A Day in the Life of...

This Kiss- Riley Herbst

(This is the finale to the 3-Part Crush series)
"What do you mean you two haven't kissed yet?" Elle looked over at both Isla and Kaia after she dropped the bombshell on the pair. "You've been hanging out for the last week and a half, since he won Vegas, and nothing?"
"Don't you think I haven't tried?" Elle said. "We've had plenty of opportunities to and come up empty-handed every time."
"Opportunities?"
"The first time, he dropped me off at my dad's because that's where my car was, so he's walking me to the door and we stop about half way to the door. He said he had a great time, which I agreed. So, he leans in and..." Elle let out a sharp sigh. "The sprinklers turn on. We get SOAKED."
"You have got to be kidding me." Kaia said.
"Right?! I yelled at my dad for it, but he denies any wrong doing."
"Typical. My dad did that to Sammy and I the other night." Kaia rolled her eyes. "Sammy was sweet about it."
"So, the second time, I brought him lunch to the shop. We're sitting outside, having a nice time. We finish eating and he scoots closer to me. He leans in and..."
"Custer."
"Yup, comes outside to tell Riley he's got to come in."
"You have the worst luck."
"The third time was Isla's fault."
"Wait, what?"
"Last night, when you and Eckes came back from your date. Riley and I were watching a movie. A very romantic movie. It gets to the part where the guy is confessing his love for the girl. Riley put his hand on my cheek, he leans over, and..."
"Christian and I walk in the door. Girl, I am so sorry."
"Riley left not long after that, saying it was getting late. So, it's not for the lack of trying. The universe doesn't want me to find out how good of kisser Riley is." Elle flopped over onto the floor where she had been sitting.
"If you would have told January Elle that October Elle wanted to kiss a NASCAR driver, she would have called you nuts."
"And one of her dad's drivers no less."
"The party is in two days. You have to make that your deadline. Kiss him at the party."
"That's the plan." Elle said as her phone chimed. It was Riley. "Riley is going as Fred from Scooby-Doo. Do I change my costume and go as Daphne?"
"We can't have two Powerpuff girls, Elle." Kaia said, Isla agreeing. "Bubbles and Blossom need their Buttercup."
"Ugh, fine."
"You could just invite him over tonight and just laid one on him." Isla said.
"I don't want to just 'lay one on him'. He deserves more than that." Elle just wish she could figure out what do to.
***
"You seriously haven't kissed her yet?" Noah asked his friend as they sat around Riley's apartment watching a movie and eating too much pizza. "What is wrong with you?"
"I don't know! Every time I've tried, something has happened."
"Right. The lawn sprinklers at the Stewart homestead."
"We got soaked. Tony got an ear full from Elle."
"You really think he did it on purpose?" He asked, grabbing a slice of pizza from the box.
"He said he didn't but..." Riley took a bite of pizza. "Cole got in the way the second time."
"I heard the boss's daughter brought you lunch and you had a lovely little picnic and just as our hero was going in for the kiss, your dear teammate comes outside and breaks it up."
"He profusely apologized for it. Cole didn't know what was going on."
"Custer doesn't usually know what's going on." Noah said with a laugh. "You said you got blocked three times now."
"Elle's roommate. Last night. Elle invited me over for a movie."
"Click flick."
"It wasn't terrible, I think. I wasn't really paying attention. Well, the guy was telling the girl that he loved her and took that as my opportunity. Just as I was leaning in, the door opens and in walked Isla and Eckes."
"I heard those two have been going at it for a couple of weeks. Barely come up for air."
"That's what I heard too."
"Can't believe Walker's baby sister has such a wild side."
"Barely. She just really likes Eckes."
"And whatever he's packing."
"Right."
"So, what are you going to do about your dilemma?"
"I don't know. I really want to kiss her."
"I know you do. You've been obsessing about it for well over a week. The Halloween party is in two days. That should be your deadline."
"You think so? I'm running out of ideas. Are you going to the party?"
"Nah, Emery is dragging me to something that night. Real couple bonding time. There's been a lot of it since the engagement."
"She has really mellowed you out."
"For sure. What's your costume?"
"Fred from Scooby-Doo." Noah laughed. "What?"
"That is such a predictable costume. What is she going as?" Noah asked as he sent Elle a text about his costume.
"Buttercup from Powerpuff girls."
"You could solve your kissing problem by just showing up at her apartment and laying one on her."
"I can't do that. She's worth way more than that." Riley put his head in his hands. He wished he could just figure out what to do.
***
Elle walked into the party behind Isla and Kaia as the party was already in full swing.  The girls made the decision to show up together instead of with their respective dates. Kaia quickly found Sammy in the kitchen, while Isla found Christian outside by the keg. Elle was left alone, wondering through the sea of people.
