𝐖𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐌𝐄𝐋𝐎𝐍 𝐒𝐔𝐆𝐀𝐑, COLBY MADDEN

1x18: No Escape Part 1

The late afternoon sun spilled through the living room windows, casting long shadows across the floor. Hartley finally spotted Declan lingering near the back porch, fiddling with a small box that looked suspiciously like a gift.

"Declan? Oh, there you are," Hartley called out, relief washing over her face. "I've been looking for you everywhere."

Declan turned with a small, mischievous grin. "Oh, I was out back. I wanted to surprise you with something as pretty as you."

Hartley giggled, feeling her cheeks warm. "Aw! Is it because you know tomorrow is the one-month anniversary of the day we met?"

"Well, it's not because I didn't know that," Declan said, trying to sound nonchalant but clearly excited.

Y/N and Amy, who had just walked in behind Hartley, exchanged exasperated looks. "Yay! Hartley finally found Declan!" Amy said with mock cheer, blowing a raspberry in the back of her throat. "Hiding from your significant other? I'm with you."

Before Hartley could respond, Celia's sharp voice cut through the air. "Hartley! Did your annoying friend just cut my prized begonias?"

Hartley froze, looking between Declan and Celia. "'Annoying'? I thought she liked me?"

Celia's eyes narrowed. "Yeah, it doesn't take much for her to turn the boat around. Don't make me come over there!"

Hartley threw up her hands in mock surrender. "Yes, please don't make her come over here. I'll distract my grandma, you run out the front," she whispered to Declan with a chuckle. "Oh! But if she sprints the block and cuts you off, you're on your own."

Amy and Y/N rolled their eyes but couldn't help laughing. "Real smooth," Y/N muttered.

Declan lowered his voice, leaning closer to them. "Oh, Amy, real quick. Tomorrow's my one-month anniversary with Hartley, and I want to surprise her."

Y/N raised an eyebrow. "Oh. By moving out of state?"

Declan waved his hand dismissively. "Great idea. She'll never see it coming. Look, I know we didn't exactly... get off on the right foot. Mostly because you think I'm shady."

Amy folded her arms. "I'm not saying you're shady."

"You're a little shady," Y/N interrupted, smirking.

Declan laughed. "Well, I was hoping we could work together to pull off something special."

Amy exhaled slowly, nodding. "I see where you're going with this, and I'm happy to drive the moving van."

Declan grinned. "Where we headed?"

"Nevada is nice. Sunny. But again, you're shady, so that'll balance out nicely."

Hartley, peeking from behind Y/N and Amy, whispered, "Hartley told me she loves escape rooms. And a new one just opened in Valley View. Since she considers you family, I was hoping everyone could go."

Y/N's eyes lit up. "Oh, I love escaping things. Just yesterday, I made a hasty exit from the market. Apparently, it's illegal to steal food," she joked, making Amy laugh.

Declan nodded eagerly. "Escape room, huh? I can escape from anywhere in seconds because, you know, genius. But I'm happy to tag along and point out your failures."

Amy rolled her eyes but smiled. "Great. Oh, but whatever you do, don't tell Hartley. I want it to be a surprise."

"See you tomorrow," Declan said, giving them a quick salute before slipping off toward the front door.

Hartley turned to Y/N and Amy, a grin tugging at her lips. "Well, that was... something."

Amy shook her head, still smiling. "You know, somehow, it always ends up being something with your family."