#wandaheather

“Good morning, beautiful,” I fought back a yawn as I turned my head slightly. Even through my blurry vision, I could see her smiling at me. 

“Mornin’,” she ran her fingers over my short hair. “How’d you sleep?” 

“Mmm, good,” I managed to mumble, leaning against her hand. “How ‘bout you?” 

“No complaints,” she hummed. Neither of us managed to find shirts before passing out. The January chill had found its way into my room. But we had the heat of each other. The blankets offered enough shelter for the both of us. “I didn’t expect your room to look like this.”

“What do you mean?” I laughed. “I think it’s perfectly in line with my bright yellow house on the coast.”

“It is,” she agreed, reaching for her glasses on the nightstand, “but I didn’t expect the only butch for fifty miles in any direction to have the same taste as someone’s grandma.” 

“Oh, please, I got almost everything from estate sales,” I sat up and stretched. “Might be haunted but at least it was cheap.” 

“I’d drink to that,” she yawned, stretching her arms back. Displaying her tits almost intentionally. I knew it was rude to stare but why not admire a real piece of art? It would be easier with my glasses. 

“Want some coffee?” I asked as I swung my legs off the bed. Pushing the blue quilt off my bare legs. 

“If you’d be so kind,” she smiled as I grabbed my long cardigan off my chair. I wasn’t too keen on getting dressed just yet. She didn’t look like she was either. There wasn’t any reason to rush. My neighbors weren’t nosy and the curtains were still drawn downstairs. We could be as naked as we pleased and no one would be any wiser. 

The stairs still creaked loudly. The next thing I needed to work on. Redo the steps. Stain it a nice shade of light brown. Maybe get a carpet runner in some obnoxious color. Something close to a Caribbean blue would be nice. I didn’t need to get the specific down right now. The only priority was coffee. 

Wanda was still upstairs. Most likely going to the bathroom or just freshening up. The thought of her snooping around my shit did cross my mind but I didn’t care that much. She already shoved her fingers inside of me, I’m sure she could handle the sight of a pad or some ointment from a few years ago. Maybe I shouldn’t be so trusting of someone who I just met. But it wasn’t like she was alone in my house. If she was causing trouble, I’d hear it. 

The coffee pot made a groaning sound as it started to brew. It was going to give out any day now. Lasted a good few years. It might have a few more years in her. I was planning to use it until it burst into flames. After that I might splurge on one of those fancy-shmancy espresso makers. If I wasn’t in the middle of some renovation when it finally bid me farewell. 

“We never put the pie away,” Wanda pointed out as she entered the kitchen. My attention turned towards my small dining table only to see the foil covered tin sitting right in the center of it. 

“Oh, I’m sure it's fine,” I laughed. Bringing it over to the counter. A little treat in the morning never killed anyone. “How about some for breakfast?” 

“I couldn’t come up with a better idea if I tried.” She laughed, pulling out a chair to sit at the table. I opened the foil to reveal the red filling oozing out of the golden crust. It would’ve lasted longer if I put it in the fridge but it was still good. Still as delicious as ever. 

I brought two plates and two mugs down from the cupboard. Some of my nicer porcelain plates, I had no reservations about using the good shit. One bright red and one bright yellow mug. Just enough to bring some more joy into a soft and lazy morning. 

“Do you take cream and sugar?” 

“Nah, I’m good with black,” she assured me as she looked around the kitchen. At the white cabinets and delicate little lace curtains that covered the small windows. I knew she was still puzzled about my interior design choices. I couldn’t blame her, I surprised myself with my taste sometimes. 

I don’t know, maybe I just felt a strange sense of nostalgia about it. My little coastal dollhouse reminded me of all the church ladies I spent so much of my youth around. Even if most of them would judge the type of person I was now, maybe they’d like that crocheted blanket over the baby blue loveseat. They didn’t need to know what went down on it last night. 

Crazy how much of it stuck with me. How many expectations. How much shame. Sometimes I could still hear my mom saying that I was wasting my life away just because I didn’t want what they all did. I didn’t want a husband or kids. I was perfectly content being a spinster. I knew it would disappoint them. It was part of the reason I never went back. 

But I must not be doing too bad for myself. As pessimistic as I appeared most days, I was happy here. Happy with my house despite the problems that seemed to come one after the other. Happy with my job despite all the people that pissed me off. Hell, life couldn’t be bad when I’m eating cherry pie for breakfast across from a beautiful lady. 

“You know, even if it’s a day old, I think it’s still the best pie I’ve ever had,” Wanda commented as she set her fork down. 

“Oh, Marlene doesn’t fuck around about her pie,” I laughed. “Like every single summer, she buys crates and crates of cherries and spends almost a week straight making hundreds of jars of pie filling.” 

“Well, someone has to,” she joined in my laughter. 

“Making sure the great people of John’s Harbor are never deprived for even a day.” I joked. “That would be the biggest tragedy this town would ever face.” 

“I couldn’t even begin to imagine,” she sighed. “But what’s the plan for the rest of the day?” 

“Nothing in particular,” I shrugged. “It’s too cold to do any yard work so I’m just playing it by ear. What about you?” 

“Not a goddamn clue,” she smiled. “Work doesn’t start for another two days so I gotta find something to occupy my time.” 

“Well, maybe we could find something to do together,” I offered, getting up from the table. Spending time with her seemed as good of a plan as any. 

“Mmm, I’d like that,” she nodded. “You could show me around town.” 

“There isn’t anything worth seeing,” I laughed. I had left my phone on the side table next to the couch. Almost crazy that I forgot it all night. Crazier that I hadn’t noticed its absence all morning. 

I opened it to an annoying sight. Sixteen missed calls from Madison. A concerning amount considering it was my fucking day off. I rolled my eyes as I pressed the notification. Only had to wait a few seconds until he picked up. 

“Heather, where the fuck are you?” I was taken aback by his aggressive tone off the jump. 

“Oh my god, is it illegal to sleep in on my day off?” I groaned, naturally feeling defensive. 

“Everyone else got here thirty minutes ago,” he argued with me again. 

“Got where?” It was becoming increasingly obvious that I was missing something.

“There’s an emergency, we need you at the pier.”

“Okay, okay, give me a few minutes and I’ll be there.” I rolled my eyes before hanging up. 

“Work problems?” Wanda asked, walking back into the living room. 

“Probably just two drunk people getting into a fight,” I sighed. “But better not to argue with him about it.”

“Well that’s too bad,” she picked her clothes up off of the floor. As much as I wanted to tell him to fuck off and deal with it himself, I knew I couldn’t. I was perpetually ‘on call’ for emergencies. Considering how aggressive he was on the phone, I had a feeling that it was serious.  “I guess that’s my cue to leave.” 

“Unfortunately,” I nodded, “but let me give you my number. I’d love to see you again.” 

“Oh yeah,” she grabbed her phone out of her coat pocket before handing it to me. “I’m sure I’ll find something to do in town.” 

Neither of us knew it at that moment, but everything was shut down. The town had been in chaos for the last thirty minutes and we were none the wiser. We were some of the last people in the town to know. The only ones who had a peaceful morning. 

“Hopefully,” I smiled, giving her phone back to her. “Had a good time last night.” 

“I did too,” she agreed, smoothing her top out. “I’d like to see you again, Heather.” 

“I’d like to see you again, too,” I waved goodbye as she walked to the door. She gave me  a small wave back. I still needed to get dressed. Every second I wasted was another reason for people to be mad at me. I was already late. I already caused enough drama.

I needed something I could put on fast. The jeans from yesterday. A t-shirt from the laundry basket I hadn’t folded from last week. My trusted brown flannel because it was cold out. And I couldn’t forget my coat. 

Only a few minutes until I made it downtown. Only a few minutes until the reality of this emergency would hit me. I was still grumbling as I got in the car. Frustrated that my plans were ruined. I didn’t know what I was driving up to. I didn’t know how serious this emergency really was. 

No one expected this to happen here. No one expected this type of evil to make its way to John’s Harbor. It was the last possibility on my list. It didn’t even cross my mind until I drove downtown only to see the entirety of our small police car fleet blocking off the pier. 

I parked as close to it as I could as the dread started to set in. The only emotion that beat it out was confusion. Confused why Madison didn’t tell me what happened on the phone call. Confused why no one bothered to stop by my house to get me here sooner. Confused that something like this was happening here. 

“Took you long enough,” Madison walked up to me as I ducked beneath the police tape. 

“If someone bothered to come by my house, I would’ve gotten here a lot sooner,” I pointed out. I was in no mood to deal with his attitude. I’m sure he was in no mood for mine either. “What’s going on?” 

“Body found on the beach,” he gestured towards the group that had already gathered around it. “Teenage girl. No positive ID yet.” 

“Accident or murder?” Looking down, I tried to get a glimpse. I tried to see what was really going on. 

“Well, I’m not the detective here,” he sighed, trying everything he could not to look at it, “but it’s not hard to come to a conclusion.” 

I let out a breath before heading down to the beach. Into the group of people that was obscuring the girl. Someone we’ve all must’ve seen a hundred different times. It wasn’t a big town. It couldn’t be that hard to find out who it was. 

Puck waved me over as I stepped on the beach. A couple people moved to let me into the group. Gave me a chance to see what I didn’t know was only the start. “What’s the situation?” 

“We got a call around eight thirty,” he started to explain. “Someone was walking their dog on the beach and they found her washed up.” 

“Is the witness around?” I couldn’t take my eyes off the body. I couldn’t comprehend what was happening. 

