Is this destiny?

Sophia checked directions to Sarah's and Aiden's apartment on her phone.

"Let's walk. Some fresh air can do us good.", she took Felix's arm in hers and they walked in silence.

Few blocks later, Felix sighed, "Am I overbearing?"

"Yes", Sophia answered without hesitation.

Felix frowned. "You could be gentler when scolding me."

"And you could be softer when barging into your sister's apartment." Sophia's answer was sharp.

"Fair enough." Felix admitted. "She is my little sister. I am worried that she will be taken advantage of. Bridgette is intelligent, pretty young woman, but not very experienced with men."

"There is only one way to get experience."

"Ma chéri, she is innocent." Felix defended his point. "She does not know what kind of thoughts men harbor toward women, all perverse thoughts on their mind. They don't want just to hold hands and kiss good night, oh, no... a man would never be satisfied with just that much."

"You would know." Sophia mumbled.

Felix was startled by her comment. "What does that mean?"

Sophia smirked seeing how he thinks that all his negative comments about men don't apply to him. "It means that you are an expert in that area. But I don't see that as anything perverse, not from you. You know how to make me feel good, and I like it."

Felix was happy to be praised by Sophia, but in the next second he thought of Steve wanting to do the same things to his sister and his face darkened.

Sophia wants Felix to understand that he is being unreasonable. "You know... not so long ago you met my father. What would you do if he treated you how you treated Steve?"

Felix frowned. "Are you saying that we should become buddies just like that?"

"No." Sophia shook her head. "But I think that you should give him a chance." Felix didn't react, so Sophia continued. "At least try to know him. How do you know if he is good for Bridgette or not if you are just dismissing him? It seems that Bridgette cares about him. And there is a chance that he cares about her too. What if he really loves her, wants to take care of her and make her dreams come true? What if they are made for each other and you are the one causing ripples between them?"

Felix was quiet for some time. He sighed and admitted a defeat, "OK. How do I do this?"

Sophia didn't need a lot of time to come up with a plan, "It's late, and you already made enough damage for one evening... Start by sending a text to your sister and apologize for being a bad brother."

Felix frowned but didn't object. He got his phone and started typing. "Done... She is not responding."

Sophia laughed. "Give her some time. When she responds, ask her if they can have a dinner with us on Sunday. We can meet them after we are back from camping."

Felix nodded and pulled Sophia closer to him.

…

Back in the apartment, Bridgette was fidgeting nervously. She loves Felix and knows that he is only concerned about her. Bridgette does not want to make him angry, but she wants to have her independence as well. If it's up to Felix, no man is good enough for his little sister.

Bridgette took her phone and texted Steve: "Sorry, sorry... 100x sorry about my brother."

Few seconds later she got a response: "He left?"

[Bridgette]: "Yes."

[Steve]: "The night is still young... want me to come over?"

[Bridgette]: "Yes."

Few minutes later, Steve was at her door.

"That was fast", Bridgette smiled and let him in.

"I was walking around.", Steve admitted.

Bridgette saw that four cups are still on her coffee table. She started picking them up. "Do you want some tea?"

Steve shrugged. "I had enough tea for one evening, thank you."

Bridgette remembered how Steve gulped hot tea, and guilt overtook her again. "I'm sorry... my brother thinks that he needs to protect me from all lecherous men who have only one thing on their mind. And in his opinion, all men are the same."

Steve took her hand in his and pulled her next to him on the sofa. "You know that he is not wrong."

Bridgette looked at him with her eyes wide open.

He chuckled seeing her reaction. "It's normal to have desires toward the person you are attracted to." Steve inched closer to Bridgette and pushed one strand of her hair behind her ear.

Bridgette felt her heart race. 'He is too close... and we are alone in my apartment. How come I didn't think about this before? What if he wants to force himself on me?' She is attracted to Steve but feels that they are not ready for intimacy. She regretted not listening to Felix. He was right. All men are scoundrels. As much as she likes Steve, right now she is not comfortable. She is petite, and Steve is a tall strong man. He can overpower her anytime without any effort.

"Please leave." Bridgette's voice was full of panic.

Steve stopped and looked at her. Confusion on his face was obvious.

"I'm sorry if I got you upset." He moved back when he realized that she is scared.

"I am attracted to you. But I promise not to do anything against your will." He saw that Bridgette didn't respond but noticed that she relaxed a bit. "I would like that tea... if it's still an option."

Bridgette hesitated for few seconds and nodded before heading to the kitchen.

Steve sighed and looked after her. He could not sit still and went after Bridgette. He found her in the kitchen, next to the stove. She was staring at the pot of water, waiting for it to boil.

Steve approached Bridgette and embraced her from behind.

Her back stiffened. She was nervous, and this hug came before she got a chance to relax.

"I like you, Bridgette." Steve made her turn and face him. He frowned seeing that she is anxious. "I don't want you to be this tense around me. I will go now." Steve kissed her forehead. "Have a good night." He walked out of the kitchen.

Bridgette looked at him leaving, and felt guilty, "Steve..."

"I will call you tomorrow." Steve's dejected voice was heard as he continued walking. The front door closed and then deafening silence filled up the space.

Bridgette turned off the stove, went to her bedroom and plopped on the bed. 'What a mess... it was supposed to be dinner and a movie date... it turned out into dinner, beginning of movie, errands for big Boss, scene with Felix and now this with Steve....' Bridgette sighed, "What a mess."