Anna stepped out of the car and breathed in the clear warm air. Ella closed her door gently and Anna glanced at her. She grabbed the paper grocery bag full of whipped cream cans and smiled. The Jones Family Annual Memorial Day Picnic was in full swing and it was going to be the best ever. Joel had talked everyone into driving down to Cincinnati for the long weekend.

"Ells, you promised me you'd relax. Dinner will be amazing. No research, no thesis, no Master's degree to think about, but fun and food."

"For an hour." Ella insisted.

"Two hours," Anna started to argue, but she yelped when a strong arm hooked around her middle and yanked her off her feet.

"If it isn't my stupid faced baby sister."

"Jack Jones, you put me down," Anna began, but Jack swung her over his shoulder and turned towards Ella. "You look ravishing as always, Ella." Jack held Anna's kicking feet out of the way. "I miss you."

"Thank you, Jack."

Jack hauled Anna through the parking lot to a large pavilion by the park's basketball courts, where Hank and Mike Jones were arranging the myriad of Jones cousins into two teams for a tournament. The small crowd of little boys flocked around Ella when they spotted her. Ella chuckled and scooped up Hank's twins, kissing them soundly, before putting them down again.

Jonah and Nate were following in Jack's wake, both laughing.

"You could help," Anna glared at them.

"That would spoil the fun," Jack observed.

When he finally put her down, Anna flopped over, like a sack of flour.

"Get up, nerd," Jack poked her stomach. She waited until he got a bit closer, and then pounced, wrapping her skinny arms around his neck in a choke hold. Jack gasped, laughing harder. Hank had taught her a few wrestling moves when he was obsessed with professional wrestling, but all of the Jones brothers were over six feet and a good two hundred pounds each.

"I think I have a mosquito on my neck, Ben." Jack sighed and pried Anna loose. He dangled her by her ankles, upside down, laughing as she struggled to tuck her shirt into her shorts.

"You're making me indecent," Anna complained.

"Jack, put it down. You don't know where it's been." Nate fluttered his fingers with a wicked grin.

Anna stuck out her tongue at Nate.

"She's going to pass out." Jonah said from where he sat on a picnic table, scrolling through his phone.

"How long do you think it would take?"

"You're the one in Medical school," Jonah shrugged. "Gertie says hi, Anna."

"Off the table, Jo," Shawna, Hank's wife, swatted him with a bag of chips.

Jonah grabbed the bag and opened it, popping a handful in his mouth.

"Why couldn't she come?" Anna asked, twisting, curled up off the ground as much as possible, and tried to pinch Jack's inner thighs. He held her further away.

"She has family too, dumb-face." Nate said as he swiped an uncooked hot dog off the grill.

"Hey," Joel clicked his tongs. "No eating until I actually cook these. Jack, please put Anna down."

"You fight so not fair." Anna tried to sound serious and failed. A familiar bark stopped her laughter.

"Whoa, who's this?" Jack jerked Anna back as Sven bounded into view and started covering her face in dog slobber.

She'd invited Bjorn to the picnic as an after thought the day before, but knowing his distaste for company, Anna hadn't actually expected him to show up.

"Watch the hot dogs," Shawna called.

"Hey, bud," Anna pushed at Sven. Now she had dog slobber on her face. She was holding her shirt with one hand and trying to shove Sven off with another, when Bjorn walked up. He looked at her, and then at the crowd of people.

"Do you know him?" Jack asked, looking down at Anna.

"We live together."

Wait, what?

Jack, Jonah, and Nate stared first at Anna then Bjorn, who was looking more embarrassed than ever.

"No, I mean, we live in the same apartment complex and he's actually Hans's roommate. This is very difficult to explain while hanging upside down, Jack," Anna punched her brother's leg.

Bjorn looked adorable, even if he was wearing a flannel shirt when it was a seventy degrees outside. Not that she was complaining. Anna loved when he rolled up his shirt sleeves just like that, making his arms look incredible.

"This is awkward, not that you're awkward—I am, I mean," Anna sighed and covered her face with her hands. This was not how she wanted her family to meet Bjorn.

Sven licked her bare stomach.

Anna groaned.

She'd let go of her shirt.

Bjorn tried to look anywhere but at Anna. Now was definitely not the time to appreciate the view. Even if he was.

Her brothers are watching you.

"That's enough, Jack." This came from Ella. She was cooing at baby in a stroller, pushing it back and forth. "You're making a spectacle of your sister."

Jack obliged and Anna swayed as she tried to stand. Bjorn took a step nearer, helping her up, "Thank you."

