Love's Rapture

Kelly: Lunch Date

By the time I pulled into the driveway at home, Parker's car was there, telling me he'd gone grocery shopping and was probably inside cooking. I made my way inside and stopped dead in my tracks. My eyes widened, then narrowed in confusion.

"Sawyer?"

I knew her car wasn't outside, so I was curious about why she was here, and why Parker didn't seem annoyed or even surprised.

"Hey!" She hopped down from the barstool and walked over to hug me. "I asked Parker if he wouldn't mind working with me on a model idea I have. I decided to build the most functioning coffee house ever to exist for our next class assignment."

I took the stood beside her when she sat down. "But most places like that function pretty well."

"Not well enough. I look behind the counter sometimes and wonder how baristas even remember what they're doing. Even when they clean up pretty quickly, it's like they can never really get rid of the mess. And then you have to store certain things in the fridge or a closet, so Parker is helping me with the details. I'm trying to make one thousand square feet more efficient than it's ever been when it comes to cafe's."

"Hm." I didn't know what else to say. Even if I didn't think there was much she could do about the mess or chaos on a hectic day by changing the layout; it was a great idea. Then again, I guess if anyone could find away, it would be her. "Well, I'm jumping in the shower before dinner, if that's alright. I happened to run into a dog after my last class, and I can still smell the kisses he gave me."

"Sick," Parker laughed. "Yeah, we're good out here."

The next day, I got a text from Talon close to noon telling me he'd be about twenty minutes late. His professor ran late for class, and some students stayed over to finish a discussion. I ran around again, making sure I had my bag, Chemistry book, and flashcards included, then checked my hair and make up for the twelfth time.

It wasn't long before I heard Talon honk his horn in the driveway. I grabbed my things and opened the door to his gorgeous face. He must have run to the door as soon as he parked.

"Hey, beautiful," he said with a lazy grin.

"Stop," I laughed.

"What?" The grin grew into a full megawatt smile.

"You're flirty. You already won me over; there's no need to keep it up."

He let out a laugh. "Oh, Kelly. I hate to break it to you, but flirting is part of my long game. I will flirt with you until the day I die."

I ignored the butterflies' swarm that erupted with his words and stepped outside, closing the door behind me. He held his arm out for me to take, and I wanted to giggle but forced it down as I slid my hand into the crook of his elbow.

"So, why did you decide to help me study today rather than do lunch and drop me back off at home?" I asked once we were seated in the car and driving down the road.

"Because I want to spend time with you. If you eat and study at my place, we'll have more time together. And, if you study, you won't regret hanging out today."

"I guess I'll have to wait and see how your cooking skills are before I can say I don't regret today," I laughed.

"Listen here, you! I'm usually an "order-in" kind of guy, so you have to cut me some slack!"

We were still joking back and forth when we walked into his apartment.

"Here, we are!" He swept his hand out like he was presenting a magnificent home to me, and I went along with it.