After ending her Skype call with her mom, Katie slept off her high and woke up a few hours later to texts from Hannah asking if she was up for a movie night and of course she thought that was a good idea. She always loved a good movie night with her best friend.

Every month since they were seven, Hannah and Katie would set aside one Friday or Saturday and binge watch movies. And as they got older Hannah eased Brandon into the ritual and one day Katie hoped to as well, but Toby had neglected to ever come over for one when they were together.

She hadn't asked if Brandon was staying over, but had just assumed since he was here when she fell asleep.

Katie quickly changed out of her jeans and sweater into shorts and an old Nirvana tee before she walked out into the apartment.

The smell of freshly popcorn was present and the oven beeped. She wondered what Hannah was making.

"Hey," Hannah waved, crossing the floor to the kitchen. "I made pizza rolls if you want some."

There was her answer. Her stomach grumbled in reply and Hannah chuckled, hearing her come around the corner. She grabbed the ranch bottle and bottle of water for herself before tapping Hannah's shoulder.

"Want anything to drink?" She asked.

"A coke. Did you just sleep your high off?" Hannah laughed, placing the full tray on the stove top and putting the oven mitt back in the drawer. "Because that's lame of you."

"Ehh," she shrugged. "I feel a little woozy. Like I can't concentrate. My minds all wishy washy."

"Then you should eat and hydrate," Hannah plated half of tray, about 20, and gave them to Katie. "Brandon went home to grab his phone. He forgot it. He's gonna pick up dinner, so we need to decide on something."

"I've always wanted to try Thai," she said, squeeze some ranch out of the bottle and onto her plate. She dunked a pizza roll and tossed it in her mouth, relishing in the taste of food in her mouth. God food was so good to her.

"Let me call Brando," Hannah took her plate and went to the couch, grabbing her phone off the charger. "How was your nap?"

"Peaceful. My boss called and left me a voicemail. I got shit hours at the diner..." She sighed as she tossed another pizza roll in her mouth, eating it quickly as she plopped down in the recliner, pulling a blanket over her legs. She took the remote from the arm of the couch and pressed the Netlfix button. The menu popped up and she picked her and Hannah's profile. "So if it's possible, could you maybe cover part of my rent this month if I'm a little short?"

"Of course," Hannah smiled. "You paid more than half of the security deposit since I was short."

"Thank you. I just worry about making enough money... I can't wait for winter break." She muttered, going through a list of movies. "Also my mom's in labor, you know, the usual."

"Labor? Awesome! I always love meeting a new Clancy. Your parents make such beautiful children." Hannah cheered, clapping her hands together. "Wait, aren't you gonna drive there?"

"My mom made me promise I wouldn't drive in this stupid storm," she sighed. "i just don't want to miss this. I promised her I'd be there."

"You know your mom isn't going to hate you if you aren't there. She just wants to make sure you're safe." Hannah smiled. "Be glad your mom even returns your phone calls..."

"Han, I wasn't..." She trialed off. Hannah's parents were a touchy subject. Always have been. "I know how lucky I am.

"I know," Hannah sighed. "I really want to start the new season of Shameless. It just got put on today."

"It did?" Katie gasped, going to her list, seeing that the new season had been added. "We're binging."

"Yes!" Hannah squealed, high fiving her best friend. "And that way we'll be awake in case your mom or dad call. I do have some news to share with you, my dear best friend."

"And what news would that be?" Katie turned the volume up, hearing the theme music play as soon as she pressed play.

"While you were sleeping, Brandon asked me to marry him." She said and Katie dropped the remote, grabbing her left hand.

"Shut up! SHUT UP! SHUT UP!" She gasped, her voice gradually getting louder. "I take a three hour nap and you get engaged. What the hell Han!"

"He proposed right here after he brought you chips. He said he has to marry me since we ate all four of the brownies." Hannah said, flaunting the sparkling rock on her finger.

"I'm so happy for you, Hannah!" She got up from the chair and hugged her tightly. "I can't believe you're engaged, God, you better not have any kids anytime soon."

"Not for a couple years, but you'll be the maid of honor right?" Hannah asked.

"Of course." She laughed. "Who else would you ask that could actually do the role right?"

"No one but my Katie," Hannah exclaimed. "And don't rush finding a guy, babe. We don't need another Toby fiasco. You'll find the right guy soon enough, but you could always call Ned, you know he has feelings for you."

