Xxxxx
No one told me when I moved in, but I guess the Mayor kept close track of what farms and ranches shipped. It contributed to the economy, so it made sense. I wouldn't have thought that Jamie's Farm was in the lead.
"Seriously?"
Bob showed me Spring's totaled assets and I completely lost to Jamie. I lost to everyone, actually. Jamie was first, then Blue-Sky Ranch and Spring Farm.
Then me.
"I suck." I held the sheet close to my face reading the results. "Like, I really suck. Jeez."
Bob folded up the sheet and tucked it away.
"Nah, you're still getting your feet wet."
"I feel like I could still be doing better."
"This farm's doing good for a rookie starting with nothing."
I had the carpenters to thank for that. Woody's generosity gave me a head start. Joe and Kurt's work held up well and I'd have the barn and coop for years to come. They'd be weathered down eventually and need some maintenance work, but that wouldn't be for a long while.
Bob left to take the paperwork back to the mayor and I thanked him for keeping me updated. I guess Theadore's daughter, Maria, ran the library and handled the important paperwork for him. Super smart woman. And, she was humble.
Inspecting my land, I contemplated whether expanding my field would help or hinder me. I needed to keep enough room that my animals could graze outside and get fresh air. It was good for their health.
"Something wrong?"
Ann stood at the wooden fence Blue had helped me put up around my farm. She found me staring down intensely.
"I was trying to visualize a bigger field, but I don't think it's practical." I turned to inspect my land from a different spot. "If I use up too much space then the animals can't graze."
"Yeah, that's an issue. Blue will be super pissed if you keep them boxed up..." Ann took in the scene with equal scrutiny "Mm, doesn't look like there's room here for anything else."
"Damn it... I need to grow more crops."
Sitting herself on a wooden stump along the fence, Ann kicked her feet back and forth.
"You'll just have to buy more land, T-Bird."
"...I can do that?"
Ann looked over her shoulder at the Carpentry Shop.
"Right over there! Ask Joe's boss."
Yay, a solution! But, at what cost? Literally. Land was expensive. Woody laid out a map for me of what was for sale, and who owned what.
"This here is your current plot." He tapped the paper. "This plot by the river would be a nice little chunk of land if you're growing on it. Good soil."
If I bought it now, I could weed and till it. Grow a bunch of onions before the season's end, and then have the soil ready for the Fall. I'd drop most of my savings on it. But, it was a sound investment. Plus, I had plenty of stuff ready to ship soon anyways.
Ann helped me weed the plot of land that afternoon. Some old potter set up shop in the area, introducing himself to me on his way out. Tilling the soil on my own, I thanked Ann for the help.
Weeding was so annoying. She had offered to help me do it, I didn't ask.
"I've got your back." Ann fixed the laces to her boots. "You can ask for help, whenever."
"That's super sweet of you. But, I'd feel bad."
"For what? I've got free time! And, you're my friend."
People like Ann were eager to help and had hearts of gold. She didn't hesitate to get down on the ground with me and work when she saw all the weeds that I had to deal with it.
This farming thing wasn't a tea party. I had a lot to deal with. Speaking of a lot to deal with...
"Tina, hide." Ann joked.
"Hide?"
Dan left the Orchard's shed, step ladder under one arm and a crate in the other. He didn't see me. Listening to headphones, he made his way over to an orange tree ripe with fruit and started picking.
I looked a second too long because he turned and we accidently made eye contact. Dan grinned with all his teeth and gave a wave before getting back on task.
"Ronald must have him loaded with stuff to do, today." Ann surmised when Dan didn't drop what he was doing to come chat. "He'd walk over, otherwise."
"I would have pushed him in the river, I swear. Today is not the day." Flicking my damp bangs from my face, I grimaced from the heat. "Ugh, it's getting hot again."
"We've got another heatwave coming." Ann was equally unenthused. "It'll be bad all week."
Xxxxx
Smack dab in the middle of Summer, FlowerBud Village became too warm for my liking. This new heatwave was brutal. Ann warned me this was as bad as it would get before the Summer started ending and tapering off in to Fall.
This was BAD. It was midnight and the air was still heavy and humid. I hated it. Something about this heat just dug its way inside you and stayed there. Sweating did nothing to cool me off.
"Fuck the countryside." I complained aloud. "This ain't right."
