vows.

“I don’t think that’s how this works. When I was depressed and single the only thing you did for me was mock me, so you should be thankful I’m nicer than you are. It’s just a girl who works at this coffee place I go to.” Des tilted his head to the side, watching the face she was drawing out before he knocked his knee against the table. “I didn’t think it was a date. Just because you’re single again doesn’t mean I’m going to start throwing myself at you. ”

“Hey, I was fully supportive of you. Just in my own way. And I’ll support you now even if this coffee shop girl already sounds sus. How was the date?” Layla was nosy when it came to everything but his love life, but whatever reason she felt the need to be inquisitive this time around. “Nothing ever stopped you before. But fine, I’ll go see the stupid play with you.” She finished her version of her Des gingerbread man, which looked far more evil and stupid than he actually did, holding it up for him to see. “You like? Pretty realistic if you ask me.”

“I said I’m out of your league, asshole. I’m the hot commodity here. I’ve been on two dates this month.” Des rolled his eyes, letting his hand drop back down to the table. “I won’t be offended if you wear it, but you are running the risk of looking like a douche for wearing sunglasses inside. I draw the line at separate seats though. If I’m driving and begging for seats and using up my pity points then I’m not sitting alone.”

“What? That’s not fair. If I’m depressed and single, you have to be too. Who the fuck went on a date with you anyways?” She shrugged as she pulled out the gingerbread man she had set aside for him, starting to draw his face with icing since he didn’t want to do it. “Since when do I care what anyone thinks? Besides, as soon as they see me with you they’ll understand. But fine. But it’s not a date. I feel the need to say that now they you think you’re some fucking prize.”

“Wait, are we switching places? I thought I was supposed to be the self deprecating one. If we’re swapping I think- I just need more time to prepare. My confidence isn’t there yet.” Des raised his hand for the icing packet, not thinking twice about lifting it towards his mouth. “Because staying in with me is ten times worse?”

“It’s not self depreciation. I’m confirming that I’m way out of your league, something you should have known from the get go.” She reached over, snatching the icing packet out of his hand before he had much of a chance to use it. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but you’re right. You won’t be offended if I wear sunglasses and a head scarf when we go, right? Even better if I can sit a few seats away from you.” 

“I know. I’ve finally hit the point that I’m out of your league. It’s actually kind of a nice feeling.” His gaze flickered from the house to her for all of a second before he was looking down again. Like it or not, he’d spent enough time around Layla to have some understanding of her tells, and the fact that she was willingly offering him something was the biggest red flag he needed. “Or you could skip the pictures. Tell them you had something else going on instead. Maybe send pictures of that so they look like the losers for spending so much time on the perfect gingerbread house when they could’ve been out… watching the Nutcracker in Chicago. The play version, not the movie. I know a stagehand who might take pity on us. Or me, I guess.”

“Geez. It only took you a couple of years to make that realisation. I know you’re slow, but damn.” Layla stopped what she was doing, turning to him with suspicion written all over her face. With Des, she didn’t know whether to take his invitations to hang out as an act of kindness or an indication of how pathetic she had become. “Being seen out in public with you? Why would I want to do that?” 

“That you didn’t throw it in the trash as soon as you walked in the door is already a miracle. I don’t expect anything else.” Des plucked a piece of candy off the top of the house to toss in his mouth. “Oh, so you’re doing the house and you care what the final product looks like. I feel like I’m seeing a whole new side of you this Christmas. Now I can tell people I’ve seen what you look like when you actually give a shit. And I happen to be a great decorator, thank you. You should’ve seen the Hanukkah stuff I made when I was a kid.”

“What can I say? I’m competitive. Not with you, obviously. Only with people I have actual competition with, and I’m already anticipating that Amber and Ant will send their finished products to our group chat.” Truth be told, she was more inclined to go through with the festivities if it meant keeping her mind distracted, but she wasn’t exactly about to confess that to Des. “Pfft. I’m sure your stuff barely made it to the fridge. But here, you can have a go at these-” She pulled out a small gingerbread man from the box, as well as a few icing packets and jelly buttons. “It only seems fair that you get to make your own little man to put at the front. I’ll do mine once I’m finished.” 

