Absolute

Happy birthday Ricky! Bring me some wine. @absolutestarks

So funny, I forgot to laugh.

Happy birthday Ricky! Bring me some wine. @absolutestarks

Since when did your legs stop working?

Ricky and Karmen are still close, the unspoken attraction palpable. They're locked in a playful battle of wits, their voices hushed against the background music. "I didn't expect to get kissed tonight but I'm not complaining. You're a good kisser." Monika laughs, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "How's your footwork on the dance floor?"

"I'm absolute baby, of course I'm a good kisser." He leans in closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "My footwork is great and so is my … close-quarters combat." It was nice to have someone to joke and flirt with again. He hadn't done that since... well you know who. All that got messed up but he had another chance with someone new.

Chaos was perfect and she thought Ricky might be too. " Definitely. I'm also big into CrossFit. Are you into fitness at all?" She almost popped herself in the head at how stupid that sounded. He was a wrestler so of course he was. "Sorry, sometimes I ramble when I get excited. I also love Yoga, Pilates, the occasional burpee-induced existential crisis." She smiled with a hint of red tint to her cheeks.

Ricky chuckles, leaning closer. The music fades slightly in the background. "I'm a fan of the existential crisis too, especially after a particularly grueling WOD. Historical European Martial Arts, actually." His eyes meet hers and he can feel there's a spark of mutual excitement igniting between them. The moment hangs, charged with unspoken attraction. "I never expected to meet someone like you here." Ricky gently takes Monika's hand, his touch lingering. He leans in to kiss her.

The room is buzzing with the energy of the engagement party. Music pumps, laughter echoes, and guests mill about, drinks in hand. Monika is vibrant as she effortlessly navigates the crowded room, champagne flute in hand. She sees Ricky and thinks he's charming but he looks to have a hint of melancholy in his eyes as he stands near a buffet table, looking slightly overwhelmed. She needed a conversation starter and no one could say she didn't have a odd flare for talking to people she liked. "Excuse me!" Karmen bumps into Ricky, sending champagne cascading down his shirt. She awkwardly laughs. "Oh my gosh, I am so sorry!" @absolutestarks

"I have a rescue mutt. Part beagle, part something delightfully chaotic. His name is Chaos, naturally." They both smile, a shared understanding passing between them. "We should have a dog playdate sometime." This was going pretty fast but he didn't see a reason to slow it down. She was very easy on the eyes, loved dogs and could yield a sword, what a badass.

The room is buzzing with the energy of the engagement party. Music pumps, laughter echoes, and guests mill about, drinks in hand. Monika is vibrant as she effortlessly navigates the crowded room, champagne flute in hand. She sees Ricky and thinks he's charming but he looks to have a hint of melancholy in his eyes as he stands near a buffet table, looking slightly overwhelmed. She needed a conversation starter and no one could say she didn't have a odd flare for talking to people she liked. "Excuse me!" Karmen bumps into Ricky, sending champagne cascading down his shirt. She awkwardly laughs. "Oh my gosh, I am so sorry!" @absolutestarks

It didn't take Ricky long to think about it. "I've always wanted to try that! Maybe we could meet up Thursday and get dinner afterwards." Ricky smiles, a playful spark in his eyes. They were in a less crowded corner bar, away from the main party hubbub. "Do you have any pets?" He was trying his best to find out more about her.

The room is buzzing with the energy of the engagement party. Music pumps, laughter echoes, and guests mill about, drinks in hand. Monika is vibrant as she effortlessly navigates the crowded room, champagne flute in hand. She sees Ricky and thinks he's charming but he looks to have a hint of melancholy in his eyes as he stands near a buffet table, looking slightly overwhelmed. She needed a conversation starter and no one could say she didn't have a odd flare for talking to people she liked. "Excuse me!" Karmen bumps into Ricky, sending champagne cascading down his shirt. She awkwardly laughs. "Oh my gosh, I am so sorry!" @absolutestarks

"It doesn't matter. It was ever anything but a dream that never took place." His eyes grew wide as she mentioned having a sword. "Woah, that's not necessary but I am intrigued that you have a sword. I don't know anyone that does much less a girl." He definitely wasn't telling her anything now because he didn't want her to gut anyone much less Britt. Things just weren't meant to be for them to be more than friends. Damn...Punk. Why did he get everything he wanted in life?