With the pets in the house, I had to keep the air conditioner on all day while I worked outside. Or else they would have suffered heat strokes. Now that I was finally home after it ran all that time, it was having trouble keeping up.
I resorted to lying in bed with nothing but underwear. It offered some relief, but I couldn't get comfortable. The extra fan I bought for the house sat in the corner osculating between my bed and where Buddy and Truffles slept.
I vaguely wondered how Joe was holding up at the Carpentry Shop. He was known for being silly and cheerful, not much could get to him. Lately, he had his moments where he was just a tad irritable.
Not with me, though. He and Kurt bickered a bit. Kurt was such a hard ass about work, even in the heat. Joe couldn't humor it. When the day ended, he was done working and would go cool off whether or not Kurt felt that there was more that needed to be done.
The Summer heat wave passing through the village was disgusting. More often than not, Joe swam at the beach to cool off. I decided that he was on to something.
"I can't take this any longer…"
Putting on a pair of flip flops, I dug out a sundress to cover up with. The light breathable blue cotton garment reached my mid-thigh.
Confident that no one was out at such a late hour, I didn't worry much about being seen. Stepping outside, the humidity hit me like a brick wall. I could have screamed from pure agony.
There was a huge wall of smooth rocks down by the end of the beach closest to my house. I went over to it looking for privacy. I kicked my flip flops in to the dry sand and folded my dress up, leaving it there before wading in to the water in just panties.
The relief was instant. I dove under the water and came up for air seconds later, slicking my wet hair back.
A wolf whistle pierced the air. The color drained from my face.
Covering my bare breasts, I whipped my head towards the shore looking for whoever caught me out here indecent. There, where I had undressed in the sand, was Joe in just a pair of cargo shorts and sandals.
"Out for a late-night swim, are we?" He called out. "Thought I was the only one."
I should have been relieved it was only him. But, he laughed at my expense and I wasn't in a laughing mood right now. He knew just how badly he'd startled me.
"Nice top you're wearing." He teased, relishing in my embarrassment. "Do the bottoms match?"
"YOU JACKASS." I yelled back before quickly covered my mouth.
It's past midnight and I'm yelling. NICE.
Joe dropped his shorts next to my stuff. My face suddenly turned bright red. He wasn't wearing underwear.
"Are you serious!?" I reflexively turned my back to him. "Joe!"
There was a loud splash, then I realized he dove into the water. Joe swam towards me in broad strokes. His head emerged and he planted a kiss on my mouth.
"Joe! You're NAKED. "
"Babe..." he gestured at me.
"I have underwear on! I'm not naked."
He reached under the water and lifted me by the waist.
"You consider this underwear?" he plucked the thong between my cheeks. "String doesn't quite cut it...but, damn if I'm gonna complain."
I recognized that playful tone, pushing myself off his chest. I splashed water at him.
"Now isn't the time for this."
I just wanted to cool off in peace. Yet, here I was caught skinny dipping. By the one person who would never let me live it down.
"Babe..." Joe began creeping towards me.
I tried getting away. He scooped me up, carrying me to the rocks by the shore, hiding our indecency. Pressed against the cool surface, he kissed me.
Joe reached down between my thigh, running his fingers over the sliver of damp fabric clinging to my pelvis- Dirty thoughts running through his mind. I'm sure.
"Seriously…you look hot." He praised, beginning to kiss down my neck. "Didn't know you were a skinny dipper."
"I'm not...I got desperate in this heat."
The risqué nature of this made me squirm in a bad way. The beach wasn't secluded in the same way the forest was. People came here all the time.
I nervously curled my toes in the sand. Taking part in public nudity was bad enough, the indecency didn't need to escalate any further. Granted, no one was probably out… but, that's what I thought before finding myself in this situation to begin with.
"Let's just go back to my house." I suggested as fingers crept between my thighs.
I tried moving past him to get my dress. Joe pushed me back up against the rocks.
"Ah-ah." He slid my underwear down. "Where do you think you're going?"
Pinning me up with my legs around his waist, Joe bumped the slippery head of his dick against me.
"We can go back to my house-"
"For what? I like it right here, don't you?"
Joe rubbed himself in to me. My body reacted to him. I found myself holding him closer, not pushing him away.
"We can't keep doing this outside…" I protested, moaning softly as he slowly slipped inside.
"You make it so much fun, though."
