Shout-outs: rspringb and Alana Lissens

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Rated: T

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Chapter 7

"You just let him go to bed?" Kevin asked as they sipped coffee in the courtyard.

"What kind of signals was he giving off?" Enzio added. "Did it seem like he wanted to kiss you?"

Betty shrugged and sat back in her chair. "Honestly, I've never been good at reading signals."

"It's true!" Kevin agreed. "If she were good at reading them, she would have known Jughead had been in love with her since the first time they'd met. I don't think you have anything to worry about, Betts. He's still in love with you too."

Enzio nodded. "Anyone with eyes can see that he still is in love with you!"

Betty rubbed her temples. "Maybe I should just tell him to leave."

Kevin smirked. "We both know you wouldn't do that no matter how obnoxious he got."

"I might!" Betty protested.

A sleepy looking Jughead joined them, he eyed them suspiciously when they all stopped talking. "What's going on guys?"

"Nothing!" Enzio answered. "We were just discussing what colors we are going to paint the villa since we are almost done out here. Elizabetta was just saying how she would like a yellow the color of sunflowers for the library."

"And I was saying that was a wonderful idea!" Kevin replied. "Betty gave me a tour of the house while you were still sleeping and with all those windows, it would be so cheery!"

"Okay. . ." Jughead trailed off and looked at Betty. "I hate to bother you but would you mind if I ate breakfast in front of my computer this morning? I finally hit my stride last night and I'd like to continue writing while I still have my inspiration."

"It's no bother," Betty answered as she poured him a cup of coffee and fixed it the way he liked it. "I was going to make breakfast for you anyways. What difference will a few feet make? You go and create some magic!"

"I really am sorry I can't help you today," Jughead said to Enzio, apologetically.

"We'll be fine!" Betty assured him. "Enzio and the guys were going to start replacing the light fixtures in the villa so I could have an opportunity to spend some time with Kevin. You do your thing, I'll leave you alone until it's time for dinner."

Jughead smiled at her. "Okay. Thanks Betts, you're the best!"

"Hashtag, SO married!" Kevin said when Jughead was out of earshot. "It's almost adorable, even if it is so 1950s housewife!"

"It's not like that! I am not a 50s housewife, Kev!" Betty rolled her eyes. "He does more than his fair share around here."

"I'm sure he does," Kevin said. "I used to work with him sometimes during the summer on Mr. Andrew's construction sites. Does he still wear a wife beater on the job?"

"Kevin."

Kevin threw his hands up. "Okay. I'm sorry! I just want to see my best friend happy!"

Betty frowned. "How does my happiness depend on Jughead wearing a wife beater or not?"

"Because either he's let himself go since he's become famous or he hasn't worn one and you haven't gotten a glance at his physique."

"It's not just about looks, you know!" Betty informed him.

"But it helps!" Kevin replied.

"Kevin is right," Enzio said helpfully. "You would not want to be with somebody you were not attracted to!"

Betty was getting pretty fed up with the whole "will they, won't they" discussion. But of course she couldn't say this to Kevin. She knew he was only trying to help and that he truly only wanted her to be happy.

"How about we just do what we're supposed to do for today and not talk about it anymore?" Betty suggested as she started to clean up the coffee.

"Okay," Kevin finally agreed, finally getting the hint.

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Kevin's weeklong visit was a blur of sight-seeing and long Italian dinners, he didn't bring up the subject of Jughead and Betty again for the rest of the trip.

Betty was sorry to see him leave but he promised to return when the villa was finished and stay with her as a guest.

"Tell Veronica that I'm happy," Betty told him as they said their goodbyes. "I know she sent you to check up on us."

"Why Elizabeth Cooper, I have no idea what you're talking about!" Kevin replied, winking at her. "But I will tell her that you and Jughead both seem to be thriving here, despite not being together."

Betty shook her head. "You better go or you'll be late for your plane."

Kevin hugged her and then hopped in his rental car, he rolled down his window. "Tell Jughead that I said goodbye and good luck with his novel."

"I will," Betty promised, waving. "Goodbye Kev."

"Goodbye Betty!" Kevin replied.

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"Kevin gone?" Jughead asked when she had come inside.

Betty nodded. "Yeah."

Jughead smiled and poured a glass of sparkling water for her. "Does he have a good enough report for Veronica?"

"It's good enough," Betty answered, sighing and kicking her flip-flops off. "Isabelle and Luca would like us to have dinner with them tonight. Do you think you could pry yourself away from your laptop for a little bit?"

"I think I could manage something. My editor and manager are both happy with the chapters that I've sent them and I do have to eat," Jughead said, adding lemon slices to her drink.

"Yes you do, Mr. Bottomless Pit," Betty agreed. "So, I can call Isabelle and tell her we'll both be there then?"

Jughead nodded. "Yeah. I have a couple more scenes I need to write before we go but I can spare a few hours afterwards."

Betty's eyes twinkled as she accepted the glass from him and took a sip. "You can spare a few hours for lil' ole me? I do feel special!" she said jokingly.

Jughead shook his head. "I'm leaving now."

"I'll come and get you in a little bit!" Betty replied, smiling at him.

He smiled back.

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"Have you said anything yet?" Isabelle asked as she arranged tomato bruschetta. "I have been waiting anxiously to know how it has gone."

Betty shook her head. "No. I haven't had the opportunity and I am still not sure how to tell him."

"With words," Isabelle reminded her. "Haven't we already discussed this?"

"I can't seem to find the right ones," Betty confessed. "Even if I could, I'm pretty sure they'd get stuck in my throat."

Isabelle sighed. "I will not press you anymore, nobody likes to be nagged but I will light a candle for you when I go to church tomorrow and pray for courage and love."

"Thank you," Betty replied because she needed it, she knew she did.

Isabelle turned on some music, picked up her tray of appetizers and tucked a bottle of wine under her arm. "Come, let us go and see if Luca and Forsythe are ready for us."

Betty nodded and took four wine glasses, following Isabelle out to the courtyard with opera music in their wake.

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"I am getting used to life here," Jughead admitted as they drove home in the car that Betty had finally purchased.

Maybe it was a hint, an invitation for her to ask "then why don't you stay!?" But Betty didn't say it aloud. She twisted her serpent ring around her finger and looked out the window at the moon shining down on them.

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The Diary - July 10th

What's wrong with me? I am a grown woman and I cannot do the things grown women all over the world do. I cannot tell the man I love how I feel about him. I cannot ask him to spend the rest of his life with me even when he says something like "I am getting used to life here." But then I cannot invite him to spend the night with me, never mind sharing forever together.

I love him.

I love him.

I love him.

So, why am I too good at goodbyes?

TBC. . .

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Author's Note:

So, yeah. . . Sam Smith's new title may have inspired the last line but no worries, I never leave an ending unhappy. So, unlike "Good at Goodbyes", they do stand a chance. Anyways, I am tired of the slow burn so things should be picking up in the Bughead department soon. I hope you'll stick around for a little longer. In the meantime, reviews or even kudos keep me motivated. Hope you'll share your thoughts with me. I'm halfway through chapter 8, so it should be ready for next Saturday. The reason it took so long to get this chapter out was because I felt a bit sick last week. My apologizes for that.

Until Next Time!

Lots of Love,

Holly, 9/16/2017