Eleven

Jensen drove us to the next town over to a place called Marcello’s Pizzeria. I loved pizza, so this place was perfect, but I just didn't understand why we had to drive almost half an hour out of the way to get it.

        When we were parked and stepping out of the car, I looked to Jensen.

        “So, this better be some earth shattering pizza. I’m dying of starvation and there’s like fifty pizza places in town.”

        He smirked at me and led me inside.

        “It’s the best place to get pizza,” he assured me. “Trust me, you won’t be the same once you’ve had pizza from Marcello’s.”

        We set ourselves in a booth at the back of the restaurant. We hardly had time to get comfortable when the waitress arrived, placing menus down in front of us before taking our drink orders.

“So, are we sharing a pizza or do you want to order separate,” I asked, looking over my menu at him.

He shrugged without looking up.

“One is fine.”

“Okay, but I have to warn you I like pineapples on my pizza,” I informed him prepared to plead my case about how pineapples do belong on pizza. It was a testy topic and I was well versed in my defense on the subject.

“So do I,” he said, looking up from the menu to smile at me.

“Oh,” I said in surprise.

The waitress returned with our drinks and took our orders. I glanced around the restaurant noting that there weren’t many people here. Five people including Jensen and myself. For all the praise Jensen gave it, it didn’t seem to get much business. That or it was just a slow night.

When I looked back to Jensen he had his arms crossed in front of him and he was leaning on the table, looking at me.

“Is there any rules you would like to discuss?” He asked before I could look away.

I shrugged, taking a sip of my drink before answering.

“I’m a pretty simple person. You can have friends over or whatever and if you want to throw a party just let me know ahead of time. Also, if you want alone time with a girlfriend just let me know and I’ll make myself scarce for the night or nights. Other than that, the apartment is yours as much as it is mine.”

“That all sounds pretty reasonable,” he said.

“What about you? Do you have any rules for me?”

“Those will do.”

“Okay, but I only have one friend outside of you and everyone at the shop and I don’t party, so we shouldn’t have any problems.”  

Before we could continue the waitress returned with our pizza. It smelled amazing and looked even better. She barely had time to set it on the table before I was reaching for the first piece. I couldn’t hold back the moan that escaped me as I chewed.

“Told you it was worth it,” Jensen chuckled, taking a bite of his own piece.

“Jimmy’s is pretty amazing, but this. This is my favorite place. Hands down.” The smile that lit his face knocked the breath out of me. I could see how much it meant to him that I loved this place.

We ate in silence for a while neither of us sure of what to say. I was still stunned by the smile he had given me. He was beautiful inside and out and it was at odds with his playboy lifestyle. Just when I was making sense of Jensen I find more to be confused about.

By the time we both finished, my curiosity was bubbling up and I had a few questions for him.

“So, you like building cars?”

“It was something I did when my dad growing up,” he shrugged, leaning back.

“And tattooing?”

“I always had an eye for art. Was a bit of a drawer as a teen and one day I met a guy who did tats out of the back room of his house. He showed me how to run my first tattoo gun and I never looked back.”

I thought about that for a moment and debated on asking why he moved to the US, but didn’t want to ruin the mood. Again. Maybe with him being my roommate now he will eventually trust me with the truth. I already asked Saw, but she told me it wasn't her story to tell.

“Why old cars? Most people lean more towards sports cars.”

“When I first moved here I met a guy who had a fully restored 1969 Oldsmobile F85. It was gorgeous and sexy as fuck. I never looked back.” I smiled at his response because I had seen one before and knew just how sexy they were. “What about you? You seem into old ones too?”

“The history. It’s amazing to see an old car driving down the road; a piece of history being appreciated. Plus, old cars are sexy as fuck.” He smiled when I repeated his phrase. “How did you end up at Colorado Ink?”

“I met Mack at a tattooing convention in London way back and we kept in touch. When I moved to the states, I looked him up. That was almost three years ago.”

“And that’s where you met Saw and the guys?”

“Derek at first, then Saw showed up a year later. Tyler came around a year after her.”

“You all are so tight-knit. A family.” It was a statement.

“They are my family.”

“What about your other family? Do they move here too?” It was risky, but I asked anyway.