The room is buzzing with the energy of the engagement party. Music pumps, laughter echoes, and guests mill about, drinks in hand. Monika is vibrant as she effortlessly navigates the crowded room, champagne flute in hand. She sees Ricky and thinks he's charming but he looks to have a hint of melancholy in his eyes as he stands near a buffet table, looking slightly overwhelmed. She needed a conversation starter and no one could say she didn't have a odd flare for talking to people she liked. "Excuse me!" Karmen bumps into Ricky, sending champagne cascading down his shirt. She awkwardly laughs. "Oh my gosh, I am so sorry!" @absolutestarks

" You want another drink? Only if you promise not to spill it on me this time." It was a joke and he chuckled as he watched her. "Tell me about it. I'm still recovering from a non existent relationship." Another joke but not far from the truth. He took a sip of his drink and sat the glass back down. "But no one can't say I don't have swag."

The room is buzzing with the energy of the engagement party. Music pumps, laughter echoes, and guests mill about, drinks in hand. Monika is vibrant as she effortlessly navigates the crowded room, champagne flute in hand. She sees Ricky and thinks he's charming but he looks to have a hint of melancholy in his eyes as he stands near a buffet table, looking slightly overwhelmed. She needed a conversation starter and no one could say she didn't have a odd flare for talking to people she liked. "Excuse me!" Karmen bumps into Ricky, sending champagne cascading down his shirt. She awkwardly laughs. "Oh my gosh, I am so sorry!" @absolutestarks

He picked up a napkin and dabbed at his shirt. If he wasn't at a party, he would have took it off but he didn't want to look like some weirdo bare chested at this party. "Ricky. And you're far from the first klutz I've encountered tonight." He gestures towards the overflowing ashtrays and a spilled bowl of hors d'oeuvres. "Nah, I'm a single pringle and not looking for someone to settle down with. I like my freedom." It was lies but she didn't know that and he wasn't looking to let anyone inside his head or heart.

The room is buzzing with the energy of the engagement party. Music pumps, laughter echoes, and guests mill about, drinks in hand. Monika is vibrant as she effortlessly navigates the crowded room, champagne flute in hand. She sees Ricky and thinks he's charming but he looks to have a hint of melancholy in his eyes as he stands near a buffet table, looking slightly overwhelmed. She needed a conversation starter and no one could say she didn't have a odd flare for talking to people she liked. "Excuse me!" Karmen bumps into Ricky, sending champagne cascading down his shirt. She awkwardly laughs. "Oh my gosh, I am so sorry!" @absolutestarks

Ricky wasn't sure why he was there celebrating when he didn't have someone but he didn't want to sit home selfishly and let everyone else have fun. As he felt the liquid hit his shirt, he laughed. He was Slightly flustered, but amused. "It's okay, it happens. Engagement parties are notorious for champagne-related incidents. I'm Ricky by the way." He saw Britt and gave a small wave then gave Max a head nod. Their relationship was a weird mix of bro meet enemy.

Max is Max and I can't read him right now. I asked him some questions and he got all pissy. You don't have to talk to him. I just thought maybe he said why he's so moody.

Max is a weird guy. He marches to the beat of his own drum for sure and doesn't like to feel boxed in or questioned. He likes things his way or no way. He has gotten better the last few years but he's getting older. When he finally hits thirty maybe he'll grow up. I'm still going to talk to him. I asked for my release and TK denied it. I may throttle him if I go to another show and have to sit in catering.

I don’t think he’s home. Which could be good or bad.

Why is Max being grumpy with you? I'll talk to him and tell him to apologize.

I don’t think he’s home. Which could be good or bad.

If he's home that's not good because he should be on his way to Dynamite unless something happened. I hope not but it’s Max.