#cattm

Dinner at home was more of a "two veggies, one protein, and a grain" deal that he hadn't broken since his childhood days  - and no matter what he ended up cooking, his grain was almost always macaroni and cheese. He really didn't know what he could do to impress her, but he definitely was thinking of something. Since tonight's dinner was pizza, he hadn't had the chance to bust any pots and pans prior to her coming over, and he wasn't going to be lazy and serve her any leftovers.

It was late (or early, depending on how you looked at it) and he wasn't in the mood to do anything too major, so it was definitely breakfast time. Breakfast had been something he was great at, believe it or not. His breakfast meals were always easily complimented and requested by anyone who'd ever crashed with him. Jhamela especially - once, she'd eaten an entire twelve pieces of his famous french toast and he wasn't sure how the hell she managed to do it.

"Are you making breakfast?" She pilfered through his assortment of fruit from earlier and took another mango as he nodded and shooed her away.

"You don't want me to help?" She asked, still leaning against the island, and he shook his head no.

"I got this, you just go sit back down." He insisted as he swatted her on the ass and smiled as she kissed his cheek.

As he thought about it, this was going to be just more than breakfast. His emotions had been spiraling since she got into the passenger's side seat of his car, and he had brought her back here, mentally beat himself up for a little bit before stepping up to her and not looking back, and he wanted to know what would happen next.

He often surprised his mother with a great breakfast back in the days to soften her up before he asked her for something. He had something to ask Robyn, but knew it wasn't going to be too easy without a little bit of persuasion to go along with it.

So, as he loaded eggs and bread and cinnamon and vanilla on the table, she curled up on the couch, and every so often, she'd peek her head over the back of it and stare at him, working away at the stove. He could feel her eyes on him, and it only made his stomach flip into knots because he didn't do this for every girl and he hadn't cooked for anyone special in a while.

A part of him really hated how much this was shaping up to be something bigger for him than he could handle at the moment. The situation was definitely complicated, and no matter how many times he wished fate would toss him the opportunity to do things all over again, he knew he had worked himself into a situation that he needed to smooth out before things got even more complicated than they already were.

"What're you doing back thereeeee?"She questioned from her position on the couch just around the time when he started plating, and finished concocting his special syrup to go on top of the plate.

"I'm done. Can you do me a favor, and pull the table a little closer?"

"Oh this looks good," She curled up next to him like they had been before the food,and he was comfortable with her body resting against his as she ate, and occasionally, made sounds of approval that made his body wake up again.

"What kind of syrup is this? There's something special about it...." She questioned, and seconds later, she smiled widely. He chuckled and knew she could barely taste the liquor, but it was there.

"I think I know your secret," She insisted as she licked the syrup from her fingertips, and he swallowed softly.

"No you don't," He laughed as he watched her facial expression develop into one of pure curiosity.

He liked how her nose crinkled as she assessed things, and then scooped up more eggs onto her piece of toast. He ate a little of his own food, and relaxed as he got a good glimpse of the sun coming up.

"Rum?" She inquired as he watched some weak sunrays frame her face, and he shook his head.

"You're close. It's bourbon," He watched her lick her top lip, and smile. "I like it."

"Yeah, its too early to drink though... but since you're staying, maybe I'll let you have a shot or something." He ran his fingers up her leg and she smiled.

"I'd love to stay." She smiled as he finished his plate and sat it on the table before wrapping her up in his arms and pulling her closer to him.

"I wanted to ask you something," He continued running his fingers up and down her thigh and pressed his lips together as she got comfortable, and he found himself lucky that she wasn't giving him her undivided attention because he was sure that he'd stammer.

"If we did go out.... do you think he'd be pissed about it?" He asked, because parts of him wants to kick start things, wants to try to be discreet, but he knows theres no point in really holding back on things when he knows how they'll end up.

"To what, like to go to dinner or something? I mean... part of me wants to say he'll be livid, but at the same time, he can't stop me from doing what I want to do. He's not my father. He's back in Saint Michael." She tilted her head back, and he nodded.

