May-

Troy didn't plan for his first full weekend off work at his new job getting taken over by his little sisters. Taryn and Tegan begged him to take them to the park. He planned to play ball with Taryn. Tegan was going to read under a tree and enjoy nature.

He picked them up from his childhood home and headed to the park down the street. This was the park where he grew up. He had most of his birthday parties here and lost his two front teeth running into a pole, playing with his best friend Chad. He was feeling nostalgic and his mom gave him money to take the girls out to lunch after.

Taryn destroyed him in basketball as per usual. She still had a lot of game left so she joined a game with some people from her school. Tegan was sitting still, reading. She was the only Bolton that could sit still. Tess was pretty high strung and nervous. Taylor was chatty and hyper. Taryn was like Troy, active and athletic and Tegan sat still.

Troy walked over to the restrooms and splashed water on his face to get the sweat off. He walked out, wiping his face on his shirt.

"Did you know that the magic orb is actually a plasma ball? It reacts to the natural electrical currents in your body!"

Troy jumped at the voice suddenly in front of him. He looked down and saw little Gabriella- Willow. "No way." He said mildly in disbelief that a four year old explained to him what a plasma ball was.

"Me and my mommy researched it. She's here. She's sitting on a bench."

"Is she now?" Willow pointed over to her mom. Gabriella was looking around the playground. "I think she's looking for you, Darlin'."

"What's a Darlin'?" Willow asked, sliding her hand in his, walking toward her mom.

"A term of endearment. You and mommy should look it up so you can tell me, okay?"

"Okay!" Gabriella turned their way when she heard Willow. "Mommy! I saw Troy and I told him about the plasma ball!"

"Your little einsteinette scared me when I came out of the bathroom."

Gabriella sighed, looking at her daughter. Troy looked at the adorable girl and she just shrugged innocently. "I'm gonna go play now."

"I'm sorry."

Troy laughed. "For what? She's incredible. I wish I was that smart at four years old."

"What are you doing here, anyway?" Gabriella asked with a small smile.

"I grew up down the street. My sister just beat me at basketball again. My other sister is connecting with nature."

"The witch?"

"No, Tegan." Troy pointed her out, sitting under the tree.

"She reminds me of me when I was that age. My nose always in a book and when it wasn't, I hated the world."

"Sounds like her." Troy looked at Gabriella. She seemed different. He had only met and talked with her twice. "You okay?"

Gabriella sighed. "Yeah. Ben and I broke up. He cheated."

"Seriously?"

She nodded. "Weirdly, I don't think that's the upsetting part. I told Willow that he wasn't going to be around anymore. She didn't care." Troy was pretty sure where she was going with this. "Not that I wanted her to be super upset. We've been dating on and off for two years and he's been around a while. She just said okay and moved on with her day. I guess I'm realizing that she didn't really have a connection with him... Which is good in hindsight cause we're broken up but I guess, like usual, I lived in my own little fantasy world."

"Well, that is his loss for messing up with you and not connecting with her."

"You probably have a better connection with her than Ben did... and her own dad does."

"Troy! Can we go get food now?" Taryn asked, walking over with her basketball.

"Yeah, go get Tegan." Troy said as Taryn eyed him curiously. Taryn turned away.

"I'm sorry for saying that. That felt completely out of line." She said, quickly.

"Don't be sorry. She is the best four year old I know. You've raised her so well. Do you and Willow want to come over to watch a movie tonight?"

"A movie?"

"G rated." Gabriella laughed. "I have a ton or we could stream one. Whatever Willow would like."

"That sounds really fun. I'll bring popcorn." She said with a smile. She handed him her phone. "Put your number in, I will text you."

"Sounds perfect." He punched his number into her phone as the girls came walking back.

"We're ready." Tegan said.

"Awesome. Girls, this is my friend, Gabriella. Gabriella, these are my twin little sisters, Taryn and Tegan." He handed Gabriella back her phone.

"Hello." Gabriella said with a small smile.

"Hi." The girls said back in mono-tone.

Troy laughed. "I'll see you later."

"I'll text you, Troy. Bye!"

After a quick lunch with his sisters, he dropped them off at home. He went back to his apartment and cleaned the whole place. He took a long shower and dressed comfortably. She finally texted him, a good hour later. 'Willow was sad she didn't get to say goodbye to you.'