Grinning against my lips, Joe rolled his hips between my legs. My fingers twined in his long shaggy hair, lightly tugging the brunette strands.
My ass bumped the smooth rock wall with his shallow thrusts. I clung closer to Joe, whining under my breath. Sliding his hands down, his fingers squeezed the pillowy flesh there as he rhythmically bounced me up and down.
"Joe…You're a bad influence."
He got off on the thrill of this. This sweet man had an adventurous streak. The farther I went with him, the more I saw it. And, the more he wanted.
Trying my best to stay quiet, heavy pants and light whimpers rode damp the ocean breeze. I watched the tide wash in over Joe's shoulder, keeping an eye out for possible beach visitors with thankfully none to be seen. I relaxed in his hold, focusing more on him.
I tightened my thighs around him, waves of pleasurable feelings making their way through my center. Climax was within reach. Joe fucked me diligently, honing in on my tell-tale change in pitch…
"Joe…" I gasped, breathlessly. "Ohh…I'm-"
The rest was lost to sound of a large waving crashing on to the shoreline. In my afterglow, the crashing waves behind us gave the night air a mellow rhythm. I listened to it in time with Joe's thrusts.
Xxxxx
"Ever screw your ex outside?"
"Psh." Joe make a flippant sound. "Please, Tina."
Covering back up with my dress, I didn't care that I was still wet. I slipped my flip flops back on.
"Just asking. Because you're awfully in to it."
Joe zipped up his shorts.
"With you." He defended. "You and Katie are two very different people, in a lot of ways. If you catch what I'm saying."
Not interested in delving in to his sexual history with her, I set my sights on home.
"That was great and all… but, I have work in the morning. I'll see you later."
I gave him a kiss goodnight. Joe smirked suspiciously
"What?"
"Forgetting something?"
I hadn't brought anything else to the beach. What was he up to? When I gave him a skeptical glance, Joe swung my thong around his index finger.
"Maybe I should drop this off at the community lost and found box. Seeing as someone left them here."
I tried grabbing for it. Joe held it out of reach.
"Give me back my panties!"
Joe dodged the swipe I made for them. I tackled him to the sand. My dress rode up during the struggle. Being shirtless, Joe got my bare ass and crotch on his abs.
"Round two? If you insist."
"N-No! Just give me my-"
My hand slipped when I reached up. I tumbled forward, giving Joe a face full of cleavage. I took the opportunity and snatched my underwear back.
"What now?" I held them victoriously.
Joe stood up, sending me down to the sand. I fell backwards, legs splayed open. He brushed sand off himself, nonchalantly.
"Wow, Babe. You should really put on some panties." He glanced between my legs. "So lewd and indecent. In public, too. Tsk."
My face turned red. I closed my legs so hard they made a loud wet clap.
"Shut up!"
Joe burst in to laughter. I tossed a flip flop at him.
"Seriously! It's like the ass crack of dawn."
Bending down, Joe took my ankle and put my flip flop back on. He helped me up by the wrists.
"I like giving you a hard time, Babe. You know that."
"You're lucky that you're cute."
I checked to make sure our ruckus hasn't drawn anyone out of their homes. The coast was clear from what I could see.
xxxxxx
"So, sex on the beach huh?"
"W-What?"
Ann took a sip of her cocktail.
"I asked if that's what this drink is really called in the city." She explained. "Gwen said it is, but I think she's just messing with me."
The peachy-orange drink with vodka and cherries was a Summer favorite at the bar I frequented back home.
"That's what we called it, yeah."
"It's just a Sunset Peach where we live." Ann swirled the straw around. "This place can be boring. Gotta make your own fun most of the time."
"I've learned that as the days go on...
We sat at an Inn table by ourselves. Joe and Blue were due to be here soon. They'd be leaving work any minute now. We got here early and started off with some drinks.
"Happy birthday, by the way." I wished her.
"Thanks, Tina." Ann smiled giddily, a little bounce to her. "I'm so glad you're here. It's nice having a girl to hang out with."
"But, you hang out with Gwen too."
"Yeah, but Gwen has to stay here all-day cooking and waiting tables. I can hang out with you whenever."
I didn't mind the company while I worked. Ann would stop by, or I'd go see her during my errands. Our new thing was mining together, and having double dates at the Inn. Tonight, we just happened to be celebrating her birthday, too.