"I want to be seen with you, you know? I... your thing with Aubrey shouldn't stop us from doing that. You're not property. You're not under some sort of ownership just because he brought you here." He begins, and he watches her eyes widen as she shifts, and he continues.

"Yeah, try telling him this." She utters, and he shifts so she can look at him without putting a possible crick in her neck.

"I'm sure he feels some entitlement towards you... I mean, this motherfucker has been calling you "The Future Mrs Aubrey Graham" since before you even came up here, so I know he feels some sort of way, even if you don't fully reciprocate his feelings." He says as she nods, and his eyes roll for a split second.

"What's that for?" She smiles, and he shakes his head.

"He's corny, but whatever, I mean, we're associates... my timing is just fucking horrible 'cause I definitely should have made the flight out to Barbados..." He licks his lip and brushes it off - doesn't want to elaborate, and she doesn't ask him to.

"I'm not saying that it won't make extracting yourself from that environment that much more harder, but... I'll help you in whatever way I can to get out of it when you're ready. I... I don't want to be a fucktruck and pretty much suggest you pack all your shit and stay with me, but I know... and I know you know..."

"This," He gestures between the two of them, as she watches as he shifts back into a spiel, "isn't going to do anything else from this moment on but rapidly mature, and I want you to know that there's so much more to me than just good stamina and amazing french toast, I promise."

"I don't think that in a perfect situation I would have waited too long to get intimate with you. Shit, a little over three months is a pretty good time frame though, 'cause if I was a cock rat, a jump off, a skank, we would have hooked up that night when you put your number in my phone." She laughed as he shook his head.

"Three months is a good enough time. We're at this place where we don't know too much, but we know what we want, and it's going to take some time before we could make that work out, but I'm definitely down to do whatever you need to do in order to make it easier." He yawned, and she smiled.

"I want to get out of there. I do. I also want to do shit for myself, but its only been a few months with him and its something I'm kinda used to. I don't want to be there forever though, and I said it was temporary from the jump..."

"I just know I need to be able to stand up on my own two feet without people calling me "The Future Mrs Aubrey Graham"... we do have a bit of a contractual agreement that I can't break, but that's just to be in his videos, so I know it'd be best to start off finding me something that I can do on my own." She started rambling as his yawn caught up with her, and she leaned into his chest as she yawned.

Aubreywas going to grab slices, and she was going to find a table. Shewanted a grandma slice and he didn't comment on if she even knew whatthat was, and just did as she said.That was the plan – but then she heard the arrival of afamiliar face, his cousin Ryan, who had Chubbs with him,and her eyes rolled in circles.

Itwasn't going to be easy as they ventured into the night, and Robynlet out a deep breath as shetrotted through the restaurant and headed into familiar territory.She sat at the table acrossfrom Chris and tried her damnest to pay attention toanything other than him. Thewall fixtures and scenery was interesting, and she was contemplatinggoing to try a “JoJo,” considering it was what made this placefamous.

Itdidn't take long before a notification popped up on her screen, withhis name at the top of it.

Ignoring me?

Youhave company.

So?come sit with us

She started tapping out “who is she” before getting halfwaythrough the message and backspacing it all with an eye roll. Shecould have moved in that small window that she was given, but sheknew it would be better to wait.

She had her reasons.

Fora second, she was hesitant to move in his direction. Sheknew it was going to cause a lot of unnecessary strife betweenshe and Aubrey if she were toeven walk up to his table. Toomany days had already been spent trying to ignore the fact that heeven existed, but she knew that wasn't going to be easy.

Shecouldn't just sit across from him and actlike she hadn't spent the time since their last encounterwondering how he felt, if he was mad at her, and if they'd be able tosee each other again. Theuniverse seemed to work in mysterious ways, and she wasn't sure whatwould come from this situation, but she was curious.

ChrisBrown had a sign that read “approach with caution” lingering overhis head.

Ithad been there since they'dmet, really – Ray had beenthe first one to tell her to watch herself when he caught her eyeslingering during a nightclubappearance. Afew days after pizza, Noah had chuckled about her behavior whenstudio sessions were the hot spot. Her eyes stayed on the door, andhe wondered why, when the person who had given her everything shecould ever wanted was inside of the booth.