He smiled to himself and replied. 'Did you tell her about movie night?'

'I did and she insisted that we watched The Cat in the Hat. The creepy live action one.'

'Ha-ha, anything she wants to watch.'

'She also wanted to know what "Darlin" was?'

'What was the Google definition?' He wondered.

'Beloved.' She replied. 'She smiled so big afterwards. She really likes you.'

'Like I said earlier, she's pretty incredible. And she is 100 percent you. A carbon copy so that means you're pretty incredible too.' He smiled to himself. 'Not by default either.'

She stopped replying and Troy was mildly worried he freaked her out but hoped for the best. He washed and dried a blanket and saw a message on his phone. 'I'm pretty sure she took the incredible out of me.'

'I don't think that's possible. I don't know what time little Darlin' goes to bed and I don't want to mess up any night time routines so feel free to come over anytime. I'll send you my address now.' He sent her the address to his apartment and debated on breaking into his savings to get some snacks.

'She's usually in bed by 8 at the latest so I think we'll head over at 5:30, right after dinner?'

'Sounds perfect, can't wait to see you guys then.'

He grabbed his keys and some cash out of his secret stash and rushed down stairs. He walked across the street to the grocery store. He grabbed a cheap pizza for his dinner and was deciding on something sweet for dessert. He probably shouldn't give a bunch of sugar to a four year old right before bedtime. He grabbed some strawberries, bananas, grapes, and little cutie oranges.

He went through self check out and carried the small bag across the street to his apartment. He climbed up the stairs. He washed the strawberries and grapes thoroughly and set them aside to dry. He snacked on an orange as he heated up the oven.

He unwrapped his pizza and put it in the over when the timer dinged. His phone buzzed from his pocket. 'So…' the message from Gabriella said.

'So what?' He replied.

'What kind of popcorn do you like?'

'I'll eat anything. Whatever you ladies like is fine by me.'

'I like salty, she likes sweet. You can be the tie breaker.'

'I bought fruit for all of us to share. If she is okay with that being our sweet thing then we can do salty.'

'Hmmm…'

'I was going to buy candy but I don't think you would appreciate me giving her candy before bedtime.'

'Ha-ha, you're right. I would probably want to leave Willow with you so you can take care of the monster you fueled with sugar.'

He chuckled to himself. 'What are you eating for dinner?'

'Arroz con pollo'

That sounded delicious, his stomach grumbled, ready for food. 'I just drooled, that sounds so good. I like to vicariously eat through people. As I eat my frozen pizza, I will be pretending it's that.'

'No chicken nuggets?'

'I thought I'd give my intestines a break from working overtime trying to digest whatever is inside of them lol.'

'I'm sure your body appreciates it.'

The oven beeped and Troy went to check on his pizza. His stomach growled again as he took it out. He let it sit for a minute before he cut it into slices. He turned the oven off then walked through his apartment to make sure everything was cleaned and ready.

He sat for a moment and enjoyed his pizza. There was a knock on the door as he was cleaning up his dinner mess. He dried his hands and brushed any crumbs off his face.

Troy opened the door to see Gabriella and Willow standing in his doorway. "We're a little early. She was excited." Gabriella explained.

He smiled. "Come on in."

"Troy! I ate all my dinner! Mommy said we were going to watch Cat in the Hat! That's my favorite movie! Dr. Seuss is my favorite author. Mommy reads me his books like all the time!"

"Sorry, she talks a lot but I have a peace offering." Gabriella pulled a container full of rice and chicken out of her bag.

"You're amazing. You didn't have to- I invited you guys over and I really don't mind."

Gabriella giggled, stroking her daughter's hair as he took her peace offering. "You just looked like a kid on Christmas morning."

"That's exactly what it feels like to have homemade food when you're saving up to buy a house. Especially when you can't cook for sh- cra- anything."

"She's heard worse." Gabriella excused.

"I'm going to put this away, can I offer you anything to drink? Water or water?"

"Water would be perfect."

"Would you like some water little darlin?"

Willow smiled. "It means beloved! Dearly loved!"

"Yes, she would love some." Gabriella said.

"Perfect. I'll get the TV on and started before I get you water." Troy led them to the living area. He turned the TV on and searched for the movie and found it on one of the streaming services. He started the movie then turned and walked back into the kitchen. He poured Gabriella a glass of water then he got a smaller cup for Willow, pouring some water for her.