"Where Blossom and Bubbles?" Elle smiled before turning around to face Fred Rogers.
"Off with their boyfriends. Where's Daphne?"
"I think I'm more partial to Buttercup." He said with a smile.
"Do you want a drink?" She asked.
"Yeah  I'd love one." Riley took her hand in his before leading her through the crowd. Riley got them both drinks. "Those two are going at it again." Elle looked over Riley's shoulder, seeing her roommate and her boyfriend playing tonsil hockey in one of the lawn chairs.
"Get a room!" Elle yelled, laughing as she got a middle finger from Isla. Elle was jealous of her friend's newly found confidence, wishing she could just press her lips to Riley's without thinking about it. They walked back inside to find a place to sit. Elle could tell Riley was a bit nervous and she hope he couldn't tell that she was too. They found a spot in a corner.
"So..."
"So..." They both let out an awkward laugh. "You're not a big party person, are you?" Elle asked.
"Not really. Some people would call me socially awkward."
"I can honestly see that." Elle watched as Riley leaned in. This what it. As Elle leaned in, that's when she saw it. Or who rather. "Shit." Riley looked over. "Harrison. I need to find Kai." Elle got up. "I'll be right back. I promise." She handed him her drink before heading in the direction that she last saw Kaia. It didn't take Elle long to find Sammy. "Sammy, where's Kaia?"
"I don't know. I haven't seen her in like 10 minutes. Why?"
"No reason. I'll go find her." Elle left Sammy in search of her friend. Elle searched for almost ten minutes before she heard Kaia's voice.
"Harrison, you shouldn't be here." Elle stopped next to room that they were in.
"You shouldn't be here with him."
"Harrison, I told you, I..." Harrison cut her off, pressing his lips to hers. Elle slowly stepped away before heading back downstairs. She definitely didn’t want to get into the middle of it. It took her a few minutes, but Elle found Riley standing with Sam Mayer and Evie Busch. They were dressed as Snow White and her prince. Well, Evie's costume would be barely considered a costume as it barely made it to her knees and what little cleavage she had was hanging out.
"Elle! Such a cute costume!" Evie said, Elle hearing the venom dripping in her voice.
"Well, we can't always be princesses."
"Some people can't really pull off the princess look."
"Some people really do have that princess mentality." Elle said as she took Riley's hand in hers to pull him away. "I really don't like her. Especially after we she did to Gibbs."
"Where is the fire, Elle?" Riley asked as Elle found them a quiet place to sit.
"There's no fire." She said, taking a seat. Riley sat next to her. Elle scooted closer to him as she leaned in.
"Elle."
"Hmm?"
"I..."
"Elle!" Elle heard Isla's voice.
"You have got to be kidding me." Isla came bounding up.
"Sammy and Harrison are getting into a fight. And Kai's in the middle of it."
"Shit." Elle got up and followed Isla with Riley on her heels.
"She's only with you to distract her from what she really wants, Smith." Elle heard when they made it over to the commotion.
"Yeah, because nobody can resist the  Burton charm. Grow the fuck up." Sammy threw back at him.
"Stop you two. I'm not worth fighting over." Kaia said, but to no avail.
"You have to choose, Kaia." Sammy said.
"Yeah, Stenhouse." Kaia looked between the two guys. "I don't have time for this." Harrison turned and walked away.
"Neither do I." Sammy walked away as well.
"I..." Elle turned to Riley.
"I'm sorry, but I need to deal with this. You can stay."
"I'll help. Let's take her home." Elle took Kaia's hand before heading to the front door. Elle got Kaia into back of Riley's truck. The ride to the Stenhouse home was silence, except for the sniffles that came from the back seat. Elle had texted Ricky from Kaia's phone, explaining what had happened so he was waiting outside when they got there. Ricky thanked Elle and Riley for bringing her home before they headed to Elle's apartment. Riley pulled into the parking space next to Elle's car, turning the truck off.
"I did have a nice time with you tonight, despite how it ended." Riley said.
"This is not how this was supposed to go."
"What do you mean?"
"You and me. How hard is it to kiss someone?!"
"Elle..."
"I'm sorry. I'm just..." Elle took a deep breath. "I should head up now." Elle got out of the truck and headed towards the door.
"Elle!" Riley had quickly gotten out of his truck and caught up to her. Elle turned around before she finally felt Riley's lips on hers. The kiss was soft, like Riley was testing the waters. Elle kissed back, leaning her body into his. He tangled his fingers into her hair as her hands rested on his hips. When they finally pulled away, Riley rested his forehead against hers. "I..."
"That was definitely worth the wait." Elle tilted her head, pressing her lips to his once more. She could definitely get used to this.