"Get in, loser, we're going shopping!"

I glared down at Hayden as she sat in her car, her vibrant personality already being far too much given that it was just after nine on a Sunday morning.

With a sigh, I wandered around her car before sliding into the passenger's seat.

"Where to?" I asked, appraising her.

She looked absolutely breathtaking.

Her long chestnut locks were done up in a messy bun, a few errant strands framing her face, accentuating the hard edges of her jawline and high cheekbones. Pink lips glistened with lip gloss, her floral perfume filling the interior of her car - its fragrance intoxicating.

The smile she offered me made that all too familiar ache in my chest emerge once again.

"I was thinking Leon's first." She answered, eyes questioning.

With a nod, "Sounds good to me."

"Good boy."

"Woof."

Her laughter was bright, eyes shining their pleasure before we pulled away from the curb with a screech of the tires.

As we merged onto the Lincoln M. Alexander Parkway, Hayden asked "So how did the gym seem yesterday? Was everyone friendly?"

Glancing away from the passing scenery, I answered "It was really good. Seems like a laid back environment for the most part - as long as you don't slack."

She nodded as I continued, "The Fitness Manager and his wife are certainly the pair though."

Seeing my smirk, "What do you mean?"

"She came in as he was interviewing me. With the way they bicker I thought there was a good chance I might have ended up being a witness to a murder."

"Are they old?"

I shook my head, "Maybe twenty-five? I dunno."

Hayden appeared thoughtful for a moment. I was content to merely wait her out - knowing full well already that she would voice her thoughts only when she wanted to, and not a moment before then.

I didn't have to wait long, maybe a minute or two, before she asked "When do you start?"

"Tomorrow morning."

That thoughtful look emerged once more, pearly white teeth appearing as she nibbled on her bottom lip.

Once more I was content with waiting her out - drawing upon the vast patience instilled within me by the Army.

It wasn't until we were exiting the highway, pulling off onto the Upper Redhill Valley Parkway, that she spoke again.

"Do you think we will still see each other this often once you start?"

"God, I hope not." I said in mock seriousness.

The flash of indignation within her pale green eyes as she turned to regard me was far too cute - as was the slight narrowing of her eyes. Had I been any other man, I'm sure that the withering look she graced me with would have instilled fear within me. Instead I couldn't help but find it far too charming.

"You are such a dick."

Reaching across the center console, I claimed her hand in my own before offering it a gentle squeeze.

I waited until she glanced away from the road, her eyes meeting mine, that I spoke: "I'll be here for you to see as often as you'd like."

My confession earned me a thousand watt smile, her radiance nearly lighting up the interior of the car.

"Good." She said firmly, daring me to argue.

She didn't have to worry. I had no intention of arguing. Not one.

We lapsed into silence, the music cast off by the radio filling the car.

"Who is this?" I asked, gesturing towards the radio when Hayden offered me a questioning look.

"Beck and Call," She answered. "By July Talk."

"I like it."

I saw the corners of her lips curve up slightly, "I'm glad to see my good tastes are finally starting to rub off on you."

"Oh, I see how it is." I muttered darkly. "When you rub off on me, it's a good thing - but when I rub off on you suddenly the police are involved and I'm being asked to sign the Sex Offenders Registry."

"God, you are such a loser."

My grin was unrepentant, enjoying the sassy roll of her eyes my comment elicited.

No other words were spoken before we pulled into Leons' parking lot - Hayden parking far from the door despite it being nearly deserted.

"I forgot to bring bus tickets with me."

Hayden looked at me questioning as she turned off the car, "What?"

I nodded once towards where the front door of the store lay off in the distance, "Looks to be at least a mile or so." I exaggerated.

Hayden was nice enough to offer me another compliment as she rolled her eyes once more, "You're a loser."

As we got out of the car, I took in Hayden's appearance once more as I rounded the vehicle. Although under-dressed in tight jeans, converse shoes, and a silk blouse tucked into her waist, she exuded both class and beauty. It seemed she was fully inclined on taking advantage of the surprisingly warm weather for mid-April.

The way she looped her arms through mine as I drew near, pressing herself against me as we made our way to the entrance, had my smile on full display.

I felt unpleasantly good escorting her, proud at being seen with such a beautiful and desirable woman - even if we were only that of friends.

We slowly meandered through the aisles, Hayden pointing out everything she liked or disliked with the point of a dainty finger. Her running commentary kept the smile firmly plastered on my face, an occasional comment earning a bark of laughter from me.

Leon's was quiet given the earliness of the morning, only a handful of other customers spread across the vastness of the store.

Neither I, nor Hayden seemed to be in any rush. We took our time, leisurely looking at each piece of furniture - commenting on what we liked, or disliked, about it before moving on.

"What kind of couch were you thinking about getting? A sectional?"

I deferred to her better judgement, asking, "What would you suggest?"

She appeared thoughtful for a moment, her eyes surveying the store as if looking for inspiration. Finally she answered, "I think a sectional would be the best option... You could always get a love-seat or recliner as well if you wanted even more seating."

Nodding, "I think a sectional would be more than enough for me. It's not like I have many friends."

'All of mine are dead and gone.' My thoughts continued, the words unspoken.

As if sensing my bleak inner thoughts, Hayden offered me a smile even as she hugged herself tighter against my arm. "Good. Let's start there then. Enough dawdling."

I was tempted to point out that she had been leading us so far, yet knew the futility in arguing with her.

