His entire day was spent in anticipation of the upcoming barbecue, where he would see Leah again, and this time he could be as close to her as he wanted.

He was thrilled that she wanted to go out with him, that he didn't turn her off completely with his stupid blunders at the bowling alley. And he had to privately cheer over John Redcorn standing her up. Would Boomhauer have had the same second chance if he was following a successful date between Leah and John Redcorn? He didn't want to think about it.

Boomhauer and his friends were out in the alley on this late lazy Sunday morning, each with a beer in hand. He felt so light and joyful after getting Bill's blessing, that weight of guilt lifted, Leah's kiss was still warm on his cheek. He wondered what she was doing now.

"My date's tonight," Bill reminded them, grinning from ear to ear.

So is mine, Boomhauer thought. He sipped his beer to hide his smile.

"We're all very excited for you, Bill," Hank nodded happily.

Bill sighed, a dreamy expression across his face. "You should have seen the way she looked at me...true love."

"Just like the last girl," noted Dale.

"I really mean it this time."

"Again...just like the last girl."

"But this time I really mean it."

"Yeah, okay."

Hank turned towards Boomhauer's direction. "Peggy called Leah this morning to tell her about the barbecue."

Boomhauer tipped him a nod.

"So did Peggy call before or after Leah and John Redcorn-"

"Shut up, Dale," warned Hank.

"Oh, yeah," Bill remembered, "Leah had a date with him last night, didn't she?"

Dale craned his neck to get a better look at Leah's driveway. "Her car is there and John Redcorn's is not. Maybe you're still in the running, after all." He elbowed Boomhauer with a chuckle.

He decided there was no need to tell them he had already talked to Leah last night. He liked having those private moments between just the two of them.

Hank cracked open a fresh can of Alamo. "Let's finish these last beers and then I'm going to get the grill started."

After the backyard was set with tables and laid with food, the smell of grilling meat began sizzling across the alley. Kahn, Minh, and Connie walked in behind Nancy and Joseph; Luanne, Lucky, and Gracie arrived shortly after. The sound of 80s rock played quietly from the bluetooth speaker on the patio.

It was with a jolt that Boomhauer saw Leah enter past the fence, her hair in its braid over her shoulder, smiling and saying hello to everyone as they greeted her. When her eyes fell upon him, her smile went shy, and she joined him at one of the picnic tables.

"Hi." She sat down next to him, a small space between them.

"Hey."

"Still looking forward to tonight?"

"Definitely."

"What do you have planned?"

"It's a surprise."

Gracie toddled over to the picnic table, then clutched the hem of Leah's dress to steady herself.

"Hi, Gracie!" Leah cooed.

Gracie babbled back happily before wobbling off elsewhere.

Leah smiled as she watched her go. "Do you like kids?" she asked Boomhauer.

"They're cute, but I don't want any." He waited for Leah to respond, but she didn't. "Do you?"

She thought for a moment. "I do like kids, but when it comes to having them, I guess I don't mind either way. If it happens, good; if it doesn't, also good."

He felt a sense of relief after hearing that. He never wanted to be weighed down with a kid under any circumstances. But what did it matter how Leah felt about it? He wasn't going to marry her or anything.

It was then John Redcorn glided into the yard, all muscles and long flowing hair. He made a beeline for Nancy, who was talking with Minh. Boomhauer watched as Nancy pointed Leah out to him, and they continued talking, John Redcorn's gaze never leaving Leah's direction.

What the hell was he doing here?

"Leah!" Nancy called across the lawn, "Come over here, Shug."

Leah stood from the table and said, "I'll be right back," and walked off to talk to Nancy and John Redcorn.

Boomhauer was a bit irked at this point, and stalked over to the grill for answers.

"Who invited him?" he asked Hank, leveling the accusation from his tone.

Hank didn't need to ask who he was talking about.

"No idea. Maybe Nancy or somebody mentioned it. You know he always shows up at these things most of the time."

Leah's laughter carried across the yard and Boomhauer scowled.

"You threatened by John Redcorn?" smirked Dale.

"No," he replied, maybe a little too quickly. Dale smirked even wider.

"Go over there," Hank suggested, "Make your presence known."

Did he really have to resort to these childish games?

"Hi," Leah greeted him as he approached.

All's fair in love and war, and this was a bit of both.

