The silence in the public library was disturbing. Belle wished she was shopping for a nice new skirt instead of researching on a Saturday night. But she knew if she didn't finish the big History project soon, she'd be screwing herself over. Belle looked up when a hard thump was heard a few feet away. She saw a few books on the floor and a sheepish Shawn holding an encyclopedia. Belle tried to stifle her laughter as Shawn clumsily replaced the books. She sighed happily...Brady didn't know what he was talking about. Everything was perfect with Shawn right now. And she knew they'd both work to keep that up.
"Hey, Belle."
Belle looked to her left to see a classmate had joined her at her table. He sat a couple of rows away in her History class, but she never talked to him before.
"Hi," she responded with a kind smile.
"Um...I'm Sam. From History. I mean, not Sam from the past. Sam from your History class." The boy looked down in shame. "Oh, God, I sound like a dork."
Belle couldn't help but giggle. "No, you don't. I'm Belle Black."
"I know," Sam responded with a serious face. Belle felt chills go down her back but tried to shake them off. He was just a nice guy making conversation. However, she still didn't know how to respond to that.
"So..." Belle said. Yeah, great response, Belle, she thought, shaking her head.
"I can't believe junior year is almost over," Sam said, looking over at Belle nervously.
"I know! It's insane. Next year...I mean, seniors! Prom, Graduation...it's totally unbelievable."
"I...I hope we have a class together next year," Sam said after a pause. Belle looked over in surprise. This kid never talked to her before and now he wants a class with her?
"Um...yeah, that'd be nice."
Suddenly, Shawn came over with an armload of books and Sam's face immediately darkened. Belle didn't notice because she was too busy giggling over Shawn's funny faces he was making at her on his way.
"Hey, babe. Got some books for you."
"For us," Belle corrected. "You are not just going to write your name on this project when all you did was stroll around the library."
Shawn plopped down in the seat across from her. "Sounds good to me," he joked.
Belle chucked a pen at Shawn's head, which he easily ducked. The pen hit a boy's head at another table and he turned around. Belle immediately put on an innocent face, looking down at her book, but she knew she was red with embarrassment.
"Good aim, Perfect Girl," Shawn said, grinning. Belle rolled her eyes and grabbed one of the new books from the pile. Shawn noticed the boy sitting next to his girlfriend. That weird kid from History. "Hey, Sam," Shawn nodded.
"Hi. Um...excuse me, I have to get home." Sam muttered, abruptly leaving the table.
"That kid is so strange," Shawn whispered to Belle. He was immediately rewarded with a swift kick to the leg. "Ouch! Geez, someone's abusive today."
"He's a nice guy, Shawn. He's just a little shy."
"I don't know. I guess I just get a weird feeling from him."
"Are you sure that weird feeling isn't from those three hamburgers you just scarfed down before coming here?" Belle said, not looking up from her textbook. Suddenly, the textbook slammed shut, with Shawn's hand on top of the cover. "Shawn!" Belle protested.
"I say we get outta here and do some fun stuff," Shawn said.
"Oh, yeah? Fun stuff? What's fun stuff?"
"Oh, I don't know. Movies, driving around, sex..."
"Shawn!" Belle scolded in an embarrassed whisper. She felt a blush creep over her face.
Shawn laughed and took Belle's hand. "I'm just kidding, sweetie. We'll just do this project on, uh, President Toyota."
Belle laughed. "Ford."
"Same difference."
"You're a little off your game today, Brady. President Toyota?"
Shawn leaned over the table. "Well, I didn't have a lot of sleep last night. When I got home from the beach, all I could think about was you." Belle blushed again and looked down. Shawn grinned and decided to lighten her up. "And how my girlfriend is Belle Black by day, Mickey Mouse by night." Shawn joked, pointing to the two buns decorating Belle's head.
Belle threw her hands up in the air. "I give up! Even when I'm dating you, the hair jokes never cease."
"Oh, come on, Belle. You know you were missing them."
"Oh, yeah, Shawn," Belle said sarcastically with a smile. "Almost as much as I miss you shoving sand in my mouth from pre-school."
"Hey, that can be arranged if you want," Shawn replied. Belle laughed and slid a book in Shawn's direction.
