*continued flashback*

Shades of Cool: 26

I'd forgotten about the hustle-n-bustle of Chicago, and honestly I missed it. If I wasn't at home or Tobias' house, I was at my new shop or some furniture shop. I really hadn't taken the time to do something I want to do and just kick my feet up and though I was still working today I spent yesterday with Tobias for a while so I couldn't complain too much.

On S. Michigan Ave there was a restaurant called the Remi's and that is where we were meeting Thompson to talk about the designs for my bakery. This logo will represent me and my staff so I needed it to be something sweet and simple yet unique in some way. I'm glad we can discuss this over brunch rather than an office or someone's home this was definitely more casual.

Tobias found parking at an underground garage a few buildings away from the restaurant so we had to walk. When we were in public I never knew if I needed to hold his hand or just simply stay to myself but he made it clear in a short amount of time that he wants everyone to know that I'm his—of course for the time being—except for our friends. As we walked down the street he had his hand on my lower back steering me to where we needed to go. The manly scent of his cologne reached my nose as he pulled me closer to him to give the angry businessmen and women some space to walk and bark loudly on their phones as they didn't give a fuck who was in their way while they marched down the sidewalk.

I could feel the muscle of his abs on my side through his shirt, I had to fight the urge to turn into him and hold him close to me. That would be inappropriate, I reprimanded myself.

The sound of the city faded out as we entered the place and the smell of freshly baked bread and something savory hit my nose. The atmosphere was lively as people laughed and conversed with family and friends, a lot of the tables and booths were filled with smiling people. I can't wait to eat.

[Tobias]

"There is a table reserved under Thompson." I told the hostess. She flipped through a large book with names briefly before she nodded her head to me.

"Yes, right this way." She led Tris and I around a few tables and up some stairs that led to the rooftop. The sun shined down on the deck where more people ate and talked to one another. I saw Thompson before she even took me towards him, he was a tall slim man, very lanky, you can't miss him.

"Four! It's been a minute, man." He stands up as soon as he notices our presence coming towards him.

"Hey, T!" I greet him with a hug as the one of the hostess left us, "It has been, you still look the same."

"Eh, you've look like you aged a year or two." He said as my face dropped at him, he then laughed, "I kid. I kid."

I heard Tris clear her throat behind me as she tugged on the back of my shirt lightly. Moving to the side, I revealed my beautiful girlfriend to one of my friends who thought I would never find love. Before either of them could say anything, I already saw the look in his eyes. Thompson didn't give a fuck if a woman was your girlfriend, ex, wife, hell, even mom, he'd still flirt with them. It was just in his nature and has always been that way.

"Tris, this is Thompson the guy I've been telling you about and Tho-"

He cut me off and brushed me to the side, "I can introduce myself," He scoffed at me, "I'm Thompson Davenport. A mouthful." He tsked and extended his hand to my beautiful girlfriend.

"Nice to meet you, Four has told me all about you and your work." She grinned and flashed her straight teeth at him.

"I actually love to toot my own horn and say that I am the best at what I do, so expect nothing less than amazing."

This man was slathering it on thick. I'd told him countless times over the phone and through text prior to this encounter to just shut the fuck up and listen to Tris' ideas and make her an amazing logo. This was totally going left.

"How about we sit down and talk over some food." I more told than suggested to him as I gestured to the chairs.

Thompson sneered at me, "Yes, let's feed the beast."

I pulled the chair out for Tris and as she walked past the guy in me couldn't help but to glance down at her ass, and I regretted it instantly. Her dressed was snug on her curves yet it wasn't skin-tight, I honestly don't give a fuck in this moment because I can only imagine her ass naked right now. This is one of the sole reasons why I hate these clothes that just accentuate her curves that I love so much.

Once our orders were placed with the waiter, Thompson didn't waste any time to get some sketches down for Tris.

"Now Tris, a logo is very important. This is what people will know you by. Example, everyone knows McDonalds when they see it. Even if they don't know the fucking name of the joint, the one little picture is locked in their head for them to remember." He explained, "What's you're most memorable moment in baking, from the time you started all the way up to now?"

Instantly Tris' eyes light up and without a beat she answers him, "Baking chocolate cupcakes with my mom and grandmother for my brother's soccer team." I try to imagine Tris being a child with her little blonde hair flouncing around and her blue-grey eyes sparkling with excitement.

For the first time a feeling, that I have never felt before runs through my body. It made my stomach drop and at the same time I became nauseous and butterflies ran through my gut. A teeny tiny part in me would love to see a miniature of Tris running around, her little copy filled with determination like her mother. And that part wanted to see a little of me in that child. I am fucking whipped for this woman and it's making me go crazy because never once has Tobias Nathaniel Eaton EVER thought of having his own kids.

While Thompson talked to Tris with all these great theatrics and flowing hands my eyes followed the waiter who came to finally drop our drinks off, and I thank God for me ordering a Screwdriver instead of coffee because I feel like I'm gonna need some more to keep my cool, Tris can definitely drive home.

"Those colors are very in the theme of your bakery; cute, simple, and comforting. I'm gonna use that as the cupcake liner and have the brown chocolate cupcake as the background. Since you have such, for lack-of-better words, lowkey colors I'm gonna put a bright topper on the cupcake with your name so it can have heads turn. We don't wanna dull everything out with these pastel colors."

This little meeting is actually going great. I think it's because of the 3 drinks I consumed, but hell I don't have anywhere to be. Our breakfast was delicious and very filling, I even learned a few things or two about designing with Thompson and Tris. After we had payed the bill and tipped, Thompson left us with warm hugs and a goodbye with promises of a finished logo Tris would die over in a few days.

Tris turned to me in her chair, "Are you okay?" She questions as she furrows her eyebrows in deep concentration.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, you were tossing those drinks back there man. Did my outfit really make you uncomfortable?" Tris and I both know that I am not an alcoholic but in some situations where I feel uncomfortable or emotions that I've never felt before I will turn to alcohol for a nice buzz and change my thought pattern. She's been around long enough to know that when I start drinking a little heavier than normal, depending on the setting and timing, somethings up.

I'd never have a woman know me like this before.

I shook my head, "No baby, if anything it's making me hard." All while Thompson was talking I couldn't help my wandering eyes to gaze down at her breast, memories of her being naked only made the situation more intense.

She let out a laugh and tossed her head back slightly as her cheeks tinted pink, "Stop." She whispered over the table while gazing around and then quickly snapped back to her serious mode, "Seriously Tobias, you know you can talk to me if you need to."

"I know that. I'm good." I smiled at her and nodded my head, "I am ready to go home though."

"I bet you are mister, give me the keys." She bit her lip and handed her hand and out. I tossed the rest of my drink back and quickly followed her suit out of the restaurant.

*End of Flashback*

don't kill me, but I'm slowly working my way back :')

from FDFobsessed, it was bought to my attention that there might be trouble with leaving reviews. If so, and you feel like I need to hear it drop it on this chapter or in my PM. Thanks!