Yolanda's my best friend on the planet, and I trust her with every fiber in my being. I walked up, answering each inquiry with short answers, and the occasional explanation. Once we mopped up her drool, referring to Jesse's suave appearance, Yoli and I sat on her bed with our legs crossed, sitting across from each other, snacking on mini marshmallows.

"So…Wednesday you're meeting him?"

I blushed, stuffing three different colored marshmallows into my mouth at the same time to occupy my mouth.

"Well, that answers it…"

"Well, who knows?! He might not call…"

"Not call you? Did someone forget to tell you how special you are? He'd be stupid not to."

"Aww Yoli!! You're the best!"

She shrugged, rolling her eyes in fake annoyance, "Well, of course, darling."

I laughed, walking to the bathroom to brush my teeth. We were blessed with a private bathroom. I washed my make up off, tapping my toothbrush on the sink to get the excess water off of it before placing it into a cup.

Yoli was out once I got out of the bathroom, marshmallow bag in hand. I laughed, taking it and placing it in her snack drawer, next to a picture of Johnny Depp, some guy I assumed was Robbie, her man, and a locket.

I put my phone to charge, and eerily, fatefully….shockingly, at that exact moment, I got a text message.

Candelara means Candlelight… No wonder your smile brightened up my day. Talk to u soon… btw Beat ya -Jesse

I felt a blush creep back into my cheeks, and I didn't reply, wondering if he'd chase me…wondering if he cared enough to.

Well, I'm not into playing hard to get anyway, so instead of texting back, I pressed "Dial."

I heard the smile in his voice the second he picked up, and I knew it would make sleeping so much better, remembering again how you can hear happiness even when you're looking in their eyes, watching them grin.

Sounding all nonchalant, but I could tell he was as excited about this as I was, "Hello, Lara… what's up?"

I giggled girlishly, without meaning to, and whispered, "Well, I just wanted to say goodnight…and Jesse means 'God exists'… which is good, so I'll know who to thank tonight for having met you." I snuck out of the room, pillow in hand, hitting the Family Room, a large room with a couple couches, a fireplace, a TV, and a pool table. I settled down on the couch, cuddling with the soft pillow.

I heard his breath hitch, and he chuckled lightly, "I'll thank Him, too… you're amazing, you know that?"

"Thank you…and I'm not fishing for anything, but no, I didn't…I haven't heard that from anyone who isn't my mother…and she kinda has to say that, she's my mom."

"Well I'm not, and I don't have to, but you are… you know what, change of plans. Meet me by the Ferris Wheel."

I smiled, "Same time, or earlier…."

"Earlier. 7:30. Is that..?"

"No, not at all… so what've you been up to?"

"Since after I said goodbye?" I recalled a few moments ago, and I knew he was too. "Well, I got home, met the doorman…"

"Oh a doorman?"

"Yeah, he's a real funny old guy, actually."

"Aww, well that's good. I'm glad you made a new friend mister…"

"Well, he makes two, right?"

I laughed, "I guess so, mister."

"What, you don't want to be my friend?"

"Dios santisimo…" I want to be more…so much more.

"Lara?" He chuckled again, "I'll catch up, I'll enroll in a Spanish course for you, but for now…what?"

"Oh! Never mind… of course I'm your friend mister."

"Good…don't scare me, missy."

Don't judge me, I didn't know the conversation would go until 3 AM…and I was the one that said "Good night" first…and the one that ended up hanging up the phone.

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Jesse's POV

Once I was done with my orientation, and I started my job on Monday (Whatever previous arrangements I had had been changed. I realized that if things were going to go further with Larita, I didn't want to interrupt it with my job. So Monday, I was all set and…orientated. I got my gun, my badge, my ID, everything). I called her the following afternoon, around 3. She picked up on the second ring. I remember those sorts of things.

"So what are you doing?" she asked, and I could hear her munching on some chili cheese fritos, which she insisted were her absolute favorites.

"Nothing, just settling in, unpacking." I unwrapped another empty picture frame, and stuck it on my desk. I flattened the final box, and stuck it in the closet. "Now I can honestly say I'm doing absolutely nothing except talking to you, which is pretty fun, if you ask me."

"I'm not boring you, then?"

I sat down, opening my first bag of these "special" Fritos.

"Wait… I heard the bag. Have you tried 'em yet?" she asked, in such a desperate voice, it made me grin.

"Um, I haven't…"

"Well, move it!! You're in for a really amazing treat!"

I'm already talking to you, how much better can it get?

We spent the whole night discussing chips and Chicago… and it was only when Lara admitted that her eyes were drooping that we hung up the phone, butterflies in my stomach and my heart pounding like crazy.

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"So wait… you want me to sit in FRONT of the gate as opposed to behind it…. which would defeat the whole purpose of said gate?"

I smiled, noting the worry in Lara's eyes. Lake Michigan isn't the most inviting body of water, and it definitely doesn't have the warmest temperature of the safest depth… but with the gate in our way, we wouldn't be able to see the fireworks and enjoy them.

