Kendra Lee is dirt poor. Fletcher Cadwell? Not so much.
The two Stanford students return home for the summer and somehow manage to cross paths in... his yard? After finding out that Kendra was hired to be a gardener for the summer, Fletcher is com...
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Fletcher was eyeing her from the corner of the room. He was sitting on top of a table with half a bottle of beer and his phone, lighting up his face with eerie shadows.
She made her away over to him unsurely, ignoring William's halfhearted calls. Each stumbling step was difficult, but after tripping past Carolina and Jax, she had made it.
"Looks like you're having fun," Fletcher said, eyeing her. It was a strong gaze, one that didn't move from her eyes. She liked that. Fletcher didn't typically look at her like that- it was usually a glance here or there, a hidden smile, a murmured comment. This Fletcher seemed a bit more confident. Mad, even, which she understood based on her snog with William.
Kendra shrugged off the analysis. "A bit, yeah. Vodka helps any situation."
Fletcher didn't break his stare. "What are you and William?"
She was very pleased by this turn of events. Fletcher, asking direct questions! "Who wants to know?" She responded demurely and raised her brows.
Fletcher sighed, seemingly frustrated. "Kendra, since you seem stunningly drunk and capable of forgetting this, and I happen to be a bit buzzed, why don't I just say it- I like you. And I don't like you kissing William and I think you did it just to make me jealous but I don't quite care because it worked. And I haven't said anything to you because I'm a stupid coward, and I'm tired of it. I keep on practically admitting this, but I've never done it until now. I like you, Kendra Lee, and there's nothing I would like to do more than kiss you, right here and now."
Kendra could hardly believe what she was hearing. Fletcher Cadwell, really and truly liking her?! And admitting it out loud, after all of this time, even after the things that had happened during the year?
"Even after what happened in March?" Kendra asked unsurely. "You still like me?"
Fletcher bit his lip. "It took me a bit, but yes. Of course, I do."
Kendra couldn't resist smiling. And she knew he wanted to kiss her, but it couldn't possibly be the right time. Especially after William, and the unhelpful fact that she was extremely intoxicated.
So, she grabbed his hand and laced her fingers through his, leaning her head against his shoulder. Kendra gazed at the small, raucous party before them. "I like you too," she said, and then, "I think I might throw up."
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Kendra woke up with her face pressed against cool tile. Her eyes were apparently not working, so she let out an assortment of groans as she rubbed them and tried to get a sense of her surroundings. After a few seconds of focusing, she discovered she was in a shower. Kendra also discovered that her hair was damp and that she was wrapped up in nothing but her underthings and a robe.
She groaned. This could not possibly be good.
Kendra slowly rose, grabbing onto the handle of the shower door for support, and made her way out of the surprisingly large bathroom. A quick glance in the mirror was mildly upsetting, but Kendra just scruffed her short hair with her fingers and wiped away the makeup that had drifted beneath her eyes.
There was quite a bit of action going on downstairs, Kendra soon discovered. She could hear several coffee machines working at once, the sizzle of something on a frying pan, and quiet conversations.
"Wren," Kendra called unsurely as she neared the group. "What's happened to me? I'm in a robe and bra, and that's it. Well, panties too. But I was lying in a shower!"
She catches a chuckle from Jax and sends him a death glare. Carolina, appropriately on the girl's side, gives him a punch on the arm.
Wren grimaces. "Yeah, babe... you had a bit of an accident last night, so we had to clean you up."
Kendra's stomach drops. "What does that mean?"
Fletcher coughs from across the counter. "You got sick."
Absolutely not. On the one day her friends are all here, she manages to get herself drunk enough to throw up in the middle of the party? Kendra ducks her head into her hands and moans sadly. "That's disgusting!" She cries.
Wren lets out a noise of agreement. "Well, it definitely wasn't the prettiest I've seen you, but we've all been there. Carolina and I brought you to a guest room and cleaned you up in the shower. But, it seemed a good place as any for you to rest, especially in your condition, so, we just left you there to sleep."
Kendra bites her lip. "Thanks."
Wren and Carolina smile at her softly, probably trying to minimize the amount of time the group has to converse about the incident. It's just as well.
Kendra makes her way over to the counter and grabs the pot of coffee to pour herself a cup. But, before she can reach for a mug it's been handed to her by none other than Fletcher Cadwell.
"Morning, sleepy," He says softly, and cracks a smile.
Something is definitely different about him, she thinks.
"G'morning," She replies sheepishly as she pours the coffee. "I'm horribly embarrassed."
Fletcher shrugs. "Ah, happens to the best of us. And at least you didn't get any on me."
Kendra turns. "Got any on you? Why would I- oh, we were talking, then, I suppose. That was after... oh." Kendra turns fully as she looks at him in shock. "Oh."
Fletcher cracks another smile. "So you remember, then."
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Fletcher's coming out of his shell! He just needed some helpful jealousy, I suppose. :))))
