Short

On The Run- Part 3

michelleleighwrites 4 Comments

ontherunposter

***Read Part 2 HERE

She walks into the bathroom, turning on the water in the sink, she throws her hands into the running water as the sink fills with red. Scrubbing and scrubbing away her sins, her pain. Attempting to calm her fears.

She wets her face and looks up into the mirror, her breath catching in her chest as she hears the screaming in her mind again.

“Help! Help me! Please.”

She is trapped in her mind for a second, a second that easily felt like an eternity. Finally shaking from the memory she exhales violently as she realizes she wasn’t breathing. Within seconds she rushes to the toilet and lifting the lid she throws up, hanging her head as she holds onto the sides of the toilet. Her body completely exhausted. Mentally. Physically. Emotionally. Drained.

Sinking to the floor, she pulls her knees to her chest, hugging them tightly, she tries to keep a steady breath.

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The shower is turned on as she steps in, her pile of clothes are seen cast onto the cold tiled floor. The warm water kisses her skin as her body is engulfed by steam.

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motel room

A little while later she is wrapped in a motel robe and is sitting on the edge of her bed. She stares blankly ahead, her mind still. Her daze focused. To any passerby, she would easily appear to be day dreaming, however, she’d tell you truthfully that she’s living in a still, dark nightmare. 

A knock is soon heard.

She jolts, looking around nervously.

Walking slowly toward the door she peaks through the peephole and sees her heroic stranger standing on the opposite side. She uncharacteristically sighs of relief.

Opening the door slightly, she peers out.

“Hey. I’m sorry to bother you. I had some old clothes in my trunk thought you could use them. And I figured you must be hungry, so I got you some things from the vending machine,” he says handing her a plastic bag.

She smiles slightly as she takes it from him.

“Thank you. So much. I’m starving… and freezing.”

He smiles, “Don’t mention it,” he says and turns to walk back to his room.

“Do you want to join me?” she asks, surprising even herself.

He turns and looks at her.

“Um, sure. If you’re comfortable with that? I can tell you are still a little bit shaken. I don’t want to pry.”

“No. That’s ok. I’d prefer the company.”

“Ok then,” he says as she steps aside to let him in.

*******************************************************************

The two strangers sit across from each other in silence. Food wrappers scattered across the room.

The young woman sits there fidgeting, she’s obviously uncomfortable in her current state of wearing baggy men’s clothes post blood bath.

“I should go,” the man says standing up.

“Please don’t,” she stands abruptly, causing the man to halt.

“I can tell you are afraid of me-of me being here with you. Why wouldn’t you be? You don’t know me.”

“I’m more afraid of you not being here.”

The man looks at her with a sensitive, yet understandably curious glance.

“The silence it’s deafening. I can’t shut my brain off, at least not for very long,” she says explaining.

“Ok well-I may be able to help you with that.”

They exchange a glance that feels like a sexually charged spark.

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Her face is instantly filtered in a red flush.

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“What do you suggest?” she says her eyes looking him over curiously.

The man reaches into his back pocket and pulls out a deck of cards.

“Gold fish?” he asks with a shrug and a sweet laugh.

She smiles and laughs. Her self-awareness recognizes how he brought on the first genuine laugh she’s been able to let out in the last 24 hours. This man. A complete stranger.

“Your laugh is something special,” he says his eyes burning into hers as if trying to read her soul.

“It’s rare is what it is,” she says holding onto his stare.

“I’m sorry to hear that,” he says sincerely.

She responds with a tightened smile as her eyes drift to look away, their connection too intense to withstand any longer.

“What’s your name?” he asks his head cocking to the side as his eyes look her over wanting to take her whole being into account as if committing it to memory.

“Do you what a real one, or a fake one?” she asks with a slight flirtation in her voice.

“Real. I can handle it,” he says with a grin and a small chuckle.

“Sage.”

“Well Sage it’s nice to meet you, I’m Charlie,” he says extending his hand to her. As Sage reaches out and shakes Charlie’s hand her whole body relaxes. However oddly enough within the next few seconds after that first physical contact the butterflies within Sage’s stomach ignite and set free. Fluttering. And fear washes away in that moment.