We finished our first drinks, starting our second when the guys walked through the door. They took their seats, flagging down Doug for a round when he had a chance. The man brought two cold beers on tap.
Joe and Blue gave their birthday wishes before we ordered something to eat. Blue brought her a gift earlier that day. Ann now had a stuffed cow plush on her bed.
"Oh! Before I forget. Here, I got you this." I handed Ann a small box half way through the get together. "Sorry, if its cheesy."
She opened it, finding a friendship bracelet. It was a thin silver bangle with a moonstone charm. I showed her the matching one on my wrist.
"I took some of the stuff I dug up to the old Blacksmith, over by the Lake." I explained. "He did a pretty good job."
Ann hurried around the table to hug me. She practically sat herself in my lap. Blue chuckled at her excitement, always pleased to see Ann happy.
"I thought little miss tomboy didn't care about bracelets, and all that girly stuff." He spoke up.
"It's a friendship blanket!" Ann insisted. "This is different!"
"I reckon it is."
Ann held her wrist out so Blue could see it. Then she showed it to Joe.
"Your girlfriend is the best."
"She is."
"We're gonna be friends forever!" Ann boasted.
The fun came to a brief halt when heels clicked the floor, a set of gingery ribboned pigtails passing our table. Nose turned up, Katie gave me and Ann a look.
"Gross." She sniffed. "What's wrong with you two?"
"Pardon?"
Her dolly eyes skimmed past me to Joe.
"Careful with that one, Joe. I heard she came from the city." She warned.
"So?" He rolled his eyes. "What's wrong with city girls?"
"Sometimes they like girls, too. If I were Ann, I would stay far away from her."
Ann blushed but didn't give Katie the satisfaction of being offended. Neither did I. There really wasn't anything to be offended about. Wasn't our fault Katie's ignorant and rude.
"You wouldn't be my type, anyways." I dismissed her. "You're safe."
Covering her mouth with both hands, Ann pfft'ed.
"I've never liked prissy people like you. And, I never will." I added.
Joe and Ann now sat with their mouths slightly agape. Blue paused mid sip of his drink.
Gwen did everything she could to keep a professional face. It didn't matter. Katie never turned to face her, at all.
She had blue eyes locked on me.
"Your table..." The blonde pointed to the other end of the room with the menu in hand. "I can sit you right over there if you follow me."
Katie didn't acknowledge that Gwen spoke.
"I don't care if some city garbage doesn't like me." She challenged.
"Garbage? Wow, okay." I actually laughed. "Sweetie, you don't even know me."
"I don't need to! I-I can just tell!"
Could've been the alcohol, but this just seemed so funny to me. She really sounded like a child. And, she thinks she's hot shit? And, intimidating?
Oh, no no no.
"You're lucky I'm even talking to you. I could care less that you even exist." I told her, plain and simple. "Think whatever you want about me, little girl."
While I was calm and collected and not emotionally invested in this petty crap, Katie was losing her cool. Quickly. She didn't take well to my comment.
"Excuse you, I'm an adult!" She reminded me, as if it were supposed to make me feel inferior. "You-"
"I can already tell you're a brat." I cut her off. "One of us is getting a kiss goodbye, and the other isn't so get over it already."
I had a smidge too much to drink this deep in to the night. I just said whatever I wanted. Normally I would have just bit my tongue in this type of situation, let the person lose steam and leave.
Since I didn't, Katie was rearing to go. She turned pink and got defensive.
"At least I'm not some kiss-and-tell hussy." She fumed. "Ladies don't kiss and tell."
Gwen winced, weary of a scene about to break loose. I gave the blonde woman a reassuring look. This would end now.
"I'll kiss everyone at this table before I ever give a shit what you think of me. I don't care." My parting words were uncaring. "You're ruining my buzz. Go sit down."
Katie left the Inn entirely. The door slammed.
Xxxxxxx
Another night spent at the Lake, we left our clothes in the grass. My three companions were still amazed at my unapologetic indifference to Joe's unfortunate associate.
"You tore that girl a new one." Blue drawled, finding it more deserving than anything. "About time someone did."
"Tina, you're my hero." Ann giggled. "That was seriously awesome."
Joe held me close, arm wrapped around my waist. He kissed my cheek.
"You're my hero, too."
