Things seemed to be getting back on track with Reed. He’d been making an effort to text me in the morning and throughout the day. We saw each other several times over the next week. The days that we didn't get to see each other he made sure to call me before bed. We hadn't gotten to have any more sleepovers. I was a bit disappointed. I enjoyed snuggling up with him at night, but I knew that it was a crucial time for his sister

I was deep into one of my latest projects when my phone rang. I had half a mind to ignore but decided against it. I had been working for a solid two hours. A little brain break would do me good.

"Hello?"

I couldn't deny the giddy feeling I got when I saw his name on my screen.

"Hey beautiful, how's your day going?"

"So far so good. I've been pretty productive so I'm happy about that."

"That's good, babe. Have you eaten lunch yet?"

"No, I haven't. I lost track of time, actually."

"I'm in your neck of the woods. Would you want to have lunch with me?"

Was he kidding me? Of course, I'd like to have lunch with him. I'd love to have him for lunch, but I'd take what I could get.

"Sure, where do you want to go?"

"I don't care. Where ever you want to go is fine. I'm downstairs in the lobby. We can walk somewhere close from here."

My heart picked up speed knowing that he was so close.

"That sounds good. There’s a little deli that sells soups, salads, and sandwiches. We can walk over there. I'll be right down."

I grabbed my purse and headed to the ladies room for a quick freshen up. I checked my makeup in the mirror reapplying my lipstick and adding a coat of mascara. I didn't know why I was nervous to see him. He’d seen me sweaty in workout clothes a ton of times.

He was sitting in a chair by the window when I got to the lobby. When he saw me he stood up and started toward me. His smile was radiant and all for me. Gah, I felt lucky to have such an awesome man that cared about me.

When we reached each other, he wrapped me up in his arms and kissed me with passion and an unspoken need. I knew because I felt it too. I  forgot that we were in my place of business and melted into his touch. When he pulled away, I looked down at my feet.

"I can't believe I just did that in the lobby of my office building."

He raised my face to look up at him.

"Never be embarrassed to express how you feel. Who cares if it’s at work. At least they know you’re happy. Plus it's not like we were getting it on for all the world to see."

"Reed!" I couldn't help but laugh at his bluntness.

He gave me his gorgeous smile, clasped his hand with mine, and pulled me toward the door. The sun was high in the sky. There were a few white puffs scattered across the otherwise blue sky. I tilted my head back and allowed the sun to warm my face. I wanted to laugh. I felt like a complete lunatic because there wasn't anything funny. I was just truly happy. That was something I hadn't felt in a long time. I had Reed to thank for so much of that.

"What has you over there smiling and giggling?"

I swung our arms back and forth between us as we walked.

"I'm so happy. This is the happiest I can ever really remember feeling. You make me happy, Reed."

He stopped walking and turned toward me. There were people walking that had to go around us. He placed his hands on either side of my face and stared into my eyes. It was like he was trying to see into my soul, and I wanted him to.

"Penelope, you have no idea how happy you make me. Hearing you say I do the same for you is the best thing anyone could ever say to me. I haven't felt this kind of joy since before my parents died. You make me feel like life has a purpose, like I have a purpose."

Without giving me a chance to reply he kissed me. There were no open mouths or tongue. Just a sweet lingering peck. It was perfect.

We reached the deli, and it was pretty packed since it was lunch time. There was a two top table toward the back that was open. I told Reed my order and I want to grab the table for us. I played on my phone while I waited for him to come back with our food. It wasn't long before he was setting out tray down on the table.

"This smells amazing. I can't wait to try it," he said as he settled into the seat across from me.

"It is really good. It’s my go to place if I happen to forget my lunch or want to change it up. It's nice because they have a lot of healthy options that fit into my new lifestyle."

"I'm so proud of all the progress you’ve made. Not just physically, but mentally. Changing your relationship with food is probably the hardest part of a lifestyle change. It wouldn’t bother me if you didn’t lose another pound. Your body is beautiful. Your curves are perfect. Your heart and mind are extraordinary. As long as you’re happy and healthy, that's all I care about."

Was it getting hot in there or was it just me? I wanted to knock our trays on the floor and lay across the table in offering. I figured that wasn't the most classy move in a busy restaurant so I settled for a thank you. I'd never been good at taking compliments, the few I received, but I wanted to believe them coming from Reed.

We dug into our food. Reed enjoyed his first meal at the deli. I hoped that this would be the first of many impromptu lunch dates.