“Nice to meet you too,” she says not wanting to let go.

“Should we play?” he says holding up the deck of cards with his free hand.

“Sure,” she says snapping out of her fantasy and letting his hand go free.

Charlie smirks as he makes his way  over to a small table. Sitting in a chair he starts to deal the cards. Sage walks over, and sits across from him. She notices a new feeling stirring inside her.

Could this guy be her ticket to escaping the horrific events she just endured? Or is her current state just making her imagine their intense connection.  

 

To Be Continued….

Welcome to Michelle Leigh Writes latest short story series…I hope you’re enjoying! Please feel free to leave a comment down below. 😀

-<3-

*I do not take credit for any images or gifs used in my edits or otherwise.*

 

 

 

On The Run- Part 2

michelleleighwrites 1 Comment

 ontherunposter

***Read Part 1 HERE

The black sleek car whizzes past vacant streets and store fronts kicking up a mist from the late afternoon rainfall.

The quiet streets eerie with a deep darkness.

Silence and stillness; a lethal combination.

The streets she’s known and walked millions of times before. The streets she called home, now so far from home, so far from safe. So far from normal.

Inside the car there is this deafening sound. A sound of strangeness and silence drenched in fear.

The air thick with concern.

“What the hell was I thinking?” she thinks.

The panic sets in. Her body breaking into a cold sweat.

Her heart begins to pound faster and faster by the second. Her whole body feels like it’s been scortched. Firey and hazy. Shaking, she finally gains the courage to look into the eyes of the mysterious stranger who just saved her ass, coincidentally. Or not? She wonders.

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As brown meets blue, there’s an electricity, that neither really understood in the moment, but will surely find out later on.

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She musters the courage to finally break the tension-

“Where are you taking me?” she says her voice raspy and barely above a whisper.

“Wherever you want to go,” he answers with complete ease.

“I don’t really have anywhere to go. At least not anywhere safe,” she looks down, feeling ashamed and lonely.

He looks at her through the rearview mirror again. Her eyes still searching. She’s visibily shaking and clearly frightened.

“I know a motel a little ways off the back highway, low traffic. I can take you there. You can lay low- until to figure out your next move.”

“Ok.”

“It’s ok. You’re gonna be ok.”

She looks up at him, and then away, obviously uncertain of her decision to trust a perfect stranger.

The car rolls into the parking lot of the old motel. The blue eyed man steps out of the car, he leans down to speak into the back window, “Stay here. I’ll check in, and be back for you in a few.”

She responds with a small fragile nod of the head.

He walks into the motel and disappears out of sight.

She sits in the back seat, caught in a daze, a trance. Her mind somewhere else entirely.

“Help! Help me! Please.” She hears in her mind, the only words she can vividly remember, from that night.

“Hey. Hey…your room is ready.” The handsome stranger opens the car door for her.

She snaps out of it, finally noticing him. Looking at him, obviously confused.

“What?” she says in a low perplexed tone.

“Your room is ready.”

“Oh. Thank you.” She says stepping out of the car and following him toward the room. See looks behind her as her eyes take in her surroundings.

Darkness. One or two scattered cars in the lot. Traffic pretty non existant on the highway at the late night hour. Flickering street lights, and a motel sign that looked like it was on it’s last hinge.

If a black cat walked across her path, it wouldn’t be a surprise.

She walks slowly behind the mysterious man. Her random hero. Or her next nightmare. Either way he’s her best bet right now. The future remains to be seen, she contemplates.

In her haze of fear and nervousness, she isn’t thinking like she normally would, reason and rationality are a blur and anything seemed safer than being where she started the night.

The handsome stranger unlocks her motel room door, and steps aside to let her in.

She staggers in, her mind finally starting to slow down at bit, her feet rooting themselves into the ground a little more, step by step.

The handsome stranger stands at the door way, looking at her.

“The woman at the front desk said the hot water is a little in and out in the mornings, she advised you shower at night.”

She nods.

“Here’s your key.” He says placing it on the dresser near the door.

Still standing on the other side of the door, as if respecting her imaginarily drawn boundries.

She reaches in her back pocket and pulls out some money.

“It’s not much, but it’s all I have,” she says extending it to him.