For the first time since we had exited the car, Hayden released her hold of me. As her eyes met my own, she offered me a smile as if to convey to me that she wouldn't be gone long. Internally I hoped not, enjoying the simple pleasure of having her against me - the heat of her body against my arm as her subtle perfume teased my nostrils.

I watched with a faint smile as she stroked her hand along each sectional she passed. Palm pressing against the cushions with a smile or shake of her head.

"Here, try this one."

She was sprawled across a charcoal sectional, low to the ground with a high back.

Reclining into the corner, I murmured my pleasure. The cushions absorbed my weight easily enough, almost cradling my body as I rested against the pillows with a sigh.

"I take it you like it?"

I could only grunt out a response, already far too comfortable.

My father's words from my youth came back to me all of a sudden as my eyes threatened to close.

'Son, when it comes to owning a couch I will only tell you this: Make sure it's comfortable. One day you are going to meet a woman who will make you wonder how you ever managed to live without her, and far too often she will banish you to sleep on the couch.'

Idly I wondered if Hayden were that woman my father only alluded to in words.

"What are you smiling about?" Hayden asked as I glanced towards where she lay, her look of contentment no doubt mirroring my own.

"Just a thought," I answered. "I really like this one."

"It would go with your apartment as well. Compliments the linoleum flooring."

I nodded dumbly, her words going over my head.

"Come on, you lug." Hayden continued as she stood up, hands coming to rest upon her hips as she looked down at me with pity. "We still have a lot more to look at."

I was half tempted to simply roll over and attempt to ignore her, but thought better than to. Knowing my luck it would earn me a kick in the ass - and after seeing how she could kick a soccer ball around, I wasn't planning on testing it out.

With a groan I pushed myself to my feet, taking one last look at the sectional.

'Soon, my love.'

I watched in amusement as Hayden slid her phone out of her pocket, bending over to take a picture of the tag that hung from the arm of the couch.

"So we don't forget it." She explained as she noted my look, putting her phone away before taking my arm once more.

She scanned the store, no doubt on the hunt for the next thing to spend my money on. I did the same, though I wasn't really registering anything - more just noting my surroundings as was force of habit.

"Oh, no you don't." Hayden said flatly, her arms around mine tightening.

I glanced down at her, one eyebrow quirked, "What?"

Her eyes narrowed slightly even as her smile grew - a 'I have your number' look emerging.

My gaze followed her own towards where the far wall held a large array of flat screen televisions.

"Televisions?"

As I met her gaze once more, she offered me a nod. "I know how you boys are with your toys. We can look at the televisions after." Her tone suggested she would brook no arguments from me - her eyes daring me to argue.

I acquiesced to that look alone, offering her a bow of my head. "Yes mistress."

Her throaty laughter, eyes glinting, had my own smile emerging. "And they say you can't teach old dogs new tricks."

"I'm not that old," I growled, eyes narrowing.

"Of course not, love." She replied, offering my chest a pat.

She didn't offer me a chance to respond, instead tugging my arm once more as she urged me to follow her.

We spent the next three hours perusing every piece of furniture the store had to offer - Hayden keeping track of every item we agreed upon with her phone.

I didn't realize just how much we agreed on me buying until Hayden went through the list, her thumb continually scrolling upon her phone well past how long I'd have imagined.

"I keep forgetting just how big my house is."

"It is quite the space." Hayden mused, the corner of her lip ticking downwards slightly, a half frown emerging. "Maybe we should look into getting you a cat so you don't feel alone."

"Or... I can look into that whole Tinder craze I've always heard about." I offered instead. Not giving Hayden a chance to respond, I continued, "A girlfriend might be the wiser choice instead of a cat. I wouldn't have to worry about cleaning up after any shit. Hopefully."

Where I thought a laugh, or even a smirk, might have met my words I was instead shocked by Hayden's reaction.

Her eyes flashed with both indignation and disapproval, spitting green fire as she all but leveled me with the intensity of her gaze.

The jealousy so plain to see within her gaze, the knitting of her eyebrows even as her eyes appeared aflame with anger, made my heart heavy within my chest.

It was like this tremendous weight that had been hanging upon my shoulders slowly fell away, collecting at my feet to be stepped over and ignored. All of the foreign emotions she stirred within me now made sense, like a locked door being thrown open to finally reveal that which had been hidden so long - curiosity finally sated.

'That pull, the way I could feel myself drawn towards her... She felt the same way!'

I could remember so plainly the pure vehemence that Hayden's words, the lie that she had a boyfriend, had evoked within me. The overwhelming anger that had threatened to consume me, the 'No' that I had wanted to scream at her. Or the worry that had overtaken me as I saw her thrashing upon the field, hands clutching her ankle in agony. How her hurt seemed to radiate through me - my chest aching for the pain she felt.

Even now I could feel the tug of her personality, her aura like buffeting winds that shoved away my depression and bleak thoughts.

She was the eye of the hurricane, and I now feared what would remain of me if I were to step out of the calm she induced within me.

Gone were the tightly controlled emotions I had. Gone was the dispassion and emotional distance a lifetime in the military had cultivated within me. I was left bare, the storm of her personality having raged through me to shake away anything that might have hidden who I truly was from her. It felt as if I had been assaulted me at every turn; from the smiles she would grace me with, to her heartfelt sighs and teasing laughter.

I found myself at the edge of the precipice, hanging upon the fringe of tumbling into love with the sister of my dead best friend.

And I wanted nothing more than to slip over that ledge into the unknown.