an: this chapter ran away from me and let me tell you i had SO much fun with it
Please be free, please be free –
Jean's phone went to voicemail and Riza's whole body drooped as she sat in the centre of her bed.
Almost immediately, he called her back. The sudden buzzing of her phone within her palm made her jump in fright.
"Jean?"
"Hey Riza, what's up?" His light-hearted, easy reply was laced with something else…
"Why do you sound so out of breath?" The confusion of it distracted her long enough from her initial reason for calling.
He laughed. "Hey, sorry, I need to put you on speaker phone. I'm just getting – ow!" he cried out suddenly. "I'm just getting ready for my date."
Riza's heart thudded loudly within her chest.
His date.
He was so excited about it.
She couldn't bring him down with her own thing right now. He'd been looking forward to this all week.
"Oh. Sorry. Right, of course," Riza swallowed.
There was another muffled curse from the other end of the phone. She could imagine him hurrying around his bedroom to get ready. No doubt he was running late. Typical Jean. In fact, imagining him moving around that space she knew so well helped calm her racing her a little.
"What's up, though?"
She couldn't ruin his evening. She couldn't do that to him. Not when he was so eager and excited to go on his date. Because Riza knew he'd drop everything for her. That was just the way Jean was. The way he was programmed. And he'd be over in a heartbeat. His presence would be an instant comfort and he wouldn't press her to talk about what she was going through. He'd understand and would be content to just sit with her. She'd called him before, even though she'd hated to disrupt his quiet, pleasant evening like that. That's how she knew, when she'd had a bad day, still struggling with her mother's death, even after all these years. Jean had made everything better. He was like a bright sunshine, banishing away every cold, dark thought from her mind. Her mother's death, so tragic and sudden, had alienated father and daughter from one another. There was no love left in this family anymore, but with Jean by her side, hugging her tight and just being with her reminded Riza there was still someone out there who cared for her. Who loved her. Who wanted to help and comfort her when she needed it.
"Riza?" Jean prompted her when she'd been quiet for too long.
"Nothing!" She forced out the brightness in her voice. "I was just calling to wish you luck. Actually, do people wish other people luck for dates?"
That probably sounded weird.
"Good question. I don't know." His reply seemed entirely genuine. "No one has ever wished me luck for a date before."
Now, she felt slightly foolish. "Ah, well. There's a first time for everything I suppose. Anyway, whatever the appropriate encouragement is, I wish it to you. I hope you have a great time."
"Thanks, Riza. You're the best."
Her heartbeat calmed further, soothed by the distraction and simply by just chatting to Jean.
"I won't keep you. Have fun."
"Wait, before you go, good luck on your date tonight too."
He sounded so excited for her, but Riza's stomach twisted itself into knots.
"Thanks, Jean." In an effort to mask her unease, she let out a nervous laugh, diverting the conversation. "It does sound weird, doesn't it?"
"Not at all," he replied without missing a beat. "Wishing each other good luck never sounds weird."
She smiled.
"Riza, I have to go. Have the best time tonight! I'll see you tomorrow."
"Night, Jean." She tried to hide her disappointment, her panic at being left alone with her thoughts and her grief once more.
"Goodnight, Riza."
She must have been successful.
In the silence of her bedroom, Riza sat on her bed, phone discarded in her lap, as she stared into space. Hayate whined quietly and pressed his head into her lap. He looked up at her so sweetly, she could only imagine it was real concern she saw shining through those eyes.
Riza's throat clogged up and she swallowed passed the lump within it.
"One more call to make," she whispered to him, stroking her fingers lightly between his eyes.
Hayate sighed and shuffled further forward, moving his face better into her lap in a show of support.
If she couldn't have her best friend, Hayate was the next best thing. He always knew when she needed him. As soon as this next difficult part was over with, she'd be lying next to him, cuddling him tight.
If she closed her eyes, squeezed them tightly shut, she could almost imagine the memory of her mother doing the same thing to her, a lifetime ago.
Riza exhaled sharply before her tears could fall and steeled her spine. She scrolled through her phone and pressed call right away. No hesitation.
He picked up on the third ring.
"Hey, Riza," Roy greeted warmly thought the phone. Her shoulders relaxed as soon as she heard his voice but couldn't dwell on it for too long because he sounded so excited, which made Riza instantly feel worse, because she was phoning to cancel. "I was just thinking about you."