“He’s at the station,” he explained, rubbing his eyes. “We also called the coroner but he’s out of town and can’t make it back until tonight.” 

“Okay,” I nodded, trying to understand everything he was saying as I was receiving it. Trying to fight past the shock as cameras kept clicking. “I’d like to get a statement from him. Do we have any idea of who she is?” 

“We got some of the deputies looking into it,” I leaned down trying to get a closer look. From the look of her, it must’ve not happened a long time ago. Last night at the latest. While we were all having fun, she was dying. She was killed and no one even knew. “Yearbooks, social media, asking around the station. We’d like to tell the family before everyone else.” 

“Mhm,” I let out a soft breath, trying to calm down. People relied on me being calm. This was my job. This was what it entailed. “We should go to the station. I’m sure he’s been waiting long enough.” 

We’d have to wait until tomorrow for the confirmation. Wait longer than any of us wanted to. But it wasn’t hard to tell. Every sign pointed in the same direction. The way she was found. The marks on her body. The dread that was palpable on the beach. She was murdered. She was murdered and it was my responsibility to figure out who did it. 

~~✧~~✧~~✧~~

The energy in the station wasn’t any different from that on the beach. A stark contrast from yesterday. When it was buzzing with everyone talking about their weekend plans or that new barbeque place that opened two towns over. Now, it was just quiet. 

Half the force was still at the pier. Trying to shield the town from the finer details. Getting as much as they could from the scene of the crime. Pictures, samples, anything that might help us understand what happened last night. The other half was here. Uncharacteristically quiet. Too shocked to continue on normally. No one could blame them. 

But we had a job to do. We all did. Keeping the peace if that was possible. Trying to quell any fears that were bound to appear in the next 24 hours. It would be a futile effort. Peace would only come with answers. Me and Puck needed to find the answers. That was our job. 

The witness was waiting for us. Sitting alone at the long table. He had a cup of water. Hadn’t taken a single sip out of it. Just staring at it as he pressed the sides of the paper cup. Watching it rise and fall with the pressure of his fingers. 

His dog was sitting on the floor right next to him. A big shaggy one. Maybe a newfie if I knew as much as I thought I did. In any other situation I’d be excited. Jumping at the opportunity to pet and coo at them. But this wasn’t the time.

“Hello,” I greeted him, trying to make my voice as gentle as possible. The last thing I wanted was to scare him. God knows he’s already had a shitty day and it wasn’t even 10 am. “I’m Detective McNeil, this is Detective Judd. We just have a few questions for you.” 

He didn’t say anything as we sat down across from him. With our notepads and that little recorder. All he did was nod, not very keen on looking at us. “Can we start with your name?” 

“Peter,” he mumbled out before rubbing his eyes and speaking more clearly. “Peter Mayfield.” 

“Okay, Peter,” I tried to smile. Tried anything I could to put him at ease, “can you walk us through your morning before you found the body?” 

“Yeah, uhhh…” he turned his gaze up to the ceiling. “Well, I live up in Westpoint but I drove down this morning because I wanted to take Bella to the beach. Left around seven, got here about seven thirty.” 

It wasn’t hard to see he was barely keeping it together. That he was still trying to get past the shock. I didn’t know how to help him. How to make this any easier for any of us to process. It still hadn’t hit me. That that girl on the beach was really dead. That her parents, her friends, her teachers, everyone who cared about her didn’t know yet. Hell, we didn’t even know her name.

“And we were walking around for a bit. No one else was around so I let her off her leash. Let her run, get some energy out.” He took a shaky breath. The dog stood up and put her head on his lap. “It was ummm… It was around eight twenty and she just ran off. Obviously, I was concerned about it so I ran after her. From, like, behind the diner to the pier, maybe a quarter of a mile? I caught up to her and she was just sniffing around the body. I didn’t even think she was dead, I just thought that she… I don’t know, that she got a little too drunk last night.” 

He put his head in his hands and took a few seconds just to breathe. To try and stop the natural reaction to something like this. He would never forget this. Never forget this feeling until the day that he died.

“Anyways, I tried to wake her up. Talk to her, nudge her. Bella was barking. She obviously didn’t respond. I umm… She was face down on the beach so you know, I turned her over and…” He wiped a tear that was falling down his face. “And she was dead. God, she was dead and I was just standing there looking at her. I called you guys and I’ve been here since.” 

“Did you notice anything around the scene?” I asked after he finished his testimony. “Any signs of a struggle? Footprints? Anything that looked unusual?” 

“I didn’t really think to look around,” he shrugged. “But to me it looked like she washed up. Maybe fell into the ocean or something?” 

“I see,” I nodded, jotting down a few things on the pad. “And you said that no one else was on the beach?” 

“Nope,” he shook his head. “If there was, we didn’t see them. Didn’t pass by anybody or hear any talking in the thirty minutes we were down there.” 

“Okay,” I tried to think of any more questions in my jumbled mind. I couldn’t waste this opportunity but god knows we’ve all had a pretty rough day. “And after you called the police, did you stay next to the body?” 

“I didn’t know what else to do,” he admitted. “I stood there for a few minutes before they came just in shock. I’ve never seen anything like this before.” 

“I just wanted to make sure that no one else could’ve been around,” I clarified, turning to Puck to see if he had any questions. If there was anything I wasn’t thinking of. I had no doubt that he was innocent. Just a witness who happened to be the first out and about this morning. “Well, thank you for your time Peter. If we need to talk to you again, we’ll call you back.” 

“Of course,” he nodded, pushing his chair back. “I’m happy to help you guys find out what happened and everything.” 

“Make it home safe,” I opened the door for him as he walked out. It was only then that I heard commotion outside in the waiting area. From the unsteady quiet to what sounded like an argument. 

“What’s going on out there?” Puck asked as I poked my head out. Some lady was talking to Madison right by the receptionist desk that sat vacant most days. From the looks of it, neither of them were having a good time. 

“No idea…” I trailed off as I walked out of the room and back into the lobby. Maybe it was none of my business. Maybe he had it handled. But chances are it concerned everything that happened today. And if it concerned the girl on the beach, it was my business. 

“I know that there’s someone dead on the beach, you don’t have to lie to me,” she argued with him. “My daughter didn’t come home last night. She’s not answering our calls and none of her friends know where she is. Please, I need to know if–” 

“Mrs. Anderson, there’s no need to panic,” he tried to calm her down. Quell her fears when we all knew the truth. She had every reason to think that her daughter was dead. We had no way to prove her wrong. “I’m sure that she’s just sleeping late and will turn up in a matter of time.” 

“It’s past ten, she doesn’t sleep in this late!” She screamed as the tears ran down her face. “Charlotte would’ve come home last night! She would’ve called us or texted us, she would’ve told her friends where she was!” 

“I understand that you’re worried but I can assure you that everything is going to be fine,” Madison was lying straight to her face. He couldn’t assure shit. “If she isn’t home by tonight, call us and we’ll put in a missing person report but right now, we can’t help you.”

“You can help me by telling me if the body on the beach is hers,” she brought her phone out of her pocket. 

“Mrs. Anderson, you’re doing nothing but worrying yourself,” every attempt from him sounded more and more condescending. 

“Madison,” I pulled him aside as she was frantically looking for something on her phone, “don’t you think she has every reason to be worried about this?” 

“I’m handling it, Heather,” he gritted out through his teeth. “The last thing we need is people coming in panicking because they don’t have tabs on their children at the moment.”

“Do we even have an ID yet?” I asked him as he took a deep breath. “So we can look into it and if it’s not her daughter, we have one less panicked citizen.” 

“And if it is then we have to deal with the fallout,” he tried to wave me off. Telling me to let him handle it. 

“If it is, then we can give everyone some answers,” I turned back to her. She was still trying to operate her phone to little success. 

“None of this is necessary,” he tried to take control of the situation. “Mrs. Anderson, please just go home. Chances are that she’s already back waiting–” 

She turned her phone to us. A photo of her daughter filled the screen. A face none of us could get off of our mind. She had every reason to panic. She was right. We didn’t have to tell her that. She could tell by our reactions that her daughter was dead. 

As for more practical solutions, there really wasn’t any. Space heaters had always turned out to be a bad idea. She swore off of them after waking up in the middle of the night to the smell of something burning. Her room didn’t have a fireplace and it would be unwise to build an impromptu one. If she wanted to direct source of heat she was by all means fucked. 

She sighed, trying to pull any blanket she could over her face. Why did her nose get so cold? Why was it so hard to fix this problem? Why could no amount of blankets stop this supposedly supernatural chill from harassing her? 

She sat up and looked at the windows, just to be sure they weren’t all open. Of course they weren’t open. She practically welded them shut for six months out of the year. Maybe she should just get up to check them. Make sure that any of the wind wasn’t making its way through the glass particles. She knew it didn’t really work that way but she was desperate enough to check anyway. 

“Motherfucker,” she hissed as her feet hit the hardwood floor. Even through the pair of wool socks it felt like she was stepping on straight ice. Someone must’ve cursed her. There was no other logical explanation. How could she take all of these precautions and still come out cold? It didn’t make any sense in the slightest.

She somehow managed to make her way over to the window. Despite the floor shooting an icy chill up her legs every time she moved her foot. It was torture. Surely it wasn’t worth it. What was she even trying to check? She knew that the windows were shut. She knew whatever coastal winds were assaulting the mansion weren’t defying the laws of physics. Still, it was enough to drag her out of bed. 

She put the back of her hand against the window. Cold enough to get her skin frozen onto the glass. She didn’t know what exactly she was expecting. All the windows were shut. The latches were locked. It wasn’t the windows and still the cold was ravaging every square inch of this room.  