"All right, all right, enough stalling. Crack open a book already." Shawn made a whining noise and Belle opened the book for him. "Come on, Brady. Reading isn't that bad, I promise." Shawn sighed and took a piece of paper from his notebook. "I'm gonna go get another biography on Ford. Be right back," Belle chirped. Shawn nodded as he took down notes of Ford's pardon for Nixon. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw that Sam left a couple of library books behind. Shawn took the books and was about to put them back when he noticed Sam also left his notebook behind. As Shawn carried the notebook back to the table, something slipped out from the middle of the pages. He furrowed his eyebrows and picked the thing up off the floor. Shawn immediately tensed when he saw what it was.
A color photocopy of Belle's yearbook picture.
Shalini gave Heather a gigantic hug. "Not bad for your first day," the waitress said, grinning at the new server. Heather smiled back...since rent was getting tougher to pay off, she knew she needed to stop expecting money from Mummy and Daddy. Time to get out in the real world. Okay, so the Olive Garden wasn't exactly the rough and tough life of her future, but it paid the bills. Heather walked out the front door but Shalini chased after her. "Hey, Heath, don't forget, you're working tomorrow night instead of Angela!" she called.
Heather raised her arm up without turning around as she ran to her car. "Got it!" she shouted.
Brady, who had just pulled into his favorite restaurant's parking lot, grinned to himself. Perfect.
Jason lied down on the bed with a big bowl of popcorn as Mimi applied another layer of lip gloss.
"Any more of that and you'll look like a drag queen," Jason said through a full mouth.
Mimi glared at his reflection in her mirror. "Are you ever going to go home?"
"Look, I'm sorry. I totally forgot your little, uh, sad excuse for a date is coming over tonight," Jason lied.
"He's not sad...he's perfect," Mimi breathed. She then spun around in a circle, laughing, and Jason snorted. "Mimi Tyler Moore, breakin' it down."
Mimi rolled her eyes and stopped spinning. She held out her arms so Jason could get a better view of her outfit. "Well? Siskel and Ebert me."
"Definitely, without a doubt, two thumbs up," Jason said, grinning. Mimi was wearing a cute little lavender halter dress that ended right above the knees. "Fun for the whole family...providing that family be a family of one by the name of Welles."
Mimi let out a laugh and jumped on the bed, landing on her knees. "Thanks, Jase. Could've lived without that last comment, but thanks," she said, pulling him into a hug which he gladly returned. "This is so cool. You're like my George from My Best Friend's Wedding," she continued, pulling away.
"George?! The gay one?!"
"Yeah. I mean, I know you're not gay. But you're totally my George. You give me advice about guys and you told which outfit and shoes to wear tonight..." Yeah, for my personal viewing pleasure, Jason thought. "And I totally can't wait to try out our, um, lessons on Ethan!" she squealed. The doorbell rang and Mimi jumped to her feet. "Oh, God! That's him! How do I look?" Before Jason could answer, Mimi was out the door.
Jason sighed and put the popcorn on the table. "Great. I'm her George." He followed Mimi out her bedroom door and watched as she swung it open. She winked over her shoulder at Jason, sending him into a memory of last night.
Jason grabbed Mimi's hand and grinned. "So...how did I do?"
"Not bad," she responded smiling. "You learn fast, Jase. You lost some Romance Points when you went off on Ethan but--"
"Well, on a real date, I'm hoping the girl won't accept another date while I'm there," Jason joked.
Mimi laughed and Jason sighed to himself. The night was a big disappointment. He thought Mimi set this whole thing up to be with him. Obviously, he had been downgraded to Friend. Mimi looked down at her watch and pursed her lips. "Well, Jase, looks like it's time for me to get inside."
"So, this is part of the date where you invite me inside and we have wild sex, right?" Jason said with a mischievous glint in his eye.
Mimi giggled and hit his chest. "Jason, come on. Romance 101 is still in session here, remember?"
"Oh. Well, what's left?"
"The goodnight kiss," Mimi said, looking up. Jason looked at her with his eyebrows raised. What was going on with this girl? "You need to learn how to kiss all sweet and stuff," Mimi continued. "Kinda lean in all slow and--"
Jason cupped her chin in his hand and titled her face up. Mimi immediately shut up...she saw something in his eyes she never saw before. It almost...mesmerized her.
He lightly brought his lips to hers' and Mimi closed her eyes. It was the most amazing kiss ever. Sweet, gentle, caring--if a kiss could be caring. It was...perfect. Jason slowly pulled away and smiled when he saw that Mimi's eyes were still closed.
"Well? Does that earn me some Romance Points?"