She felt terrible. Riza bit her lip as heat rose in her cheeks, her emotions mixing up inside of her.
"I – I mean," Roy stuttered. "I was just thinking about our plans," he amended, a nervous laugh leaving him.
It was so endearing she felt her heart melt even further when it came to Roy Mustang.
"Hi, Roy. Actually, I was too." Her eyes closed briefly, steeling herself for being the bearer of bad news. For disappointing him. For ruining everything.
She really hated herself in that moment.
"I've not been feeling very well this afternoon. I'm really sorry, but –"
"Is everything okay?" His reply was sharp, and she heard his concern clearly in his voice. "Wait, sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt."
"It's okay, Roy." He could interrupt her all he liked. She was the one cancelling on him, after all. On their first date. Riza felt like she might cry. She swallowed around the lump within her throat.
"Is everything okay?"
Riza bit her lip. She didn't particularly want to reveal too much about her reasonings, but he deserved that much from her.
"We can postpone tonight, if you'd like? I don't mind. Not if you're not feeling well."
Riza blinked in surprise as she stared at the wall. She expected… Well, she hadn't expected him to offer they move it to another time.
"Riza?"
She snapped back to the present. "Sorry. Yeah, I'm not feeling great. I don't –" She swallowed again and took a deep breath. "I don't think I would be the best company tonight either."
"I doubt it," he added gently. "You are always the best company, Riza."
She felt heat creeping up her neck and into her cheeks. Her lips twitched with the desire to smile, but her conflicting emotions within quickly dashed that.
Roy thought she was always good company.
He was so sweet and so good to her.
"But I get it if you need or want to cancel. We can go out another time." He said it as if it was the easiest solution in the world, and Riza was having a hard time grasping it.
"You don't mind?"
"Not at all, Riza." Again, there was his soft voice. It soothed her frazzled mind ever so slightly.
"I'm really, really sorry, Roy."
"Don't worry about it. Honestly. The most important thing is you feeling better. We can do something another time! That's no problem."
That warmth which took root within her chest, which was so familiar whenever Riza was within his presence, made its appearance. It blossomed beautifully within her, blanketing as a protective barrier against her past for a brief moment.
"Get some rest. Do you need me to bring you anything?"
"No. I'll be fine."
"Okay. But if you do, don't hesitate to drop me a text, okay? Or give me a call. I'll be over in a flash."
Her chest was burning up and the sensation started to sting her eyes as tears threatened. "Thank you, Roy." He would never know how much his words and his offers meant to her. Especially tonight.
"Sleep well, Riza. Feel better soon."
"Thank you, Roy. And sorry again. I hope you have a good evening."
"No apology necessary." She could almost picture his easy grin. "See you tomorrow."
"Bye, Roy."
Riza didn't know if she'd be any better by tomorrow, so didn't offer it.
Now, in the silence of her bedroom, in her home, she felt everything creeping in on her. The bright spots left by her interaction with Roy, leaving her feeling lighter and better, even though she'd been disappointing him, were becoming duller, winking out as the day drew to a close.
She should eat dinner. She should go and speak to her father, too. But the latter had never proven to be a productive exercise before. It would bring her nothing but heartache, and she already had enough at the moment, never mind adding more. If Riza brought up her mother he'd sit there frozen, stricken and mute, and she'd get nothing from him anyway, so what was the point?
Feeling so alone, Riza curled under her bedcovers.
Hayate whined. He nudged her shoulder with his nose, begging to be let into the comforting cocoon of warmth she'd created for herself, which of course, Riza obliged.
She hugged her dog tightly as time passed as it always did, with no regard for the silently weeping teenager, still grieving over her mother's death as if it had just happened yesterday, not years ago.
The noise of the dining hall hit Jean as soon as he stepped inside. He'd been let out late from English and the room had already filled, but luckily, that meant the queue to get food was shorter than usual.
Luckily, he'd be able to wait with a friend too, because Roy was at the end of the line.
"Hey."
Roy startled and looked at him in surprise. "Jean. Hi."
They hadn't conversed much alone since Roy had been welcomed easily into their group, so Jean was excited at the prospect of doing so. Especially if he was going out with Riza. He wanted to get to know him more, for her sake, and he also genuinely seemed like a good guy. He got on with everyone in their group. Plus, Jean couldn't imagine moving here for the last year of school was easy, so the offer of friendship would probably be appreciated as well. He hoped it would, anyway.
