Chapter 5

Jianna

I couldn't believe that Elio asked me out on a date. Originally, I thought that he was just messing around because why would he want to go on a date with his brother's ex-girlfriend, but I did quickly realize that he was telling me the truth. I didn't know what to say or do, so I just ended up nodding my head, thinking that maybe this wasn't the worst thing that I could do. I know that Elio probably didn't know what was going on either and I wouldn't be able to figure out too much. We have gone through a lot already, I can see that now, and I'm sure he is trying to figure out how he is going to deal with Christopher if it came down to it.

I wanted to keep asking him if he was being serious when he asked me out on a date, but I didn't know a hundred percent. I couldn't tell if he was lying because he made it seem like he was honestly so into me. Maybe he was and maybe I was just overthinking everything, but I wasn't a hundred percent certain about that at all. I knew how I felt, and I knew that there was no way that I was going to be able to allow this to go on for much longer. I couldn't let him win when I have been doing everything in my power to make it not so possible.

I see how Elio is looking at me though as we walk into the restaurant, seeing how there are aliens and humans all around. They don't pay us any attention and I just glance up at Elio because he is a really handsome man, there's honestly no doubt about it. I couldn't be entirely certain of what would end up happening next, but I did know that I wasn't going to let anything stand in my way at all. I need to know what his game plan is, if there is even one.

We sit down at the table and I'm a bit nervous as we are helped. I purse my lips and I couldn't be certain about what would end up happening. He sits across from me, picking up the menu as he licks his bottom lip. I'm feeling a bit nervous with everything that has happened so far and I have to ask myself where to go from here.

"I can't believe that you asked me out on a date after knowing everything." I murmur softly, peeking up at him, "I kind of thought that you would try to go a different route because why in the world would you want to go on a date with a woman who used to date your brother?"

"Because he was a fool for giving you up." Elio murmurs, a soft smile on his face when he looks at me, "I know that someone else might have assumed that you were going to come back here and just expected what was going to happen, but it is pretty obvious how you feel and such. I know that you don't want him anymore so that means you're free to be in a relationship with whoever you want. I know that I want you myself. I felt the connection almost immediately when I saw you."

"Connection?" I echo him, feeling a bit intrigued, "I have never heard it like that before. I don't know why you'd want me though. I'm nothing really special and I think that you could do so much better if I'm being honest. Christopher left me for a reason, and he didn't want me anymore because he knew that I wasn't good enough for him."

Elio's jaw clenches and he shakes his head, "You were more than good enough, he was a complete idiot for letting you go. He should have done everything in his power to make sure that you stayed in his life, and he failed you, Jianna. He should have been a much better person to you."

"What do you know about our relationship?" I ask him curiously, tilting my head to the side, "I thought that you didn't ever meet me."

"I didn't know you." He assures me, giving me a soft look, "I don't know what you're thinking but I'm sure that you would have known that he used to talk about you all the time. He told me that he broke up with you because he didn't have a choice, that it was the best thing for him to do at that moment. I don't know why though."

"I don't know why he broke up with me either." I agree with him, running my fingers through my hair, "I just know that there's no way that I can forgive him for it."

"I don't think that you should forgive him." He agrees with me, a gentle look on his face once more, "he doesn't deserve it. He doesn't deserve you."

I thought that I would have a terrible time with him, but I actually quite enjoyed talking with him. He is smart and funny, and it's pretty obvious that he likes me. I don't know why he likes me already, feeling a bit curious as to what might end up happening next. I don't know if I'll regret it or not but I'm going to hold onto some kind of hope of what will come from here.