Chapter 18 In the heat of summer sunshine

Some time later they'd got some supplies in Fisher. When they were heading for a town nearby they needed to fill the petrol. 'I know a filling station near. There's a nice place next to it where we can get some lunch', Alex said. 'Sounds good to me', Stevie replied. But when they arrived at the place, they noticed it was shut down, so they ended up buying a bag of chips and some lemonade at the station. Alex felt a bit glum now he couldn't treat Stevie a nice lunch.

'Well it's not much, but it will do', Stevie said, while they walked to the side of the road and sat down in the grass.

'Gosh, the weather is so hot today'. Stevie pulled her shirt off, just wearing a tight top under it. Alex was laying in the grass just next to her, eating some chips, and watched her. It wasn't just the weather that was hot, he thought. Stevie looked behind her and saw him gazing. 'Hey!', she threw her shirt to him. Pleased he caught it.

They were just laying in the grass, adoring the sun and each other's company. Though Alex had got a lot of hints today from Stevie, he just wanted to be sure. 'Hey Stevie, are you still sticking to your theory?' 'What theory?' she asked and turned towards him. 'Well, the one with friends first than lovers.' 'Oh that', she looked at the sky again. 'Yes, 100'.

'Uhm ...', Alex mumbled. 'But what if it doesn't work as lovers?' Stevie knew he wasn't just talking fictitious, he was talking about them. 'I think if you are true friends, you can still be friends afterwards. Just say you're pulling the friendship to another level when you become lovers.' They just stared to the sky. 'Don't you think?', Stevie asked. 'I think I'm gonna stick to that theory too', Alex said.

At least that was how it had been for him and Claire, and though it didn't lasted that long. It was the most serious relationship he had been in and it was real love. And he still loved her, but he knew it was time to move on and a part of his heart longed for Stevie. He wanted to be loved again and he knew he had Claire's blessing. She adored Stevie.

'Hey maybe we should have diner later, what you think about that?', he said. 'Yeah great, it's not that the girls really need me, and Tess is gone', Stevie smiled. 'Hehe, yeah I don't have Nick around to tell me I really have to do some work. By the way, this is work.' Stevie laughed. 'Like laying in the grass and eating chips is work.' 'Hey eating chips is pretty intensive!' He smirked trying to sound offended and he threw a chip to her. 'Alex, how many times do I have to tell you to not play with your food', she said teasing. 'Yes mum'.

'Can I have some more chips', Stevie asked. The bag was laying next to Alex. 'Come and get it', he smirked. Stevie looked at him with a straight face, he just laughed seeing her like this. 'Very friendly Ryan', she started to reach for it, but Alex grabbed the bag away and held it as far away from her as he could. 'Alex!' She bended over him, almost laying on top of him, as she still was trying to reach for the bag. 'Come on, cowgirl, you can do better', Alex laughed out loud; pleased he got her this close. It made Stevie laugh too as she kept on trying, but their moment got interrupted by Alex' phone.

He let go off the bag and grabbed his phone, though it didn't made Stevie move away, she was enjoying it too much. She had her hand on his chest, looking at him while he answered the phone. He was watching at her amused, 'You can get the bag', pointing his head to it. But his facial expression changed when he heard who was on the other side of the line.

'Harry', he mumbled. 'Yes I know, well ... they didn't have it in stock, so I had to wait'. Not that it was true, but Harry didn't seem pleased with the fact Alex stayed away so long. 'We need you here, I don't have Nick around, and you already spend too much time last week with that redhead of Drovers, so get back as soon as possible.' Alex got irritated, and wanted to hung up on the old Ryan, but knew it wouldn't help a thing. Stevie was still leaning on his chest, looking at him, and already knew what time it was. There went all the fun. 'Yeah, yeah, I will be back as fast as I can'. Alex didn't let Harry finish his last line. He saw the disappointment on Stevie's face and finished the phone call, throwing his phone away. 'Bloody Harry!'

'It's ok', Stevie said, trying to hide the fact she was disappointed too, but Alex had seen her face change during the call and knew she didn't truly meant it. 'No, it's not.' He stood up immediately, reaching for Stevie's hand. 'The old man just spoiled our diner.'