I didn't think it was a big deal. I had too many cocktails to care right now. I embarrassed Katie, maybe a bit harshly. But, she deserved it.
"Not all heroes wear capes." I joked. "Just to clarify: I don't care what she said. But, it did strike me as weird how petty she is."
"What do you mean?" Joe asked.
"I feel like she's not actually mean-spirited…she probably just lashed out to intimidate me." I thought about it. "Which obviously didn't work. It bit her in the ass."
If my hunch was right, Katie was probably a nice person. But, insecure and self-absorbed. She probably did care about Joe to some degree- enough that she wanted him back. They just weren't compatible where it counted.
Which, she was taking out on me. All bark and no bite.
"You're so nice, I didn't think you had that in you." Ann pointed out.
"I don't take that kind of shit from people. I've met her type enough times in the city." Memories of other jealous ex-girlfriends I'd encountered came to mind. "I meant what I said earlier: I don't like people like her."
"It was so funny when you said she's not your type."
"She's not."
Everyone sort of gave me the same curious look.
"...wait, like for real?" Joe asked.
"..."
I'd like to think it was somewhat progressive out here given the times. Could never be too safe, though.
"We don't find that sort of thing a lot out in these parts." Joe made sure to add. "No big deal, Babe."
From what I was gathering, it was only the older people who were stuck. Katie was just being a brat to try and get the upper hand on me and make me back down.
"I'm sure you've met people and don't know. They just weren't comfortable being honest about it." I explained. "I didn't plan on it when I got here."
"So, do you have a specific type? Or, does Katie just not do it for you?"
"I like friendly laid-back people, in general. Man or woman."
I appreciated people's personalities over all else. Not that I didn't appreciate a good-looking person, but it was trivial in the big picture. Joe being easy on the eyes was a bonus, albeit a major and hugely appreciated bonus. But, I ultimately liked him for he who was.
Someone came walking up the path, likely taking a night stroll around the lake. We heard heels click the stone path. Ann and I looked at each other and snickered like bad little kids.
"How fun would it be to mess with her?" She said.
"Insanely fun."
I didn't think she was going to actually do it.
"NO, TINA. I WILL NOT MAKE OUT WITH YOU." She yelled out.
"THAT'S OKAY, ANN." I yelled right back. "MAYBE NEXT TIME."
Joe and Blue lost it. Soon we were all roaring with laughter, likely aided by the time spent drinking.
"Unbelievable." Katie turned back around and left the way she came with an annoyed huff.
Pissed all over again while we laughed at her expense, she went looking for somewhere else to walk and didn't say another word.
"She probably came out here to cool off." Ann wheezed. "After the verbal ass whooping you gave her."
"So much for that."
Xxxxxx
We got a kick out of our stunt for days. At Ann's house, her dad couldn't figure out what was so damn funny. Which made it funnier. At least for us, anyways. We ducked out of the shop, bags and hammers in hand.
"Going to the mines, Dad." Ann pulled it together long enough to tell him. "See you later."
Ann's house was a short walk away from the mines. We went and collected some material for her to work with and some jewels for me to ship. We came out hours later, covered in dust and dirt.
"Look at us, huh?"
"Don't be tempted, Tina." Ann faked a seductive pose. "I'm irresistible."
"Dirty ass is my weakness. How'd you know?"
Jamie paused brushing his cow. We didn't see him there. The guy made a concerned face and blinked once.
Ann and I met eyes.
"HAHAHA!" We lost it at the same time.
Blue Sky Ranch wasn't far away. Blue, Ellen, and Hank could see us yucking it up in the distance.
"What in tarnation do you reckon is so funny over there, Blue?" Hank put hands on his belt with scrutiny. "What are them gals up to?"
The blonde knew if Ann and I were involved, it was likely something ridiculous. He looked down, using the brim of his hat to hide the growing grin on his face.
"The hell if I know."
"Hm." Hank chewed on some straw. "Strangest thing, those two."
I went back to the shop with Ann, dropping our haul in back. We separated the ore and jewels, dividing it all up.
"We did great, today." Ann piled the ore in to her big material bin. "This is a decent pile."
"I have to go ship mine."
"You can always do it later."
"Well, I have to head home and clean off anyway. I'm all dirty."
Ann didn't want me to go since we were having fun.
"Our showers work, Tina! You can wear some of my stuff."
