reagflor

[reagflor]

"The craziest part?" Reagan asked in amusement, unsure if Madeline wanted to delve deeper into the topic. "It's perhaps the most tranquil place to simply exist," she added with a soft smile, taking a sip of her drink. When Madeline inquired about her own life, Reagan hesitated momentarily. "I've been well. Discovered Airi moved back here, and we've crossed paths. I'm onto my third book now and enjoying my work at the paper. Life, honestly, hasn't been all that thrilling." She really didn't know what else to talk about. Should she dive into her feelings for the one she pushed away all those years ago? Or the non relationship she had with Colton? Or that she was actually writing her second ghost writer book?

Madeline went quiet. This was all really hard for her. This was all an adjustment for her. There was so much going on in her life in this moment that she felt as if she was being pulled in six different directions at once. She was thankful to have one friend already in this town, she was thankful to have Reagan back at her side because she knew she would need her. " Thanks, I know. Like that's not even the craziest part." She sighed because not only had she found out about her mother's diagnosis, but she also found out she had an older sister. A sister her mother had hid from her whole life. " It is very pretty, and it's close to home which is also nice. Enough about me, how are you? " She asked wanting to take some of the attention off her even for a second.

[reagflor]

"I like you," Reagan confessed, "especially when you get me soaked." She flashed him a smirk and a wink. "I've never regretted you, and I never will," she declared, wanting him to understand that it was the truth. No matter what challenges they faced, she was committed to standing by him without an ounce of regret. "You're stuck with me for life," she asserted, acknowledging how integral he had become to her existence. The mere thought of Colt being absent from her life left her uncertain about the future. "So, stop thinking that way. It's you and me," she urged, emphasizing their enduring connection.

When the jeep came to a stop, Reagan surveyed the serene and secluded spot Colt had chosen for them. As always, he came through. Reagan grabbed the bag of food and hopped out of the jeep, relishing the sensation of the sand beneath her bare feet. Placing the food on the hood of the car, she retrieved the blanket from the back and created a cozy spot a few feet away, ensuring they were shielded by the jeep yet still able to enjoy the surroundings. "How cold do you think the water is?" she inquired, settling onto the blanket and beginning to distribute the food.

"People like puddles. They like jumping into them and then ultimately regretting it later when they're soaked. At least you haven't regretted it." He joked, though he knew that she wasn't far off. Neither one of them came into this looking for anything more than a bit more fun than they were already having as friends. It worked. They worked, as long as the rest of the world stayed out of it as he moved through as carefully as he could through the rougher part of the pathway towards one of the higher spots in the dunes. "That's the shit that gets talked over me more often than not, that you're the one that'll figure that I'm not worth spending time on and move on to someone better." Even if they were only talking about has friends. Not that he wanted to believe them, it was hard not to let it get to him a bit over the years as he smiled through the insecurity to show that it didn't bother him. At least that's what he hoped he looked like as he found the right spot to stop and park them. "Enough about that shit though, we aren't here for them. We're here to fuel up for one of those long drives you were hinting at," he joked.

[reagflor]

Upon hearing Colt's comment, Reagan couldn't resist rolling her eyes. Sure, she glanced, but that didn't mean Colt needed to veer them into a pole or anything. She hadn't actually laid a hand on him. "I think you need to work on your focus, considering we've got precious cargo in here," she remarked, smirking as she withdrew her hand from the back of his neck. "Maybe we should practice that. Take a long drive while I put my mouth to good use," she teased, though there was a hint of seriousness in her tone. "Come to my senses?" Reagan questioned, grabbing the door handle to brace herself as they hit the off-road section. "We both know I'm emotionally unavailable, and you have the emotional depth of a puddle." If Reagan were ever ready for a committed, long-term relationship, Colt would be the one she'd choose.

He only made it look that good, because he wasn't good at being anyone's boyfriend. Not even for Reagan, who would have been the perfect choice for most everyone in his life. He smiled slightly when she glanced back over at him, leaving him nearly defenseless at this point to her as he shook his head. "Your just looking is enough to make anyone lose their mind," he joked back at her, though he was still trying to get them to the dunes in one piece. That was the only reason that they hadn't ended up in a ditch to do something about that look she kept shooting him. "I'm pretty sure it's why people think I've done lost mine by not settling down with you before you get some common sense and stop giving me the time of day." They didn't know what the two of them got up to one their own, which would only fuel the fires that were already out there with how long they'd been friends. "Good thing you're just looking," he added with a bit of a laugh as he turned off the road towards the off road portion before hitting the dunes completely.

