All along it was a fever
A cold sweat hot-headed believer
I threw my hands in the air, said, "Show me something,"
He said, "If you dare come a little closer."

Round and around and around and around we go
Oh now tell me now tell me now tell me now you know

Not really sure how to feel about it.
Something in the way you move
Makes me feel like I can't live without you.
It takes me all the way.
I want you to stay

Stay - Rihanna

Chapter 19: Round and Round

Lexi

I guess you could say I finally gave in. Fine, whatever.

While most girls would have been severely creeped out at the sight of a ginormous bouquet of sunflowers and wildflowers on their bedroom dresser that someone obviously broke into their house to deliver... I was strangely touched. This was a small part of the fairytale I'd never known I'd always wanted. Brady was so different from other guys – not because of his werewolf status but because he had stayed true to his word and actually gotten to know me. Over the past few weeks we'd grown so close that I almost considered him my best friend.

If you would have told me six months ago that the foxy guy standing in my muddy driveway was going to be my best friend, I wouldn't have believed it for a second. But he was.

Things had changed between us over the past few weeks. Instead of trying to get into my pants, Brady had finally listened to my begging and pleading for friendship and obliged. We were friends – there was no touching, no real flirting, no talk of sex or other dirty things of that nature. None. Which was fine.

At first.

At first I'd been glad to have a chance to get to know him and hang out with him as a friend. We didn't fight or cuss or yell at each other over stupid crap that used to be there before. There was no underlying sexual tension driving us both crazy. Before, Brady knew what he wanted and couldn't have it, and I didn't know what I wanted and didn't know how to ask for it. Now we were just... friends.

And it was nice.

At first.

He was my shape shifting best friend that I could text at all hours of the night and exchange cheeky dog jokes with. I thought it would anger him when I teasingly referred to him as a big dog, but it turned out he was one step ahead of me and knew every canine related joke that ever existed and could fire back at me every time. We had fun together; we laughed, we talked, and we got to know each other... we put all the other stupid stuff aside.

And now that we were just friends... it made me want him.

I missed the flirting, the kissing, and the 'imprint pull' talk. He had briefly described it to me, but I still didn't quite get how he was suddenly so certain that I was the one for him. He acted like he'd known it all along and realized it the second he'd met me on the beach that day. But did I believe in love at first sight?

From what he'd described, that was what he was talking about. Did I think that was possible? I'd hated him when I met him because of what he'd done to Regan, but I'd always been attracted to him. You'd have to be blind to not be attracted to Brady. He was one big, muscled, tan, white-toothed package with Bambi eyes when he wanted to be. And he was smart. And charming. And surprisingly witty.

The more I got to know him, the more I realized I wanted more from him than friendship. But I felt stupid.

I'd spent such a long time insisting we stay friends and that was all I wanted that it felt silly now to backtrack and admit I wanted what he did. Brady had respected my wishes and hadn't kissed me since the night at the cliffs over a month ago. He'd kept his distance like he'd promised he would do and as soon as I started to get used to it, I didn't like it.

I wanted more again, but I knew it wasn't fair to play yo-yo with his emotions. Asshole or not, he still had wormed his way into my heart, and I cared deeply for him. He might be an asshole, but he was all mine.

I hoped.

I sat at the kitchen counter for a few minutes after agreeing to go on a date with him. I was celebrating with Patrick and my dad tonight, but tomorrow night was dedicated to dinner with Brady.

Dinner with Brady.

I smiled. Friday night in Forks was always the night you went out with your friends and did whatever, but Saturday night – Saturday night was date night. He was taking me out to a public place to eat, and he was taking me on the well-known date night. I leaned my chin on my hands and gazed at the red roses that now decorated the kitchen counter. I knew red roses were overdone and cliché and blah blah blah... but these were so pretty. My father had sent me daisies before for my birthday, but that was a fatherly gesture that clearly said 'Daddy's little girl'.

