So, I decided to go ahead and post chapter two. I have no idea how long this will be, but yeah.. anyhow, its short one, so I hope you're not too disappointed.

She panted as her burning lungs begged for air. Her legs felt numb and unsteady, painfully sore. Her throat was uncomfortably dry. Her clothes and blonde hair were clinging to her form, no different than if she'd just ran through rain.

The chill of the autumn air, unseasonably cold an hour ago now, did nothing to soothe her heated skin, the sun that so rarely appeared during this season blazing above her. She took the sleeve of her running top and wiped at a bead of sweat that threatened to run down her face.

It was Sunday at noon and Central Park was bursting with tourists. As she took a swing from her water bottle, a woman cursed at a Jake Gyllenhaal look-a-like because of avocado toast. Amanda could only puff her chest as she screwed the cap back on.

It was Frannie that brought her back to her senses, and she patted her furry companion. "Ready to go home girl?" She chuckled at the responding tail-wag, "I'll take that as a yes."

They swiftly began to make their way back home, winding through the massive crowds. They were waiting for a walking sign to turn green, when a light tap on her shoulder took Amanda by surprise, making her briefly start before turning around.

"Amanda, hey!"

She smiled, recognizing the voice before registering who she was staring at, "Olivia, hey, hi. What are you doing here?"

Olivia shrugged her purse further up her shoulder, smiling as she replied, "Grabbing some lunch." Olivia's eyes fell to Frannie, "And who is this?" Olivia went down on one knee to pet the canine, laughing softly as the dog sniffed at her ear before licking her cheek.

"This is Frannie, and she seems to like you," Amanda responded with a chuckle, "You should feel special; she doesn't take a liking to just anyone."

Standing back to her full height, Olivia smiled at the young woman, humming. "And I like her. So what are two beautiful ladies up to?" Olivia wiped at her cheek, cooing briefly at Frannie, who was currently occupied licking her knee.

Amanda was given brief pause by the endearment, but replied, "We just got done with a run, heading home."

Olivia nodded, tilting her head briefly, "Hey, why don't you join me for lunch then? I know a place that's dog-friendly; we can have lunch al fresco."

Amanda paused, and she felt the faintest heat rise to her cheeks. She internally cursed- what was she, 14?.

She bit the corner of her lip as a small smile crossed her face, despite the butterflies now rampant in her stomach. She can barely feel the heat of the sun, so distracted is she

"Well?"

Amanda shook her head in a quick negative motion, laughing almost awkwardly, "Yes, sorry, yes. We'd be happy to join you."

Olivia's eyes seemed to light up, and Amanda wondered briefly why Olivia would be so excited to share her company, but then a broad smile was on Olivia's face and she was chuckling and holy hell is that distracting. "Okay, great!"

Amanda would've nodded right along in agreement, but that was about when she realized something.

The slightest light of panic curled in her stomach as she frowned, patting down the pockets of her top, and then dropping her hands with a sigh at the confirmation of what she'd thought; she had only brought her apartment keys with her.

"Shit," She swore, rolling her eyes, "I left my wallet at home."

Olivia, to Amanda's surprise, didn't seem phased, waving her hand, "Oh stop. Don't worry about it. It's on me, but-" She smirked, playful, leaning in almost conspiratorially, "Only if you promise that our next date will be on you." A wink.

Amanda could feel that previous dying heat return to her cheeks with vigor, and she hopes it's mistaken for a flush from the run. Despite it, she tries to give a playful smirk of her own.

"Promise."