I was grateful that the movie didn't film on the weekends and I was even more grateful that with Lucas helping me all week nothing was awkward. I thought after kissing each other he asks me what I was feeling or at the very least acknowledge the kiss in some way but he didn't. I had to admit I was a little upset and had flashbacks to when we last kissed. Or maybe I was reading to much into things and just needed a vacation and by vacation I meant hiding in my old closet in my parents apartment flicking on the butterfly nightlight I had my dad put in there when I was 6.

"Riley are you in here?" I flick off the light once more and say "yeah mom I'm here." I hear her laugh and say "and where is here?" I open my closet door and turn on the nightlight again. "Honey what are you doing?" She asks sitting down outside the door since I had laid out on the closet floor. "Oh nothing just thinking." She laughs and shakes her head at me. "What?" I asks looking up at her.

She smiles and says "when you were little you use to come in here all the time and when I asks what you would do in here you say.." "I'm just thinking." I finish for her smiling. She laughs and says "so can I asks what you're thinking about?" I bite my lip and say "Lucas and I kissed." I see her start smiling and I shake my head and say "before you go and tell his mom it was a movie kiss. I don't think it meant anything." She looks at me with a confused expression and I say "the director wanted us to film a scene they usually leave to the extras but asks us since the extras went home."

She nods along and says "what about Colin did you tell him?" I shake my head sitting up and say "we sorta broke up." My mom gasps and says "because he found out anout the kiss? I shake my head and say "no. Apparently this time I wasn't the insecure one in the relationship." My mom still wore her confused expression and I say "he decided to stay in California for the next four months because he thought I was seeing Lucas while he was away."

My mom gives me a sad smile and scoots in putting her arm around my shoulder. "I'm sorry sweetie he seemed like a nice young man and he made you happy." I lightly chuckle and say "yeah I know but if he's threaten by my friendship with Lucas then I don't see a future." She shakes her head and says "Riley there may be some truth to his insecurities." I look at her confused and she smiles saying "you're in your closet trying to figure out what that kiss you shared with Lucas meant right?" I look down nodding my head.

"But I'm not sure it meant anything to Lucas. I don't want to jump to any conclusions and end up with a broken heart." I lean my head on her shoulder and she pats my head "why don't you asks him if it meant anything to him. He might surprise you." I lift my head and look at her and she just smiles and says "I should go get dinner started you know how your father likes to eat right when he comes home." She gets up leaving me with more questions than answers.

I lay in the closet when my phone rings. "Hello Zay." I say closing my eyes. "Well hello there sugar you sound miserable. I thought you would be jumping for joy now that Lucas finally came to his senses and started rescuing the puppies and not stealing them." I open my eyes and say "what are you talking about?" He chuckles and says "Lucas broke up with Missy! Let's go celebrate drinks on me girl!" I sit up and run out my closet to the kitchen.

"Did you know Missy and Lucas broke up?" I asks my mom who was stirring something on the stove. She looks at me and shakes her head. "No but I think Auggie and Ava were talking about something involving them." I tell her I would be back for dinner and go find Zay at the diner for what he calls drinks which really meant milkshakes. "Hey sugar got you a strawberry one with extra whipped cream since we are celebrating." I sit down and asks "what happened when did they break up?" He nods his head chuckling and pulls up the article on his phone.

Another one bites the dust. Lucas Friar and Missy Bradford call it quits after months of dating.

I skim the article and see they broke up a few weeks ago. I hand Zay his phone back and say "if they broke up where is he living now?" Zay sips his shake looking anywhere but at me. "Isaiah?" He still doesn't say anything and I sigh and say "he didn't want me to know." I stand up and Zay says "Riley don't leave we're celebrating." I shake my head and say "I'm not in the mood to celebrate I gotta head back for dinner."

I head back to my parents place and act like nothing is wrong. I text Zay and tell him more like threaten him not to tell Lucas I know Missy and him broke up. I didn't have to worry about Lucas since he went to Texas to visit Pappy Joe. "Riley you've been quiet all through dinner you alright?" My mom asks when she finds me once again in my closet. I take a breath and say "yeah I'm good."