Shetried to play it off and dial it back, not even really realizing whattype of body language she was giving off – but she knew who she waswaiting on, and when he stepped into the room, nobody else seemed tomatter.

But,why didn't it feel as bad as it should have, though?

Shejust didn't want tonight to end in another argument, because shedidn't feel like dealing with it.

True,she was Aubrey's girlfriend. They were together, butit was only out of necessity.

Theinitial arrangement that got her out of BIM and up to NYC was thatshe would be in all of the videos that stretched from his firstsingle on A NIGHT OFF untilhe started work on whatever was to follow after that. She knew thattimeframe could be anywhere between one to two years, and then afterthat, she'd go with the flow in terms of what was to come next.

Sheappreciated his hospitality, but it was never meant to be full term –she'd told him on the flight out here that their arrangement wastemporary outside of thewhole “work” thing. He had mentioned that people had alreadywanted to use her outside of his OVO networkof artists, but he was being stingy and after meeting a bunch ofpeople that she had only been exposed to virtually on the strength oftheir artistry alone, she was fine with that.

Itwas just boring as hell sometimes,hence her quickly formed friendship with Chris, who was a definitelywelcomed switch when she wasn't sitting in the back, being justanother pretty face in the mix.She didn't have any family stateside other than her grandparents whoshe knew she had given almost too much attentionto since she got up here, and her best friend wasn't due to come outhere until she could find an apartment of her own.

Robynhad beenwondering if she would be able to find something to do onher own in order to establishher own independence, but herinterest wasn't being another video girl.She was tired of being labeled“The Future Mrs. Aubrey Graham”andbeing treated as off limits,even though,Aubrey was nice and catered to her and let her do almostanything she wanted.

Shewasn't going to let all of that go down the drain. She wasn't stupid.

But,she did want to make moves for herself and get out of Aubrey'spenthouse. She longed to find her own place, but admittedly, she hadgrown comfortable in his company and she really liked him – justnot as much as she liked the idea of forming whatever she wasbuilding with Chris.

Robynknew she had to be patient and do things slowly – better to do itover time than to just disappear in an instant. She knew she'd haveto build up some credentials of her own before she could evencontemplate what to do next, andChris seemed to be full of ideas – which was the problem, really.

Aubreyhad accused him of getting too comfortable with her a few days prior,which brought on an epic argument in the middle of the set of thevideo shoot for Aubrey's latest single.She hadn't seen Chris blowup, but when he did, fuck – whenshe retreated into Aubrey's trailer, it wasn't out of fear, it wasout of her better judgment.

Shewas too caught off guard by his passionate blow up, and wondered ifhe was that passionate about everything else that dealt with her. Hewent out of his way to defend their friendship and accused Aubrey ofleaving her alone and boring her to death, and Robyn definitelyrespected him for speaking the words she wasn't sure if she couldutter just yet.

Thatwas probably why they ended up where they were, on a date to make upfor situation's past. She finally remembered her phone was in herhand and tapped out a quick response, with a pout to go along withit.

Aubreywont like that :(

Robyn'shead shot up from the screen of her phone as sheheard Aubrey'schuckle, and two seconds later, the booth seat across from her wasoccupied by a familiar face and another that she didn't know.

“Jhamela,I'm his roommate.”The girl introduced herself with a smile, and Robyn smiled in return,notmissing a beat at the phrase and wondering if there was something hewasn't telling her.

“I'mRobyn.”Shedidn't have anything to add after her name, but watched Jhamelaclosely.

Chriswatchedher closely, and then hechuckled as he showed a mouth of gold fronts and snatched hissnapback off to hit Jhamela with. Robynstopped sizing Jhamela up and wanted to see what was up with the twoof them.

“Stoptellin' people that shit. We'redefinitely not roommates. Jhamelasleeps on my couch when her girlfriend puts her out.” Chrisrevealed.