"Shut up Han. He does not." Katie shook her head, sitting next to her friend.

"Does too," Hannah muttered. "You were just too into Toby."

"I was not," she rolled her eyes. "I'm choosing to ignore what happened at Thanksgiving."

"You mean when cool, cool Ned wiped ice cream from your lip? Or when you squeezed his forearm because you were talking about his new workout?" Hannah grinned, thinking back to the night her and Katie had gossiped all about this. "Your mom and I both agree that Ned is right in your back pocket, if you want him that is."

"I don't know what I want," she moved back to her seat. "Let's just watch Shameless."

Hannah nodded, knowing when Katie knew, she'd tell her.

It wasn't until the fourth episode, when Brandon finally returned. He was littered with snow, shaking it off as he peeled each layer of warmth from himself.

"The Thai place was closed," Brandon's teeth chattered as he spoke and he shook more snow from his hair. "So I picked up Charley's. It was across the street and I didn't want to have to drive anymore. The roads are slick as hell."

"What'd you get?" Hannah asked, getting up as Katie paused the show, who got up too.

"I had your usual orders still in the notes on my phone," he said, going to the dinner table. "Chicken Buffalo for Katie, a teriyaki for me and a Chicken Cali for the love of my life. There's loaded fries and lemonade for all of us too."

"You too sweet," Hannah kissed him, wrapping her arms around his neck. He moaned as she pressed up against him, earning a mild grunt of disgust from Katie. "And you're just lonely... maybe you should call Ned up for a booty call."

"Shut up," Katie left the dining room before Hannah could bring him up again, leaving them to kiss in peace. "I'm going to press play without you!"

"No, you won't," Brandon's lips went to her neck. They were in their own little bubble, it must be the proposal. The theme song came on and Hannah broke free, grabbing her sandwich and running to the couch. "You bitch!"

"I warned you," she muttered, laughing at her friend. "It's almost nine and we're not even halfway through yet."

Brandon came over with the fries and drinks, passing them out before he sat next to Hannah, kissing her head. "You tell her?"

"Mhmm," she settled into his shoulder, taking a bite of her sandwich.

"Congrats," Katie smiled to Brandon and fist bumped him, winking to him. He'd told her of his plans that morning before she went to work, asking her if the ring was good enough. "I told you so." Her phone buzzed, her screen lit with notifications. Two missed calls from Mama Bear. "Fuck. My mom called me, twice. I must've turned my ringer off when I was sleeping."

"Uh oh... the perfect daughter in trouble." Brandon snickered.

Katie looked over her shoulder and peered out the window, seeing the block was coated with at least half a foot of fresh snow. She tapped a couple of buttons to hear the voicemail she'd been left, and, of course, it was her mom.

The first message had come in while she was napping, nearly six hours ago. Her mom's voice soothed her, saying, "Hey baby, it's mom. Dr. Carr just left, I'm at three centimeters and my contractions are around nine to eight minutes apart." Her voice trailed off and she she winced, exhaling slowly. "Here's one now. I love you. I'm so glad you aren't on the road, I can't imagine the city if the roads are terrible here. I'm giving your dad the phone."

There was the sound of the phone being handed to someone as she yelped in pain. Her dad's voice was clear, he was speaking to her mother. His voice was soft, she could almost see the look of pure love he was most likely giving to her mother.

"You're doing good," he said. "Okay? Deep breaths. My hand is right here," she imagined he'd squeezed her hand then, bringing it to his mouth for a kiss. "Hey bug, sorry about the delay. Your mom is in a lot of pain. We've only been here for about an hour. The projected delivery time is sometime tomorrow afternoon right now, so don't worry. Give us a call when you get this. Bye."

She saved it, going to the second message. It was her mother, five minutes ago, sounding a little bit more annoyed, she must be farther into labor, but nothing too short-tempered being that it was her mom.

"Katie, give me a call when you get this. Are you still sleeping? It's been a while and you haven't replied or anything. I'm about five centimeters dilated now and the snow is getting pretty bad here, but I don't know what it's like in the city." She paused, breathing. "Delia is here now. She said something about Ned being in the city tonight. He's supposed to drive home and I suppose if he wants to drive in this, then you can catch a ride with him. I'll call you if anything else happens. I love you."

