He took me to a little diner on the outskirts of town, one that he proclaimed had the best burgers in the area, but I ordered a salad with grilled chicken instead. This time I didn't get asked if I wanted something more than that.

I learned that he worked in the I.T. department and that he lived in an apartment down the street from mine. This would make potential meet-ups easier if there were to be any.

I wondered if he would try to invite me over tonight. I decided then that if he did I would accept. I needed something to distract myself and he would do just fine.

I also learned that he had lived here for all of his life, was definitely a mamas boy, even though he wouldn't come right out and say it, and that he didn't want any kids.

"Not at all," I asked as I pushed my salad around, digging for the chicken bits.

"Not at all. Why, you do?"

He picked up his burger and when he took a bite, a glob of ketchup fell onto his white button-up, staining it.

"I mean, not until I'm a little higher up, but sure. I definitely want kids in the future," I replied and didn't miss the face he made at me as he tried to clean the mess.

"Higher up? How much higher do you want to go? You are already right under the CEO," he stated as he dabbed his napkin in his water and took it to his shirt.

I chuckled as though he had just told a joke but then stopped when I realized he was dead serious.

"Jeremy, I'm working under Mr. Blackstone so that I can gain experience, but I won't be in this position forever. I will be the CEO of my own company, and if not that then I will, at least, be in a higher paying position within the company. I've got to be able to afford the life I envision for myself and a one-bedroom apartment is not going to cut it for me forever," I stated and was feeling a little put off by his slightly misogynistic attitude.

"Why would you go through all of that trouble when you can just marry and have your husband provide for you, never having to worry about money again? You really could have it so easy, Gen," he replied as he had finally given up on his stained shirt and began eating again.

I scoffed quietly and pushed my salad away, "I refuse to bow to any man. I refuse to ask a man to provide for me and allow me to have money for things I want and need. I want to feel like I have contributed. I want to feel like...because of me, we thrive, not because of just a man that I am able to survive. And anyway, this is a pretty serious topic for a diner date. Let's just move on..."

Maybe it was just because I was fresh off of a ... partnership... based on lies and deceit that had just ended, but almost everything Jeremy did repulsed me now, and that was without mention of his blatant disregard for my goals in life.

And he wasn't graceful at all. He smacked when he ate, he slurped his water when he drank, and he picked his teeth with his fingernail after he was finished.

It was as if he had turned into this completely different person right in front of my eyes. This was the actual Jeremy--this misogynistic...mess of a mamas boy?

Was I supposed to excuse that my place in life to him was strictly at home, allowing my partner to fend for me and disregarding what my grandmother had ingrained into me my entire life?

Was I suppose to find his disgusting habits quirky and eventually come to understand that I would be the one to clean up after him as his mother must've?

I was clean--yes, organized--yes, and tidy--yes and while Jeremy was a slob, I would not be the one to take on the role of his caregiver--trailing after him like a maid and cleaning up his mess.

And his car was the same as he was. The passenger seat floorboard was free of debris, but the back seat held various fast food trash and clothes.

"Don't mind the mess," he had stated, and I just brushed it off as a fluke, something that could easily be fixed. But if this was actually how Jeremy was, then we wouldn't work--ever, at all.

I needed someone to not only believe in my goals, dreams, and ambitions, but also someone that actively helped me achieve them. I needed someone equally as tidy as me, as well, as clutter made me anxious.

And he was one humongous walking red flag.

When the waitress came to our table and asked if the check was together or separate, I was quick to say, "Separate," and she smiled as she pulled out my check.

I already had my card out and handed it to her as Jeremy fished out a ten-dollar bill from his wallet and put it in her hand.

"I was going to pay for you," he told me, but I just forced a smile.

"It's fine. I don't mind going dutch."

If I was being completely honest, I didn't want him to have anything over me, not even a six dollar salad.

***

When we pulled up into the parking garage, I quickly got out and made my way to the exit. I didn't want Jeremy to get any ideas about kissing me or anything.

I would go home alone tonight and drink a glass of wine before going to bed. This would be my punishment for thinking about anything other than working.

I specifically said no men, no friends, and yet here I was with my feelings hurt over Dominic's unexpected girlfriend, and a sloppy Jeremy who, sadly, was going to be my rebound.

'What better way to get over someone than to get under someone else?'

Well, there would be no one else, not even him.

'Let's hope you keep to your word, because you still have to answer to him when you get up to his office...'

Jeremy caught up to me, taking me from my thoughts, as I reached the sidewalk and began walking towards the building. When we were a few paces from the door, he jogged ahead and opened it for me.

'Look at his puppy dog face--the face you use to find attractive.'

Now, I can only see the specs of dried ketchup around his mouth.

When we walked in, we saw Jasmine and Dominic at the elevator, obviously waiting. We walked towards them just as the door opened and we all got inside.

I felt a little claustrophobic as I was in front of Dominic now.

"How was lunch, Jeremy," Jasmine asked, apparently knowing him well enough to be on a first-name basis with him.

Jeremy looked at me with a smile and grabbed my hand, squeezing it gently.

"It was very good. I think we learned a lot about each other."

I nodded my head with a forced smile.

I had learned a lot about him and I decided I didn't want to know anymore. I didn't want to be rude and pull my hand away so I held his as he wasn't letting go.

The elevator stopped at his floor and when he was out into the hallway, he pulled my hand up to his lips and placed a kiss to my knuckles.

"See you later, Gen. Have a wonderful afternoon, Jasmine, Mr. Blackstone."

I heard the rumble of Dominic's chest as he mumbled out a farewell. The elevator wasn't very big so I was only about two feet away from him and I could feel the tension in the air.

I could feel the fury radiating off him in waves, crashing into me.

"So, you and Jeremy, huh," I heard Jasmine ask and I turned around slightly.

"Uh, no. We're just friends," and I didn't even want to be that now.

She smirked, "That didn't look like just friends, right babe," we both then turned to catch Dominic's reaction.

He looked down into my eyes for a second and my insides churned. His caramel-colored eyes were at a roaring boil and, apparently, only I could feel their heat.

"Mmm," he hummed and looked forward again, not really giving a yes or no answer.

'Man, if looks could punish...'

I turned back around and squished my self as close to the wall as I could and when the elevator stopped at Jasmine's floor, she grabbed his hand and drug him to the front, standing right beside me. She planted a hard kiss to his mouth and he pulled away.

"Not in front of my employees, Jasmine," he scolded her as he pulled a handkerchief out of his breast pocket and wiped the red lipstick she smeared on his mouth away.

"Sorry, babe," she smiled, cleaning up her mouth and walked out, but she turned on her heels and placed her hand against the closing doors.

"You coming over tonight? I've missed your touch dearly."

I knew the look she gave him. It was lust, the same look I had given him so many times.

"Not tonight. I've got lots of contracts to go over so it's going to be a late night. I'll see you tomorrow," he left nothing up for negotiation.

"But baby," she whined and I winced at the pet name, but she continued as she hadn't seen me, "I haven't seen you since two Saturdays ago and I miss you."

She ran a fingernail down the buttons of his shirt and then grabbed his tie and pulled him closer.

"I need you," I saw her whisper into his lips and I was sure that I was about to throw up.

I took a few steps back, pressing my back up against the wall to get away from the pathetic need that was radiating off of her and onto him.

"I said no, Jasmine. Now get to work," he removed her hand from the door and allowed it to close. I couldn't help but relish in the look of shock and rejection on her face.

When the doors shut, he ran a hand through his short hair and sighed, his back still to me.