Thecurly haired girl rolled her eyes and nodded in the affirmative asshe added, “Whenhe's not being a dickhead, that is.”

Robyn'sposture eased up as she heard that, confirming things before shecould ask one of the questions of the tip of her tongue that probablywas going to come out as offensive if she did.

“Oh really? I wasn't worried.”Robyn insistedas a tray was placed on the table in front of her, and she wentstraight for her cherry coke and grandma slice.

Ryansat on one side, and Chubbs pulled up a chair from somewhere, andanchored the end of the booth. Ryan tore into his Sicilian slice, andgave Jhamela a half-hug.

“What's up, what're you guys doin'here?” Ryan inquired.

“Eating slices, same shit everyoneelse is doin' here,” Heresponded, and Robyn's gaze cut away from his.

Shehad to distract herself.

Itfelt like she was being babysat, and she wasn't a fan of that afterthe last time Aubrey tried to leave her with Chubbs like she was aten year old. She looked around to see if Aubrey had gotten lost onhis way over, or if he was being held up.

Itwasn't too busy,but heads had been turning since they walked into the place.

Whenhe finally came over, Robyn glanced at his face, trying to see whattype of mood he was in at the group that she had wound up assemblingas their company, but it was unable to be determined.Christopher'sface was the total opposite though – a teasing smile played on hislips as Aubrey lowered into his seat after hugging Jhamela, and optednot to immediately acknowledge Chris.

“Well well well. Would you look atthis?” Aubrey started as hemoved next to Robyn and pulled his meal from the tray.

“It's hilarious that you expect meto trust you to be just sitting here, eating slices,” Aubreystarted as he picked pepperoni from a piece of pizza and his eyebrowswent up at Chris, sitting across from him.

“What was said?”

“It's hilarious that you expect meto trust you. You heard me.”

Robyn'seyes rolled in circles as she sat next to Aubrey, knowing that thiswasn't the appropriate time or place for this conversation. Beforethe argument from a few days prior bubbled back to the surface,tonight hadbeen nice.

Aubreyhad a tight knit crew, and Chris wasn't included in the immediatecircle at all times, andthat was okay. They hookedup when it was necessary, and since he'd returned from Barbados withthe girl everyone knew he had all of the intentions to marry, therehad been conflict between the two guys that Robyn had thought to beclose friends before she made it here.

“You don't have a reason to doanything but trust me.” Chrisinsisted as he swalloweddown some of his drink.

Robynfelt his eyes on her, and shereturned to her meal, which had become the most appealing thing inthe entire room. She didn'tlike the way this conversation had started off, andRobynknew it wouldn'tbe long before theroom erupted in some sort ofdramatic bullshit that she didn't want to be a part of.

Instead– it didn't. She was surprised when Aubrey's gaze leftChristopher's, and there seemed to be something that went unspokenbetween the two of them, which was probably, I'mwatching you.

“Good. Okay so, I got a couple ofslices, not really sure what you'd be into, so...”Aubreysmiled, and then clapped his hands together ashe turned to her, and slid more slices from the tray in front of her.

Therewas a bunch of slices on the table, including the eggplant slice thatChris had introduced her to during her first visit here, and shecouldn't wait toget her hands on it. He was so excited and she definitely didn't wantto ruin his mood, but a part of her felt like she needed to let himknow that she'd been here before, and already had her preferences intastes.

“Actually...” Shestarted, and felt his eyes on her lips as she pressed them together,trying to figure out what to say.

“What? Is this too much?”

“No, it's just... the grandmaslice is enough. Maybe... okay,” Shetook the eggplant slice from the tray and smiled.“This one is pretty up there too.”

“Is it as good as the last timeyou came?” Chris inquired,and Robyn bit into the slicewithout looking back up at him.

“You've been here before?”

“Maybe.”

“Ah, I think someone beat you toit,” Jhamela chuckled as sheshook her head, and Robyn definitely didn't miss the disappointmenton Aubrey's face this time.

“It's cool though, it's cool.You've got tons more stuff to show me, right?”

“Yeah, but... first place is somuch better than last.”