Mimi slowly opened her eyes. "Definitely." Jason swallowed when he saw Mimi lean towards him again.
"Mimi!" a voice called from inside. "It's cold out! Say good-bye and get inside!"
"That's my mom," she whispered. "I--I have to go."
"Jason? What are you doing here?" a voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Ethan, my man. Nice shirt," Jason nodded towards the guy. It was a blinding white button-down shirt with rolled up sleeves.
There was a tense silence until Mimi clapped her hands together. "Well! All right then! Me and Ethan are going to go out to eat, so why don't you head out, Jase?"
Jason nodded. "All right." He glared at Ethan and wrapped his arms around Mimi. Mimi responded and then tried to pull away, but Jason only tightened his hold. He was hoping to send a very clear message towards Ethan.
"Um...Jason. Jason! I need some oxygen here." Jason pulled away and Mimi gave him a strange look. Those eyes...something special was in his eyes. What was it?
Ethan grabbed Mimi's hand possessively. "Well, then. Let's get going."
Jason walked out the door first as Ethan and Mimi followed. Jason stopped by his car door and fumbled in his pocket for the keys. Ethan and Mimi walked past him to Ethan's car and Jason frowned when he noticed they were holding hands. Ethan climbed into the driver's seat and Mimi opened her passenger side door. She was about to climb in when she caught Jason's eye...and she froze. Jason and Mimi stared at each other and Jason tried to figure out what was running through that beautiful head of hers.
"Mimi! Let's go!" called an impatient voice from the car. It shook Mimi up from the spell and she broke the gaze quickly, climbing into the car. Ethan sped off down the street and Jason hurried into his car.
That's it, Jason thought. He turned on the ignition and began to follow the girl of his dreams.
Chapter 30
Heather paced around her room. It was a big mistake to let Ethan stay with her, but she thought he had changed. But before he left to meet up with Mimi, his anger streak came out again...this time, another fight about Brady. She needed to call someone, talk to anyone. Before she could even think of a million reasons why it was wrong and stupid, her fingers were dialing a familiar number.
"Hello?"
"B-Brady?"
"Heather," replied a surprised voice. "Wow. Wasn't expecting you."
"I need to talk to you," she said softly.
"Hey, Heath, I'm sorry. I gotta go get ready."
"G-get ready? Ready for what?"
"I'm going out with a friend," Brady said, a grin creeping over his face. This was going to be easier than he thought.
"What friend?"
Brady wondered if there was a jealous tone to her voice. "Jealous, are we?"
Heather paused. "Curious."
Brady snorted. "Right. Well, it's my friend...Chris," he said with a smirk.
Heather hoped he didn't hear her sigh of relief. "Oh. Okay."
"So I'll talk to you later."
"Wait, I--"
"Bye, Heath!" Brady hung up the phone. Don't worry...you'll be able to talk to me sooner than you think, Heather.
Heather stared at the phone and threw it done with a frustrated yell. She slowly suck down as tears trickled down her face...she couldn't help shaking. Between Ethan and Brady, Heather could hardly take it anymore.
Brady rung the doorbell and tried to hide his smug face. He couldn't wait to see Heather's reaction. She thinks she's the only one that can move on from them? Well, he'll show her.
"Hey, Brady," Christina said, opening the door. Brady grinned at the sight...if he was going to make Heather jealous, he picked the right girl.
"Hey, Christina. You look great."
"Thanks," she said, leaning against her doorway. "I'm still kinda surprised, you know."
"Surprised? Why?"
"Well, from what Belle told me, you're not exactly the type for dinner and a movie."
Brady rose his eyebrows. "Do you always believe in everything you hear?"
Christina let out a laugh and stepped out of the doorway. "From Belle? Hells yeah. That girl could give the Pope a run for his money."
"True," Brady sighed. "But Belle only knows Brother-Brady. She doesn't know Dating-Brady. Thank God, because that would be all sorts of gross."
Christina laughed and nodded. "All right, I get what you're saying."
Brady continued anyway. "I may not be the flowers-and-candy type of guy, but I have my ways of making up for it."
"Oh, yeah? Prove it."
"I plan on it," Brady said with a wink.
Christina closed her door and walked towards Brady. "Well, this better be one hell of a date. I was in the mood for candy," she said with a smile.
Brady smiled back. One hell of a date is right.
Heather leaned against the wall near the kitchen and exhaled shakily.
"Hey, girl! You all right?"
