𝐓𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄- 𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐑 𝐑𝐄𝐈𝐃

𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐑𝐓𝐘-𝐄𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓

𝐌𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐎𝐑𝐘 𝐇𝐀𝐋𝐄 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐍𝐎𝐓 𝐄𝐗𝐏𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐀𝐍𝐘. So, needless to say that when she opened the door and saw Rhiannon standing there, she was a bit surprised to see her. Mallory blinked slowly and just stared at her for a moment. Rhiannon awkwardly shoved her hands into her pockets and smiled at Mallory, and there was a sort of...calmness to her expression that Mallory was unfamiliar with. 

"Rhiannon!" Mallory exclaimed. She debated reaching out to hug her, but ultimately decided against it. "I heard you guys were coming back today. How was your trip?"

"Oh, it was good," she said nervously, not once taking her eyes off of Mallory. "We had a great time. You could have joined us, you know." Mallory recalled Alana inviting her on the trip before they left, but she opted out. 

"I didn't want to intrude," Mallory said with a tight-lipped smile. The Europe trip was something that the three girls had wanted to do together since they were kids, and Mallory felt weird intruding on their plans. She didn't want Rhiannon to think that she was trying to replace Evangeline. "But it's nice to see you," she added, leaning against the door frame. Rhiannon's eyes trailed down her figure, pausing on the bare skin of her legs as her shorts rode up ever so slightly. "Is there a reason you stopped by?"

Mallory would have taken any excuse to see her, but it was unlike Rhiannon to stop by unannounced. Mallory couldn't help but think the worst. 

"Yes," Rhiannon said stiffly, like the words were difficult for her to get out. Mallory raised an eyebrow, waiting for her to elaborate. She inhaled sharply and managed to get the words out of her mouth. "I...missed you."

Oh. 

Mallory, for some reason, had not been expecting her to say that. Although, it made her happy to hear the words come from her mouth. 

"I missed you, too," Mallory replied with a small grin. Rhiannon's shoulders relaxed slightly, and then she did something completely unexpected. 

She kissed her. 

Once she got over her initial surprise, Mallory braced her hands on Rhiannon's shoulder and took a step closer to kiss her back. Just as quickly as it started, it was over, and Rhiannon pulled away, taking a step back. "Oh my god, I'm sorry," she quickly apologized, a hand coming up to cover her mouth. "I didn't come here with the intention of doing that, but then I saw you there looking so pretty and I just wasn't thinking. I'm sorry," she apologized quickly. Mallory opened her mouth to assure her that there was no need for apologies, but Rhiannon wasn't done, apparently. "I mean it's wrong of me to just show up here after two months and just kiss you like that. I didn't even ask if you're seeing someone. Are you seeing someone? Oh god, am I a home wrecker?"

Mallory was about to reply, was about to assure Rhiannon that she was in fact single. However, she never got the chance, because Rhiannon was still going. Working with Spencer for so long had made Mallory immune to rambling, but she thought it was kind of cute coming from Rhiannon. 

"I mean, it's not like I was expecting you to wait for me or anything!" Rhiannon said quickly, blabbing off words quickly while she tried to save herself any further embarrassment. "Because that would be selfish and totally unfair. I mean, it's not like we're a couple or anything, so I get it.  You're gorgeous, and charming and insanely funny, and people like you. I'm sure, like, dozens people have tried to date you since I left. Probably more. And I mean, I wouldn't blame you if you went out with any of them because I'm an idiot."

Mallory blinked, utterly speechless—but also fighting the twitch of a grin threatening her lips.

Rhiannon didn't notice.