He nodded hello to her and Nancy, and nodded curtly at John Redcorn to look polite. John Redcorn nodded curtly back, stony faced.

Leah and Boomhauer sat together at the table again, and Boomhauer noticed the gap between them once more. He slid ever so slightly closer, resting his leg against hers. She smiled.

He was silently thankful there weren't any more places near Leah to sit, relegating John Redcorn to the farthest end away from them.

"Looks like you two are on good terms again," Peggy said, a knowing smile faint on her face.

"I suppose the universe had other plans for us," Leah replied.

After dinner, everybody broke off in their own groups throughout the yard. Boomhauer and Leah were ready for their date to begin. They both tried their best to slip out of the barbecue and into the alley beyond, but their plan was riddled with difficulty. Minh had dragged Leah closer to the music where she and Kahn were singing a tipsy rendition of Don't Stop Believin'. Boomhauer was involuntarily tasked with stopping Dale from trying to kick beer cans off of Ladybird's head. He was finally able to move away when Dale's attention was temporarily diverted, only to be faced with Leah being accosted by John Redcorn near the exit.

"I hope we can start over," John Redcorn said to Leah, his voice sincere, "I am so sorry that your first impression of me was of my being unreliable."

"Oh, it's alright," she assured him, "You had a valid reason. I'm just glad to hear your grandmother is doing better now."

"Yes, so am I… She is a very tough woman. We are a hardy people." An isolated gentle breeze flowed briefly through his long, black hair. "However, had I not had to get her to the hospital, I assure you I would have been there at the exact time we agreed on."

"It's fine. Really! But I appreciate you letting me know what happened."

"Well, would you want to try again? I promise to be there this time." He grinned, making his chiseled face made even more handsome. "Maybe tonight?"

"Oh, um, actually, I already have plans tonight."

He faltered slightly, but continued trying.

"That's alright, how about next weekend?"

Before she could answer, Boomhauer had stepped in beside her. "Ready?"

Brightly she smiled, her eyes only on him, and nodded.

He felt strangely emboldened, and put his hand on her back to lead her past John Redcorn, whose eyebrows were raised in surprise. Boomhauer held back a smug look as they crossed quietly into the alley and across the street.

Leah took one last look over her shoulder before they got into Boomhauer's car. No one seemed to notice they had left yet.

"Was that rude of us?" she asked after they began driving, "Just leaving without telling anyone?"

"Nah. I do it all the time."

They sat quietly for a moment, buzzing with excitement, houses and cars passing them by. It almost seemed unreal that they were finally alone together.

"Where are we going?" Leah asked.

"You'll see."

"Always a man of mystery," she smiled at him.

Boomhauer was pleased to have that effect on her.

"I will tell you though, that since we just ate at Hank's, it's not going to be a restaurant."

Leah wondered what he had in store.

They talked easily to each other as they rode through the city. Leah adored Boomhauer's Texas drawl. It sounded warm, smooth, and wildly enticing…

They were near the city limits when Boomhauer turned into a parking lot.

"An arcade!" Leah gasped. Her eyes widened with wonder, reflecting the neon lights that were flashing in the arcade windows.

"Good?" he asked hopefully.

"Great!"

The inside was crammed with games and machines, blinking lights and dingy melodies, everything a juxtaposition of retro and modern.

Leah waited eagerly beside Boomhauer while he exchanged bills for game tokens. She scanned the room of all of its activities, until her eyes landed on a particular game in the far corner.

"Let's play Skee Ball!" She hopped up in excitement.

"I thought you didn't like bowling?"

"This is much more fun!"

They put their tokens in and the game began, lighting up the scoreboard and dropping down several balls down the chute.

Boomhauer, of course, was an expert, sinking ball after ball into the small center hole. They stood side by side, racking up points, occasionally brushing arms.

"Wow!"

Leah tore off the long length of prize tickets that dispensed after the game ended.

"We're going to be able to get the top prize at this rate!"

"We definitely are. I'll make sure of it."

They continued around the arcade, playing game after game together as the night went on. There were many moments of accidentally touching one another, giving way to "accidentally-on-purpose," and eventually they both felt bold and comfortable enough to actually touch each other deliberately. Boomhauer held her arms in place to show her how to free throw at the basketball hoop, Leah gripped his elbow in suspense as he played a shooting simulator, and they both pressed their shoulders against each other's they sat in the racing game booth.

