Nothing Without Love

Josie's POV


Why must I get myself into these situations with Louis? I mean, he sees me naked today, then for some apparent reason I allow him to invite himself to grocery shop with me. Then I allow him to drive, and now we're going for a drink? Apparently I'm lacking logical thinking today. The heat must be getting to my brain.

But he is cute.

Jesus, what am I thinking? I shrug to myself, it's the truth. His hair is a little longer, I remember when he cut it short, I thought it looked terrible. But he keeps looking at me, I can feel his eyes on the back of my head as I try to distract myself and look out the car window instead. He bought me a cooler and ice for my frozen food. And packed it up for me. What is his agenda? I know it's not to get me back into bed because that's not going to happen again. I swear it.

Is this a date?

No, he didn't ask, it's just casual, we're getting a drink and we went grocery shopping. If it's a date its quite possible the worst one I've been on. But I'm already having more fun then I've had on other official dates.

Shut up Josie.

I look over at him and we catch eyes, he smirks and I feel myself fall apart as I try desperately to keep it together. We're friends. We have to keep a professional relationship. Like he said just earlier today, we don't have to be friends but we have to at least be nice to each other, this is just like a team building activity.

“Um, so do you want to get something to eat or something?” He asks, I can almost feel his feet tapping against the floor, he seems nervous but I just can't read him. One minute he seems shy and nervous, the next he's sassy and telling Niall I'm unattractive. I don't know what to believe. I have my guard up with him though, that's for sure.

“Are you hungry?” I'm not starving, I can always eat something as I try to just eat more smaller meals, at least six times a day.

“I could eat.” He tells me, flipping on his turn signal. I know this area but I don't know where he's made it up in his mind that we need to go. “So?” He drags out the word as he turns.

“If you want to eat, then pick somewhere that you can eat at.” I roll my eyes from under my sunglasses. I'd say I'm using quite the tone. That's what I hate about people sometimes, they never just come out and say what they want. Granted I'm like that at times, but if you're hungry, say you want to eat, it's not the end of the world.

“Are you always so moody?” He asks me and my mouth just drops. Did he really just say that?

“Are you always such an asshole or am I just lucky today?” I cross my arms and look at him over the top of my sunglasses. He doesn't get away with talking to me like that. No one does.

“Sorry.” He mutters.

I turn my head, arms still crossed as I cross my ankles and continue to look out the window. This is what I mean, sweet and nice one minute, jerk the next. I'm not any better but you get what you give. Give me attitude and you'll get it right back.

He parks in front of a familiar Mexican restaurant I've been to a few times, a burrito and rice seems like it would hit the spot right about now. And maybe a large strawberry margarita. I might have to drink every time I'm around Louis.

“Um, is this place okay?” He asks, I can see his hands are trembling just slightly, and I have a little tinge in my gut, feeling a little bad that I snapped at him but not a big enough tinge to make me apologize. He said I was moody.

“It's fine.” I flash a tight smile as I get out, careful to avoid the parking meter he parked ever so close to. I wait for him as I always feel like I'm walking ahead of him. I just like to get where I'm going, when I was growing up my brothers and dad didn't wait up for me, if I didn't keep up, I got left, you learn to walk quickly. I'm not used to having to slow down for someone else. Everyone else I know just keeps up.

Louis takes the lead and talks to the hostess at the counter, I study him as his back is turned towards me and I can tell without even hearing their interaction that she's trying so hard to flirt with him. She's laughing but covering her mouth while she does it, casually twisting her hair around her finger, at one point he put his arm on the counter and she all but jumped to touch him. I can tell he's a little nervous, he's bouncing back and forth on his toes, keeps fiddling with his hands in his pocket. When he looked over his shoulder at me all he did was smile and nod his head, silently asking me to join him. I could see some desperation in his face so I plastered a smile on my face and walked towards him.

As soon as I reached besides him he linked fingers with mine and made it visible to the hostess, her cheerful face turned sour as she didn't speak to me one bit and violently snatched menus from the stack asking us to follow her.

“Sorry, I just want to eat and she kept chatting with me.” He whispers in my ear, his fingers still laced with mine. I'm doing my best not to let my palms feel like I'm back at an eighth grade dance, sweating buckets.

“It's fine.” I make another tight smile, hoping that it will prevent any color from gracing my cheeks. I feel like if I feel any sign of attraction he'll win. Not that liking someone is a game but, oh god I'm so confused.

She places our menus at our table and Louis takes the opportunity to let go of my hand and scoot out a chair for me. My heart is melting, he actually pulled a chair out for me and is waiting for me to take a seat. I swear no one does this anymore.

This time I can't hide my genuine smile as I sit and celebrate our small victory of the over zealous hostess who quickly leaves us be.

“Thank you.” He lets out a small laugh. “I usually have to humor people and pretend to be nice but I thought you could help me out in the situation.” He picks up the menu and scans through it. “Should we get a shot of tequila?” He peeks his eyes over the top of the menu and wiggles his eyebrows, quite possibly a snort escapes from my lips. Here we are back at cute Louis. He's making my head spin.

“Tequila?” I ask as if I didn't hear him correctly. I look to my right at the bright orange wall and see the time. “Louis, it's only three in the afternoon.” I remind him.

“It's just one shot.” He pouts his lower lip. “Come on, I'll let you ask me anything you want.” He throws his arms out as a big display, making me laugh once again. For some odd reason things seem to be so easy with him. Just like we've been friends for a long time. I don't feel nervous as to what I'm going to say next, we're okay with the silence that happens every once in a while.

“Anything I want?” I ask, possible dangerous thoughts running through my head.

“Anything you want.” He smiles, he's got that devilish smile about him.

“And what do you get in return?” I want to know, we take a shot together and I can ask him anything I want? I'm waiting for the other shoe to fall. Not that I want to know everything about him but I mean, it's quite an interesting proposition.

“Well.” He clears his throat, taking a small sip of water. “If you ask me a question, I get to ask you a question.” And there it is. His hidden meaning.

“Fine.” I shrug, putting my menu down, I already know what I want here anyway.

“Is that your favorite word? Fine?” He furrows his brows and leans back in his chair, I can see his leg twitching from above the table. Other Louis is back. This back and forth might get annoying.

“You haven't taken the shot yet, you can't ask me any questions.” Two can play at this game Louis.

Notes

These two are more similar then they know. If you notice, they had some similar thoughts during their day together. Hopefully things are starting to get interesting for you all, it's been quite interesting to write! Josie isn't afraid of Louis and his moods and as you can probably tell, Louis just doesn't quite know what to do with that.

I still have quite a few plans so don't go anywhere, I hope things will get interesting for you all! Have a great day!!

xoxox