"It's only half past five," he said covering her eyes so she couldn't see the clock.
"Too late," she said smiling, "I already seen it, I have to go to dinner."
"You can be a little late," he said pulling her skirt up again, then he had an idea, "eat at my house."
"I can't do that, Mrs Anderson will have already made me dinner."
"I'm sure it'll keep," he said rubbing her bare thigh.
"Your mother isn't expecting me," she pointed out.
"She is," he said smirking, "she asked me to bring you over weeks ago. You don't want to disappoint her do you?"
She opened her mouth to disagree but he stopped her with a kiss.
"Come on, stop resisting I know you'll say yes."
"Fine," she said smiling, "at least let me tell Mrs Anderson."
"Hurry up," he said as she darted out of the door.
He lay down on the couch, waiting for her. He lit a cigarette and started blowing smoke rings to amuse himself.
"It was okay, she only had left overs anyway. She's going out somewhere," Laura said as she came flying through the door.
"See, I saved you from a night of yesterday's dregs," he said reaching out to hold her hand.
She started to walk away again but he pulled her back.
"Where are you going now?"
"Shouldn't we leave for your house instead."
"Not yet babe," he said sitting up so he could grab her, "we don't eat until eight."
He pulled her back down to the couch to her previous position. "What's the situation?" he asked, "are we good to go?"
"Not yet," she said rubbing her tummy, "maybe tomorrow."
"It's a date," he said kissing her neck.
"I should get changed if I'm going to go to your house for dinner, especially uninvited," she said jabbing him in the ribs playfully. "Do you want to do my hair?" she asked, she knew he liked brushing her hair.
"Okay," he agreed starting to wind his fingers through it. She went over to the bathroom and returned, brush in hand. She handed it to Ace who pulled her down to sit between his legs.
"It's grown back," he said as he ran the brush through her hair in long smooth strokes.
"Do you think I should get it cut again?" she asked.
"Don't you dare," he said grabbing her and tackling her so she was back under him.
"You messed up my hair," she smiled.
"What are you going to do about it?" he challenged her. She tried to push him off but he wasn't going anywhere.
"Guess I'll just have to just stay here," she said. "Have fun at dinner."
"Nice try," he said, "go get dressed."
She turned around so he could unzip her and went to find something to wear. She opened her closet and pulled out a dress. It was black with a white floral print. She hardly ever got a chance to wear it but it was a bit too light for winter so she was putting it back when Ace called to her from where he stood in the door.
"Put it on," he said.
"It's too cold, I'll freeze," she said.
"We have heating in my house babe," he said rolling his eyes. "Put a coat on, you'll be fine."
"Okay," she said stepping out of her school clothes and into her more formal dinner dress.
He moved her hair out of the way so he could zip her up. "Ready to go?" he asked her.
"You said you'd do my hair," she reminded him.
"What do you mean? put it up?" he asked her, "I like it better down."
"Please?" she asked, pulling his arm around her. "I can't do it properly by myself."
Ace sighed and reluctantly followed her to the bathroom. After much twisting and the careful placement of a few pins she was ready to go.
"Do you think it looks good?" she asked, trying to get a look at the back.
"You look beautiful," he said, "we better get going."
The two arrived at his house and hurried inside out of the cold. Ace took off his jacket and her coat and walked over to his bedroom to throw them on the bed.
"John!" his mother called out as he walked past, "are you staying for dinner?"
"Yeah, I bought Laura over," he said reappearing.
"Oh really," Grace said enthusiastically, "where is she?"
Ace looked back to the door to find Laura standing there awkwardly.
"What are you doing?" he asked her, walking back to take her hand, "come say hello."
"Hello Mrs Merrill," she said as Ace pulled her into sight.
"Hello dear," Grace replied, unable to greet her properly as her son had now draped his arms lazily around her. "John, leave her alone for a moment so I can give the girl a hug."
He let go of her briefly and his mother pounced on Laura, not only giving her a tight squeeze but a brief peck on the cheek as well.
"You look lovely dear," she said, stepping back to get a proper look at her, "what a charming dress."
"Thank you," Laura said, smiling slightly before she was pulled backward by Ace so he could put his arms around her again.
"My goodness, you're going to suffocate the poor thing," his mother reprimanded him, oblivious to the fact she had nearly just done that very thing with her own hug.
"She's worried she'll get cold," he said smiling wickedly.
"Nonsense," his mother said, "go find your father, we're about to eat."
"You can sit down dear," she said to Laura once Ace had left.
"Do you need any help at all?" Laura asked politely.
"No I'm fine, go and sit," she insisted, "we're just about ready."