I'd let her up on the Ferris Wheel, where I finally opened up about…everything. She listened, and even let us go up one more time so I could finish my story, and then we went on the swings…she told me to. She said the wind would bring tears to my eyes so I could let go of all that stuff inside. She was right. While we sat on the double seat, I let the wind whip my eyes, and she gripped my arm tight as we went round and round, watching the rest of the world move.

And that brings us here…right by Lake Michigan… Yes, I dragged her to see fireworks on Wednesday. Not dragged, but if you thought I was going to take her to a fancy restaurant and rent out a yacht, I can tell you right now, I do not, nor will I in the near future, have the funds to take this gorgeous girl anywhere that doesn't use paper napkins. I'll try my hardest to meet her standards…whatever they may be.

"Look, Larita…"

"Oh, you're using my native tongue now to convince me…huh, mi amor?" The second she said it, her ears turned pink in the lowering sun. I knew enough Spanish to translate the last phrase. I looked down, and took a deep breath. I chuckled softly, and started again.

"I promise, you won't fall. I wouldn't let that happen. I won't let anything happen to you. I promise… Do you trust me?"

She sighed, looking away, and laughed. "I really don't know…" She wrapped my jacket around her; she'd been chilly, and I shrugged it off and placed it on her shoulder the second she started to shiver. Without giving me an answer, she lifted the chain and smoothing her hair down so it wouldn't get tangled, and sat down next to me. I smiled, pressing my lips to her temple while I whispered, "Admit it. You trust me."

She scooched over, turning only her top half, and placed her hand on my cheek. "I trust you…but you have to admit that you like me."

I shaped my lips, still placed delicately on her skin, and moved it down to her cheek, planting a small kiss right by her brilliant brown eyes.

We didn't say one more word. We watched the fireworks light up the sky, silent even with the restless, impressed crowd that stood behind us. Occasionally, I'd rub my thumb over the back of her hand, which was wrapped in mine.

The fireworks were shaped in smiley faces and flags and just big circles. They made noises, like rain falling or gunshots… it was spectacular, and it never failed to amuse me.

After the fireworks, I helped her up, slowly and we walked over to the streets. I held her close, making sure she was on the inside of the sidewalk.

"You're so much fun, I haven't smiled this much in a long time," she whispered, her fingers entwined around the hand of the arm that was wrapped around her shoulders.

I squinted under the streetlights, "I haven't trusted anyone with those secrets of my life…"

"I guess we like each other."

"I guess so."

"That's not bad, actually."

"No it isn't."

"All that's missing…" I didn't even let her finish.

The kiss made me think of chocolate cake…soft and sweet. I didn't want it to end. I didn't want to finish. And I knew it was going to. But I like cake…I asked for just one more piece. And she let me. I kissed her forehead, her cheeks, her eyes, her nose, landing on her lips before tracing her jaw line.

She sighed shakily, "You really like me?"

I rested my forehead on hers, and I could pick up that beautiful strawberry sent, staring into those eyes that held so much. "I do. Very much. Promise me I'll see you again."

"Would soon be okay?"

"Soon has never sounded more amazing."

She rested her hands on my neck, her nails trailing softly, tickling my skin. I sighed, keeping my control… she didn't see the power she had over me. I was…hooked.

I didn't have time for one more kiss. It was getting late.

I did have time for 5… or 10 more… and that's exactly what she granted me. I received 10 kisses before I left her at her door. With a wink, she closed the door, and I had never felt more close to someone without actually being with them. I'd left her my jacket, making sure she was warm enough for bed, and she smiled, "I think with all the warm fuzzies you give me inside, I'll be set…Thank you, sweetheart." She still wore the jacket, and I remember thinking how just…beautiful she looked in it. In a jacket three times her size. She looked…just…beautiful.

I finally arrived at my building, and Billy happily greeted me. I smiled, and he caught my eye and asked me what had me so giddy. I didn't feel like I had a choice, so I spilled my guts, and said goodnight.

He chuckled heartily, sitting down on the doorstep. "Ah, young love…"

"Aww Billy… love?" I sat down next to him. "I really like her."

"The twinkle in your eye tells me different."

I was about to reply, when I felt my pocket buzz.

Soon's my new favorite adverb. Goodnight XOX

I smiled, and looked up at Billy. "I'll get there. I know I'll get there… and that's if I'm not there yet… but maybe you're right, Billy… I might be there right now."

He smiled, "Don't screw it up…she sounds like a catch. Get up to bed, sir, you'll probably want to dream some more about this girl."

I nodded, with the grin that seemed to be permanently present plastered on my face. "Good night, Billy. Thanks for listening."

"Always there for you, sir."

I walked into the elevator, headed up and once I was in the hallway, I pulled out my cell phone. With my key in hand, I replied:

I need you. "Like" doesn't sound like the most accurate verb to describe what I feel for you. Goodnight, my angel XOX

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Lara's POV

I read his reply, and fell asleep with his jacket close, inhaling his scent with every breath I took.

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