Bjorn nodded, and they stared at each other, Anna grinning stupidly.

"Hello."

"Hi."

"Guys, Anna's brought a boy!" Jack hollered and about thirty people turned and stared at Bjorn.

"Shut up, Jack, it's not what you think." Anna shoved Jack, and continued talking through the resulting catcalls, raising her voice, "He's a friend."

"A boyfriend?" Jack whispered loud enough for Bjorn to feel his own face growing red.

Anna blushed and turned towards the picnic tables, "Moving on. Bjorn, meet my family." Anna gestured to the entire crowd of people who were watching them. "Everybody, this is Bjorn, my friend, and his dog Sven." She smiled at the dog. "These are my brothers," Anna ran through them all, each brother raising a hand as she said his name, "Joel, Hank, Amos, Ben, Jonah, Mike, Nate, and Jack."

"Hi," Bjorn shoved his hands into his pockets.

"Okay, all the ladies are either married to or dating one of the Jones boys and we'll leave the kids' names for another time. You'll figure us out eventually."

"Probably not," Ella muttered as she knelt, opening a cooler.

"There are a lot of boys." Bjorn said as Ella handed him a drink.

"The last eighteen people born or adopted into the Jones family were all boys," Anna sighed dramatically as they wandered over to a table on the edge of the group and sat. "Except me, of course."

"Really?"

Anna nodded, "Ella and I were always swimming in a sea of testosterone."

"No one cares about your feminine woes, squirt," Jack had wandered over, and slid into the seat next to Ella.

"Private conversation," Anna huffed.

"Don't talk so loud. People can hear you." He retorted, grinning.

Joel walked up with a bag of chips under his arm, and a plate full of hotdogs smothered in ketchup and onions. "Glad you could make it, Ella."

"She couldn't resist my charming company," Jack winked at Ella.

"No." Ella smiled tightly, not looking at him. "I came for the hotdogs."

Jack stood and sauntered away calling, "My offer for dinner stands indefinitely, if you feel like changing your mind."

Bjorn glanced away as Anna busied herself divvying up the food. They ate in silence, listening to the laughter and joking and arguing.

The enormous spread of hotdogs, hamburgers, chips, and vegetables disappeared in record time. When six apple pies and several cans of whipped cream were produced for dessert. Ella wiped her hands with a napkin, and said, "Anna, I need to head back. I've an analysis that can't wait."

"Party pooper." Anna groaned. "You have to stay for dessert."

"Remember you have to work tomorrow."

"I remember."

"Early," Ella stood, resting her hands. "Joel has to drive straight to work and—"

"I'll walk her home." The words slipped out of Bjorn's mouth before he could stop them.

Ella eyed him for a moment and then shrugged, said her good byes, and left.

Bjorn glanced at Anna, who was sneaking food under the table to Sven "Is your family always—"

"Loud? Annoying? Heavy?"

"Heavy?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Intense." Anna looked up, grinning. "Yeah, they are, but they're also pretty great. Except Jack. He's a child."

"They seem really nice." Bjorn said. "Even Jack."

"I love them," Anna rubbed Sven's earns. "Except Jack."

"I heard that!" Jack shouted throwing a cookie at her.

Bjorn watched as Anna chucked the cookie back at Jack. He almost couldn't believe her family was real. Everything they did was full of sound, and color, and life, and a heavy dose of sarcasm. And a lot of love. It was so much, it was almost oppressive.

You don't belong here.

Groaning, one of Anna's brothers stood and held up a frisbee. "Anyone for a game of Dirty Ultimate?"

"No way."

"We just ate."

"Exactly. That's why it's Dirty Ultimate." Jack grinned, waggling his eyebrows at Anna. "Remember last year?"

"You're a nasty man," Anna stood and pulled at Bjorn's arm. "We should get going."

Jack threw an arm around Bjorn, and said, "What's-his-name here, will play with us, won't you?"

Anna giggled, "He's basically sedentary."

"No," Bjorn crossed his arms over his chest. "I walk places."

"For them, that's sedentary." Anna said in a condescending tone, grabbing his hand. "Bye everybody."

Bjorn let himself be led for a couple of yards, enjoying the thought of being alone with Anna. It was ruined when Jack called after them in a singsongy voice,

"You love birds stay out of trouble."

Bjorn pulled his hand away, and quickened his pace, Sven racing ahead.

"You know, I like to run and all, but I prefer to meander after such a large meal." Anna said when she caught up. "Here."

She was holding two cans of whipped cream. He took the can she offered him, and watched her tilt her head back, spraying whipped cream straight into her mouth. Flecks of white spattered her nose and glasses.

