If we're talking body.

“I know it may be cliché, but I really do want to start eating healthier and living in the moment,” Taylor told the other with optimism. “What about you? What’s your New Years resolution?”

“Living in the moment, huh?” Renn pondered, gazing down in to the glass of wine she held in her fingers. “I suppose I should lie to myself and say I won’t drink as much of this stuff but I like to be realistic.” She said, laughing gently as she took a long drink. “So how do you intend to live in the moment?”

“I think this is the first time I’ve had a hangover in like…five years.”

“I feel that, Kel. I drink a lot of wine weekly but it hasn’t hit me like this in a very long time. I still haven’t found the best remedy for it.”

“This year is going to be an amazing one for the store, since my grandmother founded it 50 years ago. I’ve been trying to think of things to do to celebrate it, but I can’t seem to come up with anything fun. Do you have any ideas?“

“Fifty years ago? That’s impressive!” Renn enthused as she looked over at Daisy, smiling broadly. “You could do another launch or some kind of advertising campaign. That way people would know about the...all kinds of things you have here.”

“Apparently wearing t-shirts with stupid stuff on them is ‘unacceptable’ and ‘unprofessional’ in the classroom. As if half these kids don’t live around me. They’ve probably seen me in my boxers going to get the mail.”

“That depends on what the stupid stuff is surely? I mean if it’s reasonable then sure but I’m sure some stuff is unacceptable. But wow....front yard exposure. Don’t we all do it?”

“Have you ever seen a couple propose in a public bathroom? Well, I just did and it made me realize that there’s truly someone out there for everyone.. or however that fuckin’ saying goes.”

“Firstly, no. It’s something I’ve never witnessed personally or even heard of but now I have so much curiosity surrounding this situation. Were you trying to use the bathroom while this was happening? Was the floor clean? In fact I don’t need to know...I don’t want to think about hygiene alongside romance.”

Truth be told, he didn’t know what sort of money she had. He was accustomed to be around people of all different levels, but that didn’t really change anything. It made a big difference for him, still working on catching up from the move and spending most nights worrying about money. That and Abigail was growing so fast he could hardly keep her in clothes. “I didn’t know what kind of Christmas I was going to be able to give my girls.” He made no secret of the fact that he was a touchy sort of person, but after another tight squeeze, he let her go and stepped back away. “You definitely shouldn’t feel like you have to, but I’m sure Abigail would love to have a woman around to shop with her.I could find plenty to write about.”

Renn didn’t have a response to his comment about the Christmas he’d be able to give his girls but she didn’t truly feel like it needed one. The implication was there and she didn’t want to act like a pariah but if she could help even a little bit she’d be delighted. When she parted from him she smiled warmly and patted his chest, subtly also covering the spill from earlier that both of them were sworn not to talk about. “I don’t feel like I have to. I’d like to. I wouldn’t say my fashion sense is too bad so she should feel reassured but I’d be really happy to. Time and date and there’s a ninety five percent chance I can make it.”

Kel admittedly, didn’t know most of the people at the party. He wasn’t the most social person, and he wasn’t particularly great with big groups of people. Not to mention this was the higher class of Wilmington, which were definitely not his people. So seeing anyone he recognized, even a woman he hadn’t talked to for very long was a relief. “Good, because nothing happened.” Kel insisted, still chuckling. At least, until he took the bag from her, realizing she must have drawn his name from the Secret Santa. He looked inside, eyebrows knitting together as he took in the contents. He glanced back up, a little too shocked at first to form words. “This is too much…” He said. Nevermind that it was just in time for Christmas an it could give his daughters a much better Christmas than he had been planning for them. “Seriously, Renn, this is amazing.” He pulled out the journal to run a hand over it once, then drop it back in the bag. He shook his head once, then stepped forward and pulled her into a hug, regardless whether she wanted it or not. 

The reaction from Kel made Renn’s chest warm and the moment he protested it was too much she merely shook her head. For Renn, although she’d often hate herself for admitting it, it wasn’t anything...not for something she deemed so rewarding. She knew how it felt to never feel right in old or torn clothes when her parents couldn’t get her new ones and she knew Kel was a supportive enough father to not let his girls go through it to a really negative extent but she wanted to offer something worthwhile to him. If she didn’t have kids of her own to buy things for then why not give someone else the chance to splash out? “You’re more than welcome, Kel.” She told him honestly and although the hug shocked her it wasn’t unappreciated as she gave him a firm squeeze, rubbing between his shoulders. “And hey...if you need a little assistance with the actual shopping at any point I’m more than willing to make some time for that too. Consider it an extension while you’re taking note of all the festive family things for your column.”