Each point of contact was another spark to fuel the flames of desire. Leah had felt a real connection with him, drawn to his presence, his aura, and tonight only solidified that. She was seeing more of the side of him that he rarely showed anyone else, the side of him that was energetic and fun, rather than his typical stoic and cool state.

Boomhauer had known instantly that there was something about her, and while he couldn't quite put his finger on it, he knew it was more than just skin deep. It was an air, an ambience, a feeling-something that made him feel light and blissful, every time he was around her.

They had played nearly every game in the arcade and were laden with armfuls of prize tickets. They were winding down now, almost ready to leave, and Boomhauer wondered if she would want to go somewhere else with him. He would do anything to prolong their time together.

"What are we going to do now?" she asked.

"Now I'm going to beat you at air hockey," he replied matter-of-factly.

"Oh, are you?" teased Leah, "You're going to be very disappointed soon."

They started up the game, which was standing under a soft blue light in the middle of the arcade. Only half a minute of knocking the puck back and forth had passed when Leah managed to shoot it straight across the board and past Boomhauer's goal.

She grinned arrogantly as he dropped the puck back onto the center of the table.

"Don't get too comfortable," he told her firmly.

"I hope you're not going easy on me."

"Wouldn't dream of it."

The next several rounds were heated with frenzy. Shots were blocked, goals were breeched, not one moment were their guards let down. Their scores stayed even throughout the game, never more than one point apart. Leah's long braid bounced against her chest with every strike of the puck, and Boomhauer's sharp face was set in grim determination.

The final round was tied, and they both were bent on being the winner.

"Oh yeah!" Leah cheered as the puck clattered past Boomhauer's goal. "That's how it's done!"

"Lucky shot," he mumbled through a smile.

They both moved around to stand along the side of the hockey table together.

"What do I get for winning?" Leah asked with a suggestive grin.

"Bragging rights?"

"Hmm... Is that all?"

"What would you like?"

Leah batted her lashes, leaning closer, and Boomhauer's heart began beating faster.

"Excuse us!" a small voice called.

Leah and Boomhauer looked down in surprise, where two children stood, handfuls of tokens in their fists.

"We're going to play air hockey now!" the taller one said.

"Oh! Okay," Leah smiled at them, "Have fun!"

Boomhauer mentally scowled at the sudden interruption. Dang kids...

He and Leah gathered up their tickets and walked to the prize counter. The sprightly employee took their tickets to be weighed while they looked at their potential prizes. Leah's sights were set up high near the ceiling, where the most elusive prizes hung.

"What are you looking at?" Boomhauer asked.

"The fox," she said, pointing to a big, soft fox plush dangling from a plastic hook. "My favorite animal. Think we have enough tickets?"

"Not quite," the cashier informed her, "But you can get one of the solar powered bobbleheads underneath!"

Leah shrugged and was about to respond when Boomhauer asked, "How much?"

"I'm sorry?" The cashier cocked his head to the side.

"How much for the fox?"

"It's five hundred ti-"

"How much cash," Boomhauer clarified.

"Sir, we don't sell-"

Boomhauer pulled a few bills from his wallet and laid them on the counter.

"Sir, I really can't-"

"It's fine," Leah told Boomhauer, but he laid down another bill.

"Enough?"

The cashier looked conflicted at the money on the counter, and cleared his throat.

"I believe that's the right amount, sir."

He unclipped the fox from its hook and handed it to Leah, who squeezed it happily.

"You didn't have to do that," she said to Boomhauer as they walked out into the night.

"You wanted a fox," he shrugged.

She nudged him playfully. "I just wanted to spend time with you. But, thank you. It's so cute."

"You like foxes, huh?"

"Yes. They're my spirit guide. Most of the time, anyway."

"I wonder what mine is."

"Do any animals appear in your dreams?"

He thought for a moment. "Not that I've noticed."

They got to the car and he opened her door for her before getting in himself. The night air was smooth and clear, the sky was open and dotted with stars. Leah's time with Boomhauer as a whole still seemed open ended, like there was more to be done, and she wasn't ready to end it yet.

"So, man of mystery," she teased, "what's next?"

"Oh, you still want more, huh?"

She nudged him playfully again, mostly as an excuse to feel the muscles in his arm.

