"What do you feel like doing?" Ace asked Laura as he opened her door for her.
"I don't know," she shrugged.
"How 'bout I buy you dessert?" Ace suggested.
"Okay," she agreed and hopped into the car.
It wasn't long before they had reached the Blue Point Diner and were seated in a booth.
"Seems so strange to be in one of these when it's just the two of us," Laura said lazily licking her spoon which was covered in syrup from her butterscotch sundae.
They had arrived too late to get a table as all the kids on dinner dates had beaten them to it.
"I don't mind though," Ace said sliding his hand under her dress, there were definite benefits to sitting side by side.
He was in the process of undoing the buttons of her cardigan when the door swung open and in walked Billy, Vince, Charlie and Eyeball. They spotted Ace and walked over to their booth.
"Hey kids," Eyeball said as he slid in next to Laura, "hope we're not interrupting."
"It's fine," Laura smiled as Ace pulled her up on to his lap so the other three could squeeze in.
"Sorry 'bout the other day hon, sincerely," Eyeball said winking at her, "ain't that right Billy."
"Yeah that's right," Billy agreed not really wanting to bring it up again.
"Oh," she said not really knowing how to respond, "don't worry about it," she assured them.
She had felt Aces arms start to squeeze around her middle so she lay against his shoulder and rubbed one of his arms until they relaxed again.
"What are you homos up to?" Ace asked as he started to light a cigarette.
"Pool," Vince answered in between gulps of a soda he had just ordered.
"We thought we'd eat first," Charlie said browsing over the menu.
Ace looked over at the clock on the wall, it was almost time to meet the goddamn truck driver for his uncle. He was originally going to bring Laura with him but looks like he had found a better alternative.
"I have to go do something for a bit. Take Laura with you, I'll meet up with you later," he said not directing his words to anyone in particular.
"Sure thing pal," Eyeball said as he stood up so Ace could get out of the booth.
"How long will you be?" Laura asked getting out with him.
"Hour tops," he assured her, "don't let these assholes swindle you at pool," he joked before kissing her briefly and heading out the door.
Laura sat back down to find the four Cobras devouring a mountain of food.
"Fries?" Charlie asked offering her the basket.
"Thanks," Laura said taking a few, not wanting to be rude.
"Weed?" Eyeball offered her his pack of cigarettes.
"Oh no thanks," she said quickly.
"You don't smoke do you?" he asked as he lit one for himself.
She shook her head.
"Yeah I can't really picture you with a cigarette," he said. He pulled out the packet again and handed one to her. "Hold it like this," he demonstrated, putting his elbow on the table and holding his own cigarette in his fingers in front of him.
She mimicked him, feeling a little silly.
"You should take it up," he said, "you look good with a cigarette."
"I don't know," she said handing it back to him.
"Suit yourself," he said lighting the cigarette she had just given back to him and passing it to Billy who had just finished eating.
"Should we go?" Vince asked when everyone had finished their meal.
The others agreed and began sliding out of the booth.
"After you hon," Eyeball said as he opened the door.
The temperature had dropped dramatically since she had last been outside chilling her immediately. Her teeth began to chatter as the others joined her outside. Suddenly she felt a pair of warm arms pull her into a hug.
"Looks like I came back just in time," Ace said warming her cold cheek with his warm fingers.
"Are you finished what you had to do?" Billy asked.
"I just gotta drop some stuff off across the street," he replied pointing to the junk shop.
"What's the Emporium Galorium?" Laura asked, not remembering ever seeing the store before.
"It belongs to my uncle," he explained, "I'm doing him a favour."
"Do you want any help?" she asked.
"Nah, get inside out of the cold I'll meet you in a minute. Here," he shrugged his jacket off his shoulders, "wear this."
"Won't you be cold?" she asked.
"No chance," he said dismissively, "I'll see you in a few," he said beginning to cross the street back to his car.
Laura followed the other four into Irby's Billiards and found a seat.
"Did you wanna play?" Vince asked as he began chalking a cue.
"That's alright, thanks anyway," she said lifting her legs under her skirts, trying to warm up again.
She tried to watch the game but he thoughts soon wandered to what Ace was up to. He hadn't mentioned anything to her about being busy tonight.
Not too long afterwards Ace reappeared through the doors.
"You're freezing," Laura said as she moved to let him sit next to her, feeling guilty about taking his jacket which she immediately shed. "Here," she said handing it to him.
"Thanks doll," he said slipping it on before lighting a cigarette. "Did you want to get out of here?" he asked her lowly.
"Okay," she said, standing up again.
"See you later!" Ace called out behind him as he began walking to the exit.
The Cobras lifted their heads to say goodbye before returning to their game.
"It's so cold," Laura said, immediately shivering again as she walked into the night air.
They ran across the street to the car and Ace unlocked the boot to pull out a blanket he kept for such occasions as this. He wrapped Laura up in it before helping her into the passengers seat.
"What should we do now?" Laura asked. Most of their indoor options were closing as the night went on and the car was no warmer than outside.
Ace started the engine and began driving in the direction of Laura's house.
"Goodnight," Laura said when they arrived at her house.
Ace smirked before saying, "no babe go open your window."
He began backing his car away to park it behind some trees.
"Back so soon?" Caroline asked when Laura walked in the door.
"Sorry I'm late mom," Laura replied understanding her mothers tone.
"That's alright, I hope you had fun," Caroline said waving her hand dismissively, "Well I'm beat. I'm heading to bed, will you be up much later?"
"No I'm going to bed too," Laura said trying not to sound suspicious.
"Okay, night sweetheart."
Laura let out a breath she didn't know she had been holding and opened her bedroom door.
"Take your time babe," Ace said from where he lay on her bed.