Stealing Hearts
-Can we stay like this forever? Betty asked.
-Yes, Zed said. But the park does close at dark, he added ruefully.
Alice pulled back just enough to glare at him, though her eyes were still glassy and unfocused.
-Fine, then hurry up and make sure we get out of here before someone finds us acting like animals, she grumbled, though she didn't actually loosen her grip on him.
Betty pouted.
-Oh it's not that late yet is it? Zed asked. It might be.
-The sun is dipping quite low, Zed, Flower pointed out. The golden hour is fading fast.
-Stop stalling and start moving, before I decide to drag you out myself, Alice ordered.
-Ok ok, Zed said as they made their way out of the brook.
-My heart still feels like it's dancing! Betty chirped as she dried herself off.
Alice shoved her feet back into her boots, huffing as she adjusted her belt.
-Your heart needs to learn some boundaries, Betty, she snapped.
Flower slung her bag over her shoulder.
-Boundaries are just suggestions when the universe wants you to connect.
Alice grabbed her jacket and turned toward the path out of the greenery.
-Whatever helps you sleep at night, Flower, but I'm ready to go home, Alice said.
-Is that so? Zed asked. I thought we could go to Giani's restaurant for a late lunch. She said to drop by anytime.
-A public restaurant after that performance? You really have a death wish, don't you? she challenged, though she didn't walk away.
-Oh please, Alice! Betty begged, excited about the idea.
-Fine, Alice relented. But let’s go back to Zed’s first. I am not sitting in a restaurant smelling like a swamp and sweat, she stated bluntly.
-It'll give us time to pick out something pretty for dinner! Betty said
-Late lunch, Zed corrected her. We had dinner at Giani's on Tuesday and it took all night.
Alice scoffed.
-Tuesday was a marathon, not a sprint; try not to confuse the two again, she countered.
Betty laughed.
-Maybe tonight we won't take all night, Zed!
-I hope not, Zed said with a chuckle. I did tell Ednin I'd stop by her place at some point since she took in those burglars, Maverick and Nyx.
Alice stiffened at the sound of the names.
-Burglars? You mean criminals, Zed; letting strangers live under her roof is exactly the kind of reckless impulse that gets people hurt, she lectured, shaking her head.
-You two were strangers when you first came to me, Zed reminded her.
-That's different because we weren't actively violating property laws, you idiot! she barked.
Betty sighed softly.
-We were just lost, Zed; surely there's a difference between being lost and being bad?
-I'm just saying to have a little heart, Zed said. I'm glad I let you in, and that you weren't trying to steal anything. Except my heart, he added with a wink.
Alice let out a loud, dramatic groan, shoving his shoulder roughly.
Betty giggled.
-See? she squealed, nudging Alice playfully. He's such a charmer, isn't he?
-He's a menace, that's what he is, she retorted, glancing sideways at Zed.
-You know you love me, Zed told Alice as they finally arrived back at the house.
Alice huffed and made a beeline for the stairs.
-If you think I'm staying downstairs to chat, you're delusional, she said before turning to Betty. Let’s go, time to shower. And don't expect us down in five minutes; she said, glaring at Zed again, cleaning this much chaos takes time.
Betty skipped up the steps beside Alice.
-We'll be super quick, Zed! she yelled down.