"I didn't take you for the kind of person who goes on romantic walks on the beach," Thalia commented as she followed behind Reyna. Thalia was wearing her leather jacket around her waist. There was a content smile on her face, and most of the time, it turned into this absolutely ridiculous smile because she was so happy.
After their dinner, Reyna commented that she knew a place they could go if Thalia wanted to go with her. Thalia had instantly said yes, especially since she didn't want this date to end any time soon. It could last for eternity, and that would be fine with her.
The dinner had gotten a lot better after they pushed past the topic of Bellona. Thalia knew she was a little rash for jumping right into it, but it felt good to clear that up. Reyna loosened up over the course of the date, and Thalia found herself doing the same as well. They both had a nervous energy, but after the appetizers were done, they found themselves able to relax.
"It's not a beach," Reyna countered as she nudged a branch with her foot as if she was proving a point.
"Okay, I know that," Thalia said as she spread her arms in mock exasperation ."It's just how the saying goes. It doesn't sound right to say a romantic walk on a bike trail."
"It's a hiking trail," Reyna corrected. Thalia gently shoved her. A chuckle left Reyna. "And, who said that walk was romantic?"
"Just two best friends walking along a hiking trail?" Thalia questioned as she turned towards Reyna.
"Actually, Nico is my best friend," Reyna corrected. While her face was set in stone, Thalia could see her lip starting to twitch.
"Nico is your best friend. What a sad life you live," Thalia teased.
"I know. All my employees act like animals, and by god, there is this annoying asset protector who cannot take her eyes off me. Did you know that she spilled coffee on me just to watch me take my shirt off?" Reyna asked. Thalia felt her face instantly catch on fire.
"I did not!" Thalia protested. "You just took your shirt off and totally caught me off guard!"
"You enjoyed it," Reyna commented.
"So much," Thalia agreed. She stuck her hands in her pocket and moved slightly closer to Reyna. Her eyes glanced at her phone.
"Am I boring you already?" Reyna asked.
"Nah. I was just worried it was past your bedtime," Thalia teased. Reyna smirked and shook her head. Her eyes flicked around ahead and then moved back to Thalia. "Shoot. It is, isn't it?"
"I can afford to stay up a little later," Reyna said with a shrug. "I'll just have to make sure not to sleep in until five minutes before work."
"That was one time," Thalia argued. Reyna raised an eyebrow. "Okay, fine. Like five times. No more than ten!"
Reyna hummed under her breath. The two of them made their way up a hill, and before they made it to the top, Reyna's hand gently grabbed Thalia by her bicep. She pulled her off of the trail and towards a thicket of trees.
"Is this where you take me to get murdered?" Thalia wondered.
"If I was going to murder you, I would have had you pay for dinner," Reyna informed.
"I guess that's smart," Thalia said. They stepped through the thicket of trees, and Thalia stared at the little clearing they had stepped into. On three sides, they were surrounded by even more trees. The fourth side showed a beautiful view of their city.
A small garden rested near the edge, and there were a few lawn chairs put out for people to sit in. Reyna led Thalia towards one of the chairs and sat down. Thalia sat by her, "This place is beautiful."
"There's an old couple that lives down the road from this trail. They walk here every day to take care of the small garden," Reyna said softly. "My dog chased a squirrel up here on one of our runs, and I found the couple. We talked for a while, and they invited me to come back here anytime I wanted."
Thalia leaned back in the seat and looked up at the sky. The full moon hung in the air, illuminating the sky. Stars shined brightly, and Thalia found herself tracing constellations in the sky. A hand rested near hers, and Thalia loosened her fingers and held her palm up. Reyna gently grabbed her hand.
"I've been thinking about what you said about my mother," Reyna said. A frown came to Thalia's lips.
"I"m sorry. I really didn't want to make things uncomfortable," Thalia began.
"I just want you to know that I understand your concern. My mom has controlled a lot of my life, and I won't let her do that anymore," Reyna swore. She looked down at the ground. "I know I've got my own set of issues, but I'm working on them. So..."