Troy brought the cups over to the girls, setting them on the table. "Thank you!" Willow said, kicking off her shoes and getting comfortable on the couch.

"The blanket back here is freshly washed if either of you are cold."

Willow patted the seat next to her. "Come sit by me."

He obliged, taking the seat at the end of the couch. Willow was in the middle, her attention back to the TV. Gabriella looked to be lost in thought. He watched the TV when he really wanted to be watching her. She was fresh out of a relationship and he didn't want to make things worse. He had a tendency to do that.

He could hope that she got over the other guy fast, to give him a chance. He looked back at her and she was looking at the TV now. He saw her steal a glance from the corner of his eye. He smiled to himself, looking back at her.

"What?" She asked.

"Nothing, I'm happy you came."

"Me too, it was just what I needed."

They turned back to the movie. It was about halfway through when Willow was sinking down into the couch. She popped up. "Mommy! I thought we were going to have popcorn."

"Ah yes, how dare I forget?" Gabriella reached in her bag, pulling out the microwave popcorn.

"I'll make it." Troy offered, reaching out.

She handed it over and he went into the kitchen. He unwrapped the bag and put it in the microwave for two minutes. He pulled out the fruit and chopped some strawberries and banana. He put some grapes in the bowl as well as peeled a couple cuties, separating them. Troy grabbed his big bowl and dumped the popcorn in. He sprinkled just a little salt in before he mixed it around.

Troy came back to Willow in Gabriella's lap and the blanket over both of them. He took a seat in the middle. "We have popcorn and fruits."

"Ooh." Willow's eyes got big. He put the fruit bowl in her lap. "Troy, strawberries are mommy's favorite. I'm going to save them for you, mommy."

"I have plenty of strawberries so we can all share."

"Yes, eat whatever you want baby. Mommy is going to have some popcorn first." Gabriella said, grabbing a handful.

Troy grinned. Picking up a couple of pieces of popcorn before he started the movie again. Troy was trying to watch the movie but their hands kept going in the bowl at the same time. He felt like a teenager on his first date.

He looked over at Willow. Her face was red with strawberry juice and her eyes were getting heavy. She was nestled tightly in her moms embrace. Gabriella pried the bowl out of Willows hands as she fell asleep. Troy put the fruit bowl down on the table with the empty popcorn bowl. The credits were rolling on the TV.

"What are you doing tomorrow?" Gabriella asked quietly.

"I have a tux fitting at 11 but after that I'm free."

"Tux?"

"My best friend is getting married, I'm in the wedding." Troy explained. "I have to look especially nice since I'm going stag."

"When is the wedding?"

"Beginning of November… the 11th."

"Eleven eleven, how romantic."

"It's their thing." Troy said with a small smile. "They met when we were eleven, their first date was a walk to seven eleven, and they make a wish on eleven eleven pm every night. It's cute now but when I lived with him, it was pretty annoying. But that's because I'm jealous that I never had anything like that."

"I wish I had something like that." She sighed. "I'm just the clown that gets taken along for the ride."

"I'm sorry."

"I know I shouldn't have gotten worked up over a kiss but the girl is one of those girls who just tries to ruin your life because she's bored."

"Sounds like every ex girlfriend I've ever had."

"I just want someone who actually likes me for one and two is not a complete asshole." Gabriella ranted. "John was great until I got pregnant. I took all the necessary precautions yet it's still my fault that I got pregnant and ruined his life. He does nothing and thought that it only affected him. I had my medical degree pushed back two years because I was the sole caregiver to a premature baby... He's not a bad guy; he just can be a selfish prick."

"You're so strong and Willow is so smart and strong because of you."

She gave him a small smile. "I didn't mean to rant like that."

"Hey, you listened to my sad life story two minutes after I interrupted your night with a heavy opening line of 'so'"

She giggled. "It was memorable."

"I don't see how the band guy could cheat on you."

She sighed. "I have her and he has a band. He says it's like a full time job."

"So, if I had a girlfriend who had a kid and went to school and worked and whatever else you do and still had time to date me, I would make sure my 'full time job' didn't interfere with the relationship."

"I want to blame the groupies so bad but the feminist in me says men suck." Troy chuckled. "If you still need a plus one for November, I'll go to the wedding with you so you don't have to go alone."

