A Fine Romance

Chapter 13

After the trial, Riley was making some decisions about what to do with her life.
Riley went to the bank to see about getting investment to start up her own events company. She went in prepared. Riley had invested her money well, so she was getting great returns. This would all help her get a loan.

Riley walked out of the bank, more stressed than when she went in. The bank declined her loan. Riley sighed and walked towards the parking lot.
Riley got into her car and started the engine. Her Emo playlist started up immediately. Papa roach and their last resort. Riley needed this. She sang at the top of her lungs. Traffic was light for LA. Although it was early afternoon. Rileys cell phone rang. She had it on hands free. It was Brendon.
"Hi, Brendon."
"Hello Riley. I was just calling about tonight."
"Ok?" Riley said, sounding puzzled.
"Yea, do you want to stay over? If so, pack some overnight things as well as your swimming costume."
Brendon was having a pool party.
Everyone was going.
Riley and Brendon had been on a few dates now. They still weren't official, but it looked like it was heading that way.
The previous week, Brendon had gone to Rileys Dad's house for the 4th July celebrations. Kelly was there with Patrick.
Next week was the sentencing of Bobby.
"How did you get on at the bank?" Brendon asked.
"Ooooo don't, Bren." Riley replied.
"Awww, really?"
"Yep."
"Where are you now?" Brendon asked.
"I am just about to get onto the freeway home."
"Ok." Brendon went quiet.
"Bren? Are you ok?" Riley asked.
"Huh? Oh yea, yes, I am good."
"Well, I will see later on. Ok?"
"Ok, Ry." Riley could tell that he was smiling.
Riley hung up and continued listening to her playlist all the way home.
When she got home, she fussed Nico and fed him. Linda was at work. Riley needed to do some body maintenance before the pool party. She waxed her legs underarms and the bikini area. After that, she moisturised all over her body. As Riley was putting her bikini on, Linda arrived home. Riley came through to the living room in a pale blue sundress with love hearts all over it. She had paired it with some cream wedges. Rileys bag was packed with overnight things and toiletries. She put her bag hat and sunglasses on the couch and went back in the bedroom to grab her charger.
Linda put her briefcase down and made herself a drink of juice and went to get herself ready. Spencer was picking them both up in half an hour. Riley scrolled on her phone on Instagram and tiktok.
Linda came back through wearing a red sundress over a black one piece. She had opted for slip-on wedges. They are black. She also had an overnight bag, but she was staying at Spencers. As the 2 women waited, Riley told Linda about the bank.
"Well, if the bank won't invest in you, someone else will." Linda said supportively, patting Rileys leg.
"Thanks, Lin." Riley said as Spencer knocked on the door and let himself in.
"Hello, ladies." He said and kissed Linda hello.
Spencer took their overnight bags to the car as Linda locked everything up. Riley checked that Nico had plenty of food and water and that the cat flap was open for him. She hugged him goodbye and left for Brendons place.

All 3 of them walked into Brendons place. The music was loud, and there were people lounging around outside. Brendon was in his element cooking the bbq. Riley went upstairs and put her bag in the guestroom. She didn't want to make presumptions. This was her first time sleeping at Brendons place.
As Riley came out of the guest room, she nearly walked into Brendon.
"Woah, sorry." They both said at the same time and laughed.
"You ok Riley?" Brendon asked.
"Yea, are you good, Bren?"
"Yea. How come you put your stuff in the guestroom? You don't want to sleep in my room, with me?" Brendon looked disappointed.
"Ohh no, it's nothing like that, Brendon. I just didn't want to presume I was staying in your room. That was all." Riley explained. Brendon went into the guestroom, picked Rileys bag up, and took it into the master bedroom. Riley looked on.
"Just in case you had any doubts." Brendon said. He then pulled Riley to him and kissed her deeply. "By the way, you look incredibly sexy right now." Riley got her breath back and headed downstairs to the party. She saw Dan and Mike with Nicole. So she went to talk to them.
Brendon came back downstairs.
"CANNONBALL!!" He shouted and ran and jumped into the pool. Pete was keeping an eye on the bbq.
Riley looked on and laughed.
"You know he's head over heels for you, don't you.? " Nicole said to Riley. Riley blushed because she did know how Brendon felt about her. He told her often enough.
"I do know. He tells me daily." Riley replied. Nicole put an arm around and hugged her to her. Brendon came over to them dripping wet.
"Hey, Bren." Nicole said.
"Hey, Nic. Can I borrow this lovely lady, please?"
"Sure." Nicole replied. Brendon took Rileys hand and led her to a quiet part of the backyard.
He kissed her hands as they sat down.
"Riley, you are so wonderful. I tell you how I feel about you every day." Riley nodded." Would you officially be my girlfriend Riley?" Brendon asked.
Riley looked at this handsome man in front of her. She kissed Brendon.
"Yes." She simply answered. Brendons face lit up instantly, and he held Riley in his arms and kissed her passionately.
"I love you, Riley, so much," Brendon said, looking into her eyes.
"I love you. I am in love with you, Brendon." Riley ran her fingers through his hair. Brendon closed his eyes in bliss.
They broke apart and stood up to go back to the party. Riley took her sundress off and dived into the swimming pool. Brendon was back manning the bbq.

As the afternoon wore on and the food was eaten, some people headed home. Brendon let the bbq cool down. Riley had a big towel around her as she was cold. She was sat on a sun lounger with her sunglasses on. Brendon put his shirt back on and came to sit with her.
Brendon sat behind Riley so that his legs were either side of her. Riley leant back onto Brendons chest, instantly getting more warmth. They sat there together as the sun began to set, wrapped in each other's arms.