"Do you want to be my girlfriend?" Reyna asked. Thalia tried to stop the huge grin that came to her face because if she grinned, she wouldn't be able to make a stupid joke before agreeing. Her face fought against her, and that huge grin broke out.
"Of course," Thalia said. "I would love to be your girlfriend."
"We'll have to be professional at work," Reyna began.
"I am the queen of official," Thalia promised. Reyna raised an eyebrow. "The queen of it!"
Thalia looked at Reyna and did her best official wave, acting like she was a queen at her coronation. Reyna rolled her eyes, "You're ridiculous."
"No, you," Thalia countered. Reyna rolled her eyes again. "You're supposed to tell me the same thing."
"I'm not doing that," Reyna stated.
"Spoilsport."
"I'm not a spoilsport."
"You're just cranky because it's past your best time."
"You're older than me!"
"But, I don't have the body of a sixty-year-old."
"Just a fifty-year-old."
Thalia gently hit Reyna's shoulder, "I am the sexiest fifty-year-old you will ever meet."
"I don't tend to look at a fifty-year-old and debate how sexy they are, but I can see that you're into that," Reyna commented. Thalia rolled her eyes. "Were you hitting on any senior citizens before going after me?"
"Oh yeah," Thalia confirmed. "That's why I love my job. I can just spy on old people with my cameras."
Reyna started laughing, and Thalia did as well. Thalia spoke in between laughs, "You make me look like a creep!"
"You're the one who said it," Reyna said as she calmed down. Thalia rolled her eyes and stretched back in the chair. "Seriously, I talked to Lupa about it. We have to make sure that we are professional at work, especially since I am your manager."
"I will be one hundred percent professional," Thalia promised. "But the second we're off the clock, I am going to annoy the shit out of you."
"That's so weird. You already do," Reyna said. Thalia gasped in mock shock and put both hands to her heart. Reyna smirked.
"Those are hurtful words," Thalia said as she crossed her arms and turned away. Thalia managed her impression of a pouting child for only a few seconds before she looked back at Reyna. "Is this something we have to keep secret?"
"No," Reyna promised. "I'm going to text Lupa and let her know. I'm sure you're going to tell Percy as soon as you get home if you haven't already texted him."
Thalia rolled her eyes and looked up at the stars. It was absolutely beautiful, and she could imagine many more nights where they sat here, just enjoying the presence of each other. Reyna sighed, but she sounded content.
"You really don't have to get me a stuffed animal," Reyna said after a minute of silence.
"What kind of girlfriend would I be if I didn't get you a stuffed bear for your surgery?" Thalia asked. "You know, I always wanted a cyborg for a girlfriend. Better than a girlfriend with the body of an old person."
"Which you admitted to finding hot," Reyna muttered. Thalia rolled her eyes. "You really don't have to get me anything."
"I really do," Thalia countered. She looked at Reyna and smiled. "I could also be there for your surgery. If you're comfortable with that."
"You don't have to," Reyna declined. "Hylla has it all planned out, and she never plans anything out. So if I throw an unexpected obstacle, she's gonna get mad at me. You don't want to see her mad."
"Is there a lot of Spanish curse words thrown around?" Thalia wondered.
"A lot," Reyna confirmed. Her gaze moved to her watch. She sighed and slowly stood. "Alright, it is getting close to my bedtime."
"Ahhh, the old granny is tired," Thalia teased.
"I could just leave you on this hill. Or make you walk home. I know how much you hate walking," Reyna said. Thalia glared at her. Then, she stood and followed Reyna out of the small garden. "Tonight was great, Thalia."
"It was." She wrapped an arm around Reyna's neck but was careful not to touch her injured shoulder too much. "Girlfriend."
"Girlfriend," Reyna repeated, and she visibly tried to fight a smile. Thalia studied her lips and started to lean in. Then, she quickly looked back forward and focused on their walk. The date had gone amazing, and she just needed to not screw it up.