But red roses? Those said something else entirely. The look on the faces of everyone in the cafeteria had been awestruck – getting flowers sent to you at school in such a tiny town was a rare occasion. It was even rarer that the bouquet was half your size and bursting with red, perfumed blossoms. I inhaled their luscious scent, dreamily touching the petals as I debated what to tell my dad. I knew he liked Brady but was also skeptical – a hulking, twenty something, Native construction worker and wannabe architect wasn't quite who my father pictured me taking a liking to. That just wasn't me. I was all about my pink Converse sneakers and leggings with funky skirts I found at the Goodwill. I had perfect vision but sometimes wished I could wear glasses just so I could pick a funky pair that would make me even quirkier than I already was. I wasn't the type of girl that went for people like Brady.

I was all... meh, and Brady was all... muscles with a penchant for shiny trucks, gelled hair and cologne that made you think bad (okay, naughty) thoughts. He wasn't the type of person someone like me went for. But... it was getting harder and harder to deny that attraction.

I gulped as my father and Patrick walked through the door, their arms full of ice cream cake and pizza from the place on the town square. Their faces were lit up and Patrick actually had a dory balloon that I secretly loved as they walked into the kitchen with my birthday supplies. I gave them a guilty smile as they eyed the ridiculous garden that sat on our kitchen counter with open mouths.

"Um... Happy Birthday?" Patrick sputtered.

My father's eyebrows shot up his forehead with surprising speed. I could practically hear him calculating in his head as Patrick set the pizza and cake down on the counter. He sheepishly handed me the balloon and smiled.

"Someone got you flowers?"

I nodded. "Um... Brady. For my birthday," I admitted.

Patrick nudged my father with his elbow, making him jump and give me a shaky smile. "That was... nice. Extravagant, but nice."

Shit, I hoped he didn't see the sunflower garden in my room. I shifted on my stool at the kitchen counter and gave him a bright smile. "He asked me out to dinner tomorrow night too."

My father gave me an 'oh really?' look. I nodded. "I'm eighteen, so I can go," I stated quickly.

Patrick backed away with his hands up and left my father to deal with my statement. "True, but I wasn't going to forbid you. I trust you honey. I know you'll make good choices," he said skeptically. "When's this dinner?"

"Tomorrow night."

"Where is he taking you?"

"It's a surprise," I said, mimicking Brady's words. "Probably Forks diner or something. Just for some food and milkshakes."

"Uh huh," he hummed. "You're sure?"

"Yes dad, why?"

"Nothing," he said, shaking his head. I watched him set down a few wrapped packages and pinch the bridge of his nose. "I need an aspirin."

Patrick came in to save me, snapping a birthday hat on my head with a flourish as my dad muttered something about 'not ready for this'. "Time to celebrate. I figured we could suck the helium out of that balloon after dinner while we watch Sixteen Candles. How's that for a date?"

"Sounds good," I grinned. "But first, are those my presents?"

I curled the ends of my hoodie around my hands and shuffled down the back steps to the kitchen the next morning. The three of us had stuffed ourselves with pizza and ice cream cake before vegging out with italian sodas and Cooler Ranch Doritos on the couch while watching Sixteen Candles. Patrick had been able to quote the entire movie with me while my dad just rolled his eyes and said he didn't know us. I woke to the scent of sunflowers by my bed and knew that I had celebrated my birthday in style.

But it wasn't over yet, I told myself. My first official date with Brady was tonight, and he was taking me somewhere special. Or at least that's what he claimed when I sent him text messages begging for answers. He wouldn't give them but instead claimed it would a birthday I wouldn't soon forget.

I shuffled over to the cabinets to make myself an extra-large bowl of Fruit Loops. Sloshing some milk over the top, I headed to the window seat to watch Brady as he began his work for the day. To my delight, Patrick had asked him to construct a concrete walkway all the way around the garage and up to the house. That would take him at least a week to complete and would give me a full seven or eight more days to drool at him as he did work around my house.

I took a bite of my cereal and chewed, surprised to see my father standing outside talking to Brady. They were close, their voices quiet and both of their faces serious. I slowed my chewing and tried to hear what they were saying, but they weren't speaking loud enough to even pick up a trace. Brady nodded solemnly several times, holding up his hands in an innocent gesture. I took another bite of cereal and continued my shameless eavesdropping.

