Comfort Food

Girls' Night Out

Traffic in Avalon had reached a standstill and Regina tapped her fingers against the steering wheel impatiently. "You were right. We should've taken the train."

"There's a concert at the Avalon Pavilion. Everyone is heading to see The Lost Boys," Robin replied. "Well, everyone with teenagers."

"How do you even know about this?"

Robin chuckled. "I have employees with teenagers. This boy band is the hottest thing out there right now. Maybe we should just turn around."

"But it's your birthday!"

"It's okay, lovely. I just want to spend it with you. So turn around and we can have a quiet evening at home."

She bit her lip. This was not her call to make but she couldn't let Robin know that. It would ruin everything. "But this night is all planned out."

"Plans change. We usually have wiggle room. What makes this time different?" She felt his eyes boring into her but she refused to look at him. He shifted in his seat. "Regina, are you taking me to a surprise party?"

Damn him. Regina looked at him, grimacing. "You have to act surprised, okay? Tuck and them have been planning this a long time."

"My employees. Of course. They've wanted to throw me a surprise party for a long time. I keep ruining their plans every year. I've gone soft," he said, rubbing his beard. "You were part of it?"

"They called me to see if there was anyone else they should invite and Tuck asked if I could bring you. I said yes...and now I've failed at that."

Robin reached out and took her right hand off the steering wheel. He brought it to his lips, kissing her knuckles. "You haven't failed, lovely."

"We were supposed to be there fifteen minutes ago."

Her cell phone began to ring and Will's picture popped up on her screen. Robin picked it up as she shook her head. "Will? Is something wrong?" he asked, smiling at her.

She rolled her eyes as she gripped the wheel, waiting to hear where this went. Next to her, Robin nodded. "I see. Well, she can't talk right now. We're stuck in traffic. You should tell everyone else that."

"Robin!" she hissed, glaring at him.

He held up his hand, silencing her. "She didn't tell me, I guessed. No, I'm not mad. Slightly amused that it almost worked this time. Too bad about the traffic."

As she hit her head against the steering wheel, he chuckled. "We're still on our way but I don't know when we'll get there. Yes, I'll keep you updated. Thanks for taking this in stride, Will. And tell the others not to be mad at Regina. She did a really good job hiding your secret. Thanks."

"You had to rat me out?" She glared at him as he handed her phone back.

"I didn't rat you out. And if anyone gives you a problem, point them to me. I'd be happy to have a conversation with them." He cracked his knuckles as he glared at her dashboard.

Regina raised an eyebrow. "You would fight your friends over my honor?"

"If they disrespected you, yes," he replied, taking her hand. "You're the most important person in my life, Regina."

She smiled, kissing his hand. "Well, let's hope it doesn't come to that. And it might if we don't move any time soon."

"True," Robin replied, stretching out. "Since we have time, do you want to finally talk about moving in together?"