Chapter 8: It Ain't Easy Being Cheesy

Barry spent the duration of our gate check pestering me about what happened between Owen and me, but I gave nothing up. I was too busy with my head in the clouds anyways to really care, humming old love songs from the 70's.

"Oh c'mon, you have to tell me, you're acting more like a goofball than usual"

"Maybe I'm feeling a little extra cheesy today?" I said with a big grin plastered on my face, I'm actually fairly certain it was permanently stuck there.

"And why would that be?"

"Well it ain't a party without Havarti, am I right?" He rolled his eyes playfully at me before he went up to the catwalks, so I went to my car and turned it back on, the blast of cold air more than welcome to my body. Too bad my cheeks were still burning. I plugged my auxiliary cord back into my phone and laid back in my seat, tapping my toe to the beat of the music.

I grabbed my coffee from the cup holder and took a long sip before resting it on my stomach, I couldn't help but happily replay the lunch memory in my head. My phone all of a sudden rang and when I looked at it I saw it was Eliza calling, I quirked an eyebrow before hitting answer.

"Hey, what's up brain?"

"Well, Pinky, the same thing as always, taking over the world! Anyways on a more serious note did Lou mention the dinner tonight?"

"Yeah, and it's dress code, why?"

"Well, I may have pulled some strings and have a nice little gift for you when you get to our place"

"Aw Eliza, you shouldn't have, what is it?"

"I can't tell you that! Wait…you didn't lecture me about giving you a gift, and you're awfully chipper- What happened?"

"I woke up on the right side of my bed this morning?"

"Riley c'mon we're family, we should tell each other everything"

"Maybe, just maybe I'll tell you at dinner tonight"

"Oh alright! Oh another thing, Lou told me you needed help finding a dress for Saturday?"

"Yeah, do you mind?"

"No of course not! I've only been waiting for this moment since we met!"

"Such a hopeless romantic you are"

"Anyway you're off early today right?"

"Oh yeah shit, that's right I do! 3:30!"

"Ok we can do it before dinner tonight, I'll just leave a bit earlier and we can meet up at the shopping centre"

"Okie doke! See you then" We said our goodbyes and I saw my phone had 4 new text messages so I checked them. The first was Denver, my old flame, I frowned and felt my heart sink. It wasn't much he'd just said 'I can't wait 2 C U' I merely replied with a 'miss you too buddy' before moving onto the second one. The second one was from Lou stating that he had a surprise for me tonight, skipped that one. The third was from Owen asking me to come up to the catwalk when I wanted to check the gate next, and a smiley face! I quickly texted back with a 'will do! : )' then one from an unknown number. I crinkled my face in confusion at this and opened it, nothing. Blank. It mildly disturbed me, but I let it go and placed my phone on the passenger seat.

I grabbed my smokes from my pocket and left the car to light one up. Not long after that did the sounds of Everybody by Backstreet Boys start up, I smiled and started to dance, not even good, just goofy with a side of super cheesy. I even sang along. I spun around on my heel and suddenly Terry appeared into my view.

"Couldn't help but overhear you're going to dinner with your friend, will she allow a plus one?"

"Not in your case, is that all you wanted Terry?" I said narrowing my eyes at him as I folded my arms over my chest.

"No actually, I was wondering if the dinner proposition fell through, which it did, if you'd hang out with me after"

"I'd rather stick a rusty Spork in my eye and feed it to myself, also I'll be busy washing my hair"

"Haha classic you! Washing your hair good one, old school"

"Shouldn't you be working?" I asked curtly.

"No, I'm on break now" He said ignoring me with a happy tone as he took a few steps closer to me.

"I like your dancing, we should dance"

"I know you're aware I don't like you, so stop the advances unless you want to lose your job"

"Oh Riley, silly, silly, Riley. You can't get rid of me! I'm untouchable here"

"Oh yeah and how's that?" I growled as he leaned in closer to me with a devious smirk.