"What are you doing?"

"Try it."

"No."

"Do it," Anna said, her mouth full. "It's good."

"Make me."

Anna stepped right up to him and sprayed whipped cream into his face, spinning on her heel, sprinting after Sven.

Touché.

Bjorn sprang after her. He might not run, be he wasn't a slouch. When he finally caught up, he circled an arm about her waist and emptied the contents of his can of whipped cream all over her. Five minutes later they were both on the ground in a twisted mess, covered in sticky slime, dirt, and grass. Anna struggled to get out from where he had pinned her to his side with one arm. He laughed at her efforts to shove him away. The more he laughed the more Anna struggled, trying not to laugh herself. Which only made him laugh more, until his sides were aching. It felt good.

"Stop it, you big jerk." She punched his chest. "Oh man, it's all in my hair."

"You started it, Red."

"True, but you sure as hell finished it, Iceman."

"As any man would." Sven started licking Bjorn's face clean.

She suddenly lay still, relaxing under his grip, resting her head on his chest, "You have a really great laugh, Bjorn."

"Thanks."

"You should laugh more."

Bjorn took a deep breath, and closed his eyes. He couldn't remember the last time he'd been with anyone who made him laugh like Anna.

"So, can I get up now?"

Bjorn bolted to his feet, the movement tossing Anna aside.

"Whoa, there." Sven started nuzzling at the whipped cream on Anna's shirt as she sat up. "Easy, Iceman."

"Sorry." Bjorn grabbed Sven, pulled his leash out of his back pocket, and clipped it onto his collar. He tried to wipe his hands on his shirt, but was sticky and covered in mud. Bjorn pulled it off and used the inside to wipe off his hands and face.

Anna stared at him, her eyes wide.

"What?"

"You have a tattoo."

"Yeah, so?"

"Let me see it," She scrambled up and planted herself in front of him.

"No." His shirt was too dirty to put back on, so Bjorn slung it over his shoulder, covering most of his tattoo. "Come on, Red. It's getting late."

Anna shut her apartment door and wandered into the living room, where Ella sat on the floor, surrounded by a pile of sheet music.

Ella looked Anna up and down, shaking her head at the mess of mud, leaves, and whipped cream.

"Do I even want to know?"

"You'd judge me."

"Did you have a good time?"

"The best time ever."

"You say that every time," Ella returned to her music as Anna threw herself onto the couch.

"Did you know he's got a tattoo?"

"Who?"

"Bjorn."

Ella shook her head, "How do you know he's got one?"

Anna grinned, "He took his shirt off."

Ella glanced up, one eyebrow raised, "Why?"

"Whipped cream was involved."

"Anna, is something going on with you and Bjorn?"

"Nothing," Anna said. "We're friends."

"Do you like him?"

Anna picked at a leaf on her shirt, "I think I could."

"But?"

"But he told me he doesn't date."

"Would you date him if he asked?"

"Yeah," Anna smiled. "I think I would."

"Bjorn, are you listening to me?" Anna frowned, and swatted his head with a book when he didn't answer. "Earth to Iceman."

"What?" he growled, looking up from his homework.

Anna had been surprised when he showed up after his work, skates slung over one shoulder, his backpack over the other. He said he was locked out, again, and asked to hang out until Hans came back. Now they were sitting on the floor in front of the couch in her apartment. He was studying and she was supposed to be studying. But it was impossible to study when all she could think about was her conversation with Ella three days ago. She scooted closer to Sven, sighing.

"Am I that boring?"

"What were you saying?"

Anna waved a stack of paper held together with a binder clip, "This is a story I wrote for the arts and sciences short story competition."

"Really?" Bjorn took it, glancing over the first page. He looked back at Anna. "You want me to read it?"

"Not anymore," she made a swipe at the papers.

Bjorn held it over his head. "You just gave it to me."

"You weren't interested." Anna lunged, but Bjorn put out his other hand and held her at arms length.

"I'm interested now," he said. "You can have it back when I'm done with it."

"You can't keep it." Anna swiped again.

"You shouldn't have given it to me." Bjorn started to read, still holding her at arm's length.

"Don't read it in front of me," Anna shrieked. She jumped up and ran into the kitchen, Sven following.

She heard Bjorn sigh heavily and she peeked around the corner. He snorted, turning a page. This was abad idea.

Hans' arm pulled Ella closer as she tried to slip away, and he murmured, "Just five more minutes."

"Anna or Bjorn could walk through that door."

"I locked it."

"She's expecting me to be home."