They chatted back and forth as they waited, exchanging pleasantries, but fell quiet to focus on putting in their food order.
"How was your date, last night?"
Jean grimaced. "It was all right."
"Just all right?" Roy sounded doubtful. "With Solaris?"
"She was nice, but we had nothing in common. We had nothing to talk about. It was so awkward," Jean replied, a nervous laugh leaving him. "It wasn't what I was looking for."
Wasn't who he was looking for.
Then, Jean shrugged. "At least I tried. Now we both know it won't work out. Anyway, how was your night with Riza?" He was hopeful, thinking at least his friends would have had a better night than him.
"Oh, we didn't go," Roy replied. He sounded disappointed.
"Didn't go," Jean echoed. What? Why?
Roy shook his head. "She called saying she wasn't feeling well. She wasn't in chemistry this morning either."
Jean stopped moving down the line. He froze in place due to the shock.
How did he miss that Riza wasn't at school?
They were prevented from speaking further as it was Roy's turn to pay for his food.
As soon as Jean had paid, he headed straight for the table, not bothering to pick up any packets of sauce or salt like Roy.
"Becca," he called urgently. She looked up from her lunch. For a tiny second her face flickered with sadness, then it disappeared. "Where's Riza?"
"At home, I think."
"Home?"
"Yeah, she wasn't in registration this morning. I texted her and she said she wasn't feeling well. You… You didn't know?" Rebecca frowned.
Jean shook his head. "No. I spoke to her last night and she sounded fine –"
The penny dropped.
She had sounded off last night. He knew it. But he'd been so caught up in himself he hadn't thought anything further about it.
"…said she wasn't feeling well too," Rebecca continued, unaware Jean was no longer listening. "Apparently he spoke to her."
"Who," Jean asked sharply.
"Roy." Rebecca scrutinised his face, her eyes narrowing slightly as a frown appeared on her forehead. "Are you all right?"
"I'm…" Jean swallowed as his stomach tightened in discomfort. "I'm fine. I'm just worried about her."
"Is there a reason to worry?" Rebecca asked her question carefully.
"I… I don't know."
Jean felt helpless. She might have had a bad night with her dad. Berthold wasn't exactly a father figure, but he was cold and unwelcoming at the best of times. Jean chalked it up to his scientist nature, but it wasn't fair on Riza, and that had never sat well with Jean. Or, worse, it could have been to do with her mother.
Why wouldn't she tell me, though?
Jean dug out his phone to call her but noticed the red circle by his messages. The number three stared back at him. Three unread messages… His stomach dropped. He did remember dismissing them as they popped up while eating with Solaris. That was at the start of their date, when he was too caught up in the excitement to realise that it wasn't going in the direction he'd hoped.
There was an unread message from Riza. Two from his mother.
RH: Hey just wanted to say I hope your date went well. Can't wait to hear all about it.
That was it. It was sent just after seven last night.
She didn't pick up when he tried to call either. Jean tried twice.
"Where's Riza?"
The table fell silent as they all exchanged glances.
"She said she wasn't feeling well," Rebecca offered. "I don't know what's wrong with her though, but she's off today."
All faces turned sympathetic. Roy looked worried and concerned as he silently ate his lunch. Jean's stomach twisted as he sat there, thinking he was a terrible person for dismissing his thoughts the evening before. How he hadn't even realised she wasn't at school today.
He was a terrible friend.
"Did she say if she needed anything," Kain asked.
Rebecca shook her head. "She never said."
"She's never off school," Vato commented. "I hope she's okay."
"She will be, I'm sure," Rebecca added. "I'll text her after school though and tell her you were all asking after her."
A murmur of appreciation went round the table, but it wasn't enough for Jean.
As soon as he finished his lunch he left the table and tried to call her again. The school bell was due to ring any second, but he needed to try one more time.
Like Vato said, it wasn't like her to be off school.
Right as the automated voicemail message played, the school bell trilled loudly, making Jean jump. He cursed and was torn between waiting and heading to his next period.
In the end, duty won out and he trudged along the corridors as his guilt weighed on his mind. He got a telling off from a passing teacher for having his phone out, but Jean didn't care.
JH: Hey. Becca and Roy said you weren't feeling well so I was just phoning to check in.
JH: If you need anything don't hesitate to ask. I'll be right over after school.
