* ╱ 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐊𝐄𝐑

"I'm the last person to get jealous. Funny, I thought you'd know that by now."

"A little while." Jasmine confirmed with a smile as she scooted close to her. "I've missed you." She whispered, eyes gazing from her eyes to her lips.

"Ten times better." He muttered as he leaned over, arms wrapping around her as held her body close. His lips leaned down and pressed kisses to her neck and up to her lips.

She couldn't help but giggle against his lips as she leaned up, dipping her head upwards. Her lips met his own as she pressed her lips against his and kissed him passionately, hands cupping his cheeks.

beck knew very well that he was staring at her and the obvious attraction to her could do longer be veiled. the alcohol flowing through his blood made him far from subtle. as she shifted, he smiled at her, still lingering close enough to smell the liquor on her breath and her perfume. an intoxicating duo. "am i that transparent?" he questioned, his cheeks flushing a deeper shade of pink. "i just think we should try it and see what happens. is that so bad?"

She could not stop staring at him. It took almost everything in her to stop and look away, especially with the bright shade of her cheeks. When he smiled, she found herself smiling back at him. The intoxicating scent of the liquor and his cologne. It was almost too much. A deep exhale escaped from her lips, nodding. "Yes you are." She says as she absentmindedly leaned over to play with the neckline of his shirt. "I guess you're right." The female whispered, leaning in. Her lips brushed against his as she kissed him deeply.

"i was dropping the least subtle hints in the world, so i'm glad you had at least some speculation." mallory giggled softly as he pulled her close to his frame, their hearts practically skipping in sync with one another. it was as if fate had brought them together - an invisible line connecting their hearts. "mm, i feel like it's more intimate if you pick it out. you know me very well and i know you'll pick the perfect one. surprise me, babe. i'm going to say yes no matter what."

"Oh, I did." He teased to her and grinned - resting his forehead against hers for a moment. He listened to her nodding, knowing that he'd find the perfect ring for her. If he was being honest, he had a few ideas for the ring, but he was worried too...what if she didn't like the ring he'd pick? Pushing those thoughts aside, he was back in front of her. "You got it babe. I cannot wait to make you my wife."

"it's working. you can't really be surprised? i've been into you for so long, jas," she replied with a sweet giggle, dark brown eyes sparkling with complete love as she gazed at the beautiful blonde beside her. "you don't have to do much. god, just being with me.. that's something that would make me the happiest." aurora's skin flushed, her heart skipping in her chest with excitement. once she was given the okay, she didn't waste a second. her hand reached out to rest against the woman's waist as she leaned in and kissed her softly.

"I have, too." Jasmine replied softly. Her hazel eyes gazing at her lips and then back to her eyes. "You make me the happiest." She said to her, grinning as she reached out and rested a hand on her waist. Jasmine scooted closer, moving to rest her hands on her waist too. The blonde leaned in and kissed her softly in return, closing the space between them.

"i sure hope so. i'm an acquired taste, but i'm glad i'm your acquired taste." gio grinned brightly over the mug of coffee, his cheeks flushing as her lips pressed to his cheeks. "sounds good to me!" the man always followed her like a puppy, happy to spend any time with her that she'd let him. gio sat at the table across from her, the smell of fresh toast and bacon causing his stomach to growl. "after breakfast, what would you wanna get into? are we down with a lazy day or i could take you out for a day at the park?"

"Mhm." She hums, taking a sip of her coffee again, wrapping the mug around her hands as she admired Gio. When he sat down across from her, she put her mug down and nodded eagerly. Almost a little too eager, but she always reciprocated his excitement towards whatever. "Hmm..." She thought aloud, before she gave him a grin. "Lazy day today, but how about we do a walk at the park tomorrow?"

mariah wanted desperately to be strong and not show vulnerability, but she simply couldn't - not when it was august. her heart hammered in her chest, making it hard to so much as breathe as she processed is words - the agonizing tone in his voice breaking her heart. "flaws? august.." a short laugh fell from her lips, "the only flaw i ever felt you had was that you didn't love me. now i know that wasn't true." mariah sniffled, her shaky hands reaching to rest on his shoulders as she stepped forward. "i think i'm willing to try, but please just tell me when something is bothering you. i can't lose you again, it hurts too bad."

At this point, August was a standstill. The words out of his mouth almost didn't seem real until he snapped back as Mariah spoke. When the short laugh fell, he cleared his throat and straightened his shoulders back. "It was never true. I always loved you, Mariah." He sniffled, stepping forward too. The gap closing between. "I can promise you that this time, we aren't going to lose each other. I promise too that next time something is bothering me, you will be the first person I turn to."

"yeah, she's smart. i feel so exposed whenever your name is brought up. i simply need to be able to gush about you to her and anyone else who will listen," she responded with a sweet giggle. butterflies fluttered in her stomach as his eyes met hers, leaving her feeling like a schoolgirl with a crush. he had always had that effect on her, even when she was hiding from those feelings. "i think that's a good plan. you could show up at one of the brunches she and i have and we could ease into it that way. sound like a plan?"

He chuckled softly. "Yeah, she's really smart." He told her as he locked eyes with Chloe. She couldn't get over how beautiful his girlfriend was. She was stunning. He listened to her and lightly tapped his digits against her waist, grounding himself again. Rafe stood up straighter as he thought about her suggestion. "Brunch?" He repeated, eyebrows raised. His facial expression softened. "Yeah, babe. That sounds good. Anything for you. When is your next brunch?"

"it's your love language because you find me dangerously sexy, who could blame you?" he teased her with a playful grin, a shiver running up his arms at her slender fingers in his hair. it was unlike carter to melt like this, but val had captured his heart. "physical touch and quality time, i can give you both of those - all the time, until you're completely sick of me," he assured her with a chuckle, his cheeks flushed red.

"Mmm, well you are dangerously sexy." She agreed with a smile, continuing to tangle her digits in his hair. Val never knew someone could catch her attention as much as Carter did. He brought out a different side of her. "All the time?" She inquired. "I would never get sick of you." She assured to him - following with a chuckle as she moved her body into his lap.

"I'm sure that we aren't...now shut up and kiss me."