“Yeah, can’t deny I got some fly footwork going on here,” he laughed because it was certainly not the case, not considering his personal skill level anyway. One thing Kieran had learned in his years in Rosewood was that sometimes it wasn’t all about him. There were ways he could be successful without having to be the one under the spotlight, that he could lift up other dancers as well. He didn’t care if he looked ridiculous, helping kids fall in love with the art form was his greatest joy. “I would offer for you to join their class but I’m not sure you’re up to it,” he sucked his teeth, well and truly teasing because he knew exactly how talented Hailey was.

“Oh, I wouldn’t dare.” Hailey remarked playfully, although Kiernan’s talent was hardly something to joke about. As much as she believed in all of the dancers that Rosewood produced, even she knew he had something special and unique compared to everyone else. “Probably not. It’s hardly fair to upstage a bunch of kids, is it?” She smiled so he knew she was only kidding around, barely keeping up the pretence of an ego. “What made you want to decide to pick this up?”

“I have a hobby. It’s playing pro football. You might’ve seen it on tv sometime.” Ram shrugged his shoulders, not wanting to delve into here relationship talk any more than they already had. What he thought was clear, but he also knew enough to understand that what he thought didn’t really matter. Hailey was smart enough to make her own choices. “Uh, no. I’ve never had a thing for ballerinas. I had a thing for one, but the tights were just a bonus.  Aside from that I’ve always been a cheerleader guy myself. We both know you’re still showing up because you like to look at me.”

“It’s amazing you have time to pursue that in between giving me so much shit.” The look on his face was enough of an indication that she had brought up the wrong topic, so she took the safe route and dropped it. Still, it would always bug her that Ram didn’t like him and so obviously disapproved of their relationship. “Well, duh. You decided to marry one. But so long as I continue to get my share of eye candy out of it, I don’t really care.” She finished off her coffee, shaking her head in defeat. “Maybe you’ll start missing me when I go away for Christmas. Distance makes the heart grow fonder, right?”

“Because at least when I roast you about your love life and the effort you’re putting in it’s fun. This? Not so much. I can’t actually remember why I hang out with you. I think it started off as a pity thing but now I’m not so sure anymore. The only thing that makes sense is that I really like the free coffee soI guess we can stick with that until I come up with something better.”

“You think shitting on my boyfriend is fun? God, get a hobby.” Hailey had always known better than to be sensitive to any of Ram’s jabs, which was probably one of the reasons they got along so well. “I think it’s because you used to have a thing for ballerinas. Then the free coffee came along and made you forget about it. Now, remind me why I hang out with you again?”

“I’m not surprised. I’m putting in an effort, I’m just not going crazy overboard or turning into a bridezilla and stressing about things that don’t really matter. Worst case scenario that’s what wedding planners are for. Now can we stop talking about marriage? Believe it or not, that’s not why I meet up with you.”

“Wow. You really can’t handle when the shoe is on the other foot, can you? Finally I’m the one giving you shit and suddenly you want to change the subject.” She smirked at him, barely making an effort to conceal it. “I could use a solid reminder of why you meet up with me. Is it for the free coffee?”

“Sorry. If I picked anyone but Mason he’d find a way to kill me and make it look like an accident. We can’t let that happen or you might just die of loneliness. Or boredom. Maybe both know that I think about it.” Ram placed his cup back down, leaning back in his seat as he made himself more comfortable. “I never said it was lame. I go to therapy, Hailey. I’m a whole ass fully formed man now. I’m in touch with all the things that need to be touched. I’m just saying that’s never the way I looked at things before now.”

"Funny of you to assume I won’t be doing the same. But whatever, if I end up dying of loneliness or boredom, please know it’ll be your fault.” She rolled her eyes, still smirking at him. “And no one is more proud of you for that than I am. Believe me. But do you think Poppy would appreciate it if you put in a little more effort? I’m not about to lecture you, just asking.” 