JH: Hope you're ok.
He anxiously checked his phone after every period, but there was still no reply.
Jean was let into Riza's house by her father. The man ambled away after he locked the door, heading back to his study, while Jean climbed the stairs himself.
"Riza?" Jean called out quietly as he knocked on her closed bedroom door.
He hadn't been here often. They always opted to hang out at Jean's place, and he was glad of that. Anything for Riza to escape her father's presence for a while if she needed it.
There was no answer. He knocked on the door and opened the door slowly, poking his head inside.
The room was dim. The curtains were drawn and there was a human shaped lump underneath the bedcovers. A canine head popped up from the mound of covers to look over at the door. Hayate's ears pricked up and his tongue lolled from his mouth when he spotted Jean. He stood and stretched on the bed while Jean closed Riza's door and then hopped down to greet him.
"Hey, buddy." Jean knelt and scratched him behind the ears, causing his tail to wag excitedly.
"Jean?" Riza's voice sounded confused and hoarse.
"It's me." Then, Jean hesitated. His great lunchtime idea suddenly felt very intrusive and he rose to stand awkwardly in Riza's bedroom. It was an emotion he wasn't used to feeling around her – and he didn't like it. He exhaled and forced his body to loosen. "I'm sorry, but you didn't reply to my texts, and I just wanted to make sure you were okay. Sorry if I'm intruding."
Riza was still then she rolled over and sat up in bed.
She didn't look well at all. Her eyes were puffy and red. Jean could tell even in the dim light of the room. She looked pale and her hair was twisted and tangled, as if she'd been sleeping. He felt a wave of sympathy and concern for her, causing him to take a step further into the room.
"No, it's fine. I don't mind you being here. I… I'd prefer it actually. Only if you don't mind."
"Of course I don't mind, Riza." He walked over and perched himself at the foot of her bed. "Like I said, whatever you need, I'll be there."
"Oh, my phone." She reached over to her bedside table where her phone sat charging. "I put it on charge and silent while I went for a nap. I didn't sleep so well last night."
"Was it…" He hated to bring it up, to guess why, in fear of upsetting her. "Was it because of your Mum?"
He watched in horror as her eyes welled up and her face almost crumpled.
Riza nodded. "I… I had a bad night, last night," she replied. Her voice was rough. It sounded like it hurt to speak. "Remembering it all. Going through it again. It just hit me and…" She trailed off, but Jean didn't need to hear anymore.
"Do you need me to get you anything," he asked gently.
"Could you possibly you grab me some water?" She looked pleadingly up at him, no doubt feeling bad for asking it of him, but it was no problem.
"Of course." He was out the room in a flash, eager to see to his friend.
Berthold was nowhere to be seen as Jean rummaged around inside his perfectly clean and neat kitchen – all Riza's doing.
When he returned, she gulped it down quickly.
"Do you want more?"
Riza shook her head. "No. I'm okay. Thank you."
At least she sounded better now.
"What's going on, Riza? You can tell me if you want."
"I know I can." Her head bobbed as she nodded. "I know." Then, she offered him a weak smile. "It was just… a weak moment. That's all."
Jean shook his head. "Would you mind if I…" He gestured towards the space in the bed next to her.
Riza scooted over and he propped himself against the wall. Riza's head fell to his shoulder in a movement that was so familiar, it was like breathing for them.
"You're not weak, Riza." Jean said this with absolute certainty. "But there is no harm in having these weak moments either, when you need to let everything out. I just wish you'd said. Was that why you called last night?"
There was a beat of hesitation and Jean groaned quietly when Riza nodded. A tiny movement of admittance.
"You were so excited for your date and I didn't want to ruin it or take away from it."
"You never could."
She wouldn't believe him, Jean knew that, but she was important to him and knew the truth of what he spoke deep down within his bones.
Riza was his sister. His best friend. He'd do anything for her.
Wrapping an arm around her shoulder, Jean hugged her tightly against his side. "I'm sorry," he whispered to his oldest friend.
"What for?" She seemed to think his apology was ridiculous.
"I didn't listen to you properly yesterday. I didn't help."
"I didn't tell you," Riza argued.
Jean knew that and replied in his head that she should have told him. However, Riza had never been one to be pushed. If she was, she'd retreat further in on herself, and in a case like this, Jean wasn't sure if even he'd be able to get her back out again before any damage was done.
