"Just know, I am not a cheap date," Ale joked as Quinn picked up a nice bottle of wine from one of his buddies who worked at a classy restaurant.
"Somehow that doesn't surprise me," Quinn laughed, weaving his fingers through Ale's.
They walked back to the apartment, Ale grabbing some wine glasses from the kitchen.
"I'm going to go change out of these clothes, okay?" Quinn said, Ale nodding from the kitchen.
Ale couldn't believe that she had kissed Quinn.
It was…magical.
She grabbed the glasses, going up to Eliot's room. Ale knocked on the door, Quinn walking out in a worn black t-shirt with his dark jeans.
"Movie in my bedroom or the living room?" Ale asked, knowing what she wanted the answer to be. She wanted nothing more than to curl up in her bed and watch a chick flick…with Quinn, of course.
"You bedroom will be fine," Quinn smiled, following Ale into her room. She turned on a movie, Ale sitting on the bed next to Quinn. She curled into his side, watching as he poured her a glass of wine. The two ended up drinking the whole bottle, talking for the whole night.
Talking turned to kissing and kissing turned to talking once again.
"I really did have a great night," Ale whispered, the wine starting to make her sleepy.
"I'm glad," Quinn smiled, moving some hair away from Ale's face.
"Is this a thing now?" Ale asked, not being able to find her filter.
"It can be," Quinn nodded. "If Eliot doesn't kill us first."
Ale laughed, thinking about the days she had spent with Quinn. They were…freeing. She hadn't felt so much like herself in a long time. Maybe it was the wine, but Ale was pretty sure that she wanted to keep having days like she had been having with Quinn.
"I think I would like that," Ale nodded, Quinn laughing. "I'm just worried that…you know…we are basing our feelings on the wine. And the fact that I haven't had any freedom for weeks and you…"
"Haven't met anyone decent in the past four years. Yes. I am too. But we'll never know unless we try it, right?" Quinn asked, Ale nodding.
"Right," Ale sighed, starting to fall asleep. "Quinn?"
"Yes, Ale?"
"I don't know how ready I am…for, you know, intimate stuff," Ale slurred, the wine starting to take over.
"Ale, I am interested in getting to know you. For who you are. And I understand that that might take a while. And that's okay. Just know that it might take me a while to let you get to know me, too," Quinn said, Ale nodding.
"I am really tired," Ale sighed. Her head was starting to spin a bit…wine always got to her.
"You are still wearing your dress," Quinn said, Ale shrugging.
"It's comfy," she said.
"Can I ask you a question?" Quinn whispered, Ale nodding.
"What is the moon for on your neck?" Ale sat up, looking at Quinn.
"My parents. Mama always told me that she loved me to the moon and back. And my papa used to tell me stories about the stars. He would always tell me that no matter where we all were, and if I was ever feeling alone, to just look up at the moon because we all have the same one. But he said it better than I did, cause of the wine," Ale laughed, Quinn running his finger over Ale's tattoo.
"You said it nicely," he promised.
"I'm going to bed now," Ale smiled, standing and leaving the room.
"Ale?" Quinn laughed, her looking at him. "This is your room."
"Right. Want to share?" Ale asked, smiling.
She knew that she was being extremely forward, but she couldn't help herself.
It was the wine.
"That would be fine with me," Quinn nodded, putting the wine glasses on the table. Ale went back on the bed, pulling the covers up over herself and Quinn, allowing herself to have only sweet dreams.
When Quinn woke up the next morning he was happy to see Ale curled into his side next to him.
He wasn't sure if Eliot would be too happy about them if he found out, but he also didn't really care, because Ale was special girl, and he wanted to be a part of her life…for more than just being her body guard.
Ale opened her eyes, the makeup she was wearing mostly rubbed off, making Ale's face look fresh and, well, adorable.
"Good morning," Ale mumbled.
"Good morning. How ya feeling?"
"I'm good. A little tired though," Ale laughed.
"The team comes back today," Quinn said, running his hand through Ale's now loose hair. She must have taken the elastic out at some point during the night.
"I don't want them to," Ale sighed. "I mean I do. But I also don't want to have to keep this a secret. Which we should for a little while," Ale said thoughtfully, sitting up. Quinn nodded, knowing exactly what Ale meant.
"I agree. We could run away," Quinn suggested, Ale laughing and looking over her shoulder at him.
"Eliot would love that," she smiled.
Shit. Eliot. He had forgotten to check in. Ale took one look at Quinn, widening her eyes.
"You didn't check in, did you?" Ale asked, looking a bit horrified.
"Did you, by any chance?" Quinn asked, Ale shaking her head.
"That is your job," she said, springing out of bed.
"We decided last night that my job was done," Quinn smiled, Ale rolling her eyes.
"Eliot doesn't know that," Ale laughed, grabbing her phone. She had so many missed calls and texts from not only Eliot, but also from Sophie.
She called Sophie back immediately, knowing that Eliot wasn't going to be as nice as Sophie was.
Sophie was relieved when she saw Ale's name pop up on her screen…Eliot was angry enough and she didn't think she could keep him in Maine much longer.
"Alessandra Mossetti, just where have you been?" Sophie said, a smile playing on her lips.
"We slept together," Ale said, sounding like she was whispering.
"Excuse me?" Sophie said, not sure if she was hearing Ale correctly.
"Not like that…but we went dancing and it was perfect and then this guy kissed me and Quinn punched him and then we kissed and he told me he didn't see this as a job anymore and we had wine and we talked and we, you know, decided to give us a try, and we fell asleep" Ale said, all in one breath.
"Ale, that's great," Sophie said, truly meaning it.
"Is that Ale?" Eliot grumbled, coming into the room. Just then his phone ringing, him swearing.
"So Eliot is pretty mad at Quinn," Sophie said plainly, Ale laughing.
"Don't worry. I have a feeling Quinn is cooking up a pretty good story. Oh, and would you mind…"
"Not telling Eliot? I'm all over it. I'm just glad you are happy, Ale," Sophie smiled.
"Thanks Sophie," Ale whispered, hanging up the phone.
Eliot came back from his room, hanging up the phone.
"Everything alright?" Sophie asked, looking at Eliot.
"They had gone for a run up where they had no cell service and they both fell asleep on the couch as soon as they got home. I'm still not happy, but I'm glad Ale's okay," Eliot grumbled.
"See. I told you it would be fine," Sophie smiled, Eliot growling even more.
He was beginning to hate Sophie's knowing smiles and 'I told you sos'. She was too good at reading people, and he was worried that she knew too much about his feelings—which meant a lot, because Eliot wasn't even sure of his own feelings.