[reagflor]

Reagan couldn't help but roll her eyes at him. She understood the barbarism behind it all too well, yet she couldn't deny her own identity, nor could they feign ignorance about Airi and her past relationships. "Well, at least you didn't stumble upon it this time," she teased, dredging up a memory they both likely wished to forget. "I'll always want the book, and you couldn't possibly stay silent. That's just not your style," she remarked, noting Lucien's distinctive approach. As Lucien launched into his discourse about love, Reagan felt a pang of skepticism. She had never put much stock in such ideals, lacking tangible role models beyond the two men in her life. "I'm uncertain if I'm capable of giving her the world, and that's exactly what Airi deserves. Anything less wouldn't suffice. She's an extraordinary individual, worthy of all the goodness this world has to offer. I'm just not sure if I'm the one she deserves."

"You know exactly why it's barbaric" eyeing the other over his thinly rimmed transparent glasses, his curls an absolute mess atop his head; "Yes a informatic discussion around health and safe practices that did not come with visual images of my daughter and her then girlfriend in compromising positions" there was always going to be a love for Reagan that spawned from his daughter but even he had to be forward with her sometimes, in only a way a platonic father could and would. "You should always want the book, if you didn't I would be very hurt and may never want to speak to you ever again, you may also hurt the books feelings"

The book become a euphemism for both himself and the inanimate object though only one had actual human emotions; "Sometimes people say no because they are scared of falling back into the same emotional pond of love and lust only to get hurt again" turning to face her to explain; "Maybe her no is her wanting you to now reach out and put the effort in after thins were broken off on your end, I mean what girl doesn't want to be fought for right?" the question left for her to ponder, resting a hand on her shoulder; "Sometimes we do things for the good of others that are just overlooked and shadowed for the hurt they are feeling, does she know why you did what you did?"

[reagflor]

"I sense I've reached a low point," Reagan confessed. Her comfort level with Bastian always exceeded expectations. Her dynamic with both fathers differed significantly. With Bastian, she could freely express her emotions, whereas with Lucien, she bonded quietly over their shared love of reading and writing. "We bumped into each other at the bar," Reagan's voice drifted into the air around them. "I wasn't prepared for it, and seeing her hit me like a ton of bricks." That night, everything resurfaced—the memories she had suppressed for years, pretending they didn't exist. "Do you have any idea how long she plans to stay?" Reagan inquired, unsure if she truly desired the answer to that question.

A hand waved through the air, "no, no. You are always a favorite with me." While it was true that Reagan entered their family in a rather unconventional way, Bastian couldn't help but have a soft spot for her. He simply wanted whatever was best for her. Even if there had been rocky patches in the history between her and Airi, that didn't break anything that had been forged between her and Bastian. He still cared for her like his own daughter.

It wasn't difficult to see Reagan's discomfort, and when she finally spoke her thoughts Bastian understood the reasoning. He blew out a huff of a breath, teeth biting into his cheek as he considered. "It didn't seem my place. Plus, I wasn't certain how long she was planning to stay."

[reagflor]

"Absolutely not. Don't you dare call it barbaric," Reagan shot back, her expression challenging, reminiscent of a defiant daughter. Lucien and Bastian had been constants in Reagan's life for as long as she could recall, well aware of her intimate details. "You two were the ones to sit Airi and me down for the sex talk," she reminded them, emphasizing their familiarity with such matters. "But you know I don't buy into that fate and destiny nonsense." Reagan's skepticism toward fate stemmed from her own experiences; if destiny was real, why was her life so tumultuous? Huffing lightly, she made her way over to where Lucien was working, her determination evident. "I want the book. I always want the book," she declared, recognizing their bond forged through the written word. As for Airi's reluctance to visit, Reagan shrugged, masking any lingering hurt. "Well, when I asked her to come over, she said no. So maybe she doesn't miss me that much," she reasoned, though she knew deep down it was for the best. Reflecting on their breakup, Reagan's voice softened. "I ended things after my mother passed away. I thought I was sparing her from the chaos of my life."

Shaking his head at the other the mention of his husband bringing a smile to his face; "Well if your first initial and quite frankly barbaric statement from earlier was true then perhaps it was fate and destiny us not telling you" and it was only barbaric for the mental image that he did not need nor want in his head though he understand why she did it; "Is this you saying you don't want a free book? Because I can always take that offer off the table for you" not ever having his heart to do that to her but it would be funny to see her reaction; "Oh come on, did you ever think that maybe Airi missed you? I mean why did you break it up in the first place?"

