker than before as thunder clouds roll in.

"I talked to my boss today. Um, I'm an assistant for Chandler Novak, you know, anyways... I actually stood up to him." It feels good to say out loud rather than in my head. And telling someone something accomplishing is always nice.

"Really, now? And what did your boss say to make you stand up to him?" She grins, looking over again. One of her hands moves from the wheel to rest on my leg. The action is so casual, so comfortable, it's like we've been together for years.

But alas, I debate whether or not I want to share with her the reason I snapped at Chandler. Sharing his view on her may make Seren feel less than and I would never want that. Though looking at her, I imagine that she's strong. Much too strong to get upset over something Chandler Novak has said. I know my answer.

"He was uncomfortable with your occupation so he tried to warn me about you," I say, sighing, though it comes out more like a huff. Crossing my arms, I sit back in my seat. "I thought I was over it, but who is he to say something like that? Why does he care so much?"

A laugh surprises me and I look over at Seren, completely flabbergasted. The sound is beautiful, but this is not a laughing matter. When I ask her why, she only shakes her head. "You're a sweetheart for standing up for me, Sutton, but I'm a big girl. I promise I can handle myself. Besides, he's not the first person to comment negatively about my job. A lot of people do and unfortunately, that'll never change. It doesn't hurt anymore."

"But isn't it annoying?" I purse my lips. "What you do doesn't affect anyone."

She shrugs. "Maybe it does, maybe it doesn't. That's not my problem. I enjoy stripping and I won't stop just because someone says I'm dirty for it."

"And the men who watch you? Do you ever grow uncomfortable with that?" I ask, dying to know. It's something I've been wondering about for a while.

"No." Seren shakes her head. "The thing about stripping is that no one would do it if they didn't like it. We get these stories of women and men who start stripping because they need the money, but they all almost always hate it. My question is; why do it if you hate it so much? There are always alternatives.

"I love stripping because it makes me feel good. I've grown confident throughout the years because of it and now I no longer care what people think of me. I no longer look for acceptance among my peers and my job has gifted me with that. Their stares don't make me uncomfortable. And never forget, men aren't the only ones."

Seren nervous, not confident? I can't fathom the thought. Though I suppose people change and her past self may have been insecure. Lord knows it's easy because of how harsh and nasty people can be.

"How long have you been stripping?"

"Around six years. I started when I was eighteen and have been doing it since. I love it and I make good money so it's a win-win."

"You're twenty-four?"

Seren raises an eyebrow. "Yes, I am. Why do you sound so scandalized?"

"Oh," I say sheepishly, "I'm sorry, I'm not. It just surprised me, that's all. I'm only twenty-two... is that okay?"

"Of course, Sutton, age is but a number."

Jesus, I'm in love with this woman. Everything about her is attractive from her personality to the way she carries herself. Being the total opposite of me has allowed me to see how easy it is for a person to love themselves. Am I even worthy of being in her presence?

"We're here," Seren says, breaking me out of my thoughts. Just in time because I could feel myself slowly spiraling.

Putt, Putt is the first thing I see before focusing on the exterior of the golf place. Giant golf clubs make an 'x' on either side of the entrance. People walk inside in groups laughing and horsing around. Seren parks in a free space and turns the car off. She unbuckles herself before reaching in her backseat and picking up shoes. They're a large contrast from the heels she had on which she took off when we had gotten into the car at my apartment.

"In the glove compartment, I have socks. Can you hand them to me?"

Popping it open, I pull out a pair of black socks. She grabs them from me, thanks me, then puts them on. When her shoes are secured on her feet, she looks at me with a small smile.

"Let's do some mini golf, Sutton." Seren gives me a wink before she opens her door, urging me to do the same.

Like a couple, she grabs my hand without a preamble. It causes my heart to flutter and for me to grow nervous and sweaty. If that didn't do the trick, then the rivers of people do. Suddenly, I'm not so sure I'm very excited.

Without realizing it, I pause which also pulls Seren to a stop. With my eyes trained on the entrance and floods of people, I see her glance at me from my peripheral vision. I don't want to look at her and reveal how weak of a person I am to not even be able to have a good time. It's embarrassing.

"What's wrong?" Seren asks, pushing against my arm. Her hands land on my face and she turns my head to look at her.

"I—" My voice comes out shaky and croaky. Not even bothering to clear my throat, I just shake my head and try to pull away from her in vain.

Seren glances from me to the entrance before she nods. Realization clouds her features as she gives me a soft smile. I didn't have to tell her a thing seeing as she figured it out on her own. "You're feeling anxious?" she whispers, tilting her head to the side. Without her heels, she is so much shorter than me.

I nod to confirm her words. I am, yes, but I don't want to be. "I'm sorry."

"Don't... don't do that," she tells me, shaking her head and giving me a concerned look. "Don't apologize for something you can't help, okay? I'm not upset with you. Your feelings are valid and I'm not going to shit on you for feeling uncomfortable."

A strangled noise leaves me before I'm falling forward. Wrapping my arms around the beauty before me, I hug Seren to me. I shove my face into her neck, bending awkwardly and kind of uncomfortable. Her fruity scent wafts up my nose, calming my beating heart. When her arms come around me, I just want to go somewhere far away with her.

"Has no one ever told you that?"

I shake my head against her. Involuntarily, I grow emotional as I think of each and every word she just said. They wrap around my head, fill my mind, and cover my heart. Yes, I've gotten the words from my family before, but that's my family. We have an obligation to love each other and be there. Seren has no ties to me other than one date and this one that I'm holding up. Hearing her say it... it means so much more and it's so different.

"I want to be different." Pulling away from her, I stare down into her golden eyes. She opens her mouth to speak, but I shake my head. "I want to be able to go on dates with you without being awkward or without causing a scene because of anxiety."

Seren narrows her eyes for a moment, tilting her head much like before. Then her face goes from bank to bright with a beautiful smile and a nod. "Okay, well, let's start here then. We're going to go inside and have a good time playing mini golf. Fuck everyone else, right? This evening is for us, not them."

"Us," I agree, smiling slightly. "Not them."

Now I only hope I can manifest that to make it true.