“That’s ok. Keep it.”

“No please take it-”

“No. Keep it,” he smiles, a smile that surprises this dark beauty on the run.

She looks at him and smiles slightly back, placing the money back in her pocket.

“Ok. Well- have a good night. I’ll be in the next room over, if you need anything,” he says turning to leave.

“Thank you,” she utters in a whisper. “I don’t know why you decided to help me, but thank you.”

“Sure.”

“Why did you decide to help me?” she finally asks the question she has thought since the minute his blue eyes met hers over the brim of that car window just a few short moments ago.

“Call it a gut feeling. I think there’s more to your story. I think there’s a very good explanation for that blood on your hands.”

She looks down, newly ashamed once again.

“I did something. Something bad.”

“We aren’t perfect. Everyone does bad things sometimes.”

“Not this bad.”

He nods, trying to read her face. She adverts her eyes from his.

He notices, but he feels for her, and wants to reach out and help her. Instead he resists and offers some words of advice.

“You should rinse that off, and chuck those clothes. Physical evidence isn’t exactly your friend.”

She looks away with a nod of understanding. The man turns to leave yet again, and the woman can’t help but express her wonder.

“You aren’t going to ask me what I did?”

“It’s none of my business. The way I see it, if I know, I can’t defend you. So let’s just keep things where they are for now.”

She looks at him in awe and confusion.

“Why would you defend me? You don’t even know me?”

“Like I said…gut feeling. If the burden gets to you, and you need to talk, I’m here. But I’m not gonna force you to tell me anything. You can come to me on your own time, or you don’t have to come to me at all.”

“Thank you. You’re very kind. I don’t know why you care. But I’m grateful.”

“Get some rest, maybe the morning will bring you some new perspective,” he says with a smile. He then walks away closing the door behind him.

She looks after him as her heart skips a beat, she wonders what it is she is actually feeling.

To Be Continued….

Welcome to Michelle Leigh Writes latest short story series…I hope you’re ready! 😀

-<3-

*I do not take credit for any images used in my edits or otherwise.*

 

On The Run

michelleleighwrites 4 Comments

ontherunposter

A young dark haired, dark eyed woman is running, running fast down a darkened street like her life depends on it.

Her eyes dart from all angles, searching for something, anything. A safe haven.

She glances over her shoulder, continuing forward. Her chest growing heavy, her legs slowing down.

She’s out of breathe. Her eyes wide with fear, she keeps running.

She reaches a dead end. Sirens heard in the distance. They’re drawing closer. She’s out of time. Out of luck. What is she going to do? Is it time to surrender?

A black sleek car drives up quickly beside her, coming to a screeching halt.

The only car in site. As if it came from nowhere.

The window rolls down revealing a man with piercing blue eyes and dusty blonde hair.

“Get in,” he commands, unlocking the back door.

The woman looks around, unsure of whether or not this is a good idea.

She hears the sirens closing in on their location.

She grabs the car door knob and opens it jumping in as the car speeds off into the night.

“You must have pissed someone off?” he says looking at her very nervous reflection in his rear view mirror.

“Something like that,” she utters looking down at her shaking hands, covered in blood.

 

To Be Continued….

Welcome to Michelle Leigh Writes latest short story series…I hope you’re ready! 😀

-<3-

*I do not take credit for any images used in my edits or otherwise.*

 

 

Distant Shadows

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tumblr_mjlxy3QnVb1s5iduco1_1280

 A young woman sits at a bar alone; not drinking.

A young guy walks in and sits down next to her, his face unreadable.

“Did you tell her?”

“Yea. Unfortunately.”

“How’d she take it?”

“To say she was less than thrilled would be an understatement.”

(sighs) “I’m sorry.”

“Yea… right.”

“I am. I never meant for this to happen.”

“Didn’t you? I mean this is what you wanted all along, isn’t it…me… all to yourself?”

(whispers) “No…not like this.” (louder) “I definitely did not want this; I’m not ready for it!”

“Well…it is what it is.”

“So… she ended it?”

(sarcastically) “No, we’re still together.”

“What I meant was… did she end it… completely, like there isn’t even a chance for you guys to work it out?”

“No- not a chance.”