"You don't have to do all that. You have Willow and you'd have to make plans for her and buy a dress and spend time and money and be stuck with me all night."

"Willow can go see her dad for the weekend or my mom can watch her and I would love to spend money on myself for once. Besides, you're not bad, I wouldn't mind hanging out with you."

"Well, we're still a couple months away so I won't hold you to it."

She sighed looking at her daughter. "I guess I should get her home."

"Oh, yeah, right. Let me help you. I'll carry her downstairs so you don't have to wake her up." Troy fixed the blanket around her carefully. He lifted her up and she snuggled into him, laying her head on his shoulder. He wrapped the blanket around her to keep her warm.

Gabriella grabbed her bag and Willow's shoes. Troy followed her out the door and down the stairs. Gabriella opened the car door. Troy set her down in the car seat and adjusting her arms to strap her in, safely. He covered her with the blanket before pulling his body back.

Gabriella leaned in to strap her in and smiled to herself adjusting the blanket. She closed the door carefully. "You know her dad can't even do that properly."

Troy shrugged. "Some people lack common sense."

"Tell me about it." She leaned against the door, looking at him. "Thanks for being so cool."

"Thanks for coming. I had fun. Willow is always a trip."

"That she is. Maybe we can hang out tomorrow? John wants to take her to his mom's up in Santa Fe tomorrow so unfortunately it'll just be the two of us."

Troy grinned. "Sounds good, maybe we can get a drink and bitch to each other but slightly intoxicated."

She smiled. "That sounds like just what I need."

"Thank you again for the rice and chicken. I can't wait to eat it. I'll probably eat it all when I go back upstairs."

She laughed. "You're welcome."

He leaned in to kiss her cheek but she turned her head so his lips landed on hers. He pulled away quickly to make sure he didn't step over a line. He was going to apologize but all he said was, "Wow."

"I'm sorry." She apologized quickly.

"No! It's not that I pulled away because I didn't want to, I was just surprised. I didn't want to cross lines." He tried to explain. His lips were buzzing. "I enjoyed that. Very good kiss….. Please don't stand me up tomorrow."

She bit her lip and let out a small giggle. "I won't."

"Drive safely."

She nodded with a small smile as she walked around the car to get in. "Oh and I'll bring you your blanket back tomorrow."

"You don't have to- you can keep it. Keep anything you want, my blanket, my heart. Oh god." Thankfully she shut herself in the car and didn't have to listen to him blather like an idiot. He stepped back as her car turned on. "Oh god."

Troy walked to the sidewalk to get out of her way and waved her off. He took a deep breath of the May night air. He needed to get a grip. He ran back up the stairs and back into the apartment. He couldn't believe they had kissed. Well he kissed her but she kissed him. It was all so confusing and wonderful.

Troy tried to be cool at his tux fitting but Chad knew something was up the moment he walked in the door. Chad knew better than to bring it up in front of his brothers who used to tease them mercilessly as kids. Out of the four grooms' men, Troy was the only non blood related one. His best man was his oldest brother, Albert. Next was his brother Brandon then his cousin Calvin and then Troy.

"You okay?" Chad asked as his brother's were getting fitted. Calvin was talking to someone on the phone outside. They were looking at fabric swatches for no particular reason. Chad's fiancée Taylor had every detail planned out since before he proposed.

"I'm okay. I went to a college party with Tessa and I met this girl."

"Oh god. Tell me you're not being jail baited."

"No! She's twenty-four, she's in grad school. She has a kid. She asked me to hang out tonight but she just broke up with her boyfriend and-"

"Dude. She had a kid?" Chad interrupted.

"Yes and her kid is like really smart. She getting a medical degree and like I said just broke up with her boyfriend. I don't want to be the rebound but she kissed me last night. It was possible it was completely accidental."

"Radio Shack really messed with your head. You worked there for ten years and now you want to date someone with a kid."

"Dude! Who cares about the kid? I'm more worried about the boyfriend. Or ex boyfriend. They were together for two years and she still seems attached to him but she kissed me and now I'm confused."

Chad sighed loudly. "Sounds like you need to take a step back and figure your own feelings out."

"She said that if I didn't have a date, I could take her to your wedding."

"You do need a plus one or else Tay is going to have a cow because it will be uneven."