"Promise me, if it happens again, no matter what you'll tell me? I want you to come to me if you need something. Or tell someone, at least? I don't like the idea of you suffering alone."
She cringed against him. "I'm not…"
He would have levelled her with a look if he could have, but she seemed so comfortable curled up against him and he didn't want to disturb her.
"Okay," she sighed. "I will."
He squeezed her tight against his side. "Thank you."
"Was Roy… mad at me? At school?"
"Why would he be mad?"
"Because I cancelled our date."
"Oh. No, he was worried about you. Everyone was. They were all asking if you were okay. Rebecca told them she'd text you tonight to check in as well."
Riza fell silent and Jean was content to hold her and give her time.
"They were worried?"
"Of course they were, Riza. You're never off. I've witnessed you come to school with the flu before, and you told everyone you were fine."
"I didn't want to miss out on schoolwork," she defended.
Jean laughed quietly. "Yeah, and it's a wonder you were able to make it through one period without keeling over. I would have stayed at home in my bed. Like a normal person."
She pinched his side lightly in retaliation, making him laugh again.
"Becca told them you weren't well. They all hoped you were okay."
She let out a quiet "aw", obviously touched by their concern. "I'll be back tomorrow."
"Do you need more time off?"
Riza shook her head. "Sitting here, chatting with you has already made me feel much better. The distraction of school will be good for me."
Still, his earlier guilt and concern still swirled within him. "If you're sure, Riza."
"I'm sure."
"Do you want me to stay with you for longer?"
"Would you mind?"
"Never."
They both got more comfortable and relaxed against one another.
"How did your date go?"
"It was okay. It was fun, but Solaris and I both kinda agreed in the end there wouldn't be a second one."
"Why?"
"We just didn't have anything in common, that's all. She's great to talk to at school and about our classes, but once that was gone, there wasn't much else to talk about. It ended up being a bit awkward, actually. Plus, I don't really want to go on dates and talk about school all the time. I want to escape from it, y'know?"
"I know," Riza admitted quietly. She was silent for a beat or two. "You know who you don't chat about school to, don't you?"
He could anticipate where this was going, making him sigh. "Yeah."
"You should talk to Rebecca, Jean. Ask her out."
His feelings of uncertainty and longing came rushing back to him. He cleared his throat but couldn't find the words to formulate a reply. Not when his emotions were choking his throat. His chest started to burn again too, just like it always did when he thought about his chances with Rebecca.
Riza sighed. "You know she likes you, right? It will be easy to ask her. You've just got to go for it."
Jean glanced at her sharply. The sudden movement dislodged Riza from his shoulder, causing her to sit up and face him.
"You do know that, don't you Jean?" She narrowed her eyes at him slightly, searching his face for confirmation that he did indeed, know that.
But no.
No, he did not.
She had never seemed interested…
His heart started to slam against his ribcage. It thumped heavily as hope slowly started to swell within him.
"What?" He pretty much gasped his question.
Riza blinked at him, her earlier despondency gone. "You didn't know that? What? How?"
"As a friend, she does."
Riza's eyes widened. "Jean Havoc," she replied sharply.
Uh oh.
She full named him.
"Tell me you're joking."
"Riza Hawkeye, please tell me you're not joking with me right now."
"No! Of course I'm not messing with you." Her jaw went slack and if he wasn't so panicked and hopeful and nervous right now, he might have laughed at her expression. "Jean, she likes you. As in, wants to date you. Just so I'm being explicitly clear, she's interested in you that way."
He floundered. "How?" His question sounded so weak to his ears.
"She told me."
He was in shock.
Did he dare hope…?
"How did you not know this? It's obvious! She was practically glued to your side when we went to the cinema. Are you blind?" She even waved a hand in front of his eyes, just to be sure.
Which he batted gently away. "No, I'm not blind. I didn't think…"
They stared at each other as this revelation settled upon them.
"I thought you were just being nervous about it all and were scared about making the first move. I didn't think you were actually clueless!"
"Clueless," he echoed back. "She's never shown an interest in me like that."
"Yes she has!" Riza threw her hands up in the air and shook her head. A hand lowered to slap against her forehead. "You boys are hopeless," she muttered to herself.
"Well, why hasn't she asked me out yet?"
"Probably for the same reason you haven't asked her yet. Underneath all that bravado, you're both terrified of rejection."