“But-”

“You’re pregnant…I mean its bad enough I cheated on her in the first place, but now you’re actually pregnant- she wants a divorce. So yea…it’s over.”

“I don’t really care for your attitude right now. Nor do I understand it.”

(laughs) “You come out of nowhere and destroy my life, and you don’t like my attitude.”

“You know-your reality of this situation is hilarious. This isn’t only my fault. You’re not exactly innocent here. I didn’t know you were married when we were together all those nights. You made it pretty easy for me to assume you weren’t when you hid your ring. Also if I destroyed your life so much, then why couldn’t you leave me alone. Or did I imagine the incessant calling and texting me every free minute you got.”

“You never asked if I was married.”

“Wow…you are unbelievable. I don’t blame her for wanting to divorce you; you have no respect for her or me, you have no respect for anyone. You deserve whatever comes to you. I hope she bleeds you dry… takes you for every penny.”

“Now that’s no way to talk to the father of your child, now is it?”

“You may be my child’s biological father, but make no mistake I don’t need you, or your money.”

“I’d like to see you try and make it by on that teacher’s salary of yours.”

(laughs) “Plenty of women do it every day. Don’t you worry, I’ll be fine.”

The woman gets up to leave.

“Wait…”

“What?”

(tone softens) “Where can I reach you?”

“You can’t.”

“Please?”

“No. I’ve had enough of your games…you need to learn how to take responsibility for your actions, and grow the hell up. And I won’t be your test subject. I’m done.”

“What… so you’re just gonna raise this baby by yourself?”

“Don’t worry; I’ll take care of it.”

Woman exits bar, Guy orders a drink.

*I do not take credit for the image used.*

-<3-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Unconvential Interview

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interview

So I randomly came across this scene saved on my computer, it was a scene I wrote in college for my screenwriting class. And I just thought I’d take a read and I actually really dug it, especially the last line. #swag #sassy So hope you enjoy!

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 Abby rushes into the prestigious looking building and runs up a large flight of stairs stumbling along the way, she reaches the front desk.

Abby: (out of breath) “Hello my name is Abby…Abigail Reeves; I’m here for an interview with-”

Secretary: “Mr. Drake. Yes we have you on the list. Mr. Drake’s last meeting is going over just a few minutes he’ll be right with you. You can have a seat.”

Abby: “Oh- ok great. Thank you,” (she breathes a sigh of relief.)

A few moments later a young handsome looking man sits down next to her and gives her a slight smile, she smiles back.

Young man: “Hi.”

Abby: “Hi.”

Young man: “Here, for an interview?”

Abby: “Yes…can you tell on account of my nervousness?”

Young man: “Just a bit.”

Abby: “I just- I really want this.”

Young man: “Why? … I mean why would you wanna work for Drake Designs? Ryan Drake is a total tool, he’s completely unoriginal and his fall line is a complete joke.”

Abby: “I- don’t mean to be rude, but I can’t say that I agree with you…no in fact you’re way off base.”

Young man: “Is that so?”

Abby: “Yes! Ryan Drake is inspiring. His fashion is like art. I look at his line and I think to myself… that is a man who knows how to design for a woman. Not a lot of guys can do that. He looks at what women actually want to wear. it’s not always high heels, and short skirts. Sometimes it’s about comfort and feeling great in your sweat pants. I mean- I guess you just don’t understand that?”

Young man: “I guess not…Maybe he’s gay.”

Abby: “Could be, but that wouldn’t change the fact that he’s incredibly talented. He has an intense gift for fashion.”

Young man: “Hmm, – so you like fashion?”

Abby: “I love it, it’s my passion. Ever since I was a kid, I loved playing dress up…I loved putting outfits together and matching different colors and patterns. Finding the perfect accessory to match. I just… it’s in my veins.”

Young man: “You know you sound like your cut out for the fashion world.”

Abby: “Oh- from your lips to god’s ears!”

Young man: “Do you have any artwork? Any sketches of your own designs?”

Abby: “Um- yea.”

Young man: “Let’s take a look.”

Abby: “…I suppose I could show you a few, my interview should be in just a moment; I wouldn’t want to make him wait.”