Heather looked over to see Shalini approaching her. "Yeah. I'm just glad it's not busy here tonight," she said, gesturing to the tables in the Olive Garden.
Shalini grabbed Heather's arm gently. "Woah, Heather, what happened?"
"What do you mean?"
"Your arm! That bruise is gigantic."
Heather quickly pulled her arm back. "N-nothing. It's nothing. I just fell down the stairs at my complex today."
"You live on the ground floor," Shalini pointed out.
Heather opened her mouth to respond, but luckily Fred, the dorky seater with a crush on Shalini, approached the waitress. He casually slung an arm over Shalini's shoulders.
"Hey, honey," he said loudly.
Shalini rolled her eyes at Heather and slowly removed Fred's arm from around her. "Back off, creep." Heather tried to stifle her laughter as Fred mouthed to her 'She wants me'. "What do you want, Fred?" Shalini asked. "Aren't you supposed to be at the host stand?"
"Yeah, Heather, you have two people in your section that I just sat," Fred replied.
Heather sighed and gave Shalini a grin before walking over to her section. She giggled as she heard Shalini yell that she wasn't going to make out with Fred in the kitchen. Heather halted in her steps when she saw who was sitting at the table. No. She couldn't.
"Um...waitress?" a smug voice called out.
Heather clenched her jaw and marched over to Brady's table. "What are you doing here?"
"Well, there's only one thing to do at a resturant, Heather," Brady said as he tapped the menu against the table. "Didn't know you worked here."
"Well, now you know," she spat. "So leave."
Brady nodded. "Can't just leave a friend, can I?"
Heather finally noticed he was sitting alone. "Oh..that Chris kid?"
"Yeah...um, Chris is in the bathroom. So how about you just bring that bread basket over?"
Heather glared at Brady. "I'll be happy to," she said through her teeth. Heather stormed off muttering just as Christina returned to the table. Brady watched as Heather stalked off, but Christina's voice made him jump back to reality.
"Oh, did you already order?"
"Huh? Oh...no, just some bread."
Christina nodded. "So, " she said, clasping her hands together on the table. She looked over to see a man playing a violin a few tables over. Christina smiled to herself...this resturant was so perfect.
"How's cheerleading going?" Brady asked, looking over Christina's shoulder to see if Heather caught his date yet.
Christina turned in her seat to see what Brady was looking at. "What is it?"
"What's what?"
"What are you looking at?" Christina asked, turning back in her seat.
"Huh?" Get yourself together, Brady...Heather's not going to get jealous if your date gets pissed off at you. "Oh...just...looking at you."
Christina nearly choked on her water. "Oh, come on, Brady, you can do better than that."
Brady looked up in surprise. "What?"
"Looking at me? Do you really expect me to fall for that? I'm not over there," Christina responded, pointing behind her.
Brady held up his hands in defense. "Your right, I'm sorry. I...I was looking at the man playing the violin."
Christina raised her eyebrows skeptically and sighed. "Yeah, I was looking at him before, too. It's so beautiful, isn't it?"
Brady saw Heather rush into the kitchen. "Yeah...beautiful."
Christina saw once again that Brady wasn't exactly concentrating on her. "Brady...what's going on?"
"What?"
"Is there a reason you asked me out that you're not telling me?" Christina asked, leaning back in her chair.
Brady opened his mouth a little. This girl was good. "All right...you caught me," he sighed. Too bad he was better.
"Caught you?" Christina asked, frowning.
"Yeah...I wanted to surprise you...but..." Brady stood up in his chair and gestured to the man playing the violin.
"Brady!" Christina exclaimed. "What are you doing?"
The man with the violin nodded and gracefully walked towards Brady and Christina. He began playing a beautiful melody and smiled knowingly and the two people before him. Brady held out his hand and smiled charmingly. "Care to dance?"
Christina looked around her. "Um...no one dances at the Olive Garden, Brady."
"Until now," he responded.
Christina laughed and took his hand. Brady led her out a few feet from the table and wrapped her into his arms. Christina smiled up at him...maybe he wasn't as bad as she first thought. The two began to sway and Christina giggled into Brady's chest. People at the other tables turned to watch the two with smiles on their faces.
"What are you laughing at?" Brady said, smiling.
"People are staring..."
"So let's give them something to stare at," Brady said with a grin. He cupped Christina's chin in his hand and leaned forward.