Jean let himself fall back against the wall. His head banged against it, but he didn't notice the pain. He was too stunned.
Rebecca liked him… In that way…
Excitement replaced the hope. He almost started vibrating with it as his heart soared, threatening to burst forth from his ribcage.
Rebecca liked him back.
She liked him!
"Oh my God."
Oh my God is right," Riza muttered quietly.
"Why haven't you told me before?"
She threw her hands up in the air again. "You never wanted me to bring it up! And I didn't want to upset you. Rebecca didn't want me to tell you, and you didn't want me to tell Rebecca, so I've been stuck in between you both with this knowledge for ages with no outlet for it and let me tell you, you're both hopeless. Honestly. It was painful to watch, as a friend to both of you." She flopped back against the wall as Jean just continued to stare at her, still stunned. "Boy, does it feel good to finally have it off my chest."
She even let out a contented sigh.
Jean's mouth just opened and closed as he struggled to even formulate a reply.
The revelation just ran on a loop around within his head.
"Are you okay, Jean?"
He gave himself a shake, still bewildered. "I really didn't know."
Riza sighed. "Well, now you do. So stop being a scaredy cat and ask her out already. Please. For all our sakes. It's been torture watching you two pine over each other for years."
"All of our sakes?"
"Everyone in our friend group knows you're both smitten with one another."
"Everyone…"
Wow. He really must be blind.
"Yup." Riza even popped the 'p'. "Everyone. Even Roy noticed it."
"Oh my God."
"Uh hu."
They fell silent as Jean processed… well, everything.
And then remembered how he'd announced he had a date right in front of her. He groaned loudly.
"Making connections?"
"No, I was just thinking about how I announced the date I had at lunch. Was it my imagination, or did Rebecca look… sad?"
"No, she was."
Jean flinched.
"She didn't want to say anything though because you were so happy. So we agreed to let it play out and see how it went and go from there."
"So…" He swallowed, feeling nervously excited. "She's going to ask me?"
Riza held up her hands in surrender. "Oh no. I am officially out of this. I know nothing further. I don't know what her plan is now and I'm not getting involved. I've kept too many secrets from each of you regarding the other and I am officially bowing out." Her hands fell to her lap, palms slapping against her thighs. "But of course, I support this wholeheartedly and if I had my way I would have shoved you both forcibly together ages ago. I just don't want to be caught in the middle anymore. But if asked, I will help."
Jean let out a laugh of disbelief. And, it caused Riza to break out into a wide grin. Her eyes sparkled with amusement and joy for him, that it made his heart happy to see.
"I suppose that is more than fair."
"It definitely is.
Riza sighed and settled herself back against the wall. Jean joined her and both their heads tipped together.
"Wow… Rebecca likes me back."
"She does indeed."
His previous fear evaporated with such ease he wondered if they were ever there to begin with.
"It seems silly now to have been so scared."
Riza shook her head. "It's not silly. It is scary. But please ask her out. I am begging you, Jean. Put us all out of our misery."
He laughed quietly and nudged her side with his elbow to combat her teasing.
"I will, I promise."
What a night…
He was most definitely hopeless, just like Riza said. But, now it was time to turn it around.
The thought made excitement flutter within his stomach. His fingers itched to reach for his phone and call Becca right now, but he fought down the urge. Riza had needed him tonight, so he'd focus on that, first and foremost.
"I can't believe it."
"I can't believe you didn't know."
He was sure he heard another "hopeless" muttered under her breath, so Jean reached over and pinched her side gently, making her giggle.
"Don't!" Hearing Riza's laughter was music to Jean's ears. "You know I'm ticklish there."
"That's what you get from keeping this from me for so long."
"Do not even get me started, Jean Havoc! You didn't want to talk about it at all. You're your own worst enemy."
They laughed together, heads bowed like children sharing secrets and telling stories.
It was the most elated Jean had felt in a long time.
"Thank you, Riza. For finally telling me." His gratitude was entirely sincere.
"You're welcome, Jean."
"And don't worry about you and Roy. I think you're both going to be more than fine. He's smitten with you too."
She blushed, making him grin. "We haven't even been out on a date yet." There was a hint of sadness in her tone.
"I wouldn't worry about that anyway. Head over heels, that boy is for you."
"Shut up," she mumbled, embarrassed, but extremely pleased, as she nudged his side.
"Never," Jean grinned.