Pizza & Wings

(R) 7 Wings

A/N This chapter contains some pretty unpleasant things. So if you can't deal with sexual assault it is likely best you skip this chapter or At least the part (between ***, ***) where they are driving home.

She showered and dressed. I showered and dressed. She grabbed her stuff and we headed out to dinner. She let me drive, which was actually kinda normal. We headed to my favorite wings place. I wanted to talk and tried my hand at a bit of light conversation. "So, how was New York?"

He was starting things off light. Light I could do. "New York was pretty great. I didn't have to leave the theater district except to go to the airport. That was nice. I met my friend Jess for dinner and she saw the show with me. I actually think you would have enjoyed it." I found myself at a loss for what to ask him that wouldn't be a trigger. "How is Brad?"

"Brad is good. Still the way I remember him, an Ass. We played pool. I won most of the games, but he won the bet he made with me."

"What was the bet? What did you lose?"

"Twenty bucks. He bet me that someone would recognize me before we left the second bar we went to." I wasn't really thinking. I was just throwing out whatever thoughts came to mind that wasn't heavy. I figured we could safely talk about a majority of my night without it hurting either of us.

"Safe bet on his part." I giggled. He gets recognized everywhere. "I am glad you got to spend time with him."

"Me too. I didn't know how much I missed hanging out with him. We should invite him and his girlfriend over for dinner sometime. Dinner and a movie, games or something like that. I think you'd like them. They are cute together. Have you met his Emily? I can't remember."

"We should. I have not met Emily. I have barely met Brad." That did sound like a good idea. "We'll have to check our schedules." What next? "How is your mom?"

"She's doing alright. Aching to see us. She wanted to know when we'd be up next. I told her I didn't know, we'd have to check our schedules." I laughed and stole a glance at her lovely face. That was better. No swollen and bloodshot eyes. Just my sweet and wonderful Lizzie. I was still smiling when I turned my eyes back to the road. "I told her I'd ask you." I looked at her again and caught her eye.

"I do miss her." Things were starting to feel a bit more normal. His eyes grabbed mine and I melted like always. I slipped my hand across the center console in hopes that he would take it. "I currently have no assignments scheduled."

She offered me her hand. How could I not take it? Her fingers felt right, perfect in mine. Her touch was like magic, warm and comforting and soothing all the time. A sense of peace and calm washed over me and I settled into the seat. "I love you."

The touch of his hand was exactly what I needed. "I love you too." I brought our joined hands to my lips and kissed his knuckles.

She was doing it again. She would always have me undone. I pulled her hand to my lips and mimicked her movements, squeezed her hand and let it go. I needed both hands and both eyes to traverse the city streets. I said no more until we reached our destination. Then I just stated the obvious and sat staring out the windshield. I turned the car off but made no move to get out of it.

We were silent, but not uncomfortably so, until we got to the wing place. He turned off the car but just sat in his seat. "What's up sweetie?"

I did my best to hide my nerves, I could have been wrong, but I could have sworn that I saw the vehicle of a girl I once dated. That relationship didn't end well. In fact, it ended rather poorly. If I was lucky she'd leave me and Lizzie alone, but I could have been overreacting. "Nothing. I just thought I saw the car of an -- " I hesitated, I didn't know what to call her. "An old friend, somebody that I used to know." I looked at her and snuck a small and simple kiss on her cheek. "Let me get your door for you." I hopped out of the car and walked around to her door to let her out.