Ella pushed his hands away, and rolled out of bed. She pulled on her jeans and shirt, gathering her things.

"We're not doing anything wrong." Hans rolled onto his back with his hands laced behind his head.

"Then why do I always feel guilty?"

"Your problem, not mine."

Ella glanced out the window, checking her apartment. She jumped as her phone rang.

"Ella?" Anna's voice was too loud, and Ella tried to shove her irritation aside. "Where are you? I really need you to come back now—like right now—if that's at all possible."

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I'm here with Bjorn, and I just thought you'd be home by now. He was locked out again."

"Really?"

"We need to exchange spare keys or something. Please tell me you're almost home."

"Is Bjorn bothering you?"

"No, I just—why is your car here if you aren't?"

"Be there soon." Ella hung up, her heart pounding. She slipped out of the apartment after a few minutes, and walked around the back, hoping Anna hadn't seen her.

"Are you finished yet?"

Bjorn stopped reading, and glanced over his shoulder. "There are ten pages."

"So?"

"So, it might be a while." Bjorn returned to the story and sighed. She was a terrible writer.

Anna sat down on the couch behind him, and pretended to check her phone messages. Bjorn turned another page.

"Are you just a really slow reader?"

He reread a sentence for the third time.

"Well?"

"Stop talking."

"Don't snap at me."

"Stop interrupting me."

"Sorry, I just—is it okay?"

"If you don't stop talking, I'll leave."

"No, you can't," Anna slid off the couch, next to him. "I need that back so I can submit it."

"Print another one."

"I can't. That's my only copy."

"How is this your only copy?"

"I wrote it on a typewriter." Anna petted Sven, as he laid his big head in her lap.

"You wrote this on a typewriter?"

"Yes."

"Really?"

"Yes, really."

Bjorn rolled his eyes, "You're such a hipster."

"I am not a hipster, thank you very much." Anna pushed Sven out of her lap and stood, "Are you hungry?"

"I could eat." Bjorn tossed the story down.

Anna disappeared into the kitchen and started moving around pots and pans. Something fell with a loud bang and she yelped. Bjorn walked into the tiny kitchen. Anna was trying to push a fallen cookie sheet back on top of the cabinets as Sven tangled himself up in between her legs, barking. He took it from her and set it back where it belonged, shoving Sven aside with his foot.

"You know, the only thing that saves you from full hipster status is your love of mainstream music."

"What does that even mean?" Anna asked. She had pulled out three boxes of mac and cheese from the cabinet.

"It means you have an unhealthy obsession with pop culture."

"What do you have against happy music?" Anna stood looking indignant, a hand on her hip.

"Nothing," He grabbed the sauce pan from her, and filled it with water. "You're IQ just drops ten points every time you support that drivel."

"You're such a snob," She grinned and flipped the stove on. Anna scrolled through her phone, drumming her fingers dangerously close to the heating element. Bjorn couldn't stop himself as he took her by the shoulders, forcing her a couple of steps away from the stove. She didn't even look up.

"Do you have a request?"

"Just pick something."

"You'll hate it."

"I hate all your music."

"I might even dance. You've been warned."

Bjorn groaned when the electronic pop music started blasting form her phone, and Anna started to dance.

"Stop being a grouch. I like this song."

"It's terrible."

"You think you could do better?"

"I know I can."

"Are you some sort of music expert?"

"No, but I've studied music enough to know this is recycled trash."

"Go away if you're going to be grumpy, Iceman," Anna dumped the noodles into the now boiling water and jumped back as it splashed angrily down the sides and hissed when it hit the element.

He huffed back to the couch and threw himself face down, putting a pillow over his head. How could one person be so annoying and cheerful? He was starting to find it weirdly attractive; aside from the fact that Anna was attractive in other ways too. All the ways, really.

Back off, Westergaard.

Thuds came from the kitchen. Bjorn lifted the pillow, but all he heard was Anna singing at the top of her lungs. She came dancing around the corner, and grabbed Sven who was jumping on her, holding his front legs. She might not be able to write but she could sing.

And she liked Sven.

Bjorn put the pillow back on his head, and punched the couch arm. It didn't matter how nice or attractive Anna was.

You'll ruin everything again.

Ella slipped her shoes off, and locked the apartment door, her movements muffled by the blaring music coming from the kitchen. She stepped around the jumble of socks, scarves, hats, and Anna's grimey sneakers. She really should throw them out. Bjorn's skates and boots were neatly arranged against the wall. If he'd been locked out, why hadn't Bjorn just called Hans? Ella shivered. Bjorn wasn't stupid and he was probably covering for her.