[reagflor]

Since her mother's passing and her breakup, Reagan avoided committed relationships altogether. She refrained from settling down or tying herself to one person, preferring to move from one individual to another, basing her choices solely on physical attraction. While she indulged in numerous one-night stands, only a select few were invited into her home, and Ellie was among them. Their connection in bed was something Reagan yearned for—their encounters were always spontaneous and effortless, free of jealousy or possessiveness. It was simply about enjoying each other's presence. Observing Ellie's enthusiastic applause at the bar, Reagan smirked, feeling drawn to the blonde. "For you," she signed before pulling Ellie into a somewhat messy yet passionate kiss.

Reagan was right about that part, the when was always a question, there was no if, but there was certainly a when. Things were easy with Reagan, but they weren't boring. Ellie had been wary of repeating sexual encounters, one night stands and short flirtationships were fun but she'd always worried that if it went on it'd become boring and predictable, luckily Reagan had showed her that that didn't have to be the case.

Ellie leant forward, eyes focused purely on Reagan as she performed. Ellie had dated a musician once and the jealousy had just ruined the whole thing, but with Reagan Ellie didn't feel jealous, just impressed, and singing together was really fun. As the song came to an end Ellie grinned, clapping loudly.

[reagflor]

Reagan couldn't suppress a hint of amusement at Lucien's reaction. She knew Lucien saw her almost as another daughter, especially considering her relationship with his own daughter. His response to her comment elicited a chuckle from her; she always enjoyed toeing that line with both dads. "Sorry, Lucien," she offered with a half-hearted apology. "But neither you nor that husband of yours mentioned she was in town, so we ended up running into each other at the bar." She shot him a pointed look, arms crossed over her chest. "You're always giving me free books anyway. This won't be any different."

Reagan was pretty much like another daughter to him, there was no other way to put it, when his daughter and her were dating he saw just as much as her as he did Airi and it was hard not to cringe when she said what she said; "Reagan!" putting his hands over his ears a disgusted look on his features; "That is definitely not the mental image I needed today" but it was one he was going to have to fight in blocking out it seems; "Look how about I make it up to you with a new book on me?" narrowly avoiding the question with the hopes the other wouldn't notice

[reagflor]

As Colton leaned into her touch, Reagan felt a comforting warmth envelop them both. She continued rubbing the back of his neck, relishing in the intimate moment they shared. His playful comment about the scales tipping in her favor brought a soft chuckle to her lips, acknowledging the truth behind his jest. Accepting the bag of food he offered, she settled it on her lap as they drove off, the simplicity of the evening feeling like a rare treat. It was just the two of them, indulging in their usual routine of shared moments and seaside pleasures. Reagan couldn't recall the last time they had ventured to the beach together without interruptions or obligations—it had become their haven since her official move to HavenRidge. "I suppose we do make quite the unconventional pair, but you're the perfect 'not boyfriend'," she teased, grateful for the stolen moments away from the chaos of everyday life. "I'm just looking, I'm not doing anything," she added with a smirk, giving him a playful glance that could either ignite desire or disarm him completely.

He leaned slightly into her touch, feeling her fingers rub the back of his neck as they waited for the food so they could leave the town behind them for a few hours at least. "Somehow I still feel like the scales are tipped more in your favor. I mean, have you met you?" He grinned over at her which was interrupted with a bag of food being handed over along with two drinks that made their way into the cup holders while he offered her the bag. It'd been too long since the last time they were able to get some alone time together outside of a tiny closet or a window of moments before someone else came looking for one of them.

Colt couldn't remember the last time they'd stolen away to the beach for a night with their phone's off and no one needing to get ahold of them. Or so he hoped. "No one would even believe it. They'd think that I was some made up character that's clearly too good to be true," he joked with her, shifting into gear as they pulled into traffic and he found them heading straight towards their spot. "But I'd appreciate less of the distracting looks, they're already too hard to ignore and when you turn it on; then I'm clearly a dead man walking." He laughed as they made a turn and the horizon looked darker than the artificial lights behind them as the beach soon came into view.