Was there really nothing she could do but accept defeat? Make her way back to her bed and just ignore it? Try to sleep despite the fact that nothing has changed. She didn’t know how much longer she’d survive. Everyone might just wake up tomorrow and find her frozen in a block of ice. It would take a lot of blow dryers to try and defrost her. 

Was she being overdramatic? A little bit. But anyone would be too if they were in her shoes. Freezing their ass off with no possible solution. Would anyone judge her if she just crashed on the living room couch? She’d rather not deal with any questions or mockery. But what else could be done?

She could always kick someone out of their room. Someone who wasn’t as sensitive to the cold as she was. Or maybe a solution was right in front of her. 

She has been talking to Wanda recently. Nothing too serious but nothing either of them could deny. It was her go to strategy to cuddle up next to Mac during weather like this. But he was obviously not an option anymore. She didn’t know if she’d turn to him now anyway. 

Would it be too forward to show up in her room in the middle of the night? She wasn’t stupid, she knew what the implication was. Not that she hated the idea. It wasn’t that she wasn’t incredibly attracted to her, she just knew this wasn’t the way to initiate anything. 

It couldn’t hurt to try. It was in the team’s best interest that she got a good night's sleep. How could she possibly lead when the cold was preventing her from getting any sleep? Even if she didn’t buy that line, surely Wanda would take pity on her.

Her room wasn’t a ridiculous distance either. Heather being the leader and Wanda being the person who very graciously offered a family property for their base of operations, they naturally got the two best rooms. Just a hall down. It wouldn’t even take a minute to reach her. 

“Worth a shot,” she mumbled to herself, walking towards the door. The floor was trying everything it could to stop her. Part of her was beginning to wonder if this really was the best room. Wanda’s must not get this cold. All the more reason to embark on this journey. 

What she wouldn’t give to just have someone hold her. It had been so long since she slept in a bed with someone else. As complicated as her feelings about Mac were lately, she missed that. She missed a feeling of arms wrapped around her and a body pressed against hers. She didn’t like sleeping alone. She was getting tired of it. 

The hallway wasn’t as cold as her room, thank god. She had to admit that this place tended to give her the heebie jeebies. In her defense, it was an old, isolated, manor that had been abandoned for god knows how long. If Wanda’s story was true, her uneasiness wasn’t completely unfounded. 

They’ve done some light redecorating. Nothing too serious, just trying to get rid of the haunted mansion vibes. No one objected to moving the creepier portraits to a place where their painted eyes wouldn’t follow them. In fact, almost all of them were eager to help. 

Just because the hall wasn’t seemingly cursed with its own polar vortex like her room was didn’t mean that Heather was content to be out here. The chills still managed to bite her despite all her layers. All she could pray for is that this little trip wouldn’t be for nothing. 

She hesitated before reaching for the doorknob. What if she was making everything awkward? Hell, if someone just walked into her room in the middle of the night, she would probably sock them in the face on instinct. It didn’t matter what her intentions were, it would probably read as creepy. 

Well, it wasn’t like they were just coworkers. The way they’ve been flirting with each other it wouldn’t surprise her if the other Alphans assumed they were already together. And Wanda did tell her not to be a stranger. Paired with a wink as well. It wouldn’t be as outrageous as she was trying to tell herself it was. 

Locked. She jiggled it again just to make sure. In hind sight, she didn’t know why she thought it wouldn’t be. It was a long shot from conception, she knew that. At least she had a plan B. Grab some of those quilts from her room and crash on the couch. 

It wouldn’t be that bad, she supposed. Really, anything was better than staying in that room. Maybe she could come up with an innovative way to solve this problem by tomorrow night. She didn’t really want to make sleeping on the couch a habit. 

“Heather?” A tired voice called out to her as she was walking down the hall. “What are you doing up this late?” 

“Oh, umm…” Caught in the act. She turned around to see the tall woman peeking out the doorway. It was strange, even when she was sleeping she looked more put together than Heather normally did. Even with her hair tied up under some sort of silk scarf and those gel masks under her eyes, she managed to be absolutely breathtaking. “Sorry, did I wake you up?” 

“Not at all,” Wanda shook her head but her yawn told her that was exactly what she did. “What’s up?” 

“It’s– it’s nothing, really,” she denied. She didn’t know how to say it. Now that she was confronted with the scenario she was seeking out she felt foolish. A grown ass woman who couldn’t handle a little bit of cold. It was laughable. 

“It’s nothing?” She smiled at her as she stepped out of the doorway. Giving Heather a good view of her matching pajama set. Light blue with lacey trimming. It made her shiver just looking at her. “So you came down just because?”

“No, it’s not like that,” she denied when she saw that smirk on her face. Another shiver shot up her body as Wanda stepped closer to her. 

“Really?” She let out a light laugh and put her hand on her shoulder. “What is it like then, Heather?” 

“I’m cold,” she finally admitted with a sigh. “It’s insanely cold in my room to the point I couldn’t go to sleep so I just thought–” 

“What? You’re trying to kick me out of my room?” Wanda teased her with a smile. “Invoking eminent domain in the middle of the night? That’s cruel, even for you, hot stuff.” 

“I’m not,” she defended herself against her attack. “I just thought… Y’know, I just thought that I could…” 

“Sleep in my bed?!” She let out a dramatic gasp that made Heather roll her eyes. “Golly gosh, what would everyone think?” 

“Don’t make fun of me,” she pushed on the taller woman's shoulder. “I’m desperate. I wouldn’t even be bothering you at such an insane time if I wasn’t. Please, Wanda, I’m–” 

“Oh you don’t have to beg me,” Wanda laughed, planting a kiss on her cheek. “You’re just lucky that I have a soft spot for pretty women in need of my help.” 

“And if I wasn’t pretty?” Heather raised her eyebrow as she was being practically dragged into her room. 

“And what if the earth didn’t revolve around the sun?” She shrugged. “What if you weren’t pretty? That’s nonsensical, Heather.” 

“If you insist,” she laughed, looking around at Wanda’s room. Had a hell of a lot more personality than her own did. Simple things like a stained glass lamp and a stunning blue bed spread made a world of difference. 

But she didn’t have much time to look around. It was her fault entirely that she gave Wanda a job to do. She was using all her strength to get Heather onto the bed. In another situation this might have excited her. In this situation, she really was tired. 

“Well, if you need someone to warm you up, you came to the right gal,” Wanda said as she pulled the cover back for her. “I have to warn you though, I’m a grade A cuddle bug.”

“Is that so?” Heather wasted no time crawling into the bed. The mattress was a bit firmer than her own. It was also noticeably warmer.

“So much so it caused problems in plenty of previous relationships,” she admitted, scooting right next to her. The heat from her body alone was almost enough to draw a moan out of her. But Heather had enough shame to hold it back. “I’ve been debating just going out and buying some teddy bear. I just like having something to hold in my arms.”

“Well, you’re in luck because I love to be cuddled,” she reassured her, nuzzling her frozen nose into her neck. 

“Then we must be compatible,” Wanda shivered a bit as Heather continued to bury her face into her. “God, you are cold.” 

“Did you think I was lying or something?” 

“It would’ve been a pretty good one,” She wrapped her arms around her. “Even if you were lying, I still would’ve let you in.” 

“You should’ve never told me that,” Heather laughed, wrapping her own arms around Wanda. She couldn’t help it, she didn’t want to lose the sensation of her body against hers. 

“What, you’re just going to try and sneak into my room again?” She gasped. “Well, good luck with that, sweetheart. I’ll tell you I have a heightened sense when it comes to beautiful women planning to take advantage of my body heat. I’ll smell you coming from a mile away.” 

“Never say that again, you sound like Logan,” she mumbled, feeling herself start to drift off. 

“Now that hurts,” Wanda responded, twirling a piece of hair from her ponytail. As much as she wanted to stay up, stay in this moment, she was actually tired. She didn’t actually walk here to flirt with Wanda, as fun as they both seemed to find it. 

She came here because she was warm. She was warm and obliging no matter how ridiculous her request seemed. No matter how ridiculous she felt asking for it. Waking her up in the middle of the night just because she wanted to cuddle. 

She guessed that it was just because Wanda wanted to help her. It was a mutually beneficial situation. Heather got someone to hold her and Wanda got someone to hold. Maybe they should do this more often. 

Maybe they should just convert Heather’s room into some sort of private study. Maybe they should cut out the middle man and just stay together every night. Maybe they should just go ahead and marry each other so she wouldn’t have to deny herself of this feeling ever again. 

Maybe she should just go to sleep before she made any rash decisions. It was just one night. She didn’t have to think about forever. All she needed to do was rest. Let herself drift off as she felt Wanda’s chest rise and fall with each breath. 

“You don’t have to worry about the cold anymore,” she whispered when she must’ve been sure Heather was asleep. “My sweet, darling, Heather, I’ll make sure you’ll never be cold again.” 

She felt Wanda plant a kiss to her forehead before she felt her body start to grow in her arms. Even in this half-awake state, she knew what was happening. Heather said she was cold and Wanda, being a problem solver, decided the easiest way to warm her up was to bring Sasquatch to the party. 

Heather couldn’t lie even if she wanted to. It felt nice. So nice to be completely enveloped in her strong arms and her white fur. And she held her like she was afraid to lose her. Like if Wanda didn’t hold her right against her chest, she’d just disintegrate. Held her the way that she’s been wanting to be held for so long.