Would he tell Anna?

Ella shook her head, and pushed the thoughts and her guilt away. Bjorn minded his own business. It was why she liked him. She glanced around the corner. Anna was dancing with Sven, singing loudly and Bjorn was hiding on the couch, his head shoved under a pillow. Poor guy. Heaven help him if Anna actually fell in love with him.

Ella quietly slipped into her room and closed the door, locking it before anyone saw her.

They ate on the floor straight from the pot, Anna laughing at Sven, who kept trying to shove in between them. Anna licked her fork and eyed Bjorn as he scraped the last few noodles from the pot, shoving the bite into his mouth, fending off Sven with his elbow.

It was now or never.

"I need you to strip for me."

Bjorn choked on his food spraying cheesy noodles all over the carpet. He coughed hard.

"No, sorry, that came out wrong." Anna blushed, her neck and cheeks and ears on fire. "Are you still alive?"

Bjorn coughed again, gagging. "I think some of it went up my nose."

Anna cleared her throat, "What I mean is I want to see your tattoo."

"No."

"Yes," Anna crossed her arms. "You can't have a tattoo and not show your friends. It's a rule."

"Says who?"

"The friendship book. Rule #42. Friends show friends their tattoos."

"That's not a thing."

"Sure it is."

"I'm not taking off my shirt."

"But you have to." Anna grinned, "It's my day."

Bjorn stared at her for a moment and then shot a glance at the calendar, "Shit."

"Language," Anna stood, holding back her excitement. "Just get it over with and I promise never to ask you to take off your shirt again."

Bjorn made a growling sound in his throat and hauled himself up, pulling his shirt over his head. He tossed it aside, "Happy now?"

Anna swiped up his shirt, knowing she was enjoying this far too much. She kept her eyes focused on the tattoo as much as possible. Bjorn wasn't seriously ripped, but he wasn't a soft pudge-ball either. He had the perfect amount of muscle.

Focus, Anna.

The tattoo itself was a roaring lion, the center of the head and mouth covering the front of his right shoulder. The mane spread out onto his chest and back, extending down his arm stopping right above his elbow. It was done in a tribal style in black ink, simple, clean, and sexy. Anna usually didn't think much of tattoos, especially not big ones, but she liked his—a lot.

Bjorn cleared his throat, and said, "Give me my shirt."

"No, I want to really look." Anna held it behind her back, circling him. "Did you design this yourself?"

"Yes."

"That is so sexy."

Bjorn's eyebrows went up. She clapped a hand to her mouth.

He stared at her a moment. Then he tried to snatch his shirt from her, but Anna danced out of his reach.

"So why'd you do it?"

"What makes you think I had a reason?" He held out his hand. "Shirt, please."

"You always have a reason." Anna reached out and traced the edge of the lion's mane with one finger, "This cost you an arm and a leg, Bjorn. You had a reason and I want to know what it is."

Bjorn sighed heavily, "It's a reminder."

"Please tell me this wasn't a breakup tattoo."

"No," he paused. "Not really."

"What does that mean?"

"I've made a few mistakes I don't want to forget."

Anna glanced at her feet. It was weird thinking about Bjorn having a girlfriend, but he must have. Probably more than one.

"What was her name?"

"Who?"

"You did this for someone you loved," Anna met his eyes. "Who was she?"

Bjorn dropped his eyes, "Lulla."

"Was she your girlfriend?" Anna twisted his shirt in her hands, as his face darkened.

Please say no.

"No," Bjorn grabbed his shirt and pulled it on. He wrestled the saucepan from Sven and walked into the kitchen.

Anna opened her mouth, and then closed it again. Today wasn't the right day to ask about Lulla. Maybe someday but not today. She followed but didn't say anything more as he scrubbed the pot and forks. When he finished, she took it and dried it out.

"So, my story," she said, trying to sound cheerful. "What did you think?"

"It sucks."

"Really?"

"Really."

"Okay," Anna took a deep breath and gave him a small smile. "Thanks for being honest."

"Aren't you mad?"

Anna leaned back against the counter, "No."

"Why not?"

"Because I trust you."

He frowned, "You barely know me, Red."

"I trust Sven," Anna looked at the big black dog who'd settled himself over Bjorn's feet. "And Sven trusts you. That's good enough for me."

"That's stupid," he snapped.

"No it's not," Anna said softly, "and you know it."

"I'm not a nice person, Anna."

"Not always," She stepped closer and gave him a smile, "but I think you can be." She turned before he could see the blush creeping up her neck and left him standing in the kitchen.