Troy looked at him confused. "What will be uneven?"

"Dude... I don't know! Everything! I try so hard to pay attention but sometimes I just need her to shut up and relax."

He sighed again. "So you want me to step back but still take her to your wedding."

"I didn't say her specifically… someone. And someone cool… and fun… and not weird or inappropriate because my future father in law says he will have our marriage annulled if I fuck up the wedding."

"He's crazy."

"He's also a senator."

"That just makes him more crazy." Troy said.

"Alright, Bolton! Your turn." Brandon said, patting my shoulder.

"Thanks man. I'll talk to you later, Chad." Troy went into the back and talked to the sales person. He got his sizes and tried them on. After twenty minutes of poking, he finally got his dimensions for his custom suit. Thankfully Tay's father was paying for everything or else he wouldn't have been able to afford to be in the wedding.

Troy waited for Chad to be done with his suit. They went to lunch at the place next door. Chad was giving Troy wedding updates as they ordered. Troy's phone buzzed and he glanced at the name and smiled to himself.

"Oh dude, not the smiling at the phone. You've known the girl with the kid for like a month."

"She's funny, okay? Willow just asked her about photosynthesis."

"Who's Willow?"

"Gabriella's daughter." Troy explained. "Keep up."

"You're so lucky I'm tired of talking about wedding shit. Do you have a picture of them?"

"No…" Troy trailed off. "Would it be weird if I asked for a picture of them to show you?"

"Yes! Dude don't do that."

"Whoops." Troy said, sending her a text that said 'lol 4 years old and already knows more about biology than I do. Can you send me a picture of you and Willow so I can show my friend Chad?'

"You're an idiot."

"I don't care. If she's weirded out then she doesn't have to talk to me."

"You're going to go all stalker on her when she inevitably breaks your heart."

"I won't go stalker on her. And how do you know what she's going to break my heart?"

"Because you're a mess. I love you man, you're my best friend but if you're worried about a cheating ex boyfriend coming back then it seems like your mind is sending you a warning."

"I can be friends with her."

"You were losing it over a possibly accidental kiss."

"Well it's my heart to fuck up, okay?" Troy sighed. His phone chimed. He opened the message and laughed. "She said only if you take a picture with your friend to send to me." His phone chimed again and there was a picture of Gabriella and Willow smiling widely together. He handed the phone to Chad.

Chad smiled. "They look like twins. But I get it now; she's pretty and exactly your type."

"What is my type?"

"Brunette, brown eyes, humorous, pretty, smart, not pale."

"Not pale?" Troy questioned.

"If I say ethnic, it's racist."

Troy rolled his eyes. "Come here, pretend you like me and take a good picture so I can send it to her." Troy stuck his phone out and smiled. Chad cooperated in the background. He sent to off to Gabriella and replied. 'You both look very beautiful. Excuse Chad's crazy hair, he hasn't learned how to tame the beast.'

"We've been friends for twenty years and that is the first time we've ever taken a selfie."

"Get over it."

"For a girl who may or may not even like you."

"I like her so it doesn't matter." Troy looked up at his friend.

"Okay, fine. I'll shut up but it's just my job as your best, closest and dearest friend to make sure your heart doesn't get broken." Chad smiled. "But you better tell me tomorrow how tonight goes."

"Oh I will." Troy's phone beeped and he laughed at the message. "She said, 'your friend is cute too bad he looks too old for me'."

"I don't look old!" Chad said offended.

Troy chuckled to himself, sending back his reply. "I told her that it's because you're marrying a senator's daughter in six months."

"I don't look old."

"She said she was just kidding and that we should have went to the Mexican restaurant on the west side, they have better food."

"She knows Mexican food. Man, it's like your dream girl."

"She brought me homemade rice and chicken last night."

"Oh dude, you're done for."

"Now you see where I'm coming from." Troy said dramatically.

Troy and Chad ate together then went their separate ways. Troy hit the gym for a quick workout before going home and getting ready for the night ahead. He wanted to keep it casual but wanted it to be an actual date.

He chose a nice flannel shirt and jeans and hoped he didn't look like every other guy wherever they went. A beep came in from his phone. 'Did you eat?'

'No, too excited' he sent back before he regretted it.

'Perfect. I'm coming over with food.'