Mac never held her like that. He couldn’t have even if he wanted to. It seemed as if Wanda was the only person alive who could fulfill this need. The only person capable of surrounding her with the warmth she needed. So much warmth that she didn’t want to move. She didn’t want to go to sleep because if she did, she’d be missing this feeling. She didn’t want to wake up tomorrow and have it be over. 

Would it be too forward to say she never wanted to leave? Their other teammates could go fuck themselves. It was only going to get colder after all. Staying right here in this bed until spring came again didn’t sound bad at all. 

“Ehh, I usually just go to a deli when I don’t want to cook for myself,” she shrugged, leaning down to look at the variety of treats sitting on the top shelf. No doubt that they were from this morning. Not that that mattered to me, it was still good as ever. “But delis don’t usually have cherry pie.” 

“Downside to everything,” I looked up as the waitress approached us. Greeted us with a smile despite the absurd time we walked in. “Good evening, Marlene.” 

“Good evening, ladies,” the smirk on her face told me what she thought about me walking in with a mysterious woman. Not that she was wrong. “What can I do for ya tonight?” 

“Just two slices of cherry pie and we’ll be out of your hair,” I pulled my wallet out of the pocket of my coat. 

“Of course,” she smiled, taking the rest of the pie out of the case. Almost two thirds of it left. “That’ll just be six bucks.” 

“Mhm,” I hummed, pulling the bills out as she started to put foil over the entire dish. “Marlene, I just want two slices.” 

“I know, sweetheart,” she nodded, “but I ain’t gonna sell it in the next ten minutes and I’d rather you take it than just throw it in the trash.” 

“Well, I’m not gonna say no,” I laughed, sneaking a ten into the tip jar. She winked at me as she slid it over. As if her giving me free pie was making me look better in Wanda’s eyes or something. “Thank you.”

“Have a good night, ladies!” She called out as we walked out the door.

“I’m pretty sure we’re going to be the diner gossip in the morning,” Wanda laughed. 

“Probably just made her week,” I sighed, looking down at the tin foil that reflected the dim streetlights. “I have no idea what I’m going to do with all this pie.” 

“Oh, I got some colleagues I can throw it to,” she joked as she reached into her pocket for her car keys. “I’m sure no one would complain about free pie.”

“No one but me,” I pointed out. The lights of her car blinked as she unlocked it. I wasn’t going to lie and say I wasn’t curious what the whole situation with it was. God knows she didn’t drive all the way across the country. Could you rent a car for six months? I didn’t think that whoever was running it would provide a car like that. Maybe she was just using one of her coworkers' cars. 

Not that any of this mattered. I didn’t really care how she got it as long as it brought us back to my house. As long as it got us there fast. The anticipation hadn’t dissipated in the slightest. I was starting to feel it as my lower abdomen was twisting itself into a knot. 

I couldn’t help it if I was horny. It had been so long since I’ve actually had sex. About six months since I made my way down to Vancouver. I had already determined long ago that I was shit out of luck for anything local. The only other lesbians in this town were teenagers who didn’t have the means to leave yet. If I wanted anything, it had to be by my own hand. 

I was still trying to get over the shock of Wanda. Of this beautiful woman who I couldn’t even dream of being interested in me. It was ridiculous to even think about. That someone like her, someone who could have anyone she wanted, would go after someone like me. I mean, I knew I wasn’t beautiful. I never cared enough to try. But she still sat next to me. She was still driving to my house. 

It was a short drive. Less than a minute. I debated not even putting my seatbelt on. It would only delay what I so desperately wanted. What I could only assume she wanted too. None of this little dance we were doing would make sense if she didn’t. 

The porch light illuminated a small patch of my yellow siding. Did nothing to show the driveway but I guess that’s what headlights were for. She still managed to figure it out, parking right up against my truck. Just enough room for me to get out. Maybe a bit hard for me to maneuver while holding the pie but nothing I couldn’t handle. 

It took her a few seconds to follow after me. I was already putting my keys into the deadbolt when I heard the car door shut. I turned my head to see her standing a good two steps behind me. “Are you a vampire or something?” 

“Just making sure I wasn’t misreading the situation,” she laughed, walking up to my small porch. 

“The situation is that I’m holding your pie hostage until you come in,” I teased, holding it out in front of her. 

“Oh so the pie was just some bargaining chip?” She raised her eyebrow as we both entered the living room. The only light came from a dim table lamp next to the couch.

“You thought I was just doing it out of the kindness of my heart?” I walked over and set the tin on my counter. I’d have to worry about putting it into the fridge later. I couldn’t waste the steps right now. Not while Wanda was standing so close behind me. 

Her perfume was becoming more and more noticeable as she put her hands on my waist. Almost enough to make my breath hitch. I hope she couldn’t tell how anxious I was about all this. I shouldn’t be as nervous as I was. It wasn’t like I hadn’t had sex before. With women far more beautiful than I was. 

But never like this. Never at my house. It was always in hotel rooms or the other girl’s shitty apartment. No, this was different. This was unexpected. Her fingers were pressing into the soft tissue of my torso. And she smelled so good. And it’s been so long. 

I didn’t know what to say. Did I even have to say anything? I didn’t have any doubt that we both knew what we wanted. That we both wanted the same exact thing. God, I needed her so bad, I didn’t even care how. 

I turned around and her blue eyes met mine. Even in the dim light of my living room I could tell she was wearing makeup. Typical for a woman like her. I wanted nothing more than to ruin it. To kiss her until that dark red sheen on her lip was all but gone. Make her sweat until her foundation melted off her face. Until her mascara and eyeliner started to run onto her cheeks. Until there was nothing that stood between us. 

“God, you're so beautiful, Heather,” she whispered into my ear as she started to kiss along my jawline. 

“Don’t lie to me,” I rolled my eyes. She didn’t need to flatter me. I was already here, I was already doing this.

“I’m not lying,” she mumbled against my skin, pressing her fingers into my waist again for emphasis. I returned the favor, rubbing my hands against her back. Trying to feel as much of her as I could. And there was a lot to feel. 

“If anyone’s beautiful, it’s you,” I didn’t know why I was arguing. Maybe it just seemed absurd to me. Compared to her, I was nothing special. I wasn’t delusional about that. 

“Can’t we both be beautiful?” She asked, pulling back as we made eye contact again. Her glasses were slightly askew. I moved one of my hands to straighten them. The action made her laugh a bit. “They’re only going to get in the way.” 

“If I’m that beautiful, you’d want to see me,” I teased her as she pulled me flush against her. All she did was roll her eyes at me before shutting me up with her lips. They tasted like cherry candy. The type that was sickly sweet and shared little resemblance with the real thing. Between the perfume and the lipstick and the color of her glasses frame, it wasn’t hard to tell she had a preference. 

I didn’t have it in me to argue anymore. I could run my mouth all night long or I could feel her lips against mine. I could insist that I wasn’t beautiful or I could lead her to my couch. Push her back onto it and crawl on top of her. Straddling her lap and grinding against her as she continued to cover my lips with the cherry flavor. 

Wanda’s hands were making their way under my sweater. Her fingers were cold against my back. It wasn’t a hard thing to accomplish. I could feel my temperature rise every time our lips crashed together. It was only going to get in the way after all. 

I started to pull at the hem. My coordination wasn’t the best right now but how much coordination did I need to take my shirt off? Obviously more than I expected considering how much I was struggling. Wanda just smiled at my effort before helping me. Quickly pulling it over my head, leaving my hair sticking up in seven different directions and my glasses lopsided. I fixed them but it didn't matter. Even if I looked crazy it wasn’t like she’d notice. Her eyes were glued to my tits. 

“Like what you see?” I teased. It wasn’t like they were much to look at. I knew they were average, leaning more towards the smaller side. Covered with freckles that I had to admit I was still self conscious of. It wasn’t like my bra was anything to write home about either. A clearance rack number somewhere between mint and seafoam green that had started to show its age three years ago. But she was looking at them like none of that mattered. No, she looked at them like they were the most perfect pair she’d ever seen. 

She didn’t bother to respond to my question. Her hands went straight to them. Her mouth found a new fixation on my collarbone. It was enough to shut me up as she alternated between soft kisses and gentle nibbles. As her hands massaged my chest over my bra. I didn’t have a comeback. No witty commentary. I doubted if I could produce real words in this state. It was getting harder and harder to ignore what she was doing to me. 

I rocked back and forth against her hips. Subtle and involuntary. I just wanted to relieve the tension that was building beneath my stomach. I’d do anything if it meant she’d fuck me right this second. 

I reached for the bottom of her wine red blouse. Silky and draping across her chest like it was tailored specifically to her body. As hot as it was, as perfectly it fit her, I desperately needed to see what was underneath it. Luckily, I didn’t need to say anything. She got the clue and pulled it straight over her head. 

She threw it straight on the ground, no regard for where it landed. A blouse like that would wrinkle if you looked at it wrong but she didn’t care. I didn’t either. I only had so much attention and it was all being spent on her tits. 

Her bra was pale pink. Lacey. Some fancy type of cut that presented them perfectly. Not that they needed them. Hers were truly magnificent and I wasn’t saying that just because I was practically humping her thigh. The type that every girl would aspire to after seeing them in that one magazine their dad forgot to hide. The type people pay thousands of dollars for only to fall just short of them. The type that I thought didn’t exist and they were right in front of me. 

“My eyes are up here,” she teased me back, lifting my gaze with a finger under my chin. I opened my mouth but words failed to form. Hell, thoughts failed to form. All I could do was look at her face. Her cheeks were flushed. Several platinum blonde curls had fallen out of that simple updo. Enough that she just pulled out the big silver pin and discarded it with our shirts. 

