Miley: [A week of knowing him – that dreamy, incredible guy who's not critical of her past. Her heart pounds as she puts on her bathing suit, then her tank top and shorts on top. She grabs the notebook from her bed and rushes over to Joe, greeting him by jumping on his back.] Mm, that chapter was great. I read it last night, and I felt like I was watching a movie. [Smiling, she rests her chin on his shoulder.] Want me to take it back to your place so we can go?

Joe: [He reaches behind him and tickles her stomach, smiling in satisfaction when he's replied with a giggle.] I say we leave it at your place, and then go to breakfast right away. In fact.. [He runs over to Miley's beach house just a few yards away, tossing the notebook in through the open window.] Done, now let's go. [He gives her a piggyback ride to his car.]

Miley: [After they both get into his car, she throws Joe a smile, then bites her lip.] What should we, uh, call this?

Joe: [He raises his eyebrow in confusion, beginning to drive to the nearby diner.] Pardon?

Miley: [Blushing, she plays with her fingers.] Is it a d—

Joe: [He realizes what she's saying, so he interrupts.] A day of more fun with Joe? Yes. [He glances at her disappointed face and breathes a sigh.] I just wanna take things slow so no one gets hurt..

Miley: [She shakes her head.] No, I'm just living in a fairytale where I have a summer romance with a great guy.. Don't worry about it.

Joe: [He takes her hand, caressing her palm with his thumb.] Friends with benefits means dirty things.. So.. Friends with no restrictions? [He chuckles.] That way, you can fulfill your dire need to kiss me.

Miley: [She shoots him a look.] Maybe I don't want you if you're a conceited jerk.

Joe: I'm kidding! [He smiles, pulling into the empty diner parking lot.] You don't have to take the offer.

Miley: [She opens the passenger door.] Don't worry, I won't. [She walks up to the diner door in her flip-flops, turning back to wait for Joe.]

Joe: [He hurries over to her and opens the door in a gentleman-like fashion.] I'm sorry..

Miley: [She rolls her eyes and takes a seat in a booth.] We're friends. Case closed.

Joe: [He slides in next to her, snatching a kiss on her cheek.] Doesn't sound like it to me. Sounds like you want more and more and more from me. It just.. I don't think it's "case closed" to you.

Miley: [Her heart flutters from the feeling of his soft, smooth lips on her cheek, but she pushes her feelings aside, though her face turns a deep shade of red.] Well, it is.

Joe: [Noticing her blush, he grins, planting small kisses all over her cheeks, forehead, nose, and ears, then a long one on the edge of her lips.]

Miley: [Her breath gets caught in her throat, and she gulps.] Joe..

Joe: [He rubs up and down her bare arm with gentle fingers, whispering lightly with his lips skimming the perimeter of her ear.] Just tell me if you want me to stop..

Miley: [She closes her eyes, staying silent for a few seconds and taking it all in, then reluctantly blurts out.] Stop.

Joe: [Shocked, he retreats and creases his eyebrows.] Stop?

Miley: [She gives him a look, crossing her arms over her chest.] Stop. To pause all actions completely.

Joe: [He rolls his eyes, her sarcasm adding to the pain he feels.] I know that.. But.. Why?

Miley: Friends or lovers. I don't do in-betweens. As you said, someone will end up getting hurt. [She grabs one of the menus from the pile in the center of the table, unfolding it in front of her so she can read it. She begins looking through all the selections for her meal.] Neither one of us are fond of the second option, so friends it is.

Joe: [He looks down, disappointed and hurt, then slowly gets out from her side of the booth and sits across from her on the other side.] So.. Uh.. Is anything.. Does anything look good?

Miley: [You, she thinks. The way his hair is slightly spiked and how he has the slightest bit of stubble. The way his teeth show whenever he smiles at her. The way his face simply glows when she looks at him. Snapping out of it, she looks for the breakfast section on the menu.] The apple pancakes look good.

Joe: [He knew that was her favorite. He knew it, just like he knew she wanted a summer love. His thoughts are disturbed when an elderly waitress approaches them for their drink orders.] We'll both have water, please.

Miley: [When the waitress leaves, she peers up at Joe.] Why do you look so.. weird?

Joe: That's real polite to say to someone you just rejected. Real nice. [He looks down at his own menu, taking a deep breath with the shake of his head.]

Miley: [She reaches across the table and takes his hand.] I don't see what's so different. We were friends just this morning, and you were fine with it.. We can just go back to that. Plus, it's only been a week.

Joe: A week? Tha— [He stops himself and calms down.] Friends.

Miley: [She smiles warmly, trying to choke it all down.] That's more like it..

Joe: [Sighing, he kisses her hand, then places the menu down in the center.] Okay.. So how'd you like the chapter last night?

Miley: [Cheering up, she giggles.] I loved it! I think the whole problem with Marie and John will be solved when she finally realizes she was wrong for once.

Joe: [Always stubborn, that Maria. There was a reason he made the character of Maria like that, a good reason. And at a time, he was worried he'd made it too obvious. Guess not.]