“And with that attitude you can expect a seat in the back.” Ram raised his free hand to flash his middle finger at her. “Fuck off. I’m not saying don’t try, I’m just saying you don’t have to stress yourself out about something that isn’t a big deal. I guess I just don’t care that much about weddings. When I was younger I used to have to go to a ton with the rest of my family and it always just seemed super boring. Who really wants to listen to some dude reading out of a book for hours? It just seemed like a reason to give people things and drink free beer if you could get your hands on it. Like a birthday party but less exciting.”

“As if not being your best man wasn’t offensive enough. Did you wake up this morning and think hm, today might be a good day to make Hailey sad? Because that’s exactly what you’re doing.” She shrugged it off, understanding where he was coming from even if she didn’t exactly carry the same belief herself. She wouldn’t admit it, but having a beautiful wedding was one of her many dreams. “Yeah, but it’s not about the guy officiating. It’s about celebrating the two of you and how much you love each other. We’re not in middle school anymore. Shit like that isn’t gross. Besides, it’s a great opportunity for you to flex in a tux. You should be excited for that reason alone.”

“I’m actually easy to buy for. You just like to make things difficult by trying to be original and ‘different’ like that shit actually matters to me.” Ram rolled his eyes but accepted the drink, taking a quick swig as he watched her. “At this point, I think you’re putting more thought into my wedding than I am.”

“Fine. With that attitude, you can expect the most boring cutlery set of all time as your gift from me. I’ll be expecting over the top gratitude in return for not getting you something meaningful.” She matched his unimpressed look as she took a small sip from her coffee. “You mean wedding planning isn’t your thing? Who would have thought?”

“Why are you looking at me? The show’s up there.” Kieran cocked his chin up to the stage, where the South Side kids from his free summer dance classes were putting on their big performance. To be fair he was doing his best Regina George’s mom impression in the crowd; miming the steps in case any of the kids forgot and could look to him for help.

“Hey, you can’t be mad at me for being distracted by the show going on down here.” Hailey laughed, her gaze switching back and forth between the kids on stage and Kieran. “You must be a pretty good teacher. I mean, they’re killing it for only learning this stuff over the summer.”

“I know you’re not. I just meant I think some people like to ignore the fact that we’re friends. But thanks for that. That was actually really nice.” He hadn’t been fishing for compliments but he couldn’t help feeling like he’d received one anyways. “You do realize who I am, right? People have been thirsting after me for years. They named a milkshake after me, Hailey. If she couldn’t handle that I’m a legendary Rosewood thirst trap she would’ve bailed a long time ago. I haven’t posted you because the second I do rumors will start and I’ll get floored with a million stupid questions that I don’t care enough to answer. It’s one of the cons of being a hot commodity.”

“I mean, the real compliment is that I consider you a friend. Let’s be honest...” She gave him a cheeky grin, unable to admit he had actually gotten to her this time. “Wow, a whole milkshake? What’s next, a Ram statue in front of town hall?” She leaned forward, her hand resting underneath her chin as she listened to him, completely amused. “Please, We’re not in high school anymore Ram. You’re practically married, so I highly doubt anyone would say anything. Besides, Hailey Van Buren and Ram Sweeney? It’s a weird enough combination as friend.” 

“Shut up. We both know how long people can hold a grudge if they really want to and all you PA people love to be dramatic.” They probably had a reason to dislike him given some of the shit he’d done during high school but Ram liked to ignore that part. He wasn’t a great person but he wasn’t the same guy he’d been years before either.When she raised the phone Ram offered up a confident smile. “Don’t act like you aren’t gonna look at it later tonight and smile about it, because we both know you will. So really I’m doing you a favor. At least I’m giving you something good to look at.”

Hailey leaned her elbows on the table, leaning forward with a serious, intense stare. “Ram, I am telling you right now that I have never been ashamed of you. Not once. You’re my best friend, and you probably always will be. It may sound dramatic, but seriously. Don’t be a dick by doubting that.” She leaned back with a slightly more smug smile with the smallest big of warmth behind it. “Oh, it’ll be my lock screen by tomorrow. You’ll have some explaining to do to Poppy when she sees it. What about you, huh? How come you never post pictures of me?”