My face was only getting hotter. Part of me hoped that the lighting was low enough not to show the shade of tomato red I knew I was. My ears were burning up. I knew the cider that I had what seemed like forever ago wasn’t helping. But she didn’t seem to notice. At least not as much as I did. 

Wanda ran her thumb over my cheeks. Sporting a devilish smile that stretched to her eyes. If I could possibly blush more, I would’ve. It didn’t take much longer until two fingers pulled my bottom lip into a pout. She didn’t need to say anything, I knew what she wanted me to do. 

I obediently opened my mouth. Maybe in a less charged state I’d feel ashamed about what I was doing for her. For someone I just met a few hours ago. No one more than a beautiful person at the bar. Her fingers snaked into me and pressed down on my tongue. And I sucked them. Sucked them as her blue eyes stared right into my soul. Like she knew this was going to happen when our eyes first met in the convenience store. 

I was a mess. She was turning me into a mess. I liked to think of myself as composed. Level-headed. Someone who didn’t play games. But I wasn’t tonight. I was putty in her perfect hands. The things I would do if it meant she’d take care of the problem between my legs. God, I didn’t know how much longer I could handle this. 

One of my hands went down to the waistband of her pants. Putting a few fingers beneath the fabric of those fancy slacks. I wanted to see all of her. I wanted to feel all of her. I wanted to do to her exactly what she was doing to me. Make her feel this good. Make her feel this crazy. 

“Eager, aren’t ya?” She almost laughed as she moved my hand up to her breasts. The next best thing if you ask me. All I could do was nod. There wasn’t much talking I could do with her long fingers still pressing against my tongue. “Don’t worry, I’ll take real good care of you.” 

She used her free hand to unbutton my jeans. I lifted my hips only slightly to give her better access. I didn’t want to lose the sensation but I also didn’t want to miss out on the one she wanted to give me. If she wanted to help me, I wasn’t going to stop her. 

She withdrew her fingers from my mouth. I almost whimpered at the loss of the feeling. God, if I wasn’t buzzed, I might just be embarrassed for my actions. But I decided not to ruin this for myself as she brought the saliva covered hand further and further down. A little unnecessary lubricant. I don’t think I’ve been this wet in my life. 

She practically groaned as her hand dipped beneath my panties. Nice to know that I was making her feel it too. My hands still cupped her breasts. Feeling the heavy weight of them in my palms as her fingers found their way inside of me. My breath hiked at the intrusion which only made her smirk. 

Her fingers were long and slender. If she hadn’t already told me she was a scientist, I would’ve assumed she was a pianist. Especially considering how talented she was with them. I wasn’t going to lie and say my experiences have all been positive. Mostly it was enthusiastic but overall ineffective. A messy sloshing of fingers where I had to put in more effort than they were just to come. 

But Wanda knew what she was doing. She knew exactly what would make me tick. Like she knew my pussy better than I did. She pistoned them into me and the rhythm never faltered. Maybe I needed to do more. Put some effort in to make her lose it. 

I started to massage her breasts as she started to kiss me again. A bit firmer than I was expecting. Nothing that I’ve ever felt before. Well, it was good to know that I shouldn’t feel so self conscious about mine. Not that I was judging. More power to her for getting the most perfect pair of tits. They were worth every single penny she paid for them. 

She almost drew a gasp from me and her thumb ran over my clit. I was closer than I wanted to be. If it was up to me, I could ride her fingers until the sun came up. I wanted to feel this good forever. I never wanted her to stop. I never wanted to leave the couch. 

Her tongue filled the space that was left empty by her fingers. I wasn’t complaining one bit. If she didn’t do anything to muffle me we might just be interrupted by an angry knock on the door. Not that I would care that much. They could hate me all they wanted. God knows no one has ever made them feel like this. 

I moaned straight into her mouth as my hips started to move erratically. There wasn’t any stopping it now. No more trying to deny or delay it. I needed to release it. I needed to let myself be relieved of all this pent up tension. 

I’m sure that Wanda noticed it too. She started to speed up. Her fingers moved inside me like she knew exactly what I needed to be pushed over the edge. A few more strokes of my clit. A few more pumps and I was about ready to scream. 

I would’ve if she wasn’t occupying my mouth. What I did do was moan as loud as I could with her tongue shoved down my throat. I practically collapsed onto her. Letting my chest meet hers. Nothing standing between us. Nothing stopping us from being as close as we wanted to be. 

She took the initiative to separate our lips. Staring straight at me as she took her fingers to her mouth. Having no reservations about tasting me. Even after all of that, I had never been more turned on in my life. 

I wanted to return the favor. I wanted to make her feel the same way she made me feel. But my eyelids were heavy. My coordination hadn’t improved in the slightest. As much as she deserved it, as rude as it was, I didn’t have it in me. 

She must’ve noticed as she stroked the back of my head. I hoped she didn’t mind. Hell, I would’ve been pissed if I didn’t get to cum. I’d just have to make it up to her the next time. I hoped with everything I had that there would be a next time. 

“What? And you’re gonna kick me out or something?” She called my bluff before pushing the screen shut. “No work tonight.” 

“Oh, yeah? And what are you gonna do when you go to work?” I asked as she tried to walk away with my laptop. 

“We’ve already planned this out,” she smiled, putting the computer behind her back as I tried to reach for it. “Trust that you won’t even get a chance.”

“Did you get me a babysitter?” I joked but seeing the look on her face told me that she wasn’t joking. “You guys are ridiculous.” 

“It takes a village,” she shrugged. “If you weren’t so insistent on working on your days off, then we wouldn’t have to take such dramatic measures.” 

“What I do on my days off don’t concern either of you,” I argued. This whole situation was absurd. 

“It concerns us very deeply because this is the only way you’d actually take a break,” she pointed out. “And you need to take a break.” 

“I’ll take a break when this is done,” I rolled my eyes. 

“And that’s exactly why we need to enforce it,” she laughed, putting the computer down on her bed. “Besides, I’m sure you’ll have so much fun you’ll forget that you even wanted to work.” 

“If you roped Wanda into your little scheme, I swear–” 

“Who else would we have roped into it?” She laughed, knowing that I had no rebuttal to her question. 

“Ridiculous,” I shook my head. “All of you guys are ridiculous.” 

“Is that the vocab word of the day or something?” She teased me. 

“I wouldn’t even be trying to work if there was nothing to work on,” I defended myself. “And this shit is time sensitive.” 

“Leave it to the people who are actually working today,” she shrugged. “I’m sure they’re all just as capable of reading their emails.”

“You’d think,” I sighed, flopping down on the couch. 

“If something serious happened, they’d call you,” she grabbed her purse off the coffee table. “And they’re not even paying you for it. You shouldn’t be destroying your health over it.” 

“Aren’t you supposed to be going to work?”

“It only takes like fifteen minutes to walk there,” she shrugged, “and the second I walk out, you’ll go get your laptop again.”

“You really shouldn’t be walking to work,” I pointed out. “Especially when it’s already getting dark and there’s a serial killer on the loose.” 

“I’ll be fine, Heather,” she waved off my concern. “It’s not that far.”

“It’s almost a mile,” I argued. “Also what’s your manager doing, scheduling a teenage girl on a graveyard shift with everything going on?” 

“You’re being paranoid,” she shook her head. “I’ll call you if anything sketchy happens.” 

“He shouldn’t be leaving you alone in there overnight,” I shook my head. 

“Yeah, he’s an asshole,” she agreed, “but considering I was just kicked out of my house, I’m not in much position to lose my job.” 

“A paycheck isn’t worth your safety, Marrina,” I stood up. “At least let me drive you, it wouldn’t–” 

My sentence was interrupted by a soft knock on the door.  Guess it was just my luck that they actually planned this out. 

“Sounds like my cue to leave,” she shrugged, completely ignoring my concern. 

“I’m not done–” I tried to stop her but it was no use. Now that her replacement was here, she had no reason to draw out the conversation. 

“Hi Wanda, bye Wanda,” she gave a quick greeting before walking right past her, out the door. 

“Hi,” she laughed, before stepping into the house. “Is she late or something?” 

“I offered to drive her,” I took a deep breath. “I don’t even think she should be working tonight but…”

“Must get the stubbornness from you,” she walked over and gave me a quick kiss. 

“I’m just concerned with everything going on, she’s not taking it seriously,” I started to explain. 

“Yeah, she’s a teenager,” Wanda shrugged. “I’m sure the second she feels unsafe, she’d call you.” 

“I know, I know,” maybe I was just paranoid. Maybe it’s just been constantly front of mind lately. I couldn’t help but imagine the worst case scenario. That the second she was out of my sight, she was in danger. 

“She’ll be fine, you don’t need to worry yourself sick over it,” she reassured me. “Besides, I was told you need to relax.” 

“You’re listening to a biased source,” I rolled my eyes, moving towards the guest room. “I’m doing just fine.” 

“From my past experience last week and the news that’s come out after, I’m inclined not to believe you,” she tried to block my path. 

“And I wasn’t trying to work last week, look how that turned out,” I argued, grabbing my laptop off her bed. “Despite what Puck and Marrina want you to believe, I actually have work to do.” 

“Work that couldn’t have been done, yesterday?” She raised her eyebrow at me while standing in the doorway. 

“No, it couldn’t have,” I answered. It was clear that she was having fun messing with me. Despite what she and everyone else wanted to believe, I was the one that knew I only got that email after I left work yesterday. 