“No. They still live in England.” His face shifted and I could see him closing off.

I made my heart sad to see him like this. I had to do something, anything to make him smile again.

“Hey! If you’re done we can go get you a key made for the apartment.” I forced as much enthusiasm into my voice as I could.

When he looked up at me, I gave him my biggest grin. He smiled back, but it didn’t reach his eyes. I raised a hand motioning for the waitress. When she came over, I quickly handed her my card before Jensen could get his out of his pocket. He tried to object, but the waitress just walked away.

“Gotta be quicker than that,” I smirked, and he frowned at me. “Oh, come on! This isn’t a date, so you shouldn’t have a problem with me paying.” I arched an eyebrow at him and waited.

Slowly a smile spread across his face. “Fine, but next time it’s my turn.”

“Does that mean I can look forward to future non-date’s, then?” The waitress returned with my card and receipt. I signed quickly, and we headed for the door.

“Absolutely, luv. In fact, I think it should be a weekly roommate event.” I looked up at him, to find him smiling down at me.

“Agreed. How about Sundays?” He pushed the door open, letting me walk through first.

“Sunday’s it is,” he agreed. That meant Sunday’s were my new favorite day of the week.

We made it to the hardware store in time to have a key made and on the drive home we discussed more about him moving in. He assured me he only owned a TV which would be perfect for his room. I was glad I had bought that extra bed, but I didn’t have an extra dresser. He said he could find one no problem. I asked a few more questions, and he didn’t seem to mind, but didn’t ask any of his own.

By the time we reached the shop, I was tuckered out. I couldn’t wait to get home and crawl into bed. I stifled a yawn as he pulled into the parking space beside my car.

“You going to be okay to drive?” he asked. When I looked over at him, I could see the worry in his eyes.

“Yeah, I’ll be fine.” I gave him a reassuring smile and climbed out of the car. I walked around his car to mine and pulled open my car door and started to climb in.

“Freya,” Jensen called. I turned to see he had rolled his window down and was leaning out of it. “Thanks for tonight. For dinner and letting me room with you.”

“You’re welcome.” I smiled.

“Will you text me when you get home? Just so I know you didn’t fall asleep at the wheel.” I was touched by his concern and didn’t hesitate with my response.

“Of course, but I don’t have your number.” I pulled out my phone and handed it to him.

He put his number in quickly and handed my cell back. “Don’t forget okay?”

“I won’t.” I smiled and climbed into my car. He waited until I started it before pulling out of the parking lot. I sighed, putting my car in drive. I may have a ridiculous crush on Jensen, but he was my friend and I am so glad that I could help him. Hopefully, it didn’t come back to bite me.

The drive to my apartment was quick, but I was completely exhausted by the time I arrived. I hadn’t realized how late it had gotten while I was out. Just as I stuck my key in the lock, I heard Saw’s door open. I should have known she would wait up for me.

“How was your date with Jensen?” I turned to find her leaning against her door frame, smirking at me.

“It wasn’t a date,” I sighed. “It was just two friends having dinner. I even paid.” I was still a little smug about that.

“Oh man, I bet Jensen was beside himself,” she laughed.

“Yeah,” I yawned. I would have to get to bed soon or I was going to fall asleep here in the hallway.

“You text your ex?” Saws face was serious now.

“No,” I frowned. “Actually, I completely forgot.” But since I was thinking about it, I pulled my phone out of my pocket and quickly hit delete on Josh’s text message. Screw him.

“Good,” she smiled, stepping back into her apartment and shutting the door.

I pushed my door open and walked in. I tossed my bag on the floor by the door and headed for my room, phone still in hand. I stripped out of my clothes not bothering to find any pajamas. I scrolled through my contacts until I found Jensen’s name and opened a new message.

Me: I made it.

Jensen: Good. Took a little longer than I expected though.

Me: Saw stopped me on my way in.

Jensen: Ah.

Me: She wanted to know how our non-date went. She thought it was funny that I paid.

Jensen: Not funny.

Me: Sure, sure.

Jensen: Get to bed, luv.

Me: Already in it, boss.  

Jensen: Goodnight

Me: Night.