"I have people here, I'm connected y'see, and very valuable to those folks so good luck!" He whispered with a cheery tone, causing my body to involuntarily shiver. He looked over and suddenly backed up away from me.

"Hey Riley, gate time, is there a security issue I should know about Macready?" Owen piped up as he came to my side and placed an arm around me.

"Nope, just having a nice chat with the lovely Miss Ford here, but I'll let you guys work" He said smiling, it was the eeriest thing, he was so calm and happy, but definitely not genuine. He just got weirder and weirder. Who could possibly value him…and why?

I shook the thought from my mind as I started my routine for the gate, Owen stopped me momentarily by placing his hand on my cheek. I looked up at him and noticed he was visibly upset by his uncharacteristically sad facial expression. I smiled at him and wrapped my tiny gloved hand around his as best as I could and kissed his hand.

"That guy gives me the creeps Riley, I don't want you near the vehicle alone anymore, what'd he even talk to you about?"

"He eeks me out too Owen, all he asked was if he could come to the dinner at Eliza and Lou's with me, then asked if we could hang out after that if I'd said no, which I did"

"Anything else?"

"No, not really" I said shrugging my shoulders as I laced my fingers with his, he gave me a small smile and pulled me in close.

"From here on out Riley, I'll protect you, and if you want, I can come with you to the dinner tonight"

"I'd like that, though I should warn you, it's fancy dress tonight"

"I think I can manage that, what's it for though?" He asked as I broke away from him and tugged on the first gate. Check.

"Eliza likes to make things extra special sometimes, guess she feels that because I was a poverty kid that I'd like to dine in fancy clothes and eat fancy food, but I dunno"

"Hm. Well, I won't lie I kinda want to see what fancy looks like on you"

"And I you! I bet you'll look uber dashing!"

"Hmm, yes quite! Fancy a drive say at around 7?" He asked in a terrible British accent.

"Yes, Mister Grady, I'd quite fancy a drive with you to the dinner party" I responded in an equally awful accent, if not worse. We laughed for a moment before he buzzed me in to the entrance and I tugged on the second gate. Blue came out to greet us, she let Owen pet her with a few happy screeches for him in return, he motioned for me to try and she let me, I couldn't help but smile. This was by far the best date I've ever had, petting a raptor, now how many people can say they did that? Not many my friends, not many.

After petting Delta, Charlie, and Echo after Blue we left the paddock making sure to lock up as we went out. "You know, it's incredible, I've never seen them take to a person besides me and so quickly"

"Animals, regardless of species and time, have a good judgement of character"

"True but still, it's amazing, I guess I picked the right girl then"

"Wait, there were other suitors?" I asked jokingly.

"None that were even close to competing against you"

"Ohhhh so sappy Mr. Grady"

"No, I'm cheesy because I'm American, you are sappy because you're from Canada and you guys are all obsessed with maple syrup"

"And Tim Hortons, hockey, lacrosse, etc."

"Touché" He said laughing as we walked up to the catwalk.

"Listen, I gotta do some training with these guys if you'd like, you can watch, besides it'll help me keep you safe"

"I'll do it to see the raptors again, I can handle my own"

"I know you can, just let me protect you, as it's my manly duty!"

"Haha alright Sir Grady" and with that we walked to the main catwalk, I watched him train until I hit the end of my shift. I started to leave the catwalk when he grabbed my wrist and pulled me back.

"Hey where are you going?"

"My shift's over and I have to meet Eliza"

"Let me walk you to your car, a lady shan't walk alone, these catwalks are dangerous!"

"Oh thank you sir Grady, how could I ever repay you for such kindness?" I asked mocking a damsel as I placed a hand over my chest like I was super relieved. He continued to walk me to my Jeep, I went to open the door and he stopped me by gently grabbing my wrist.

"You still need to repay me short stack"

"Indeed I do, forgive me jolly green giant"

"Forgiven, milady, I require nothing but a simple kiss in return" I smiled possibly the most dorky smile of life as I placed my hands on his chest and got on my tippy toes. He leaned down until our lips met. Just once, and a quick peck.