"Fuck..." She groaned and looked out the window watching the snow pile together on the road.

She didn't know Ned was coming to the city. Why hadn't he said anything to her?

"What's up?" Hannah said, trying to be cheerful.

"My mom is farther along in labor than I thought," she sighed, pressing recent calls and finding her mother. "She said something about Ned being in the city and hitching a ride with him. I might call him and see where he is. I didn't know he was in town. I really want to be there for this. I'm finally old enough to be there every step of the way, you know?"

"I'm an only child," Hannah shrugged. "But your siblings are like mine, so yeah."

"Hey bug," Jim's voice came from the phone. "Your mom is in the bathroom."

"Hey dad. I'm sorry I'm just calling... I was binging Shameless with Han and didn't realize my ringer was still off," she explained, her words being jumbled together as she spoke quickly. Hannah had paused the show, knowing Katie's mind was anywhere but here right now. Katie pushed herself up from the recliner, pacing the floor. "Is everything going okay?"

"Honey, take a breath. You need to keep calm. Mom is fine, in a lot of pain, but she's fine. This isn't her first rodeo," he said softly. "You're just like her when you get frazzled, you know."

"Dad, I promised her I'd be there." She sighed and rubbed her forehead. "I'm the worst daughter ever."

"Oh honey, you are the best daughter we could have ever asked for. She knows you'd be here if you could. Don't worry," he said. "She is only 4 and 1/2 centimeters now. Have you called Ned? He might bring you home tonight if you catch him. I tried, but it went to straight to voicemail."

"I haven't, I just got mom's messages." She said. "I'll text him. You're going on speaker, just Han and Brando are here."

"Have I ever told you how beautiful you are," Jim said as she typed a message out to Ned quickly.

Heard you were in the city and I haven't heard from you. What gives?

She erased it.

Mom told me you're in the city. You still here?

"Shut up," Melinda's voice was quiet, but there. She must've come out of the bathroom. "No brownie points for you. Who's on the phone?"

"Katie," he said.

"Hey you," her mother stole the phone from him. "Glad you called. I was worried."

She erased the message again. What did she even want to say to him?

"Hey mom, sorry, I was binging Shameless and my ringer was off. I had only noticed you'd called after the second time." She explained, looking over the blank text box again. Maybe her mom could help. "I don't know what to text Ned. Help."

"Your asking me for writing advice?" Her mother's laugh could cure cancer. "That's funny."

"Mom," she sighed, taking her off speaker and putting the phone to her ear. She went to her room, closing the door. She sat on her bed with a huff. "I want to be flirty, but it has to be open ended because what if he turns me down?"

"Ned Banks turn you down? Like that would ever happen," she could see her mother's eye roll. "Your dad has been talking with him a lot about you. It's all they talk about these days if I'm being honest."

"What?" She asked.

"Your dad says I just broke the bro code," Melinda whispered. "So you can't say anything to Ned, but go for it Katie. He wants you to be the one to make the first move. He may have been a player, but that boy is Delia's son through and through."

"Okay mama. I'm gonna let you get some rest. I'll call you in the morning." She said, softly. "Please have someone call me if anything big happens. I don't care if I'm sleeping and you get my voicemail. Leave a message, alright?"

"Yes honey," Melinda said. "I will make sure someone informs you of anything big. Let me know if you get a hold of Ned."

"Thank you," she sighed. "I love you mom. I really do."

"I love you too, bug. I'll see you when I see you." Melinda replied and blew her a kiss. "Bye."

Katie pretended to catch it and brought her closed fist to her heart with a smile.

"Goodbye," she said softly and hung up. She looked back at her phone, the message to Ned still blank.

Heard from mom that you were in the city tonight

She sent it, closing her eyes. Her phone buzzed, a reply? Already?

Yeah. At a buddy's right now. What's up?

She breathed, tapping her thumbs onto he side of her phone, unsure of what to say.

Her phone buzzed before anything and it was him.

Need some company?

Her heart fluttered as she glanced at his contact picture. Why did she have to be in love with Ned? He was so hard to read sometimes.

Currently binging Shameless to keep my mind of mom. She won't let me drive home until tomorrow

That's good. The roads are terrible Katie. I'm unsure if I want to drive home tonight

You should come by before you do. I've missed you

I've missed you too. So much Katie. You've been on my mind a lot lately

How come?

