Melancholy

He shrugs. “He cares about you. It’s fine.”

“Things are strained between us right now, but we’re getting there.”

He smiles, but it seems slightly tight. He quickly changes the subject. “How are you going finding a job?”

I frown. “I haven’t found one, but I’m still actively looking.”

That was mostly a lie. I’ve been shot at and shuffled around too much for me to have a good chance at getting a job.

“I think I might have something for you,” he says.

My eyes widen. “You have?”

He nods. “My sister owns a café just a few blocks down. You've probably heard of it—Moxie’s.”

“Oh yeah.” I smile. “They make great coffee.”

“Well, she has an opening. It’s only casual for now, but it’s something.”

“I’m all for it. Can I go and speak to her?”

He smiles. “I’ll set it up for tomorrow.”

“Okay.” I grin.

Alec takes me down to the wharf and my smile widens when I see the yacht that’s docked, waiting for us. “Is that . . .”

“For us.” He winks, stopping the car and getting out. He comes around to my door and opens it. “My Lady.”

I giggle stupidly and climb out, taking his hand. He leads me down to the gorgeous yacht and we climb on board. I hear the bikes come to a stop; they won’t leave from that spot. I turn my focus back to the yacht. It isn’t a big yacht, but it’s got a big enough deck space that we can move around freely. Enough that a gorgeous table is set in the middle of the space, lit with candles and roses.

“Oh Alec, it’s beautiful.”

He smiles and leads me over, pulling my chair out. “Wine?”

“Please.”

He sits down and a man in a tux comes out, bottle of wine in hand. I laugh softly as he leans over and pours us a glass. Then he announces, “First course will be served momentarily.”

I take my glass, smiling as the man disappears. I’ve had a hell of a time lately, and this is exactly what I need.

Alec sips his wine, studying me with appreciation. I can see it in his eyes, the way they sparkle as they run over me.

“How is your leg healing?”

I’ve been home three days, and while my leg is starting to itch as it heals, it’s mostly feeling okay.

“It’s doing great, thanks.”

He beams. “I’m glad. Tell me something about yourself, Santana.”

I pout and say, “What do you want to know?”

“Where did you grow up?”

I frown. I’ve told Alec basics about my life, but I’m not ready to get into great detail so I give him a basic answer.

“My parents died in an accident when I was young. I spent my life in foster homes until Maddox took me in – which you already know most of.”

His face softens. “It must have been awful.”

I shrug. “There are worse things.”

I don’t tell him the rest; that’s a conversation for another day.

“What about you?” I ask, sipping the cool wine.

“I grew up here with my family. Just your normal life, you know? I don’t really have anything to tell.”

“We’re terribly boring,” I point out and he laughs.

“Okay how about ten questions?” He winks.

“I’m all up for that.”

“What’s your favorite color?” he asks.

“White.”

He chuckles. “White isn’t a color.”

I grin. “Exactly.”

The waiter brings out our first course of seafood. I stare down at the display, and my stomach grumbles.

“I hope you eat seafood?”

“I eat everything,” I say, “It looks amazing.”

We talk through dinner, asking random questions and laughing a lot. By the time we’re finished dessert, I feel amazing, and my entire body is thrumming with happiness. Alec even gets me up to dance, holding me close as we move around the deck to a soft song. He leans down to kiss me midway through, and it’s a nice kiss.

Soft. Sweet. Perfect.

By the time he pulls back, I’m panting and staring up at him. He strokes my cheek, staring down at me. “I’m glad I met you, Santana, and I hope I get to see more of you.”

He kisses me again, his hands slowly going down to graze over my backside. I let him do this for a while, but quickly stop it. I like Alec, a lot, but I’m not ready for things to move so quickly. He stiffens when I shift the direction of his hand, but he says nothing. We keep dancing, our bodies moving together.

A hand grazes my ass.

Okay, it’s a romantic situation, but seriously?

“Hands off,” I say lightly.

“You’re no fun,” he complains.

“It’s our first official date. You’re not seriously expecting anything, are you?”

He pulls back and stares down at me. “Of course not.”

But I can see something else behind his eyes—disappointment, frustration? Is that what he wanted?

I hope not.

~*~*~*~

Alec takes me home as the night gets on, and waits until the bikes trailing us pull up before leaving me—he doesn’t kiss me again, and I try not to think too much about it. I watch him go, walking straight past the angry glares being shot his way. I roll my eyes and walk down to the three members, Mack being one of them.