"I'd give you more but, I don't want to catch shit for unprofessionalism"

"Unprofessionalism, killing romance since 1708" He joked causing us to both erupt into laughter.

"I SAW THAT" Barry shouted from the catwalks, we looked up and laughed. Well, I guess it's out now. Whatever our 'it' is. I turned back to get in my car and rolled the window down, resting my arm on the edge. He smiled and kissed me again before we said our goodbyes.

"Text me when you're home please"

"Yes dear!" I called out as I waved goodbye and continued to drive away. He sucked, I already missed him. I called Eliza and put the call on speaker, she was still a bit held up at work so I told her to text me when she was at the mall and drove to work to punch out. After that I drove to Timmy's to grab her a tea and me another coffee. I texted Owen quick to let him know what I was doing and tossed my phone back onto the passenger seat. Once I got our drinks I headed for the mall, it was about 15 minutes away but it went by quickly. Upon arrival I checked my phone and saw that Eliza texted me letting me know she was on her way. I also received a text from Owen asking me to let him know when I made it there.

I fired off quick texts to the both of them before drinking my coffee as I sat in my car de-geared and tossed my gloves, and phone onto the passenger seat. After about 20 minutes Eliza pulled up beside me and got out apologizing profusely to me, I just waved her off as I got out of the car and pocketed my phone before grabbing our drinks. I handed her, her tea and shut the door. She then thanked me as we locked our cars and headed into the mall. I explained to her that it was Luau themed and that I needed to wear a cute sundress, but I was hoping for one of the tourist styled ones with the big palm leaves because I still wanted to be cheesy.

We went into several stores, chatting away the entire time, I didn't tell her about Owen, I wanted to surprise her with that tonight. We finally found a nice green and white tourist style sundress that fit me perfectly, I was glad I'd already had a pair of flip flops that would match. So I paid for it and we left. When we got outside I lit up a smoke and we sat on the bench talking over our drinks.

"So how was work today?"

"Great actually, minus a few things here and there, which reminds me, I know Lou told me not to involve you but…listen Hoskins has something up his sleeve and is coercing the good guys like myself at InGen into helping him, it's us or our jobs basically and I was wondering if you knew anyone who could look up personnel files"

"Well, I certainly can't but, Claire can, who's do you need?"

"Hoskins, and Terrance Macready" I said as I wrote the names down on a piece of paper from my notepad in my pocket and handed it to her.

"Ok"

"Thanks Eliza, I owe you huge"

"You'll owe me even bigger when you see my surprise tonight!"

"Ooo! I can't wait!"

"Seriously what's gotten into you?"

"Nothing, nothing. Just had a nice day at work for once is all, but I can always just show you why at dinner tonight"

"Ooo! Sounds amazeballs!"

"Have I ever told you how much I love that you love Archer like I do?"

"Yes, multiple times"

"Well here's number 10001" I joked and we both laughed. After an hour of talking we finally split ways so we could get ready for the dinner. I hoped her surprise wasn't expensive.

ELIZA'S POV

When I got into my car I hit the call button on my steering wheel, but only once Riley was out of earshot.

"Bluetooth, please say a command"

"Call Denver Collingwood"

"Calling Denver Collingwood"

I couldn't help but squeal a bit with excitement.

"Hello?" A deep raspy voice sounded from my speakers.

"Hey Denver, just wanted to make sure you're still on for tonight"

"Of course! I can't wait to see Riley again, it's been too long"

"Oh good! Me neither! I bet she'll LOVE it" I said excitedly, he let me go as he wanted to get ready and I couldn't stop myself from smiling, Riley was going to love me for this! Her old flame from the war? How romantic! I think this is the best gift I've ever given her!

END POV

*A/N: DUN DUN DUN DUHHH! Oh no! What has Eliza done?! :O I guess Riley should've told her about Owen…Hindsight is after all, always 20/20. What will happen? How will Riley react? Find out in the next Chapter of Love Me Like You Do!*