By the time my father finally turned around and came back inside, I was chomping at the bit to know what they were talking about.

"What were you saying to him?" I asked, rinsing out my bowl in the sink. My father inhaled and pinched the bridge of his nose again.

"Just... setting some ground rules. Limitations, understandings. Things of that nature," he said quietly. I turned around to lean against the counter, my sweatshirt pulled around my body.

"Like what?"

"Just the fact that he's not taking you to Seattle on a Saturday night when you've just turned eighteen. And that you definitely cannot stay the night in a hotel with him."

My jaw fell open. "Wait... what?"

He shook his head and reached over to ruffle my messy ponytail. "Nothing, honey. He just had some plans that I didn't quite... like. I think he was trying to be nice but he's still a boy. Er," he paused, glancing out the window. "A man."

I sighed in defeat at my father's tone, knowing full well he wasn't messing around. While my heart continued to thump in my chest at the idea of spending a weekend in Seattle (a city I'd never been to) with Brady for my birthday, I was a little miffed that I wasn't allowed to go. I was eighteen, wasn't I?

I glanced out the kitchen window as Brady worked, watching as his muscles strained against his tight white t-shirt with the sleeves torn off. The weather was getting chillier, but the days were still sunny and warm enough to warrant his outfit. However, I knew that his wolf side kept him a lot warmer than normal people were. I hid a smile and slid my phone out of my hoodie's pocket to type him a message.

So what did you say to my dad to get him all hot and bothered?

I looked and the window and waited as Brady picked his phone out of his back pocket and instantly read my message. He quickly typed out a response, his long fingers flying over the screen.

He didn't approve of my birthday plans, birthday girl. Sorry.

We can still do something though... right?

Of course, he typed. It won't be as cool as what I had planned.

I smirked. He said you had a trip to Seattle and a hotel room planned.

Separate rooms, calm your shit. I wouldn't just get one room and be a creep like that.

Yes. You would.

Ok I would but I am trying here, okay? He just didn't like the idea of his little girl running off to the big city with her wolf charming.

Wolf charming? Gag me.

Hey now, I'm trying to be cute.

Whatever. I'm a big girl now whether he wants to admit it or not.

Yeah, but we're still not going. He just came out here and gave me 'the talk'.

The talk? Don't you already know where babies come from?

Not that talk. Dork. He told me that you're his baby and that I'm too old for you and blah blah blah. He just wants to scare me and make me too intimidated to date you.

Did it work?

Almost ; )

I laughed out loud and shook my head. Brady heard me, his head cocked towards the house.

Just be good today so that your daddy will let you out to play. I still want to take the birthday girl out.

But not to Seattle?

Not to Seattle, no. Sorry. And nowhere near as cool.

It's alright. We can go to the diner in town, I really don't care.

Nah, we'll do a little nicer than that. No worries, I have a backup plan. You just be ready at 7 when I pick you up, yah?

Yah. See u then. Or maybe before ; ). I look out my windows a lot when you're out there working...

I tucked my phone into my pocket and felt my face heat up. I was flirting with him and I knew it. Shit, what did that mean? I knew what it meant. It meant that I liked him more than a friend, and I was attracted to him and all that nonsense but... it didn't feel weird. It felt right.

I tugged at the hem of my black denim skirt, trying my best to not fidget. I was wearing the new cardigan Patrick had gotten me from a boutique in Seattle and the new black Toms and leopard print tights from my dad. They had completed my look with a studded black leather clutch that I now squeezed nervously in my hands as Brady parked the truck. I ran my hand through my blonde, straight hair, hoping it didn't frizz too much in the humid night air. I really wanted to look perfect for our first date.