[reagflor]

Reagan met Colt's grin with a warm smile, appreciating the depth of their connection and the shared experiences that had brought them to this moment. Their friendship was a cornerstone of stability in her life, a source of comfort amid life's complexities. She understood the unspoken agreement between them to keep their relationship uncomplicated, shielding it from external influences that could complicate matters. "You have a way of affecting me too, Colt," Reagan replied, her voice laced with anticipation for the moments they would share later. She moved her hand from his thigh to behind his neck, gently rubbing the back of his head. The prospect of being alone together, without the stick shift between them, allowed her to focus entirely on him, free from the distractions of the outside world.

His playful remark elicited a chuckle from Reagan, the sound lightening the atmosphere inside the jeep. She admired his ability to find humor in even the most mundane situations, his presence a constant source of joy in her life. "Don't worry, I'll try to keep my distracting looks to a minimum," Reagan teased, her eyes dancing with amusement. She watched as Colt smoothly placed their order, Reagan felt a sense of contentment wash over her, grateful for the simple pleasures of their time together. "You know, keep it up and you'll have two books written about you."

"I know you wouldn't be here right now if you didn't," he grinned back, noting both on the actions of the night but also all that they'd shared together over the years. If nothing else, Reagan was one of his best friends which hadn't complicated matters between them as long as others stayed out of it. He knew it would change if others got involved and saw what could become so complicated so quickly. Colt chuckled a bit under his breath, able to keep the jeep straight as he moved them through the drive thru. "You have more than this kind of effect on me, but I'll be sure to show you how much when we get parked later."

At least then he'd be able to focus all his attention on her rather than having to split it so they didn't end up in the side of a burger joint before the night is through. "You keep looking at me like that and I'm going to end up rear ending the next person in line while forgetting all about the food just to get us getting there sooner." It was a joke, mostly, but she did have a hold over him when they were often spending time alone together as he smiled back before they rolled into a spot to order some food. He put in the order quickly enough, adding a couple drinks too for later as he rolled the jeep towards the window to pay.

[reagflor]

Reagan observed Colt, sensing the weight of his thoughts as he grappled with his family's expectations and the pressure to uphold the Atwater name. She understood his reluctance to conform to their ideals, recognizing the complexities of his situation. His smile, though fleeting, spoke volumes, a silent acknowledgment of their shared understanding. "You know I think the world of you, right," Reagan remarked, her smile directed at him. Over the past ten years of friendship, Colton Atwater had become a pillar in her life.

"There's nothing I'd love more than to handle this head-on," Reagan smirked before going back to her hand resting gently on his leg. As she felt a slight jerk beneath her touch, she couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at him. "It's nice to know much of an effect I have you." Reagan smirked, moving her hand back to it's spot. She had some thoughts of unbuttoning his jeans right there, but she didn't think his heart could take it. "That's the only food I'm interested in." Reagan replied, her voice filled with lust.

Colt stared ahead, trying not to believe that either one of his parents wanted what was best for him or rather what looked best for the Atwater name. At least it was enough of a reason for him to push back whenever they spoke about things like the future. "And she sees you as the best out of all of us," he added with a smile that he shot over to her after a moment, grateful that she wasn't going to push back for him to get in his parents' good graces as much as accept that there were some things that weren't so easy to fix.

"There's nothing more that I wouldn't want to do than pull this jeep over and deal with this." Though his leg almost jerked against the touch of her hand on him before he let out a laugh. "But a promise is a promise, which means food first to refuel before we hit the gym." Colt smiled a bit then, knowing the exact place to get them something to eat before they mead out of the middle of town towards the coastline. They had a spot together, one that he knew would be empty enough for them to spend some time together without the fear of anyone else catching them together. "Two burgers, two fries. Anything else?"

[reagflor]

Reagan grinned at Ellie's response, appreciating her easygoing nature and willingness to indulge her whims. Ellie's smile was infectious, and Reagan couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth in her presence. "Yes, the chase." Reagan smirked, raising an eyebrow in playful amusement. "You never know, when the encore is going to happen." Of course the encore was always going to happen, but it was the matter of when. The connection between them was undeniable, a certainty that lingered in the air. It was why they always did some kind of public outing, they were friends who enjoyed their time together. But, some days those outings were fast or not even happening.

"A surprise indeed," Reagan chuckled, sharing in Ellie's laughter as she watched her move to a table near the stage. She admired Ellie's playful spirit, finding comfort in their shared understanding. As Reagan returned to the stage, she couldn't resist shooting Ellie a wink before taking the mic. Tonight, the performance was dedicated to her, a tribute to their undeniable chemistry. With a sultry flair, Reagan poured her heart into the music, giving it her all.

