The next few days were missed calls, returned messages, and multiple texts sent back and forth between two people in a manner that only happens when two people are just getting to know each other. Both Chris and Olivia were working and keeping up with life’s obligations. Olivia had to teach her Krav Maga class that week in addition to her real estate duties. Chris was in the midst of filming an episode that revolved heavily around his character’s past on the show he starred in.

Olivia was pretty surprised when Chris walked into her Beginner Krav Maga class. He had asked her about it, but hadn’t actually said anything about coming to it. She thought he was just curious. She and her training partner, David, had obviously worked together for a while. There was no showing off. Just working and making sure everyone learned techniques safely and how to use them effectively. Chris did pretty well for his first time attending.

Olivia was a little nervous about how Chris would react to her class. Some men were intimidated by learning that she could easily bring someone twice her size down. There were also some men who were jealous that her partner had his hands on her during the class. She didn’t know Chris well enough to know which one he might be. Chris shocked her by being totally fine with all of it. He wanted to come back to class, if that was okay with her. He even bonded with David. David was like having a big brother around most of the time. He was a little protective, but not too much. He knew she could handle herself, but just didn’t want her to have to handle anything.

Chris convinced Olivia to come out to dinner with him after her class. They ended up picking up takeout and she followed him to his place to eat. Takeout Chinese is always fun. Olivia has a fear of getting food all over herself because she can’t use chopsticks for shit. Chris assures here that he’s an expert teacher in the use of chopsticks. He has her totally convinced right up until he can’t even open the container the food came in. They eventually gave up on chopsticks and used regular utensils. But it made for lots of laughter and both of them ended up wearing part of their dinner.

When Olivia finally left, Chris walked her to her car. She knew he wanted to kiss her. She thought that she might want to kiss him. He kept getting closer and closer until she was backed against the car.

“You know, if you kiss me now, it will be so anticlimactic. Dinner and a good night kiss,” she whispered against his lips.

He looked her in the eyes for a minute. “I wouldn’t want to disappoint you & conform to societal expectations about how to end a date.”

She smiled. “Thank you.” She then gave him a hug, got in her car and drove off.