Sitting In Traffic

Chapter 83- and even then

Riley was in her kitchen brewing herself a cup a coffee. She was standing at the counter with an open book in front of her and kettle in hand, pouring hot water into her kemmix that was full of fresh coffee grounds. Daniel was getting dressed for the day while Lando was just waking up, making his way into the kitchen to see what was going on. He mumbled 'Good Morning' to Riley tiredly and sat at the kitchen's island. Riley said it back, glancing over her shoulder before her attention went back into her book.

"So," Lando was trying to follow the awkward silence between them. "Do you have anything going on in August?"

"Umm..." Riley thought for an answer to the question she felt was random. "My dads having his kid, but nothing else"

"No plans made with Max?"

"Not yet"

"What are we talking about" Daniel said with full energy, clapping his hands together loudly.

"Plans in August" Riley sighed, pouring more water over her coffee beans.

"Oh" Daniel looked at Lando, "Why, that's so far away still"

"Just a couple weeks" Lando said, "Summer break, what'd you do the last one"

'Hooked up with Arthur and started dating Liam two weeks later' She thought to herself, completely disappointed in her actions.

"Nothing much" Riley said quietly, putt the kettle down. "I might go home again, see my family and stuff"

"You should" Lando encouraged it, "I'm sure th-"

"God I'm so tired" Daniel cut Lando off, stretching out his back. "Lando when are you leaving"

"Right now I guess" Lando started to laugh, he wasn't going to tell Riley anything.

Riley stayed quiet, keeping her face in her book when the room got awkward. Daniel didn't usually kick Lando out of the house, especially when he invited him over. She assumed something must've happened last night, not currently.

"I'll walk you out" Daniel told Lando while he stood up.

"I'm loving the special treatment I get whenever I come over" Lando said sarcastically, walking out of the room to gather his things.

Lando didn't take long, Daniel was waiting in the kitchen, talking with Riley quietly, pulling her mind from making plans in August. He knew Max said he just wanted to at least have the ring by then, but nonetheless Lando was bringing attention to that month.

"You should stay for the summer" Daniel told Riley, he didn't know how much Lando had said. "I'm sure Max would want you to stay around"

"He can come to Miami with me" She smiled going through her cabinets for a coffee mug, "Or Charleston.. wherever honestly"

"I think he said something about taking you to meet his family" Daniel said when Lando walked back into the kitchen.

"Yeah we've been talking about it a little bit lately" Riley said excitedly, "He's met my entire family already, so it's about time"

"Do they like him" Lando asked, walking towards the hallway, waiting for Daniel.

"They love him" She nodded, "Josh does too which means a lot since he's hated everyone I've been with"

"Green flags all around then" Daniel said, walking out of the room with Lando.

His slight irritation with him came back as they approached the door. Lando thought the whole situation was humorous, how Riley didn't know what he was talking about but Daniel started panicking.