She smiles at me and says "so why are you in the closet again?" I look up at her and say "because it's warm plus my butterfly nightlight reminds me of the days when boys had cooties." She laughs and sits on the floor. "Lucas doesn't want me to know where he is living or the fact Missy and him broke up." My mom furrows her eyebrows and says "well I don't believe that for a second."

I lightly laugh and say "it's true Zay told me and you know him he knows everything." She shakes her head and says "Zay doesn't know everything I'm 99% sure he makes up half the stuff he says." I laugh and say "but there's still that 1%." She grows quiet and then tells me not to fall asleep in the closet because I'm to old to be carried. I smile and crawl up to my bed and fall asleep. I get up early the next day and head downstairs and find my parents.

"Morning sweetheart." My dad says when I pour myself some coffee. I smile and sip my coffee looking at the paper. "I'm sorry to hear about you and Colin. Your mom told me last night. How are you doing?" I grab a bagel and say "I'm okay getting better a little bit day by day." He shares a look with my mom and she puts her hand on mine and says "Riley are you alright?" I get up nodding and say "yeah I am. But just letting you know I'm swearing off men." My dad spits out his coffee and says "what?"

I grab my bag and say "yup I'm taking a break from dating and focusing on the bakery and my catering business." My mom stands up putting my hair behind my ear and says "are you sure?" I smile and nod my head. "Well I'm glad I told you no boys till you were 40 anyway." I laugh kissing his cheek and head out. I head to the bakery opening the doors so I could meet the contractor.

"Good morning Riley I didn't think I would see you today?" Sandy tells me when she walks in. I smile pouring a customer some coffee and say "why wouldn't I be? I got the contractor coming in so we can discuss the expansion of the bakery." She stares at me weirdly and then shrugs walking into the back. An hour goes by and the contractor arrives with Mrs. Friar.

"Hello dear." She says hugging me. I smile and pour us some coffee walking into my office to grab the blue prints of what I wanted. "So I could knock out this wall and that one and it would give you a lot more space and it wouldn't disturb the bakery so you could keep it open." Bill the contractor tells us. I look at Mrs. Friar and then the plans and smile. "That sounds perfect and when can you get started on this?" He looks at his phone and says "we can start next week if you like?" I nod and we shake hands.

"well that was a lot easier than I thought it would be." Mrs. Friar smiles and says "you got a good one there. I've never seen a contractor willing to work around an open business." I smile as we walk back into my office and say "bill is a great one he's worked with my mom when she ran the place and it didn't hurt I would bake him cookies when I knew he was coming by." She smiles and says "speaking of your mother." I turn to her and say "she told you didn't she?"

She nods her head and I say "oh that woman I told her it didn't mean anything." Mrs. Friar looks at me taking my face in her hands. "It meant something to you and I suspect it meant something to Lucas too." I tilt my head at her and say "my mom said the same thing. What do you two know that I don't?" She just smiles grabbing her bag and says "we'll look at the time I'm supposed to be meeting Mr. Friar for an early lunch. Goodbye dear."

I wave at her and sit in my chair spinning and staring at the ceiling. "Hey Riles." Maya says scaring me. I stop spinning glaring at her and she smiles. "Hey peaches what brought you by?" She sits on my desk and says "some cake taking boing to the beach house for some alone time. If you know what I mean?" I grimace and she laughs winking at me. "Well I can get it for you in a minute." She waves me off and says "It's okay I asked Sandy already and she said you were being weird."

I lightly laugh and say "that Sandy sure loves to talk. I'm not being weird." She nods and says "uh huh you and Lucas are acting pretty funny today." I look at her confused and say "you seen Lucas today?" "Yeah he was with a blond women I think it was his sister." I growl grabbing my stuff and asks Maya to take me to Lily's house. I walk to the back door and see Lucas on a pool floatie. I walk up putting my stuff down and grabbing the sides of it and tipping him over.

"What the hell!" He shouts wiping his face. He freezes when he sees me. "So how's Texas Eugene?" I say standing there with my arms folded across my chest. He doesn't say anything and rubs his neck. I wait for him to talk but he doesn't I throw hands up and walk away. I get back in Maya's car and head back to my parents place knowing he wouldn't look for me there for awhile. Lucky for me nobody was home so I retreat back to my closet. I close the door turning on and off my little nightlight.

