Mark’s POV

Mark had no idea how it had happened. But somehow Vivian’s offer of coffee had morphed into her not only making him coffee, but also fried eggs and toast. The woman actually taking the time to dice up some vegetables to the eggs, and also cut the toast into little triangles.

"It’s not much, the chef has not done this week’s shopping, otherwise I would have made something more," Mark had no idea what she was on about.

The food was amazing!

As he dug into the home cooked breakfast, enjoying every single bite while savoring every sip of coffee. He could not help but keep stealing looks at the woman who had made the food for him.

So this was Vivian Rose, the woman who had been keeping Ryan company for weeks now. He had to admit, now that he was seeing the woman again after so long. His curiosity about her was at an all time high.

Focusing back on his food, Mark ate for a little while, then he looked back up. But this time his attempt to steal a look at Vivian did not go unnoticed. He found himself staring into grey eyes that were giving him a questioning look.

"What? Do I have something on my face?" Vivian asked, rubbing the back of her hand over her cheek and then staring at it, clearly looking to see if there were bits of food there.

Chuckling lightly, Mark shook his head, "No, there is nothing on your face,"

"Then why were you staring at me?" Vivian asked.

For a moment, Mark considered silence. But seeing the intent look on Vivian’s face, he felt that it would be rude not to say anything. So to buy himself time, he chewed on a forkful of eggs before swallowing and speaking up.

"The reason that I have been staring so much is because, quite frankly I am astonished. You are nothing at all like the kind of woman that Ryan normally prefers,"

***

Mark had meant the words as a compliment, but the moment that Vivian heard them, she just seemed to collapse in on herself. All of the quiet joy and warmth that she had been exuding, fading. The light in her eyes dimming.

"Rub it in, why don’t you? I know that I am nothing like the beauties that Ryan normally goes out with. There’s no need for you to twist the knife even deeper,"

What! How could she have taken his words in such a wrong way?

Mark immediately moved to rectify the situation. He would not have such a kind lady thinking that he was looking down on her.

"That is not what I meant at all. I meant that the women Ryan usually goes for are..."

"Perfect," Vivian finished for him and Mark shook his head.

"Actually no. Most of the time, Ryan goes for women who on the surface appear flawless, but in reality they are cold..empty. You know, like finely made dolls that are hollow on the inside,"

A bit of a spark returning to her eyes, Vivian chuckled softly.

"What makes you think that I am not this cold and vicious creature underneath? We have only just properly met after all," Were it not rude, Mark would have rolled his eyes at her. He barely knew her, but he could tell the woman did not have a mean bone in her body. Taking a gulp of his coffee, he gestured at the food.

"Do you know how many of Ryan’s former lovers have ever taken the time to cook for me?" Vivian shook his head.

"Zero," Her eyes widened at that, and Mark continued.

"You are the first woman that he has been with that has ever taken the time to make something for me. And I can tell that you were doing it simply because you wanted to,"

"Even now you are sitting here in silence and eating with me. Not once have you tried to press me for information about Ryan, and you also have not tried to put the moves on me," Her mouth briefly fell open in shock at the last bit, but Mark just carried on.

"To you that might seem like perfectly normal stuff. But in the type of circles that Ryan and I run in, you, Vivian Rose are a rare gem,"

At his words, Vivian blushed so hard that Mark actually worried that her head might explode. Seeking to help lessen her apparent embarrassment.

He tried to go for a joke.

"If Ryan had not found you first, I would definitely be propositioning you. In fact, how do you feel about-" Before he could even finish, Mark found himself facing the pointy end of Vivian’s fork.

"Playing or not, I do not appreciate being flirted with. So if you value your life and you enjoy having your testicles attached to you, I would caution you not to continue that sentence,"

Raising his hands in surrender, Mark felt a laugh bubbling up his throat and he let it loose, finding himself unable to stop more laughter from escaping him.

***

Now staring at him with concern clear on her face instead of anger, Vivian lowered her fork. Seeing that he was worrying her,

Mark did his best to reign in his laughter, wiping away tears as he finally got himself under control.

"Why were you laughing so hard? I was not saying anything funny. In fact, I was threatening you,"

Wiping a stray tear from his eye, Mark got his laughter under control and smiled at her.

"You see that is exactly my point when I say you are different from the women that Ryan has often chosen. Your first reaction to me attempting to flirt with you was not to weigh your options. You immediately went for your fork and threatened me,"

"You would be surprised how many women who were with Ryan have offered to sleep with me, some even going as far as to suggest that we have a threesome,"

Vivian’s eyes widened and she gasped like it was the most scandalous thing she’d ever heard.

That made Mark smile even harder.

With this one, Ryan had truly lucked out.

The smile dropping from his face. Mark looked at Vivian seriously.

"You are a good woman, Vivian Rose. If you and my friend ever decide to be more, just know that you have my full blessing,"

Blinking at him like he had grown a second head.

Vivian quietly went back to her meal, not saying anything else, and Mark did the same. A sense of peace in his heart.

He had always worried about Ryan, especially when it came to relationships. But after properly meeting Vivian Rose, Mark got the feeling that Ryan was in safe hands.