"Stop it, you look great," he snapped. I was almost alarmed at his tone until I noticed he was actually grinning at me as he killed the truck's engine. He'd taken the time to clean and wash his big, obnoxious truck, and I was halfway impressed that he'd made such an effort. Brady had picked me up at seven sharp, dressed in a pair of dark jeans and a black button down shirt that made him look more like a bulky Calvin Klein model than a construction worker. I had smiled at him from the entryway, waving happily from the bottom of the steps as he walked into the house. I saw my dad eyeing the low cut tank top I had on under my cardigan, but he said nothing.

Try and keep me from Seattle then I'm going to wear what I want, I thought. To my horror, Brady had loudly promised them both to have me home before eleven.

"My curfew is twelve," I insisted. But he'd stuck to his guns and promised me home not at eleven but before. We'd made the hour-long drive to Port Angeles while I wondered why in the hell he'd done that.

"I'm surprised you take me so far away, what with me needing to be home at eleven," I chided him as I climbed out of the truck. Brady shook his head at me and walked closer, but was careful not to touch. My heart twisted in my chest a little as he noticeably avoided holding my hand by stuffing his hands in his pockets as we walked up to the little Italian restaurant.

Was he possibly as confused as I was about all of this? The changing feelings, the uncertainty, the newness of it all? I'd fought and fought to keep the 'friends' boundary for so long that now I wasn't sure if I could make the change from friends to something else. What if he'd gotten to know me these past few weeks and decided he didn't want to be more than that? What if he wanted to remain just friends and nothing else?

I felt like a fool for throwing such a fit about the 'friends' issue, after all it had been my idea all along. Now that he finally believed me, I decided I wanted more. I deserved my own misery and I knew it.

We walked up to the quaint little Italian restaurant, and I watched Brady roll his eyes. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing, I just... I wanted to take you someplace nice, not someplace I've been a million times."

"I've never been here," I said in a quiet voice, scanning the quaint scenery. The building sat next to the water, the lights of the nearby dock twinkling against the gently moving water. The smell of roasting garlic and pasta seeped from the open door as the host held it open for us. We walked inside and Brady grumbled to himself as he shook his head. We were seated at a cozy booth next to the windows that overlooked the water.

He frowned and let his eyes roam over the menu with a dark gaze. I could tell he was agitated about not being able to go to Seattle, but how was that my fault? If he was irritated at anyone, he needed to be irritated with my father for not letting me go.

"Would you stop?"

"Stop what?"

"Grumbling and growling like Oscar the Grouch. You're sitting there looking like you might swipe the face off the next person who comes to the table."

"I might," he growled. He shook his head and winced. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean that. I just meant that I wanted tonight to be special. It's our first... like, official date or outing or whatever, and I wanted to like... really impress you. This place just isn't..."

"Brady, it's a nice place. I've never been here and the food smells amazing. Why can't you just get over it? You're ruining my first date."

I knew I'd gotten him when he looked up at me with a puppy face that could have melted ice. "What?"

"I said... you're ruining my first date. Now shape up and be happy. This is supposed to be fun, ya know?"

He nodded slowly, shrugging. "I'm sorry. God, I'm such an—"

"Asshole?" I finished for him. He held my gaze until we both burst out laughing. I shook my head and took a sip of my water. "Brady, relax. Just... this place is great. Does it really matter anyway?"

"Well yeah, kinda... I mean, I just wanted your first date with me to be awesome. I had planned for us to eat at the Space Needle and go to the coffee bar, then maybe down to this park by the water, then our hotel had rock climbing and all this awesome stuff—"

"Just... rain date, ok?" I said. That stuff all sounded amazingly fun and totally up my alley, but honestly I just wanted to spend time with him – not his credit card. What he had in his head for our first date just sounded like he wanted to show off. While I normally would have indulged him, I honestly did want to get to know him on more than just a 'friendly' basis. The setting we had tonight seemed like a perfect chance for me to do just that.

"Fine," he agreed. "You're sure you don't mind?"

"No," I said softly, "I don't mind as long as you're here and you decide to be nice to me."

He met my gaze over the menu I held in my hands and nodded. "Deal."

Thank you to NinkyBaby for her quick turnaround! Hope you guys enjoyed this one : )

Part II of their date is up next! What do you think of Lexi's human time?