Reed wiped his mouth with a napkin and pushed his clean plate away.

"I wanted to ask you something. One of my co-workers is getting married, and they’re having an engagement party this weekend. I wanted to see if you would like to be my date."

I felt a bubbling of nerves in my stomach. It wasn't like I hadn't met all of his co-workers at the gym. I was pretty sure they all knew we were an item. For some irrational reason, I thought maybe seeing them outside of the gym would be different. Maybe they wouldn't like me. I knew it made no sense, but I'd never been the best at social engagement.

“Do you think they would want me there?"

"Of course, Penelope. Everyone at the gym loves you, and people usually bring dates to these things. Seeing as you are my girlfriend, of course, you would be my date."

I'd never grow tired of hearing him call me his girlfriend.

"You're right. Okay, count me in."

***

The night of the engagement party I went through my entire closet at least twice trying to figure out what to wear. I finally settled on a simple black a-line dress and a pair of strappy red heels for a little pop of color. Reed had text me earlier that day telling me to pack an overnight bag. Abby was supposed to be staying the night with their Uncle Dwight. That left Reed with no responsibility and us with the place all to ourselves.

Reed arrived at my house looking delectable in a pair of form-fitting dark wash jeans, a gray button-up and a pair of black dress shoes. He held out his elbow and escorted me to his car. We made the drive to the location of the engagement party. It was being held in a loft that had been turned into an event venue.

The decor was beautiful. There were white Christmas style lights strung from the ceiling and the walls. All the tables were covered in white linens with bouquets of blush colored roses in the center. The whole place was like a dream. I found myself wondering what it would be like if Reed and I ever got engaged. What our engagement party and wedding would be like.

The party was lovely. Everyone was very friendly. I met a lot of new people and spoke to some I knew from the gym. My fears and uncertainty about the night proved to be unwarranted. After a couple of hours of mingling and playing games, we said our goodbyes and headed back to Reed's place.

"That's weird, I know I turned all the lights off in the house."

"Maybe you forgot one."

A light upstairs and in the living room was on.

"Stay here and let me go check it out before you come in."

Reed locked the car behind him. It wasn't even a minute later when he jogged back and opened my door.

“Babe, I’m sorry. Abby was supposed to be at Uncle Dwight’s, but she’s here.  don’t know what’s going on.”

When I walked into the front door, Abby was standing a few feet away from Reed in a pair of leggings and one of his old hoodies.

"Abby, what are you doing here? You are supposed to be at Uncle Dwight's."

"I was, but I had someone pick me up and bring me back here. It's boring over there."

"For goodness sake, Abby, does Uncle Dwight know where you are?"

"I don't know. He was asleep in his chair when I left."

Reed pulled out his phone and sent a quick text before shoving it back in his pocket.

"It would have been nice if you gave me a heads up, Abby. You knew I had plans tonight."

"I know Reedy, but I didn't think you would mind."

I knew he was annoyed, but he tried to keep calm.

"Who brought you home?"

"A friend."

"Abby, what kind of friend? I don't want just anyone knowing where I live. I don't like you having people over when I'm not here. I don't know the kind of people you were dealing with before you came back around. It may not be safe and I'm sure it isn't good for your recovery."

"I'm allowed to have friends, Reed. Just because I'm not perfect like you doesn't mean that my friends are bad."

Reed ran his fingers through his hair.

"Abs, you know I didn't mean it like that. You can have friends. I just want to be sure that you’re safe."

"I am safe. I know what I'm doing."

Somehow I doubted that she knew what she was doing. She flew off the handle a little too quickly when he asked about her whereabouts.

"Fine, but I'm serious Abby. I don't want anyone here when I'm not here. I love you, but this is still my home. I don't want any trouble brought here."

Abby's bottom lip poked out, but she nodded her head in agreement.

"Since you guys are home, do you want to watch a movie or something," Abby asked looking innocent.

Innocent my behind.

Reed looked at me with a questioning look. He was conflicted. He wanted to spend one-on-one time with me, but he also didn't want to disappoint his sister. I pasted on the biggest fake smile I could muster.

"Sure," I replied.

Reed wrapped an arm around my shoulder pulling me into him. He bent down and kissed the top of my head.

"I'm sorry," he whispered.

"I get to pick the movie," Abby announced.

It looked like sleeping would be the only thing we'd be doing at tonight's sleepover.