Shalini grinned at the young couple dancing a few feet away.
"Shalini? Would you like to dance?"
Shalini turned to see Fred with a creepy smile on his face. "Um...maybe some other time."
Heather rushed up next to Shalini with a bread basket. "What's everyone staring at?"
Shalini looked over and nodded at the two people. "Dancing Queen and her prince."
Heather struggled to see the two peoples' faces. "Don't they know this isn't a dance club?"
"Ah, you big grump," Shalini laughed, nudging Heather's elbow. "I think it's sweet."
Suddenly, the dancing partners spun around and Heather dropped the bread onto the floor with a gasp.
"Heath? What is it?"
Heather watched with tears in her eyes as Brady began to kiss another girl.
Philip repeatedly banged the side of his head against the passenger window. Chloe reached from the back-seat and pulled Philip to the side. "Philip! Stop, you're going to hurt yourself!"
"I want to know what's going on," Philip complained, pointedly staring at Jason. He was having a grand old time kissing his girlfriend when Jason barged into his room. Without a word, Jason grabbed both of them, dragged the couple into the car and sped off.
"I'd like to know, also," Chloe said, sitting back.
Jason gripped the steering wheel tighter. He had followed Ethan and Mimi to the Olive Garden. He had sat in the parking lot before he realized he had no idea what he was doing. Jason decided to get some help and Philip was the first person who had come to mind. Jason looked in the rearview mirror. "Chloe, you're a girl, right?" he asked.
Chloe stared at him blankly. "I'm not even going to answer that."
Jason sighed and made a left. "I mean, do you know what Mimi could possibly see in Ethan?"
Chloe shook her head. "No, I don't."
Jason punched the steering wheel as Philip closed his eyes in realization. "See?!" Jason shouted.
"I also have no idea who Ethan is or what's going on," Chloe continued.
Philip glanced over at Jason. "She's on a date, huh?"
"With Heather's friend," Jason answered bitterly, pulling into the Olive Garden's parking lot. "Dude, this guy is such a yuppie."
"Who?" Chloe asked, scooting up.
Philip shook his head. "Man, that sucks. I'm sorry."
"Why do you care if Mimi's on a date?" Chloe asked Jason and then immediately put it together once the words left her mouth. "Oh! Oh, my god! You do like Mimi!"
Jason sighed and tilted his head back. "Yeah, but I'm just her George."
"Is that supposed to make sense?" Philip asked, looking over at his friend.
Jason turned off the car and shifted in his seat to face Philip and see Chloe. "You guys have to help me."
Chloe held up her hands. "I am not getting involved."
Philip nodded. "Yeah, Jase, you should have asked her out when you had the chance. This is your mess," he said gently.
Chloe sighed and looked out the window. Sure, it was great that Jason finally admitted he wanted to be with Mimi. But she was feeling pretty bitter because Jason interrupted something potentially life-changing. Philip had told her he was ready when she was ready. Chloe closed her eyes--she was ready. Too bad Jason busted in before she could tell Philip she was ready to take the next step.
"Come on," Jason whined.
"What exactly are you planning to do?" Philip asked.
"Well..."
"You were just planning on spying on them, weren't you?" Chloe assumed.
"No," Jason said defensively and weakly.
"Why do you need our help to stare out a window?!" Philip shouted.
"That's why! I need a better plan than watching them from outside."
"I'll say," Chloe muttered.
"So?" Jason asked hopefully. "What's our plan?"
Philip sighed in defeat. "All right. Look, me and Chloe will go in the restaurant. We can make some excuse and ask to get seated to a different table in case we aren't seated near Mimi and her date. You stay out here, since Meems would be suspicious if she saw you, and we'll take turns reporting to you. If it seems Mimi's having a bad time, that's your clue that its nothing serious and you can ask her out tomorrow. Is that ok with you, Chloe?"
Chloe shrugged. "It's fine, I'm hungry, anyway."
Jason jumped in his seat excitedly. "All right! Go Operation Get-Mimi!" he shouted with enthusiasm, putting his hand out. He waited for Philip and Chloe to put their hands on top of his. Instead they just rolled their eyes and climbed out of the car.
"Can you bring back some of those dinner mints?" Jason called after them.
"So, I said, 'the car's maroon, not red!'" Ethan said loudly, cracking up.
Mimi forced out another laugh. "Oh, god," she muttered underneath her breath. How did Heather put up with this loser? From the moment they sat down, Ethan had begun an extensive monologue...about himself. Mimi wouldn't be surprised if he had forgotten she was there.