He smiled to himself. His heart pounded in his chest. He didn't know what to do. He wanted to set the table and make his apartment nice for her but he didn't have anything nice. He dug through his empty cabinet and found a table cloth that his mom bought for him he never used. He put it on the table and tried to ignore how ugly it was.

He went to the door, making sure it was unlocked. He sent her a message back that said to come on in, the door was unlocked. He grabbed some silverware and plates just in case, putting them on the table.

He double checked himself in the mirror and heard a knock on the door. He stepped out of the bathroom and saw her walk in. She looked gorgeous in her long dress. Her hair was thrown up in a clip on the back of her head. He saw a tattoo on the side of her neck. A Willow tree. She smiled when she saw him and he took a second to catch his breath.

"Hey."

"Hi! Come in."

"They're not homemade but I brought chicken wings."

He couldn't help but smile. "You didn't have to."

"But I wanted to." She put her purse down on the couch as I closed the door behind her. "I got a couple different kinds… I figured I couldn't go wrong with variety."

"Well, thank you. Any food will be enjoyed and well appreciated." He led her into the little dining area. "I didn't know what you were bringing so I set up plates just in case."

"I brought a beer too. It's a forty ounce so I think it will be just enough for the both of us." She said, pulling boxes of food out of her bag. Troy took all but the plates and put them back in the cabinet. He grabbed two pint glasses from the freezer and set them on the table.

Troy grabbed some extra napkins then sat down. "Was Willow excited to see her dad?"

Gabriella nodded. "Yes and no. I know she doesn't like being too far from me. She loves John's mom and doesn't see her too often so she was excited to see her Grandma Dee."

"And how are you?"

"I'm okay. I know she'll be fine but knowing she's an hour away gives me anxiety."

"What is your favorite part about being a mom?" She looked at him curiously. "What?"

"Nothing. I've never been asked that question before." She grabbed a couple wings, putting them on her plate. "I think my favorite thing about being a mom is that I have a little built in best friend that I can take anywhere. We always have so much fun together and she's a good kid. She talks a lot which can be irritating but she's so innocent and watching her learn new things is the best."

"Did you give her all of her smarts?"

Gabriella laughed. "She definitely has a brain like mine. She just soaks up knowledge. I was more shy when I was her age."

"I bet she can't wait for kindergarten."

"She's starting Kindergarten early in fall. I was thinking about putting her in a private school but I think she'll be okay in public school. She is so excited. She practices her letters and writing her name. I'm just concerned that she's going to want to talk the whole time and not listen."

Troy chuckled. "What are you going to school for?"

"I am two out of five years into my PhD program. I was going to focus on pediatrics but I wanted to focus on Obstetrics especially after having Willow."

"That's really fucking cool."

Gabriella smiled, taking a bite of her wing. He took the liberty of pouring the beer into their glasses. He threw the can in his recycle bin before sitting down and grabbing a wing of each flavor.

"What did you go to school for?"

"Business." He said with a shrug. "When I broke my ankle, I just kind of coasted. I didn't have any passion for any career like I had for basketball. It sounds really lame when you have no direction after you saying you're going to be a doctor."

"Why did you choose business?"

"I thought that was going to be the easiest way to get through college. School and I weren't friends. I was way too hyper in the classroom; I had a hard time focusing. My 12th grade English teacher would make me run a lap around the track before she let me in her classroom."

"What about teaching?"

"My dad is a teacher. He said it isn't worth the pay… and I would have to go back to school."

"You can be a substitute, to see if you like it."

"Maybe elementary. After 11 years old, they're kind of scary."

"You could be a nanny. You are amazing with Willow."

"I'd have to go back to school. People are weirded out by guy nannies."

Gabriella shrugged. "A good male role model is hard to come by. I think you would be excellent. You're not a creep so I don't think you would have a hard time finding work."

"I'll look into it."

She ate another wing, chewing thoughtfully. "Why don't you have a girlfriend?"

"Hmmm, great question." He said after he chewed and swallowed. "Every woman I tried to date especially since I graduated college thought I was a loser. They were not wrong. They didn't like that I worked at Radio Shack or that I didn't have a house or that I didn't drive a car from this decade. They didn't see a future with me because although they thought I was 'good-looking' I wasn't rich enough or ambitious enough."

She laughed. "Why did you air quote over 'good-looking'?"

"Have you looked at me?"

"I see you just fine where I am."