I hear someone knock on the window but I don't move in case it was Lucas. They finally stop knocking and I hear the window open and I mentally curse myself for leaving it unlocked. "Ri you here?" Lucas whispers. I roll my eyes and don't move. "Riley Marie come out the closet." I turn on and off my light and ignore him. I hear him move towards the door and I press the lock. "Riley open the door?" He says knocking. I mimic him and he chuckles and says "real mature Riley open up?"

I don't hear him anymore until I hear the lock pop and him open the door just as I reach for it. He drags me out tossing me on the bed and straddles me. "Get off Eugene!" I shout he doesn't move just stares at me. I huff and say "go ahead say what you need to and then leave." He sighs and says "I was going to go to Texas but Pappy Joe went on a cruise with his new lady friend." I smile and say "way to go Pappy Joe. Didn't know he was dating again?"

Lucas smiles and I punch him and say "that still doesn't explain why you lied and also where are you really living Friar? Because I know Missy and you broke up so explain?" He shakes his head and says "Zay's got a big mouth." I shake my head and say "I would have found out and why don't you want me to know where you're living you could just move back in with me?" He gets off me and says "I can't do that."

I sit up and say why. He rubs his neck and says "I just can't. I got to go I told Lily I water her plants. Want to come with me?" I shake my head and say "no I just remembered I promised Smackle and Farkle I come look at their new kitchen." I get up and head into the closet again. "You can go now I need to lock the window before I leave." He nods and heads to the window but not before looking at me.

Once he leaves I lock the window and close the curtains heading back into the closet letting the tears fall. I didn't know why I was even crying. It made no sense I take a breath and wipe my face and head to the train. "Hey Riley what brings you this way?" Farkle tells me as he lets me in. I smile and say "well I was in the neighborhood and thought I visit my favorite geniuses." Farkle nods and we head to the living room where Smackle was sitting watch some nature show.

"Hey Smackle." I say waving at her. She waves my way but doesn't look at me. Farkle laughs and says "it's this show it makes her tune out the world even me." I laugh as we make our way into the kitchen. "So why is Lucas texting me about seeing my new kitchen?" Farkle asks when I sit on the counter. I smile and say "I may have told that doofus that's why I was coming over here for."

Farkle shakes his head and smiles. "What?" I say laughing. He looks at me and says "Can you keep a secret?" I nod and he walks up and says "I'm going to ask Smackle to marry me." My eyes widen and I was about to yell when Farkle covers my mouth and shushes me. Smackle walks in and sees us and says "what's going on in here?" Farkle smiles and says "Riley was going to sneeze." Smackle looks at us curiously and shrugs walking back to the living room.

Farkle breathes a sigh of relief and I say "when do you plan to ask?" He smiles and says "fourth of July." I hug him and he says "want to help me plan the Fourth of July party for next weekend?" I smile and nod and we get to work. I stay late and end up staying for dinner and fall asleep on their couch. "Morning Smackle sorry I fell asleep on you guys last night was a long day I guess." I tell Smackle when I walk into the kitchen.

She smiles and pours me coffee and herself some tea. "Giving up coffee Smackle?" I jokingly say. She freezes and nervously laughs and says "no I'm just mixing it up." I look at her curiously and she says "okay I'm going to tell you something and I need you to not shout. Agreed?" I nod and she takes a deep breath and whispers "I think dearest is cheating on me." I freeze and say "what makes you think that he loves you." She sits next to me and says "he's been very secretive the last few weeks and I don't know."

I hug her and say "Smackle I'm sure it's nothing maybe work is stressing him and he knows you have work and doesn't want to bother you with it." She nods and says "I guess so. I'll wait and see if things don't change I'm going to speak with him." She gets up and heads to her office and I head home after checking up on things at the bakery. I reach my door when I see someone slump against it. I get closer and notice it was Colin.

I nudge him and he wakes smiling. "Hi." He whispers sitting up. I give him a small smile and open the door letting us in. "Have you been out there long?" I asks starting the coffee pot. He rubs his arms and says "kind of my plane landed at 4 and I came straight here. I tried calling but I guess your phone is off." I look in my bag and see it was actually dead. "I'm sorry I stayed at a friend's house last night." I seen the look in his eyes and sigh and say "I was at Farkle and Smackle place."