"I mean, jocks can be so dumb," Ethan said with a disgusted sigh.
"Jason's not dumb," Mimi spat. Ethan rose his eyebrows in surprise and Mimi bit her lip. Where did that come from?
"I didn't say he was," Ethan said slowly.
"Well, he's a jock. Therefore, you're calling him stupid...and he's not," Mimi said defensively. "That's all."
"Well, I find that hard to believe," Ethan replied. "Jason doesn't exactly seem like Yale material. He seems to be quite a caveman."
"Well, he's my caveman," Mimi blurted out, throwing down her fork. Ethan looked at her in confusion and Mimi felt puzzled herself. Since when was Jason "hers"? He's just a good friend and she's known to be possessive of her friends, Mimi assured herself. Nothing wrong with defending a friend.
Ethan rolled his eyes. "Whatever. All I'm saying is that boy is rude and an embarrassment."
Mimi's eyes clouded over in anger. That's it.
Philip watched as Chloe returned from reporting to Jason and took her seat. "So, what did Jason say?" he asked.
"Nothing important. Just like nothing important is happening on their date," Chloe said, nodding towards Mimi and Ethan.
"Oh, I wouldn't say that," Philip replied. Chloe realized Mimi was looking very upset. Suddenly her friend stood up and started yelling.
"Jason is NOT an embarrassment!"
"Mimi, sit down," Ethan muttered, looking around him.
"No! I don't care if everyone's staring at me! Jason is a great guy and doesn't deserve to be ragged on by you!"
Chloe smirked as Philip frantically wrote Mimi's words on a napkin.
"He's sweet, funny, which is more than I can say for you, and wonderful! And, sure, Jason can be immature. But at least he cares about me!"
Ethan stood up, blushing, and dragged Mimi out of the resturant. Philip grabbed the napkin, winked at Chloe and got up to leave, but Chloe grabbed his arm. "Philip, wait."
"What is it, babe? Jason will want to read this."
"I know. But...tonight."
"What about tonight?"
"Come to my window before midnight, okay? Just climb in," Chloe blurted out.
Philip's expression grew interested. "Not that I don't want to, but why?"
"Well, when you come, you'll find out," Chloe said softly while blushing.
Philip simply grinned and gave Chloe a quick kiss. "I'll be right back," he whispered. Chloe took a deep breath. No turning back now.
Mimi shook her arm from Ethan's grasp. "Ouch! Geez!" she shouted, rubbing her arm.
"You didn't have to scream at me in front of everyone," Ethan said.
"Does it bother you more that I'm upset with you or that I made a scene?" Mimi shot back. She could have sworn she saw Philip bolt out of the second entrance and into the parking lot, but she shook it off.
"What are you talking about?" Ethan asked impatiently.
"Clueless, party of one, your table is ready!" Mimi yelled. "Don't you see how self-involved you are? All I heard about tonight was you. Your car. Your college. Your car. Your golf score last Thursday. Your car. Your two dogs and a bird. Oh, and I think you talked a little bit about your car. Well, news flash, Ethan...I...don't...care!"
Ethan looked confused. "So...what do you want to talk about?"
"Anything but your car!" Mimi shouted in exasperation.
Ethan couldn't help smiling. "You look really pretty right now, Mimi. I mean, in the moonlight and all."
Mimi looked at him in shock. "You know that we're fighting at this moment, right?"
"I don't want to fight, Mimi. Look, I'm sorry I babbled on tonight...I was really nervous about this date. I just wanted to impress you," Ethan said. He said these lines before, and by now he had gotten them down perfectly. High school girls are so easy to fool, Ethan thought to himself. Mimi didn't even know he invited her to the Olive Garden so he see Heather to make sure she didn't tell Brady that Ethan had hit her. "Because you've impressed me the first time I saw you...I wanted to return the favor. But I promise, no more talk about me. We'll go back inside and have a nice, normal conversation."
Mimi looked less upset, but still uneasy. Ethan leaned forward. "I promise, Mimi. I do want to learn more about you and I am interested in you." Mimi still looked unconvinced. "I'll prove it," Ethan whispered. He pressed his lips against hers and Mimi returned the kiss. When Ethan began to pull away, Mimi pressed herself against him. In between kisses, Mimi breathed something that Ethan didn't really want to hear.
"Jason..."