She screamed and threw her phone, running out to the living room. Hannah's eyes were closed as she rested her head on Brandon, who was watching the recap of a basketball game, but she didn't care. She grabbed her friend's hand and pulled her to her room.

"What?" Hannah rubbed her eyes, as if she'd been sleeping the entire time since she left. "I heard you scream. Is there a baby?"

"No. No baby." She grabbed her phone. There were three new messages. "Better. Ned."

She unlocked her phone, reading them

How have things been with you? I worry about Toby being across the hall.

I'm sorry, I shouldn't have mentioned him. I know you guys just broke up.

It's hard for me to put my words together in a text. Can I come by?

She pondered her reply. Should she wait to reply or would he think she blew him off? Or would he think she's desperate if she replied now.

"Ooh," Hannah pulled the phone from her grasp. It was a minute before she squealed, reading the last message. "I'm replying."

"What are you writing?" She asked, peeking over her friend's shoulder. She swiped it before she could send it. "C'mon. I'm not letting you send that. Really? You're disgusting."

"C'mon Katie... live a little. He'd probably get a kick out of it."

"Out of what? Knowing I don't have a gag reflex?" She laughed, thinking of all the times Toby had begged for her to go down on him. Maybe Ned would get a kick out of it. She erased the message anyway. If he wanted to be with her, he'd find out eventually. "I know what I'm going to say."

Sure! Just know Hannah and Brandon are all over each other

All.

The.

Time.

My mom and Tim are the same way haha. Your parents too.

Very true! I guess it's just always gonna be everyone but me

You never know what's around the corner Katie :)

Oh yeah? You sending me a boyfriend?

I mean I could... what's your address?

Send away ;) 200 E 11th St. Apartment 7B.

Your package is on it's way!

She laughed at his text, sending the monkey covering its face emoji in return.

"Everything good?" Hannah asked.

"Everything is great," her grin was stretched from ear to ear as she looked up. Her body was tingly with warmth and excitement. "He's coming over."

She flopped onto her bed, kicking her legs into the air. Katie tingled from her head to her toes. She rubbed her hands together. and laughed, covering her face. She wore the facial expression of a small child who'd just been told they were going to Disney.

"This is why Ned worries me..." Hannah sighed, seeing her friend's excitement. Katie was always like this when it came to Ned. "As much as I want him to work out, what if he doesn't?"

"Then I got my hopes up," she muttered. "But it's different. It feels different and I'm freaking out," she pressed her lips to a firm line and her face blushed. "What is he gonna say?"

"Hell if I know, but let's get you in something cuter than an old tank top and shorts." Hannah went to her closet, peeling through the clothes there. Not finding anything sufficient enough to make her best friend look smoking hot. "C'mon there has to be a flirty romper or something in here."

"I packed them away for the winter," she said, pulling a plastic bin out. She opened it, revealing shorts and other summer outfits she'd packed away. "What about this?"

She pulled out a purple romper, one with a lace v-neck and a completely open back.

"Ooh, yes." Hannah grinned. "Under one condition."

"What?" She asked, pulling her tank top over head.

"No bra," Hannah's grin turned to a sly smile and a flick of her eyebrows. "Very sexy and alluring."

"Oh god, you act like he's coming over for a booty call." She sighed, knowing she could've stayed in the previous outfit because he was Ned, he didn't need to be wowed. Not by her. She did that all by herself.

"You never know," Hannah bumped her with her elbow playfully as Katie wiggled out of her shorts, slipping the romper on. Her hips held it to her figure as she unclipped her bra and tossed it aside. She pulled the straps up to her shoulders and glanced at the slick plane of her back, a delicious peek at what she looks like in her most intimate of times. "Oh you can't even tell Katie. Your mother blessed you with perky boobs."

"I think it's more that I have good posture than anything else," she shook her head, side glancing at herself. She turned, looking at herself from the front. "I do look good. My legs look extra long."

"Only downside is I can do this," Hannah pinched Katie's nipple then and she winced, slapping her hand away.

"That fucking hurts," she covered her chest quickly in response, just so Hannah couldn't do it again. A knock at the door made her grab her hands and squeal. It had to be Ned. "Oh God. He's here. I'm gonna completely blank when I see him."