Contrary to what most assumed, Cameron Graham did not like Christmas. She didn’t like big carnivals– anything festive just wasn’t her thing. It had never been. But being there with Renn made things suck a lot less. Not to mention, this was the first time she’d been in Wilmington at this time of year– since she was a teenager. The holidays were either spent in Texas or they decided on some remote location. An island was the most obvious choice– and sometimes they even felt like skiing. Aspen was easily one of her favorite places to have visited– minus the cold. At least there was no worry with that being an issue considering she now lived full-time in a beach town. Curiously, she looked up from her phone– feeling someone’s eyes on her. Gram’s wanted to know if she would be home tonight. The woman really shouldn’t have learned how to text. Two letters sufficed as her response before her gaze locked on with that of her girlfriend’s entirely. The smile on her face was somewhere between that of a smirk and a completely endeared. Renn gave her butterflies but this was different. This wasn’t some pubescent crush. Unadulterated love laced with a feeling of being desired. And that went without saying, the feeling was very mutual. The older girl was stunning. Breathtaking and she was staring at her like that. No one else. Her thoughts fell by the wayside as Renn joined her. With a gracious grin, she took her glass. Ironically, if they’d began this over a year before– Cam would not drink legally. Her cheeks heated up at the feeling of those lips against her cheeks. The memory of the first time she felt them rose to the surface. She nearly fell off the damn Ferris wheel.  “Careful, you might make my girlfriend hella jealous,” she joked, crinkling her nose slightly. “Hm? What was that? I’m a little deaf in this year…” She dramatically pointed to her right ear. “You too, babe… but you always do.” Her gaze fell to the floor watching people dancing around. It dawned on her that they’d never really had a public appearance together. Not like this. The whole town was around. It was a little daunting but very exciting. “Does that mean I get a dance…?” 

Renn was completely and utterly infatuated. Despite the fact the process had been initially slow and very hesitant....she was learning how to expose herself to Cameron in the way she’d never allowed herself to. Physically she had no hesitance when it came to baring oneself but falling in love with Cameron Graham had been the scariest thing she’d ever done. For a woman who feared being fearful....it had certainly been a struggle but here she was - gazing endlessly at her girlfriend who looked beyond beautiful in her attire. The little black and red dress with the finishing accessories just blended together well to be....Cam. “I didn’t realise your girlfriend was the jealous type but I know she is the type that doesn’t fall for your ‘I want to hear you say it again’ bullshit.” She teased, swatting Cam’s arm playfully before she too turned to watch those dancing. Renn Hadley may hold herself on a daily basis with exceptional grace but it wasn’t at all a reflection of her background. One may think came from a rich family, higher education and class culture but she’d never been entitled to any of the three. So the suggestion of dancing, while an enjoyable thought, made Renn’s heart beat a little faster. She wasn’t even accustomed to fancy events but just conveniently had the gowns that fitted them. Expensive gowns that her bank account had no problem in covering; a far cry from the prom dress she’d borrowed from an older friend when she’d graduated from high school. “It does mean you get a dance but you have to take the lead. I know that’s something you’re used to anyway with me but...” She let out a soft laugh and gently gripped Cam’s hand. “I don’t really know how to dance like this but I’m willing to learn. You know the kind of dances I’m good at and they either involve laps or bounding around in bars after three bottles of wine...so...” She interlaced their fingers and gave her a small tug, realising that she could at least be the one to lead them in to the throng of people. “Also...as a redemption side note because I’m about the get shown up. Your ass. On point.”

Typically, Kel wasn’t much into parties. Of course he’d attended his fair share in college, but those had been a very different type. Still, Ella had offered to watch his kids for him and accused him of being a hypocrite if he didn’t go, so he’d managed to find a suit on sale that fit him moderately well and dragged himself to the ball which started far too late in his opinion. At the moment though, he was enjoying the freedom to drink spiked punch without worrying, and hanging out by the refreshments table. He thought he was staying fairly inconspicuous, until he spilled some of his drink on his white shirt and tried to subtly cover it with his jacket. “You didn’t see that.” He said as he noticed someone watching him. 