"It's not that I don't have confidence or self-esteem. I just don't think I'm conventionally good looking."

She smiled, tilting her head. "What does a conventionally good looking man look like?"

"I just imagine, like, sweeping blonde hair and green eyes."

"I just think you described 90s-esque Jonathan Taylor Thomas."

"Good looking man." Troy said, declaring his point.

She rolled her eyes playfully. "Okay. That can't be the whole story. Tell me about the last girlfriend you had."

"Well it was about this time last year. Her name was Korin and I met her at a bar. She was in law school. We went out four or five times before I asked her to be my girlfriend. I'm pretty sure I got a pity 'yes' because I brought her flowers at school one day and she was with another man who was her actual boyfriend. Told me I was too clingy, to stop stalking her or she would file a restraining order on me."

"Wow."

"Yep. I know how to pick 'em. The women I like tend to not like me back- which is fine. It's just kind of shitty."

"You probably just haven't found the right person yet. You're young, you have plenty of time."

"I know…"

"I'm glad we're friends. I can find you a girlfriend."

"I think I need to try to get my life together before I start dating again. I'm almost saved up to my house goal- I should have it by the end of the year."

"What kind of house do you want to buy?"

"I actually want to get a custom home built. I inherited some land from my grandfather. I spend most of my graduation money on getting water and sewage and electricity. When I stopped playing basketball, I started working more. I could have just stayed home with my parents but they had a lot to handle with my four sisters and I wanted my privacy. I chose to waste money on this apartment. Save everything except the small allotted food budget which did consist of chicken nuggets for a long time." Troy explained. "My family has been well off but I don't want their money. The generational wealth has kind of disappeared since my parents decided to have five kids."

"How'd you get land?"

"I wanted the land and none of the money. When my grandpa died the twins were only one or two. They were going to spit the land in five which made it worthless in my opinion. So I asked if I could take the land and my sisters would get the money when they turned eighteen or whatever."

"Can we go there?"

"To the land? It's just dirt."

"Yeah! We can grab another beer and just enjoy the spring night."

"If that's what you want to do then I'm game." He said before biting into the spiciest wing yet. "I like these ones."

"Those are extra hot."

"They're amazing. The spicier the better." He grabbed another before finishing off his wing.

"You liked that place you and your friend went to today?"

"It was alright. Not my favorite. I want to try the restaurant you were talking about."

"It's more authentic."

"I've learned that you have to go with someone who speaks Spanish or else they won't make it spicy when you say spicy." He licked his lips. "I've tried and they just giggle and tell me I'm cute for trying."

"Sounds about right." She said with a small smile. "How was your tux fitting?"

"It felt like I got acupuncture but I should have a suit by November. Chad and Taylor- mostly Tay has had this planned out since she was born."

"Your friend is marrying your sister?"

Troy laughed. "No, sorry, wrong Taylor. I usually call her Tay- Chad's fiancé."

"I was about to be very worried about why your best friend is marrying your sixteen year old sister."

"Taylor McKessie. Senator Thomas Mckessie's daughter."

"Oh wow! Small world. When I was in high school, our stem clubs would compete. We'd do academic decathlon and a bunch of nerdy stuff like that."

"Sounds like Tay. She thought Chad was cute when Tay moved from private school to public school. They are polar opposites but they've been inseparable and I've been the third wheel ever since."

"You went to East High?"

"Yep."

"I was supposed to go to East High because I lived on the district border but West was actually closer to my house so my mom chose West."

"Crazy." Troy grinned to himself. He wiped his fingers off with a napkin and took a drink of his beer. "You ordered so many chicken wings."

"I wanted to make sure you had leftovers."

Troy let out a small chuckle. "I have money to buy food; I just try to be frugal about it."

"I know but you've been so nice to me and you haven't batted an eye when it came to Willow. I also like the face you make when you see food. It's very entertaining and adorable."

"I get a Target discount and I'm going to buy actual groceries so I don't have to eat chicken nuggets and try to keep it in the same price range."

She smiled. "I'll show you how to make Arroz con Pollo."

Troy's smile widened. "You've just become my favorite person."

"Who did I beat out for number one?"

"Willow, of course." He said with a grin.

She shook her head with a small smile on her face. "Let's finish up so we can go."

Happy Friday!

I hope you all have a good weekend!

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