"Your wish is my command," she smiled, always happy to give Reagan whatever she wanted, with a face like that there was no chance Ellie was denying her anything. "The chase?" she said with an eyebrow raise, "I don't think there's any chase." Sure they liked to play like there was a will they/won't they element to all this, but the answer was already decided, it had been decided before they'd even met up. "Now that would be a surprise," she laughed lightly. She huffed jokingly as Reagan walked back to the stage but picked up her drink, moving to a table that was right near the stage.

[reagflor]

Reagan absorbed Colt's words, feeling the weight of his concerns about his mother's expectations and the role she envisioned for her in his life. It resonated deeply with her own struggles, and she empathized with the pressure he faced to meet those expectations. As he spoke, Reagan couldn't help but sense the gravity of his uncertainty and the burden of his mother's hopes weighing on him. "She sees the best in you, Colt," Reagan replied softly, her hand gently squeezing his thigh in a gesture of solidarity. She understood the weight he carried, the challenge of living up to someone else's standards.

His playful banter brought a brief moment of levity, drawing a smile to her lips. "We both know you'd never let anything bad happen to me, Colt," Reagan responded, her tone sincere yet light-hearted. "And we also know you'd secretly love to pull over so I can deal with this." She smirked, teasingly grazing her hand over him before settling back into her seat. "Despite everything, I do enjoy your company," Reagan continued, her voice warm. "And as much as I'd love sandwiches, let's hit the drive-through for burgers and fries before we hit the gym."

The rest of his life might not be as long as others, which had him pausing to drive for a moment rather than bite back at the way that his mother looked at Reagan as more than a potential addition to the family. She believed that if there was anyone that could help her son, possibly save him, that it was the girl sitting alongside and currently running around in his mind more than the rest of his thoughts. "She's got higher hopes for me than I'm ever gonna achieve," he spoke after a beat, one of them landing someone of worth like Reagan for more than what worked for them. Her hand on his thigh had his thoughts swapping around to the more present than the future as he smiled once more. "You keep that up and we've never going to make it anywhere other than a quick stop on the side of the road before I crash us." Colt shot her a grin then, reaching over for a moment to wrap a finger around one of the loose tendrils of her hair and tugged it gently before his hand was back on the stick shift. "It's always nice hearing people tell me things an' it's always for the first time for me, especially how much they enjoy their time alone with me." A small laugh slipped out then before he managed to head them towards a drive thru lane for food for the two of them. "Though I didn't forget that I promised you whatever your heart desires in terms of dinner tonight." He gestured towards the lighted sign of cheap food that'd get them going for the night before hitting the dunes.

[reagflor]

For the past four years, Island Pages had served as a sanctuary for Reagan. It was her first stop when she arrived in town, largely due to the insistence of her pseudo father figure. Since then, she made it a point to visit at least once a week. Lucien always had a new book waiting for her, reigniting the connection they lost after her breakup with Airi. Despite occasional guilt about not communicating with Airi, Reagan had to push those thoughts aside. "I said I had sex with Airi," Reagan smirked, fully aware that it wasn't her original statement. Since he wasn't paying attention, she decided to steer him back on track. "What I really said was, how could you not tell me Airi was back in town?"

Location: Island Pages

Status: Open

Tagging: @havenridgerp-starters

His day had been going relatively well, it wasn't overly busy nor crowded but the foot traffic picked up every so often; on the quieter periods though Lucien's brain tended to wonder, thinking about the general things he had to do either when he got home or attempting to come up with a generalised to do list things that were outstanding, which often left him to be not as perceptive as he would have liked to be when someone came into the shop; "Apologies for not hearing that the first time, could you repeat that again for me?"

[reagflor]

Reagan grinned, amused by Colt's groan and eye roll. She knew all too well about his mother's penchant for including her in their family dinners, seeing her as the potential catalyst for Colt's supposed transformation. The notion was both flattering and exasperating, a constant reminder of the expectations hovering over their non relationship. "She doesn't want to replace me with you, she wants you to be with me for the rest of your life," Reagan remarked with a small smirk, but understanding Colt's side over all of this. She knew she was viewed as the ideal partner in his mother's eyes, but in her eyes, she truly thought that Colt was a catch. If she was in any position for a relationship, she would gladly be in one with him. She found solace in the connection that they had. Her laughter bubbled as Colt teased about quick trysts in closets during dinner. "I certainly didn't say that. If you need a release or to get out of there, you know I will do anything I can to make it happen. Even if it means a quickie in the closet." The playful banter was a welcome distraction from the weight of their situation, reminding Reagan of the spontaneity that drew her to Colt in the first place. "Ah, the perks of a forgetful memory," Reagan quipped, flashing him a playful smirk, before placing her hand on his thigh. She let her hand drag dangerously close to him, teasing him as the left the parking lot. She appreciated Colt's lightheartedness, his ability to navigate their complex dynamic with ease. As they drove to their destination, Reagan couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment wash over her. Despite the uncertainties lurking beneath the surface, moments like these with Colt made it all worthwhile.