Knowing what was in those letters could crack this case right open. If that one investigator was telling the truth, I was the only one with this information. But ever since I stepped foot in this house yesterday night, Marrina did everything she could to prevent me from looking at them. 

“Oh, I’m sure,” she didn’t make any attempt to hide her sarcasm. 

“What’s even so bad about it?” I asked. “Does everyone just want me to stare at the wall for 48 hours?” 

“You’ve had enough stress for one lifetime,” she laughed, still blocking the only way out. “All that little demonic device is going to do is make you even more worried.” 

“The only way to solve the problem of me worrying is to find out who’s killing everyone,” I tried to shimmy past her to little avail. “And then dealing with the Marrina problem and after all of that, a shot of whiskey.” 

“And what exactly is the Marrina problem?” She quickly wrapped her arms around me, an attempt to keep me in place. 

“Well, I’m sure you noticed her black eye.”

“I asked about it yesterday and she said ‘let’s just say no one’s gonna try to kick me off the swingset and steal my lollipop anymore,’” her grip tightened as I tried to wriggle away, “so I decided not to push it.” 

“She got into a fight with her parents,” I debated how much I should tell her. God knows it’s a sensitive situation. One that I shouldn’t have really mentioned in the first place. “Bad enough that I can’t imagine her going back.” 

“Oh geez,” she took enough of a pause to loosen her grip on me. If her goal was to subdue me, she made a fatal error. “Hey!” 

“Too slow,” I teased, booking it towards the kitchen. 

“That was dirty play,” she laughed, chasing right after me. 

“And a rookie mistake on your part,” I tutted, opening the laptop while still trying to run from her. Not the best work environment but it was the best I was getting. 

“Don’t you dare open those emails,” she warned me, trying to trip me up with some fancy maneuver around the counter. 

“I’m already opening them,” I sang out as if I already won. I knew I wasn’t going to get any work done but I wasn’t going to go down without a fight. 

“You’re not working today, Heather,” she tried to grab my laptop from my hands. 

“I’d like to see you try to stop me,” I challenged her, quickly moving the computer out of her reach. 

“You’re a brat, you know that?” She shook her head before making another attempt at the computer that still sat securely in my hands. 

“Sure do,” I laughed, getting further into the email than I managed to get today. “God, if you’re trying to stop me, you’re doing a terrible job.” 

I might have declared my victory too early. The second the taunt left my mouth she managed to snatch it right from my hands. 

“You were saying?” She raised her eyebrow at me while snapping the screen shut. 

“You know I’m just gonna grab it again,” I folded my arms. 

“I’d like to see you try,” she turned around, putting the laptop right on top of the fridge. God, I hated tall people.

“There’s a chair right over there,” I pointed out. “The second you drop your guard, I’m just going to get it again.”

“It’s just too bad that I don’t plan to take my eyes off you for the rest of the night,” she tutted, stepping closer to me. “You won’t even get the chance to think about those emails.” 

“Oh really?” 

“Mhm,” she put her arms around me before lifting me up by my waist. “You’d think after the last few times, you’d start to believe me.” 

“Maybe those times were just flukes,” I shouldn’t be teasing her as she was holding me up off the ground but who would I be if I didn’t? If I knew anything, I knew she loved this little dynamic we had going on. 

I’d taunt her and tease her and she’d put me in my place. As predictable as it was, I never got bored. In fact, I don’t know how I could’ve managed without these little weekend distractions. One of the only times in the past month and a half where I could just turn my brain off. 

“You don’t have faith in me?” She let out a little whine, carrying me as if I weighed nothing at all. 

“Maybe I just keep my expectations low so I can be surprised every time,” I offered a different explanation as I wrapped my legs around her waist. As easy as she was making it seem, I’d rather not have her drop me on my ass as we made our way up the stairs. It didn’t take a genius to figure out what her intended location was. 

“I was told that I had to take care of you tonight,” she brought her hand down and gave my ass a tight squeeze. “I’m not sure if this is what they had in mind but the results speak for themself.” 

“They knew what they were doing when they asked you,” I assured her with a kiss on her neck. 

“Did they, now?” She kicked my bedroom door open, not taking a single finger off of me. “I wasn’t aware that you went around blabbing about this.” 

“I don’t, they just go around gossiping about it,” I defended myself as she placed me down on my bed. Just standing over me, keeping enough distance to make sure I knew I wasn’t in control. 

Looking up at her, I couldn’t imagine a more beautiful woman if I tried. Her hair in that big silver pin she wore the first night I met her. The first night we did this little dance. I still didn’t know how it managed to hold all of it back. Those blonde curls that I could spend the rest of eternity running my fingers through. 

Those few strands that refused to conform with the rest of them framed the masterpiece that was her face. Her strong features contrasted the soft curls that tried to cloud her vision. Tried to obscure those beautiful blue eyes. I’d cut them off if I could. Nothing should have the right to hide them. 

Her pink lips covered in that cherry sheen. Her intoxicating scent emanated off of her neck. I was already struggling to remember what exactly I was so determined to do today. In this room, she was the only thing that mattered. 

“You’re so beautiful,” I managed to breathe out, reaching towards her face. 

“Mmm, I know,” she hummed, rubbing her thumb on the side of my cheek. “Just two beautiful people.”

“Oh please,” I let out a slight laugh, “I’m not half as beautiful as you.” 

“You’re not allowed to lie to me,” she shook her head. “I thought you knew better than this.” 

“Not lying, expressing a difference in opinion,” I argued as she leaned closer to me. 

“It’s a wrong opinion,” she pressed her thumb into the side of my face for emphasis. “You’re beautiful, Heather. I’m not going to let you deny it.” 

“And how am I supposed to know you’re not just trying to get in my pants?” I joked, which made her roll her eyes. 

“Because I don’t need to flatter you to get there,” she answered, moving her hands to the hem of my t-shirt. “If you need me to show you, I’d gladly do so.” 

“You’ll never convince me,” she made quick time taking off my ratty graphic tee. 

“That’s just too bad because I don’t plan on stopping until you believe me,” her lips pressed firmly on my neck as she pushed me down onto my bed. 

I believed her when she said that she wasn’t going to stop until I told her what she wanted to hear. She wanted me to say that I was just as beautiful as she was. But that would be a bold faced lie. To say that I was even comparable to the goddess crawling on top of me was blasphemy. 

I still didn’t know what exactly she saw in me that day. When I was just sitting at the bar looking sorry for myself. I knew I’ve never been much of a looker, I compensated in other personal aspects. I never considered myself beautiful or captivating or even that charming but here Wanda was, trying to convince me that I’ve been wrong my whole life. 

But I couldn’t deny that she was dedicated to making me admit I was wrong. Maybe I wasn’t going to claim that I was anywhere near the same level as she was but I believed her when she said she loved my body. With every single kiss and squeeze and caress she was proving it. Giving attention to every curve of my body, pressing a kiss to every single freckle on my face. 

We could do this all night. I could spend the rest of eternity with her right on top of me. Straddling my hips and giving me so much attention. If it was anyone else it might make me squirm. But it wasn’t anyone else. It was Wanda. She could have anyone she wanted but she kept coming back to me. 

“You’re so beautiful, Heather,” she whispered in my ear. “Every single part of you.”

“Mhm,” all this touching and teasing was starting to get to me. 

“Say it.” 

“Say what?” My mind was clouded as that knot in my stomach grew more tangled with each passing moment. 

“Say you’re beautiful,” she clarified, putting her arm behind my back and willing me to sit up. Giving me nowhere to look but her face. 

“You’re ridiculous,” I tried to look away but she quickly turned my face back to her. 

“I know what you want, Heather,” she tutted, “and I’m not giving it to you until you say it.” 

“So you’re just going to tease me until I say it?” I raised my eyebrow at her.

“If it was up to me, I’d let you sit on my face right this second,” she shrugged. “But I said I wasn’t going to stop until you believe that you’re beautiful and I’m not one to go back on my word.” 

“And if I don’t believe it?”

“If you’re that stubborn then I can just worship your body until the sun comes up,” she assured me, “but I’m not stopping until you say it.” 

I rolled my eyes as her lips kissed down my jawline. She wasn’t planning to give this up, much to my annoyance. Over something so inconsequential too. Did it really matter that I didn’t think I was the hottest bitch in town? Was it really worth all this effort? 

But she was insisting with every single press of her lips and pass of her hands. By the way she was acting, someone might think I was some sort of catch. If this clearly divine woman was casing after me like I was some sort of golden prize I must have something going on. But no matter how much attention she was paying to each individual tit I still couldn’t see what it was. 

“What’s the end goal of this whole thing?” I let out a soft whine as she found a particularly sensitive spot. 

“I’ve already told you what I wanted,” she breathed into my sternum. “Do I need to say it again?” 

“I’m beautiful,” I finally gave in to her request. “Is that good enough?”

“You have to mean it,” she shook her head. 

“You never said anything about meaning it,” I argued.

“It was implied,” she insisted with a strong kiss on my forehead. “Why don’t you believe it?” 

“I just think it’s ridiculous,” I looked right into her eyes. Her stormy blue eyes that couldn’t help but pull me in. “How could I ever think I’m as beautiful as you?”

“Because I’m looking at you right now and I think so,” she caressed my face, tracing the cheek bone with a gentle motion. “Your eyes, your lips, every single freckle on your face. Your beautiful hair, your perfect body, I love every single inch of you, Heather.” 

“Is that so?” I couldn’t help but laugh. 

“What will it take, huh?” she asked. “What do I have to do to make you believe me?” 