Renn had only arrived at the party a short time ago and it seemed straight away that Cameron had been very preoccupied with something to do with the punch. She hadn’t asked too much but her mind had clicked pretty soon after she’d watched her girlfriend wander off across the room with a devious expression. So instead she found herself flitting between familiar faces but upon spotting Kel she smiled even wider. She certainly hadn’t expected him to talk but when she saw the smudge on his shirt she let out a soft laugh. “Didn’t see anything...” She reassured him before extending the gift bag she currently held. She had always considered herself thoughtful with gifts so she recalled him mentioning the rough and tumble seven year old. She knew a gift card could seem a little unthoughtful but $200 to spend in any clothes store she pleased should help somewhat with the rough and tumble aspect. Not to say Ella couldn’t have anything from that either. For Kel she’d recalled his journalism route and purchased a tough leather bound notebook with his initials embossed in the corner. It wasn’t much but she was sure ideas would arise all the time and need to be put down somewhere. The satirical book she’d also included about the life of PTA mothers was more of the joke gift at this point. “I know it’s not very secret santa-ish to just hand it to you but Merry Christmas Kel. There’s something in there for you and your girls.” She told him, still smiling widely.

“Hey there, you don’t mind if I join you do you? This place is full and there’s nowhere else to sit. I’m Austin by the way.”

“Okay I have a very serious question…”Cole began and he moved to face the person opposite him. “Do I wear to much plaid, because some punk kid at the bar last night said if she saw me wearing one more plaid shirt whilst I was working she was going to throw up, but I don’t wear it a lot do I? I mean that is totally sebastians thing…”

Cameron aimlessly walked along the shore with a half empty bottle of tequila. It had been a personal favorite of hers for years. The tide was high and freezing. So easily she could jump into the water without a care in the world– maybe swim to the sandbar or even beyond. That particular night, she felt like she had nothing to lose. She felt absolute nothing at all and everything at the same time. She was loved– plenty loved and still she felt completely empty for the second time in six months. The first was when she found out about her father. Now, there was no logical reason for this. She should be happy. Her girlfriend was everything she had ever dreamed of since she was just a teenager. She finally had both of her best friends back– in some normal capacity. Grams was great. Everything was great but her. Noticing that she wasn’t exactly alone, she dramatically groaned. “Beach is closed,” she lied in her drunken stupor. Holding out the bottle, her shoulders bounced. “You want some?” 

Renn wandered without a clear purpose, her black coat wrapped neatly around her slender body. As always she held herself with precise elegance, her jaw tilted and raised while her hands tucked themselves neatly away to fight off the cold. For hours her mind had been whirring and turning with the weight of a decision that was taking far too long to make. She didn’t even know why she was hesitating because she knew what -or rather who- she wanted but Renn was scared. She was learning how to let go and be more daring but she’d known this for so long and it was hard to let it go. However she hadn’t known it as long as she’d known Cam. Cameron Graham; the beautiful younger woman who had stolen Renn’s sturdy walls, her lonely bed and her heart. The same Cameron who filled her head every moment. So much so that when she spotted a familiar figure she just assumed her mind was playing tricks but as she drew close enough and heard that soft southern tone she put the pieces together. She identified the bottle of tequila and the edge to Cam’s voice. Both reminded her of a night that seemed to have become the source of a couple of their issues. “Thank you, Lifeguard.” She replied gently as she moved closer. It was as if she drawn to her; unable to control the tug in her infatuated heart. She’d never fallen for anyone before but she’d fallen hard for Cameron. “And if you’re offering...” She muttered, biting her lip before throwing caution to the bitter wind and taking the bottle. There were many questions that plagued her mind but she let them sink away with a few swigs of scornful tequila. She frowned and shook her head, scrunching up her nose. And then she moved closer and engulfed Cam’s small waist in her arms. “Is this the reason we couldn’t do anything tonight...? You had a date with a closed beach and a bottle of tequila.” She asked tentatively, fingers curling lightly against fabric. 

“So, I went totally overboard on Christmas decorations in my apartment. Seriously…it looks like Christmas threw up. And I never do that.”  

“I know you’re totally trying to phrase this like it’s a bad thing but that sounds incredible. I tend to go for the approach where my house looks more like a festive showroom or some kind of Winter Wonderland. It’s honestly the most time consuming thing I do all year.”