"I'll take Brando to our room and occupy him." Hannah said, running out of her room.

"Nothing sexual," she eyed her. "Just watch tv or something. Please."

"No promises," Hannah said as she appeared in the door again, Brandon behind her.

"Please promise me. Please." She looked at her best friend.

"Then promise me you'll get to second base," Hannah winked.

"No," she said. "I'm not ruining things like I did with Toby. I rushed everything with him because I was scared he wouldn't love me. I wanted throw myself into sex and I should have just waited."

"Hey," Hannah pushed Brandon into their room as someone knocked on the door again. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have anything about sex with Ned. He's different. I know that."

"Thank you," she smiled at her, her cheeks blushing as he knocked again. "Coming!"

"Good luck," Hannah squeezed her hand and slipped into her room as Katie marched forward, looking in the peep hole.

It's him.

It took her a minute to summon the courage to open the door. Lots of breathing and reminding her that it was just Ned.

She opened the door, smiling at him as she revealed herself to him. And he smiled in return when she opened up the door, not expecting the romper, but grinning when he watched her nipple pebble through the fabric. His eyes were glued there, until she crossed her arms and he found her eyes.

Brown, warm and inviting, like they always were.

"Hey!" She went to hug him, but he was coated in snow, the crystals melting on his shoulders, his cheeks pink, nose red, and eyes as green as they always are. "I'd hug you, but... the snow."

"Yeah, sorry." He laughed, shaking his coat off in the hall. "Can I come in?"

She widened the door and turned, giving him the space to enter.

His eyes immediately ran up the bare expanse of her back, his hands wanting to feel the with he could tell it radiated. She'd definitely put this on for him. It was too late in the year for her to ever wear this out and about.

There was so much in Ned's silence, so much he just won't say. She could see by his expression there was a lot going through his head. He yanked his boot off, walking toward her and flashed the smile that's got her tied up tighter than a banker's money.

"How have you been?" He sat beside her, his hand touching her knee.

"Good. Busy," she sighed, shrugging. He didn't need to ask, but he had, and he'd wanted an actual answer. And that meant everything to her. "The end of the semester means lots of studying for finals and in between work and a few ghosts, that doesn't leave for much fun. So glad the semester is over though. It's been a long time since I've been able to enjoy a winter break."

"You've always had a packed school schedule though. I admire that you can handle all of it." He said, glancing out the window at the weather, the snow looking heavier now.

"Is it bad out there yet?" She asked.

He scrunched his nose, shrugging. "It's definitely starting to stick. But it's not terrible, yet. Though I should probably get going soon, if I want to make it back home before the roads get too bad." He turned back to her, with a grin. "Sorry to interrupt date night."

It's the grin that made him so.…distracting. And innocent. But not innocent, too.

"You know, you can stay here tonight. If you want." She suggested.

"Yeah?" He raised his eyebrow to her suggestion. "What does Han think of that?"

"She doesn't care," she said, knowing she didn't. "That way I can just tag along with you tomorrow. I wanted to leave my car for Hannah since she is staying home through the week with Brandon for alone time. They could drive my car up."

"That's not a bad idea," he nodded. "That way you can drive. I'm not good with snow. And ice. Not good with ice either."

"I'll have to give you a few lessons then," she winked, laughing.

Her laughter rang in his ears like jingling bells, and all he could do was smile.

She was so beautiful. He was so close to her, her leg pressed up against his and her smiled directed at him.

"So about that boyfriend you were sending me," she said, leaning into him. "I was thinking he should be tall and handsome. Not particulars on his looks, but as long as he has shorter hair than Toby."

It was then when he saw the receding bruise on her eyes, a cut under her eyebrow that was mostly healed.

He hated Toby. His anger burned for him.

Ned rested his head in his hands, pinching the bridge of his nose. His fingers curled tightly into a fist, he could to see the man's neck snapping in his mind and it felt good. He could feel his fist smashing into his nose, splattering red blood on the his shirt. What an improvement that would be. But instead he just rose his head, finding Katie's eyes, letting the warmth and curiosity in them calm him.

"I'll keep my eyes open for you," he laughed, kissing her forehead. "Short hair and tall. That's not very picky."