“Why are you so hung up on it?” I gave her a soft kiss. “I just can’t imagine that I’m as beautiful as the goddess in front of me, is that such a sin?” 

“Do you need me to prove it again?” She moved off my lap and towards the head of the bed. 

“And how are you gonna do that?” I teased as she situated herself on top of the pillows. 

“I already told you, sweetheart,” she beckoned me over to her, “and if you come over here I’ll show you.” 

I didn’t waste any time crawling to her as she took off her glasses. Swiftly discarding them on the bedside table. As useful as they were most of the time, in this situation they were only going to get in the way. 

My clothes have been removed by this point. From my shirt to my sweatpants to my bra and my panties, they all found various places on the floor. I wasn’t missing any of them right now. Even as I looked at her, with all her clothes still attached to her body, I didn’t feel exposed. 

She kept urging me closer to her. Kept reaching out ready to pull me right on top of her. She could pull me around however she pleased and I’d thank her. But she was always gentle. With her teasing and her whispering. For the strength I knew she had, she didn’t have a rough bone in her. At least not when it came to me. 

“I said come here,” she grabbed my waist, pulling me right up to her face. 

“I thought you knew I wasn’t good at listening,” I joked as she tried to position me. If I had any doubts about her intentions, I didn’t anymore. 

“You just act like you aren’t,” she corrected me. “I know that you just love it when I put you in your place.” 

“Maybe if you weren’t so good at it,” I grabbed onto the headboard as she started to pull my hips down to her face. No amount of anticipation could prepare for the feeling. I knew what came next and I still let out a gasp as the contact was made. 

God, it felt so good. Before all this, I didn’t feel like I was missing much. I could only manage to make it to Vancouver a few times a year and even then it was always underwhelming. Most of it could be replicated in my bedroom with my own hands. Anything that couldn’t wasn’t worth my time. 

But Wanda just knew how to work me. Knew exactly what she needed to do to make me moan. In practically every way, she was perfect. Maybe we just fit together. Maybe this was just what it felt like when two people were made for each other. 

I didn’t like to think about the fact she’d be gone in a few months. It wasn’t fair for her to show me the best sex that I ever had only to go back to Montreal. Go back to her entire life away from this town while I was still stuck right here.

I shouldn’t even be thinking about this while I was sitting on her face. While she was giving it all she had to keep me distracted. Doing everything she could to prove that she loved me. All I could think about was how all this was temporary. Someday all of this would be a distant memory and I’d be exactly where I was before her. 

“Mmm, right there,” I moaned as her tongue brushed against a particularly sensitive spot. Her fingers pressed into my hips. A silent way to communicate while I was occupying her mouth. Just a simple reassurance that she heard me. That her goal was to make me feel good and she wanted nothing more than to achieve it. 

I can’t say that I’ve felt desired before. I’ve been looked at, surely I’ve been considered, but this was different. I’ve never had someone be so insistent that I was beautiful. I’ve never had someone take so much time just worshipping my body. I’ve never had some treat pleasing me like it was a fine art. But none of those past experiences mattered anymore. Because I had Wanda. I had someone who cared about me enough to dedicate an entire night to looking out for me. 

“Please, don’t stop!” I let out a high pitched whine as I felt that knot getting tighter and tighter. As much as I didn’t want it to end, I couldn’t last much longer. She tried to pull me closer as if it was physically possible. I tried every I could to quiet the involuntary noises that were spilling out of my mouth. The last thing I wanted to do was piss off my neighbors. But as she tried to pull on my arm that I was trying to gag myself with, I decided it didn’t really matter. 

  It felt like a matter of seconds before that wave crashed over me. Almost enough to make my eyes roll back. She didn’t let up. Not when I cried out in ecstasy, not when I was panting on top of her, not when I was whining from how sensitive I was becoming. 

“Okay, I can’t…” I was having trouble forming a coherent sentence but she got the gist. Helping me get off of her face and making me lay down right next to her. I couldn’t help but smile when I looked at her. “Got a little something on your face.” 

“Oh, that’s embarrassing,” she laughed, making no attempt to wipe away the mess that coated the bottom of her face. 

“You could pull it off,” I joked as she brought her hand up to my face again. 

“You think?”

“I think that you could pull anything off,” I admitted, looking right into her eyes. 

“Do you believe me now?” She asked, pulling me closer to her. Like she didn’t even care if my sweat got onto her nice clothes. 

“Hmm?” It took a second to process what she meant. 

“Do you believe me when I say you’re beautiful?” She kissed my forehead. 

Casual sex and romantic partnership were two separate things. One I had years of experience in and the other made my hands clam up. And that was the real issue I was facing. I didn’t want this to be any more than it already was but I didn’t want to lose her. Not just because I’ve been having the best sex of my life but because I considered her one of very few friends. 

It seemed sad when I talked about it like that. Eight years and the only people I really talked to were my coworkers and a teenage girl I took care of on occasion. She was the only no strings attached friend I had. The only one who went up to me without any secondary motives. 

If it came down to it, committing to a real relationship or losing her completely, I didn’t know what I’d do. It wasn’t like any of this mattered right now. The ultimatum wasn’t brought up by either of us. I wasn’t prepping for some difficult conversation, just a casual date. Still, it was good to get an idea of what I would say when it did come to pass. 

“And where do you think you’re going?” Marrina asked as I managed to make every step creak. 

“Are you my keeper?” I rolled my eyes at that obnoxious smirk on her face. “I’ll be home later.” 

“You don’t have to act coy, I know you’re going to hang out with Wanda.” 

“So what if I am?” I shrugged, reaching for my keys. “It’s nothing that you need to worry about.” 

“Oh but I do,” she argued. “This is the most entertaining thing that’s happened here ever.” 

“Keep the door locked,” I shook my head at her antics. “Help yourself to any food but don’t touch the liquor cabinet and–”

“Don’t invite anyone over,” she finished my sentence. “I know, Heather.”

“Good,” I grabbed for the door. “And make sure you get your homework done before you watch too much TV.” 

“Aren’t you supposed to be going on your date?” 

“Just covering my bases,” I defended myself. 

“I’ll be fine, I’m not gonna destroy your house,” she laughed. “Go have fun with your pookie.” 

“Don’t be gossiping about this with Puck either,” I added walking half way out the door. “I don’t need to be questioned about it on Monday.” 

“I wasn’t going to,” she rolled her eyes and waved me off. “You don’t want to keep her waiting, by the way, she’s way out of your league.” 

“Like you’d know anything about that,” I laughed before walking down to my truck. It was only a few minutes to get downtown. Not much longer to get to the apartments. Should probably just text her that I’m heading over. 

I didn’t know why I was nervous. We’ve been long past the ‘trying to impress each other’ stage. She’s already stuck her tongue in my pussy and I was treating this casual date like a make or break situation. Maybe I was just anticipating that inevitable conversation. 

It was impossible to plan out. I knew what I wanted this to be. I knew that I didn’t want more than what we had. What I was worried about was it changing the second I told her that. Maybe she’d be fine with it. Maybe she’d say it was fine and just slowly pull away. Maybe she’d flat out say that wasn’t what she wanted. 

And if it was the last option; what would I do? Would I end it right then and there? Would I try to make it work despite every part of myself feeling strongly against it? I didn’t want to lead her on. I didn’t want to lose her. I just wanted to have a nice night and that wasn’t going to happen if I just sat in my car thinking myself into circles. 

“Pull yourself together, Heather,” I mumbled to myself while I gripped the steering wheel. It felt like I'd been parked outside of her building for a while but I knew it was less than a minute. Just a few deep breaths to try and compose myself. 

She wasn’t waiting outside. A good thing too because I knew I was acting like a wacko. Not that she’d judge me or anything, I just really didn’t want to bring up the specific thing that was on my mind. 

I scrolled up in our texts to find where she told me her apartment number as I got out of the truck. It just so happened to be past a couple of tit pics. Luckily, no one else was around to see them. 2B. 

The sun had set a while ago. The lights on the stairwell didn’t do much to illuminate the path. The railing was cold enough to freeze my hand in place but the steps were too obscured to be sure I wouldn’t fall on my face. At least it was just one flight. One flight and a couple of steps to her door.

At least the pathway was more properly lit. It wasn’t hard to find her door. Seemed plain from the outside but it was a temporary residence. I’m sure her actual house was more aligned with her personality. 

“Listen, I know that people are scared but I can assure you that everyone is fine,” I heard her talking to someone as I knocked on the door. “Pulling out now would be a monumental waste. We’re already here, we’re already set up, we’ve all put a lot of money into this.”

I didn’t have to imagine the topic of her phone call. The missing person case reignited the panic that overtook the town three weeks ago. The streets were completely empty when I drove over. The Dock was empty on a Saturday night. No one at Oceanview either. I couldn’t blame anyone. 

“I promise that the second there’s a threat to any of us, I’ll be the first to call it off but–” I could hear her getting up and heading towards the door. “No, it wouldn’t be my fault. If you’re so concerned, you have the full power to pull the plug but I’m not going to sit here and let you blame me for– I’m too busy for this right now, if you still want to argue about it, call me tomorrow or bother someone else.” 

“Work drama?” I asked as she opened the door. 

“Something like that,” she threw a heavy sigh. “A lot of people have been debating whether or not we should leave before… Y’know.” 

“Nah, I get it,” I nodded as she walked out of her apartment. “Everyone’s panicking about it, I wouldn’t blame anyone for getting the hell out of here.” 

“Nice to know that the detective thinks we’re perfectly safe,” she joked, putting her arm around my waist. 