Both Ann and her dad had their own bathrooms. Ann went to her use dad's and left me to use hers. We ate some Mac n Cheese for Dinner in pajamas, watching the flat screen television mounted on the wall in her room.
"This was my birthday present from Dad, this year."
"Perks of him owning the shop, huh?"
"You know it."
When I could afford it, I'd need to get myself one of these TVs. For now, I could hang with Ann and watch hers.
Hours went by and night rolled in. I looked out the window to a dark sky and wondered where the day had gone. I got up to go home and Ann checked the time.
"It's late! You're gonna walk home in the dark?"
"It's not that far."
"Just stay here. You can go home in the morning."
I didn't have anything I had to do at home. I could sleep here and then head home in the morning to feed the pets and let them out to use the bathroom. They had their Dinner and potty time before I left to go mining.
"Aren't you tired?" I got in to bed with Ann, rubbing my eye.
"A little." She flicked through the channels. "I don't normally go to sleep for another couple of hours."
With everything I do in a day, going to bed early wasn't hard for me at all.
"You can go to sleep." Ann reassured me. "You don't have to stay up with me, if you're tired."
I tried staying awake, but wound up falling asleep. I shut my eyes for a second too long and woke up to Ann putting the remote away. The T.V was off and the room was dark.
"I fell asleep. Sorry." I apologized. "Didn't mean to do that."
Ann settled in on her side behind me. She fluffed her pillow.
"Don't be sorry. You're tired." She told me. "I'd be exhausted if I did what you do every day."
"It's a lot." I agreed.
"You're pretty tough, you know."
I didn't get days off working on a farm. Some days were busier than others, so my free time fluctuated. Ann couldn't fathom the responsibility of running an entire farm on her own.
"I try my best. I just hope it all pays off."
xxxxxx
With Summer cooling off, the Fireworks Festival was nice and comfortable. I watched the night sky light up with Joe. The season was almost over and I looked forward to seeing how I fared compared to Spring.
Everyone left once the fireworks show was over. Joe and I sat in the sand, enjoying the nice night with a leisurely ambiance.
"Ready for Fall?" He asked.
"Yeah. I think it'll be my best season. I'm getting the hang of everything." I picked up a shell from the sand, inspecting it without any reason to. "I'm almost sad I won't have any crops to grow once the snow gets here."
"You and Ann have been getting along. Go with her to the Lake mines. Or, do some Winter fishing."
"I will. All I'll have are animals to take care of. I'll have to keep busy or I won't make much profit."
Joe would do lumber collection in Winter, mostly. Lots of people bought it for their fireplaces. In Fall, he'd be busy with all the repairs people ordered in preparation for the colder season. Couldn't have drafty homes, or weak roofs with the snow.
"We'll both be working pretty hard soon." Joe stretched. "I don't like the weather getting colder, but I can always cuddle up with you."
"Problem solved, huh?"
"You bet."
I put the seashell back in the sand, raking my fingers through the granules now. Joe got quiet. I didn't think it was significant until he put his hand by mine.
"I've been thinking about my mom, lately."
"...yeah?"
"I miss her more than normal these days. I'm not super sentimental so I wasn't sure what the deal was...but then I realized I'm sad she's not around to meet you."
My past relationships weren't like this. I had guys in my life that didn't really care about me in the "take her home to Mom" kind of way. Had more casual arrangements. But, I would have gladly met Joe's mom if I could.
"I would have loved to meet your mother, Joe."
"She'd like you. You make me happy."
I put my hand over his, looking out over the ocean.
"I'm happy, too."
"...enough to stay here, forever?"
"That's the plan. I mean, I'm building a life here. I put all my money on this"
I looked over at Joe with a lighthearted giggle.
"And, I have you. So, I want to stay-" My words cut off as he kissed me.
It was gentle, but intense. I shut my eyes.
"I want you to stay no matter what." Joe confessed when we parted.
"...is this about what Katie pulled? I told you, I don't care-"
"It's not about her, at all."
Brown eyes stared in to mine with the utmost sincerity.
"...if for some reason this farming thing winds up not being what you want to do with your life, I'll take care of you."
"...take care of me?"
"Yeah. You're mine, Babe."
Joe ran his fingers through my loose hair. He tucked a piece behind my ear. I felt warm and gooey in his presence.
"Don't leave, okay?"
xxxxxx