The Piano || 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘣𝘺 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘤𝘬

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"A date," Ashley echoed. "Like, an official date?"

"That's what a date generally is, yeah."

She tilted her head. "That would mean there is more coming."

"It would, yeah. Maybe. If we're both up for it." Colby seemed way too casual for this. At least he'd dropped the tension. Mostly, at least.

"And..." Ashley bit her lip. Was this too risky? Was she about to step over a boundary? "... if I am? Now?"

Either she was tripping now, or there was a smile tugging at Colby's lips – more than the cocky grin he had only halfway dropped. "Are you?"

God, why did he have to make his expression so hard to read?

"Yeah."

"Then..." He hesitated. Had he not planned this far? Or was she moving too quickly? "I guess we can skip over the next part. Will you be my girlfriend, Ashley?"

"I-"

"Really, this time? No façade, no farce, just you and me? Together?" And that was when he reached out to grab her hands over the table. Cheesy, a thought flashed in her mind, but she quickly banished it.

"Yes." Her voice wasn't even shaking.

He let out a breath. Maybe relief, maybe happiness, it didn't matter – what mattered was that the table wasn't broad. Why did it matter? Because it meant that she could lean over it and press a kiss to his lips. Short, quick, and sweet. He'd just closed his eyes when she pulled away.

"That's the kiss you want to give your boyfriend?" he asked, pouting jokingly.

"Oh, don't pretend like that's the best and only you've gotten from me."

"Nope. It's been a long time, though," he argued.

"Aw, are you just starving for a kiss?" Ashley teased. She didn't expect him to answer so... seriously. Again.

"Yeah," he said, looking into her eyes. Flustered, she turned her head away.

"Alright. Well, I'm done eating, should we..."

"Yeah, let's go," Colby said, pulling out his wallet. Ashley reached into her bag, but he shook his head. "First date and all, don't tell me you've forgotten already."

"I mean, no, but-"

"No buts," he said, "I'm paying."

Ashley shot him a playful glare. "This time around."

As she'd promised – the second they stepped outside, she snuck a hand around his neck and pulled him forward to kiss him. Deeper, this time. A lot deeper.

"Woah," he said as they pulled apart. "I missed this."

"Just this?"

"Hell no."

His immediate response made her giggle. "What else did you miss?"

"I'll show you," he replied.

Ashley couldn't refuse when he invited her back to his place. Or when he invited her to stay the night. Or when they slept in the next morning and went to buy Ashley some clothes because she saw no reason to return to Jerry. Or when she turned Colby's desk into a temporary streaming table, even with a green screen made of an old cloth. Or when Sam joined them for a games night, insisting on a rematch in Rocket League.

It felt good. Really good. Better than the last few weeks at her own apartment. So, the decision was made quickly.

Ashley was to move in with Sam and Colby.