“As much as I’m for keeping the peace, I’m not delusional,” I laughed. It was easier than admitting what I really thought. It was starting to look like a good time to run far away from this town. It might be extremely selfish of me but I didn’t want her to leave. 

“It’s not like we have no reason to be concerned about it but I just think abandoning ship would be rash,” she explained as we made our way down the stairs. “Besides, if we did then everyone would be losing money on travel, on breaking the lease, we’d all be out of work. I mean I could manage but a lot of us couldn’t.”

“Was that a little humble brag you snuck in?”

“Maybe,” I could hear the smirk on her voice. “It’s harder to keep your money if you keep waving it everywhere.” 

“I wouldn’t know anything about that,” I laughed. At least the sidewalks were properly lit. Bright enough that I could properly see her outfit. A vibrant purple blouse and a black wool skirt. Made me feel underdressed in my jeans and t-shirt.

“I have some wealth from my family but that small stint in the NFL didn’t hurt my accounts any,” she shrugged. 

“Accomplished scientist, heiress, football pro,” I started to list off. “Tell me, Wanda, is there anything you haven’t done?”

“I haven’t found the cure for cancer yet but that’s only a matter of time,” she joked. “God, everything's abandoned.” 

“Pretty sure we’re the only people dumb enough to be out tonight,” I sighed, looking out at the empty streets. Even as the town slowly lost its population, I don’t think I’ve seen it this desolate. 

“Well if we’re the only ones out, then the world’s our oyster,” she pointed out. She still radiated her perfume. Sweet, sugary, and comforting. After the couple of weeks I’ve been having, I needed any comfort I could get my hands on. “Have you been to the ice cream place? I keep talking myself out of it every time I drive by.” 

“Oh you’re gonna hate yourself for that,” I laughed. “Ruby Mountain is one of the only places actually worth a damn in this town.” 

“Really?” 

“Yes,” it’s been a while since I actually stepped in. Haven't been craving ice cream much lately. But I couldn’t recall a time when they did me wrong. “They make all their shit in house, it’s some of the best you’ll ever have. And they have all these unique flavors every month, I think this month’s based on those Sno ball cakes.” 

“That sounds stunning,” she smiled as we approached the door. “I think I’ve eaten more dessert here than I have in the past decade.” 

“I never said I was a good influence,” I shrugged, stepping out of the cold and into the bright creamery. The smell of waffle cones trumped her perfume. Nothing that I’d complain about. 

“Hello,” the teen behind the counter looked surprised when he walked up from the back. Probably didn’t expect anyone to walk in. “What can I get you ladies tonight?”

“Hi, I’ll just have a scoop of doughnuts and coffee in a waffle cone,” I answered before turning to Wanda who was still looking at the menu. Studying it like the flavors held some secret meaning. 

“And I think I’ll get the sno flurry in a bowl, please,” she answered after a few seconds of silence. 

“Sure, that’ll just be fifteen bucks,” he nodded, reaching for the ice cream scoop. I could tell he wasn’t in the mood to make conversation with us. The speaker on the wall was playing some top 40 hit saying something about a French 75 that I’ve never heard. It kept going in and out. Probably needed to be replaced soon. Not sure how many people complained about it though. 

Wanda pulled out her phone, presenting it to the register. Waiting for the worker to get over and put in the order. We were in no rush but by the looks of it, neither was he. I imagine we would be the only people who walked in tonight. He’d spend the rest of his shift in the back. Vaping and watching dumb videos on his phone. 

Soon enough, we got our treats, the store got its money, and the boy got his peace. Maybe we also got the freedom to talk to each other without any prying ears. But it was hard to talk when we were both focused on our ice cream. 

“You know, I think you were right,” she said after swallowing another lick, “this is the best ice cream I’ve ever had.”

“I’m sure you can find better elsewhere, but around here it’s as good as it gets,” I shrugged as we found a bench that faced the ocean. It looked as wild and reckless as it always did. 

“How’s your coffee and doughnuts?” She asked with a smirk. 

“Are you trying to make fun of me, ma’am?” I raised my eyebrow as I took another lick. 

“Not at all!” She gasped dramatically. “I thought that it looked good and wanted to hear an expert opinion.”

“Expert opinion?” I laughed. “I don’t think anyone’s ever said it like that.”

“I could’ve been just talking about the ice cream,” she shrugged, swirling her spoon around to grab another bite. 

“Oh, I’m sure,” I teased. “It’s as delicious as it always is. What about yours?”

“A lot more coconutty than I was expecting but I’m not complaining,” she admitted. 

“They keep bringing it back for a reason,” I nodded. “If they took it off the menu, I’m sure there would be riots in the streets.” 

“I’d probably have to join in.”

“They got a couple of beloved monthly flavors,” I started to explain. “Next month they always do chocolate covered strawberry, April they got this rhubarb elderflower pound cake, and July they take a whole cherry pie and just mix it into the ice cream.”

“Sounds like we’ll have to come back then,” she smiled. “But how’s life been?” 

“Besides everything that’s been going on, pretty good,” I sighed. “Busy with work, trying to take it day by day. Marrina’s been staying over the past and change otherwise I would’ve offered to hang out at my house.” 

“Marrina?” 

“She’s a teen that I take care of occasionally,” I explained. “Her parents adopted her from Korea when she was a kid but from what she’s told me they're total tyrants.”

“Is she that girl at the gas station with the green hair?” Wanda asked.

“That would be her,” I confirmed with a nod. 

“I was wondering why she suddenly found me so interesting,” she laughed.

“She said that ‘this is the most entertaining thing that’s happened here ever,’” I rolled my eyes. “So I’d rather not give her any more fuel.” 

“I see,” she nodded. “And you just let her stay with you?”

“Well, yeah,” I shrugged. “I know how hard it can be with a family like that, I ran away from mine as soon as I could. God knows I would’ve appreciated someone who’d just let me get a break from it, no questions asked.” 

I never asked any questions. It didn’t matter if she showed up on my doorstep at 1 AM sobbing. I just let her in. If she had anything she wanted to say, she knew that she could tell me. And I would listen. 

It wasn’t my place to speculate about the specifics. Even if I could notice patterns, certain days or times of the year, I never asked. It wasn’t my place. Even if deep down I knew the real reason for the extended stay was because her brother was back in town. The only thing I should do is give her a haven away from it all. 

“That’s really nice of you, you know,” she broke the silence that had fallen over us. “I’m sure that she appreciates it too.” 

“I know she does,” I took one last bite of my ice cream, “sometimes she even brings me a white Monster.” 

“Spending four whole teenager bucks on you?” She laughed. “And you deserve it?

“I guess,” my hands had become sticky a long time ago. “She must think of it as some sort of rent.” 

“As good of rent as it gets,” she agreed, setting the cup down. “But I’ve been meaning to ask you something.”

“Go ahead.” 

“What are you wanting out of this?” I’m sure she noticed the immediate change of my demeanor. “I mean, it’s been a few weeks at this point. I’m not trying to pressure you or anything but I want to make sure we’re on the same page and everything.” 

“Yeah, of course,” so maybe I wasn’t just overthinking. “I like what we have. I like our little dates, I like talking to you, I like having sex with you and everything but beyond that…”

I took a second to figure out what I wanted to say. I knew how it would come across. The fact I wanted all the benefits with none of the commitment. She’d have every right to laugh in my face. She’d have every right to get up and leave me on this bench. Leaving me to look upon the stormy sea all alone. 

“I don’t want anybody in my house,” I admitted. “I don’t want to come home every day and have to talk to someone. I don’t want to meet any parents or impress any friend groups. I don’t want any of that and I especially don’t want you to think that it’s anything to do with you because deep down I’ve always felt this way and I just–” 

“Heather, it’s fine,” she interrupted my rambling and placed her hand on top of mine. “You don’t want to build your life around anyone else, I feel that.”

“You don’t have to be fine with it,” I reassured her. “I know that it’s weird, I’m probably an urban legend on dating apps in Vancouver at this point, I just wanted to make sure that you knew that it’s what I feel and I don’t see it changing.” 

“It’s not weird,” she shook her head, “you just know what you want. It’s more than most people could say. And you know, I was always going back to Montreal. I wasn’t for a second expecting you to follow me.”

“I don’t want you to think that I don’t like you, Wanda,” I sighed. “I do and that’s what makes this so confusing because I want what we have and I don’t want anything more as selfish as that might seem.” 

“I promise that I feel the same way,” she tried to reassure me again. “I’ve done the whole true love romance shtick, I’ve also done the whole divorce thing and I can tell you it’s overrated across the board. I don’t want anything that you don’t. If we’re friends with benefits then I’m perfectly fine with that.”

“You were married?!” I practically screamed. 

“Do you think that I don’t have game or something?” She laughed. 

“You just gave me the impression that you were a Carrie Bradshaw type,” I shrugged. “Like a fashionable career woman who never settled down.” 

“God, I wish,” she shook her head. “I have a son too but he lives in Toronto with my ex.” 

“You’re just full of surprises today,” I tried not to laugh. “You don’t have that divorced energy about you.”  

“Well thanks for saying that I don’t seem like a total loser,” I couldn’t pretend that she didn’t hit that implication right on the head. “Lasted about ten years altogether.” 

“What happened, if you don’t mind?”

“Guess,” she joked. “We like to say that things ended amicably but I don’t think she ever really got over it.”

“The fact that you look better than she does?” I asked as we both got up off the bench. It was far too cold to justify staying outside. 

“That’s not fair, I’ve had work done,” she laughed. “But since there’s a prying teenager at yours, how about you come back to mine?”