Icehale: And I'm back with another chapter! It isn't the best quality, but when I was writing this, I was hit with a bit of writer's block. So if it's a bit jumbled, that's why. But anyway! Ava Morgenstern, disclaimer please!
Ava: Look at me and hear me loud and clear! ICEHALE DOES NOT OWN ME! Or Girl Meets World in general.
Icehale: On with the story, chicos y chicas!
—
Excerpt from Rosie McGee's Journal
It's been a long couple of months, journal. You know that man I was talking about a little while ago? I think I may be falling in love with him. He's such a sweetheart when you get to know him and I can see who he really is just by looking in his eyes. It's truly magical, journal, and I really hope I can see him again. I truly hope that next time we meet, he won't be informing me that he's going back to Texas…
–December 27, 1961
—
Lucas sighed. He had been in New York for about a week now, and it was time to meet again with Riley Matthews soon.
True, Lucas didn't want to go, but he couldn't deny the strange growing attraction towards the girl. He was intrigued by her and even if he wasn't, they would have to meet up again to exchange the inheritance.
Before leaving, Lucas glanced at his phone. It was fortunate that he had chosen then to look at it as it was silently vibrating with a call from his best friend.
"Zay," Lucas drawled in greeting. "And how are you doing on this fine day?"
"I'm good, buddy," Zay answered, his mischievous grin heard through his words. "Did you meet the girl yet?"
"Yeah, I did," Lucas said, rubbing the back of his neck. "She's incredibly optimistic, that one."
Zay's grin only grew wider. "I see," he replied, then changed the subject abruptly. "Didn't your grandpapa tell you stories about that optimistic city gal he once loved?"
"She was Riley's grandma," Lucas informed him, checking his watch. "Look Zay, I've gotta go –"
"Your Pappy Joe's first love is this city gal's granny?" Zay asked, letting out a bark of surprised laughter. "That's a bit of a shocker."
"Yes, I know, and I really have to go now…" Lucas tried again, but Zay quickly cut him off.
"And didn't you say that everyone comments on how much you look like your grandfather?" Zay questioned. "Maybe this girl looks like her grandmother and you two can rekindle the romance your grandparents lost. Maybe you'll fall in love. Maybe –"
"Zay!" Lucas cut him off, cheeks burning. "No, that won't happen. We have a purely business relationship and I will not talk about more than that with the girl who I've only bothered to be standoffish with!"
"Aw man," Zay complained. "You know, Luke, I think having a girl would be good for you. Y'know, she'd bring out your better side. I say you should go for it with this city girl and see where it takes you."
"I have to go," Lucas said sharply, hanging up before Zay could say anything else.
He sighed. What was up with his best friend these days? Talking about love?
Vanessa had really changed him.
—
"No Maya, I'm not going to bail on him!" Riley exclaimed.
"Why not?" Maya asked, raising an eyebrow. "From what you've said, he's extremely insulting and rude. I don't want you to have to deal with that."
Riley sighed, placing a hand on her best friend's shoulder. "I'll be fine, Maya," she reassured. "He wasn't too bad last time, and he should be kinder today since he knows he's getting what he wants."
"Can you at least bring me with you?" Maya pleaded. "Or even Josh? Farkle? Smackle?"
Every person Maya suggested earned a shake of Riley's head. "I'm sorry Maya, but this is something I've got to do on my own," she explained. "I'll be just fine, I swear."
"Fine," Maya grumbled. "But don't come to me when Huckleberry over there starts talking smack about you."
Riley laughed. She knew that if the boy insulted her, Maya would be there whether Riley was affected by it or not. She always was, after all.
"Don't you have a date to get to?" Riley asked, a knowing smile on her face as she changed the subject.
"Yeah," Maya said, her eyes brightening. "In about an hour."
"Then you'd better get ready!" Riley practically screamed, pulling Maya up to her room. "Josh may not care, but you know that you're going to get all dressed up for him."
"I know, I know," Maya shrugged, a grin lighting up her face. "You'll help me out?"
"Of course I will, Peaches," Riley replied, clapping her hands together. "Come on, fashion awaits no one."
—
Riley didn't think waiting for Lucas wasn't as bad the second time around. After all, they had already worked out a deal, now they were just meeting for an update status. And seeing him in the park had destroyed everything she thought she knew about him, leaving her to wonder what he was truly like.
Lucas still dreaded meeting up with Riley again, but it was definitely less pronounced. He was intrigued by her, more so than he had ever been with any other girl. It may just have been wonder at the sight of her giving up all of a multimillion dollar fortune, but he still wanted to know more about her.
"Hey," Riley greeted Lucas as she saw him enter.
"Hi," Lucas replied, giving her a small nod. "So what happened?"
"I transferred all of the money into the account you told me to put it in," Riley said, handing him the stack of papers she had. "I also have the property deeds in there. Most of Merlin's belongings are still in the house, but I kept some things he had of my grandmother's. I hope you don't mind."
"No, that's fine," Lucas told her, eyes scanning the papers. "That's it?"
"Yes," Riley nodded. "That's truly it."
Lucas inclined his head. "So I'll be heading back to Texas soon, I suppose," he mentioned, not really sure why he did.
"I see," Riley murmured. A silence fell between the two and suddenly, she felt a flash of inspiration. She was already wondering what he was like, but it seemed that she had an opportunity to figure it out. If she was brave enough to ask, of course.
"Would you like to meet for coffee one last time before you go?" Riley asked hesitantly, peering up at him. "For friendly reasons only, of course. These past few meetings have been purely business, but I think I'd like to get to know you a bit better."
"Er, alright then," Lucas agreed, startled by the question. "Next Wednesday, perhaps? At about 5? I leave that Sunday."
"I have a class then," Riley said, shaking her head. "Maybe Friday? Same time, of course.
"That would be fine," Lucas nodded. "Until then, I suppose."
"Goodbye, Lucas," Riley replied with a small wave. "I'll see you then."
Riley sighed as she watched him leave. Lucas was a complex puzzle that she truly wanted to solve. But why? There were so many people she knew who were a complicated jumble of personality, but Riley was content to let them understand who they really were. Why had Lucas Friar caught her attention.
And that's when the thought hit her. It came out of nowhere and Riley wasn't sure how to deal with it, or even if she should.
Could the pull she felt for Lucas be romantic?
—
Icehale: Riley has finally kind of realized her feelings! Lucas, well, he's getting there, but we'll have to wait until their coffee date … I mean, meeting to see what happens! As always, review to tell me your opinion. Did you think Riley's realization was too rushed, too slow, at the right time? If you liked it, follow and favorite! Until next week, my friends. Icehale out!