Colt groaned with a roll of his eyes, because he could easily see his mother inviting her over for their biweekly family dinner that he wasn't allowed to skip. All because she could see Reagan as someone that would potentially help him get his shit together, so to speak. "If she could replace me with you, she'd do it in a heartbeat. You definitely look the part more than I do." There was a voice in the back of his mind that reminded that he was never going to look the part, not even if he managed to get it together. Or want it either as he smiled through the uncomfortable thoughts and managed to get the jeep started once they were both inside. "So does that mean no quickies in a closet at dinner?" He grinned then, shooting her a quick wink before he was reversing the jeep and shifting forward once they were out of the parking lot. No one needed to know anything that was happening between them, not as long as they wanted to keep it that way which suited him even if there were moments like this where he liked seeing her in the front seat with him. "I'm saying that my memory is shot, probably from all those doctors when I was a kid," he joked with a laugh. "Don't you worry about that. I won't leave you hanging."

[reagflor]

Reagan chuckled softly, her gaze meeting Ellie's with a knowing glint. "I now fully expect a private performance," she replied, her voice carrying a hint of amusement. It was true; their routine was familiar, comfortable even. They both understood the unspoken agreement between them, enjoying the simplicity of their arrangement. But, it was still a thrill being with Ellie. "It's the thrill of the chase, isn't it?" Reagan mused, a playful smile tugging at her lips. "But who knows, maybe we'll surprise ourselves one of these days and actually make it through a public outing without rushing back home." The thought brought a flicker of anticipation to Reagan's eyes, hinting at the possibility of something more, even if just for a moment. "Personally, I'm ready to have you sing out my name." She husked in her ear, placing a gentle kiss against her neck before fully pulling away. "But, maybe I'll make you wait a little longer." She smirked, downing her drink and heading towards the stage for one more song.

"I might be," she smiled. It was easy with the two of them, they both knew what this was, it was fun and they enjoyed each other's company but it was also predictable, they both knew how this night would end, there was no need to be coy about it. Her hand went to rest on the brunette's thigh as Reagan leaned in closer. Ellie considered herself a good flirt, but whenever she was with Reagan she felt like an apprentice learning from an expert. "At this point I don't why we bother to even start these evenings in a public place," she admitted, it never seemed to last long before they were back at one of their places.

[reagflor]

"Your mother adores me. I just have to suggest an interview about the club's success, and she'll be thrilled," Reagan remarked, shooting him a pointed glance. "And let's not forget, she sees wants you to get your shit together and ask me out." Despite her words, commitment wasn't on Reagan's agenda. She valued the easygoing relationship she shared with Colton, one of the few people she trusted implicitly. "Oh darling, she's already invited me for dinner tomorrow," she continued, shooting him a warning look. "And you'd better behave yourself." As they exited the club and headed toward his jeep, Reagan couldn't help but roll her eyes. "Are you seriously saying that performance was forgettable?" she quipped, showing her irritation before sliding into the car. "Guess I'll have to really step up my game," she teased, "but that means you do too because once is not enough."

"You want to run into her and explain what we did in there?" He joked back, despite the fact that she wasn't that far off that the last thing he wanted to do was run into his mother right at that moment. Not when she would be able to see the hungry look in his eyes or the fact they'd been in a closet together. "Next thing you'll know, you'll be invited to all the more private Atwater affairs because she'd be expecting an engagement ring before summer hits." It was meant to be a joke, but he'd sat through one too many family dinners with looks of disappointment and frustration from both parents as they kept asking for the day that he'd settle down, quit trying to be something that he was not, and fall back into the family. His jeep was parked out front, far enough to the side that it wouldn't be as easily noticed as the next car as a smile appeared again when she began to lead him towards the exit. "We might have to revisit it because I think I've already forgotten some of it. You might need to help me, after we get some food on the way," he teased, squeezing her hand as he moved forward just fast enough to get the door first before she got there.