It's been a while (Johnny Cruz/Joonas Parkkonen) - Santa Cruz -

Attractive Pizza

"Can you guys believe that we've been here for 4 days already? Time flies by man..."
Quite disappointed Jordan put his chin on his hands and pouted.
"I know right. It's so unfair that the good times are gone fast and you suffer in the bad ones forever.", Sammy agreed and sipped her coffee madly.
Sarah shook her head to disagree.
"As much as I like it here I'm happy to go home. I mean it's a very beautiful city but I miss the helsinki atmosphere."
"Ugh no. Please tell somebody to steal my ticket. I have a hot date with mister Johnny Cruz when I get back home. Can't wait for that."
"I hear irony in your voice why's that?", asked Jordan and raised an eyebrow.
He was still sure that they are meant for each other.
"I already see myself suffer under his company while having a bad jetlag. As much as I like him I also hate how intrusive he can be. I just want to rest when I'm back home."
"Then don't go to whatever date this is. Stay home. He'll understand."
"Nope. Impossible. He's been begging all night. I just said yes to make him stop. He always finds a way to get what he wants."
"Ugh can you just date him, please? I ship you two so much and it's obvious that you have a thing for each other..", Sarah sighed and looked at Sammy pleading.
"Didn't you just listen to her?", Jordan asked Sarah and nodded towards Sammy, "she literally just admitted that they will. 'He always gets what he wants' Well, we all know he wants her so he'll get her."
"Don't get your hopes high.", Sammy answered to both Jordan and Sarah.
"It's 2 against 1, Sams. How bout you Anne? You are being quiet today.."
Jordan poked his girlfriend and leaned his head on her shoulder.
"I don't really care to be honest. I mean I'd be happy for you if you'd get together but if you say you don't want to date him then I believe you. It's your decision, don't let anyone tell you who you like or not."
"Thanks, Anne. So now that it's 2 against 2 we can put a finish line to this."
"Whatever.. well let's head to the hotel. I still need to pack my stuff."
Jordan stood up from the bench he say one for the last 30 minutes and stretched his arms while waiting for his friends to come along.
It was only a 10 minute walk from the park to their hotel so it would be a waste of money to call a taxi.
The four friends separated in the hotel to enter their own hotel room and the dinner time was set to 7 o'clock.
That should be enough time for Sammy to take a shower and pack the rest of her stuff.
She'd already put most of her clothes into the suitcase, because she has never been a person to be late at anything.
Quite the reverse.
Being ready with packing almost 2 days before the flight home was definitely her.
After a while of boredom she decided to check on Archie and remind him that Johnny will pick her up tomorrow.
He answered the phone right after the second ring.
"Hey Sams, sorry I didn't hear your first call. How you doin'?"
"Hey Arch, I'm fine. How about you? Have I woken you up?"
"Actually yes but that's fine, you know you can call whenever."
"I'm sorry, it's just because of the time difference. It's 6:50pm here and we'll go out for dinner in 10 minutes so now's the only chance I get to call you."
"No no it's not a problem at all, don't worry. It's almost 9 in the morning here so it's not even that bad."
"Good. Uhm you still got in your mind that Johnny will pick me up tomorrow?"
"Yes, I do. I talked to him yesterday and he told me too. How long will you stay at his place?"
"Hopefully not that long. Don't know yet. Maybe having dinner there too but I think I'll be back before midnight. Well I hope so."
"Just ring or text if you need a lift. I'm free all night."
"Should be fine Johnny could bring me too."
"Yep. Well it's not like we have to send letters to deliver information."
"That's true.."
"Alright then, Smallie I don't know if we talk or text before you take off.."
"I don't think so."
"Well have a safe flight and enjoy the rest of your time in LA."
"Thanks Archie, I will."
"I love you lil bean."
"I love you too big bro."
"See ya in Helsinki then."
"Yup have a nice day."
"You too, Smallie. Byeee."
"Byebye."

———————————————

"Heyyy, welcome back on finnish ground!"
Johnny grinned widely and opened his arms, ready to embrace her.
"Hey weirdo.", Sammy murmured tiredly and walked into his arms, not returning the hug though.
Not because she didn't want to — she was just way too tired to do any unnecessary moves.
"How was the flight?", he asked as he let go of her.
"Good."
He accepted that as a proper response and took her suitcase.
Sammy didn't complain.
Actually she was quite happy because she wasn't in the mood to carry around millions of bags right now.
"Bye guys.", she hugged her friends and said another thank you for the trip and followed Johnny to the car then.
On the ride to his place Sammy dozed off while Aerosmith was on the radio silently.
When the car came to a halt her eyes slowly opened.
"Are you awake?", Johnny whispered and tabbed her shoulder lightly.
"Hmm.."
Sammy groaned but got out of the car and trotted into his house.
Without taking her jacket off she walked straight into the living room and crashed onto the couch.
Johnny chuckled at the scene in front of him and walked into the kitchen to get the fresh, super good smelling muffins.
"You can sleep right after you tried at least one of those."
He sat down just a few centimeters from where she was laying and put one muffin right in front of her face.
The emotionless look on Sammy's face turned into a slight, very slight, but still grin.
"If it tastes the way it smells...", she started but wasn't able to finish her sentence because she took a big bite from the dark brown muffin.
"From the look on your face I can tell you like it..?"
"I had no idea you can bake."
"Well I told you I'm good."
"Beyond good..."
Grabbing another muffin she caught another grin by Johnny.
"Thanks a lot."
"And now that I tasted them...", barely able to talk because of the muffin inside her mouth she stood up and walked towards his bedroom, "you can leave me alone as you promised. I'm tired and I really really want to sleep now. Goodbye."
With that said she disappeared inside of the room and closed the door behind her, leaving Johnny and his muffins alone.
"Great..", he murmured to himself and bit into another muffin.