"Well," she felt his lips press to her skin, distracting her. "I'm pretty ease to please. I mean, muscles are nice, but I don't need them to be happy."

"Good to know," he nodded.

She didn't know what to say now. She rose from the couch, going to grab her lemonade from the floor by the recliner. She used the drink as an excuse to be quiet, to just look at him.

"There's something I came over here for," he stood, walking to her. "I need to tell you something."

"What?" She asked, setting her drink of the coffee table. She licked her lips of the remainder of the lemonade and he watched her, licking his own lips.

"There's no girl in my life, you know that." He started, trailing off.

Before he had the time to finish his sentence, she quickly captured his lips against her.

The soft tender touch felt as if everything in the world were right. This simple kiss was contentment and happiness. All of a sudden the kiss grew deeper and more passionate. Their tongues were paintbrushes and they were painting oceanic galaxies together.

He picked her up, her legs wrapping around him like they'd done this a million times before.He was lost in a sense of animalistic love and she was walking on air. It was warm and his lips were soft. Her hands caressed his face as he pulled away slowly.

"I shouldn't have done that," she laughed, pressing her nose to his cheek, looking to her feet. "You... you were saying something."

"Don't apologize," he whispered, captured his lips in hers again.

The first kiss was all the confidence he'd needed to finally kiss her. He moved across the floor, down the hall and to her room, closing the door behind him with a kick. He sat her on the bed, his hands sliding between her thighs, spreading them.

"Ned," she gasped, his lips at her neck.

She accepted the sturdiness of his chest pressed up against hers, and his arms, which moved to snake around her waist and pull her flush against him. They were quickly slipping into dangerous, more-than kissing territory, but he smelled so good—fresh and crisp, and slightly sweet. It was as if there was an imaginary force field pulling her into him, and she was unable to break it.

His fingers skimmed over the bare skin of her back, which she'd forgot had been uncovered, and an embarrassingly soft moan escaped her lips. The noise only made his mouth even more determined, and he drags it along her jaw, dipping his chin to press fervent kisses to her neck. The sensation makes her stomach swoop so hard it ached, and her hands ran themselves along the thick, scratchy material of his sweater, feeling his strong muscles hidden beneath it. She reached to hold on to him between his shoulder blades, and momentum rocked him forward until she was on her back with Ned Banks on top of her, sucking her pulse point while she ran her fingers through his thick, neat, blond hair.

One of his hands drifted to her thigh, ghosting up to where her body itched to be touched. She bites her bottom lip, her hips arching into him without a second through. He let out a low, warm hiss, shifting to meet her with his hardening erection that's easily detectable through the thin denim of his jeans.

She had to tell herself to stop, to break this spell he had her under before she was too far gone.

But would it be so bad? Sex with Ned?

Right. She wanted to wait. They weren't going to do this. This has to stop. Even if he kissed better than every guy she'd ever kissed, and his hands on her skin made her feel more alive than she'd ever felt.

"Ned, wait," she whispered, squeezing her eyes closed tightly and finally forcing the words out. His lips froze against the crook of her neck. "What are we doing?"

Katie felt him sigh, and he placed a soft kiss right below her ear before he spoke.

"I'm sorry," he pulled back and rubbed his forehead. "I moved too fast didn't I?"

"Just a little," she laughed. "Not that I didn't mind the making out. I've always... always wanted to do that. With you."

He laid beside her, on his back now, and looked at her, her head turning too.

"And, it took me too long to tell you no." She said, her face breaking out into a smile as she laughed. "I want you to keep going, but I want to wait. I rushed things with Toby and... I don't want to do that with you."

They were quiet for a long time after that. She didn't look at him for fear of what she might see on his face. She wasn't not sure if they'd ended their conversation, or if he was just trying to think of the right way to respond.

"Do you still want me to stay?" He finally spoke up, and she couldn't help but hear the hopeful tone in his voice.

"Of course I do," she smiled at him.

"Good," he breathed. "Just checking." His hand found her cheek, spreading out to cup it. His finger traced where Toby had hit her, sighing. "I hate him."

"Me too," she rolled her eyes, thinking of the man across the hall. "I hate him too."

Their lips met again, softly, his other hand grasped her other cheek as they pulled apart. Her face was flushed red and she could feel just how big her smile was, but that's how he made her feel. And it was the best she'd felt in such a long time.