"Of course I do. I finally managed to get you to myself and I want to get all I can out of my time."

He had a few ideas of where they could go together, but he decided to save them for another time, for the next time she would agree to another date. Things were going great so far, even better than he had hoped, and the night still wasn't over yet.

"Lady's choice."

"Ah, I see. You didn't have a plan, so now it's up to me," she said facetiously.

"We can go drink beer in the alley," he suggested, grinning.

Leah laughed. "I actually don't mind that idea. But maybe we could sit somewhere nice, so we could still be alone?"

"Good plan."

They went a few blocks down the street to an Indian food cart that overlooked the river. Leah decided on an order of pakoras, and Boomhauer asked for the same thing.

"You can eat meat around me, you know," she told him, after the food cart chef turned to prepare their food.

"I really do think this looks good."

She looked at him plainly. "You didn't eat any meat at Hank's barbecue earlier."

"What, so you're the vegan police now?" he said nervously.

"No!" She huffed. "What I mean is, you don't have to put on a front for me. I still like you even though you're a bloodthirsty carnivore."

She grinned at his leery expression, and then he shook his head with a grin of his own.

They took their food to a wooden bench beside the water. The ripples glimmered under the moonlight, gentle and serene.

"This is really good," Boomhauer told her after taking a bite, "I knew it was going to be when I ordered it."

"Yeah, yeah," she smiled. "Vegan food is good. It's not the rabbit food some people think it is."

"What made you want to become vegan?" he asked.

Leah finished her bite thoughtfully, considering how to answer. "Well, I've always been pretty environmentally conscious, so it wasn't a big leap." She took another careful bite. "But I guess, after seeing my mother dying-I don't know, I guess I just wanted to live as clean and healthy as I could."

Boomhauer wasn't expecting an answer like that. "I'm sorry about your mom."

"Thank you." She smiled, not wanting to bring the evening down. "How about your mom? Does she live around here?"

"No, she and my dad moved to Florida after they won the lottery years back."

"Wow! Good for them."

On the topic of parents, he remembered something he had been meaning to ask. "How's your dad been, by the way?"

"Good, very good. Sometimes he downplays things, so as not to worry me, but I think he genuinely is doing well."

"That's good. I'm glad."

"So, do you have siblings?"

With a disgruntled sigh, he answered, "A younger brother. Patch, well, Patrick, but everyone calls him Patch."

"I take it you don't get along?"

He shrugged one shoulder. "Sort of, but also not… We get along like best friends, but we're also very competitive with each other, and sometimes it gets too… destructive." That, and he betrayed me by getting with Katherine, and then tried to make me into the bad guy.

To steer the conversation away from having to talk about Patch anymore, he quickly asked, "You have brothers, right?"

"Yes, Michael who's older, and Simon who's younger."

"Who's the one with the car?"

Leah chuckled. "That's Simon, and when I saw him last, he asked me who my neighbor with the Super Bee was."

"I like him already." He nodded. "You get along with them?"

"Yeah, pretty well. We don't have much in common, but we have each other's backs and look out for each other."

"That's good. That's what matters the most."

They talked well into the night, even after the lights of the shop fronts behind them had shut off. The conversation was effortless, seamless, they spoke to each other as if they had known each other much longer than barely half a year. Leah liked that he was saying more than his usual short, dismissive responses. She was sure he didn't show this side of him to just anyone.

Boomhauer was having an amazing time with her, talking with her and making her laugh, just the two of them. He had wanted to do this for some time, and it was almost beyond belief that it was really happening.

So why did he feel so odd?

He was reminded of Katherine, how he used to be like this with her, how she was more than just someone to sleep with. Until he fucked it all up and dumped her so he could be free to fuck whoever he wanted. He was young and dumb then, but was still paying for it now.

"What's wrong?" Leah asked him, looking at his bothered expression, "You've gone quiet."

"Nothing... Just thinking about what a good night this is."

He gave her a smile and leaned back, resting his arm along the back of the bench behind her. She bit her lip and slid closer against him, leaning against his chest.

"You know what would make it even better?"

The light in her brilliant eyes flickered alluringly as she looked at him. He was captivated by her, so beautiful and ethereal, and he hoped he would never break her heart.

"Leah," he whispered, but she kept leaning closer until she kissed him, and it was the sweetest kiss he'd ever had.