I place a cup in front of him and pour the coffee for him and then myself. We drink in silence while he stares at me. "Riley..." I interrupt him and say "why are you here? I thought you were suppose to be in California for your clinical trial?" He sets his cup down walking toward me. "I was but I couldn't work knowing I was messing something great up over here." He cups my cheek and I lean into it. "Colin..." I whisper he doesn't say anything just leans towards me kissing me.

We keep kissing as he backs me into the wall. I put my hands on his chest breaking the kiss. "Colin you can't..." I shake my head and go back to kissing him. He grips my waist and I put my hands around his neck deepening the kiss. After awhile we finally pull back needing air. "Like I said can never stop kissing once I start." He whispers. I lightly laugh resting my head on his chest. "Colin this doesn't change anything you're still in California for the next four months."

He sighs and says "I know but I'm really hoping this next week will show you that we can work something out and still be together." I look up at him and say "this week?" He chuckles and says "yeah I took the week off so I could come back and see you." I didn't like how we ended things between us." I smile and say "I didn't either." He smiles and lifts me up kissing my cheeks. "How about this? I go get some clothes and breakfast and we spend the day inside just making up for lost time." I shake my head and say "okay but if you aren't back in an hour I'm leaving."

He chuckles and kisses me one last time before heading out the door. I smile and lay down on the couch staring up at the ceiling. I hear someone knock at the door and I get up and say "that was way to quick." Lucas looks at me weirdly and says "to quick for what?" I bite my lip and say "oh I thought you were Colin. He's back in town for the week." He gives me a small smile and says "I know." I look at him and say "how do you know that?" He rubs his neck and says "I just figured you got that smile you smile when he is near."

I look at him and he says "I came to see if you were still mad at me?" I sit on the couch and say "you know I can never stay mad at you it's like a curse." He laughs sitting down and says "I see it as a blessing." We sit there in silence and then he says "I'm living with Lily right now until I find a place." I look at him putting my hand on his arm trying to ignore the tingles and say "Luke you can have your room here you know that right?" He looks at my hand and says "I appreciate the offer but I just can't." I sigh and say "why?"

He gets up and says "I just can't I need to be on my own. I got to go. I'll see you later Ri." He walks out the door and I lay back down on the couch again. I lift up my locket opening it looking at the picture of Lucas and me as kids and wondering why he didn't want to move back in with me. I couldn't ponder about it for long when Colin knocks on the front door. "Well I'm happy to know you didn't leave." Colin tells me when I open the door. I smile shaking my head and sit on the couch pulling me closer to him.

"So how is this going to work?" I asks as he lays us down and starts kissing my neck. "Well I think what I'm doing is pretty self explanatory." He says between kisses. I laugh and say "that's not what I meant." He sighs and says "do we need to talk about this right now?" I turn his face to look at me and say "if you want to continue this." I gesture at his and mine lips. "Then we need to talk." He sits up and says "okay I'm ready to talk." I shake my head and sit up and say "okay so I think we need to start off slow. I think if we rush into things then that will definitely mess this up especially since we won't be near each other for awhile."

Colin nods his head and says "okay I'm all for slow. Slow cooked dinners slow massages slow dancing slow kisses." He leans down and starts kissing me again and I say "we need to figure this out." He shakes his head and says "later right now let's enjoy it." I smile and keep kissing him. After making out for awhile I go and shower while he went to pick up some food. I come out the bathroom when I hear voices. "Hey thanks for calling me. I appreciate it." Colin tells someone I couldn't see. "I know you didn't have to after... well I'm sure she told you what I said and I'm sorry."

"Hey it's okay. I know she missed you even if she didn't want to admit it." Lucas tells him. Lucas? He called him? "I'm sure you two got a lot to catch up on and I don't want to take up to much of your time." Lucas says. "No stay I ordered a lot of Chinese and I highly doubt we can eat it all." Lucas chuckles and says "another time I got to get back to my girlfriend she's probably got dinner done. See ya." I hear the door close and walk back in the bathroom leaning against it.

Why did Lucas just lie and say his girlfriend when they broke up and when did he call Colin? I had so many questions but no answers. I had to get to the bottom of this and why Lucas was acting weird.