Young man: “We’ll make it quick…(glancing over the sketches) These are incredible; you have a definite eye for fashion.”

Abby: “Thank you so much. It’s not every day you get complemented by a perfect stranger.”

Young man: “That’s very true.”

Secretary: “Oh Mr. Drake, I didn’t realize you had finished your meeting, this is Abigail-”

Young man: “Reeves… we’ve met.”

Abby: (shocked) “Um…”

Young man: “It’s good to know you enjoy my designs; your eye for detail would be a great asset to our company.”

Abby: “Wait- Your Ryan Drake?”

Young man: “Yes.”

Abby: “But you’re so young?”

Young man: “I graduated F-I-T a year early.”

Abby: “I’m such a fan of your work; I guess I should have checked to see what you looked like!”

Young man: “Well you wouldn’t find much, I keep a pretty low profile, let’s me sneak around and get to know people as the real me. You’d be surprised how many people we get in here who just care about the celebrity of the fashion world.”

Abby: “And here I am just thinking it’s an added bonus,” (she giggles.)

Young man: (smirking) “You’re funny. That works for me.”

Abby smiles shyly.

Young man: “Well I guess now we’ll have a lot of time to get to know each other, Ms. Reeves.”

Abby: “Abby- Abigail.”

Young man: (extending his hand) “Abby. We’ll see you on Monday.”

Abby: (shaking his hand) “Thank you so much.”

Young man: “Your welcome,…Oh and just to clarify… I’m not gay,” (he says winking and heading into yet another meeting.)

Abby’s jaw drops, as her stomach flips with butterflies dancing about.

-<3-

*I do not take credit for the image used in my edit.*

 

 

Love Conflicted Soundtrack & Author’s Commentary

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BACK STORY: Over the past 8 months or so Love Conflicted has been featured on and off the michelle leigh writes blog. Its premiere date was May 11th 2015, and the consistent updates lasted through June 25th 2015. Then I took a massive hiatus from the series. I finally got my act together in the New Year and finished it this week, finishing my stories is incredibly important to me, far too many go unfinished. It was important for me to see this through. Seeing as how I slipped up on this week’s schedule, I figured I’d give you a rare Sunday post, I am thinking about adding Sundays to the schedule, so that will put me at a 3 times a week schedule. However, it is to still be determined, if I can actually commit to that, I don’t want to get ahead of myself. But I may do a trial run and see if it works out. As promised here is the Love Conflicted inspired “Soundtrack” and My Author’s Commentary.

DISCLAIMER: Love Conflicted is not a real motion picture nor does it have a soundtrack coming out. This is just me living in my fictional happy writer’s world. Where I pretend and where I run the show. Haha. Back in college whenever I would hand in a script or be working with already written material/feature film scenes, my professor would ask me who I would have play the characters, where would it take place, what location? And so I think that kind of stuck with me, because as I write this story series I want to include those aspects and give you a visual experience. Mysterious Attraction was my first shot at it, recently A Broken Heart For Christmas, and now also with Love Conflicted. Along the way there have been little one shots, or shorts including a few parts as I will. But that distinction is not always clear, I don’t always know how long a story is going to take to tell. As a kid I used to say “Make Pretend” all the time. Make Pretend you’re a princess who slays dragons. Make pretend you’re a ballerina who bull rides. Make pretend you’re writing a screenplay and you get to pick the actors, and release a soundtrack and commentary that people have been anxiously awaiting. The options could be endless. So let’s “Make Pretend.” Enjoy!

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OFFICAL FULL CAST PROMOTIONAL PHOTO RELEASED 😉

Official full cast photo movie poster

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**Love Conflicted** “Soundtrack”

Happy Listening!

ALBUM ARTWORK:

Love conflicted soundtrack

Track List

  1. “All In My Head”– Tori Kelly
  2. “I Know What You Did Last Summer”– Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello
  3. “Revival”– Selena Gomez
  4. “Call of the Wild”– Bethany Joy Lenz
  5. “Water Under the Bridge”– Adele
  6. “The Last Time”– Taylor Swift Ft. Gary Lightbody
  7. “Sad Beautiful Tragic”-Taylor Swift
  8. “Blindness”– Justin Timberlake
  9. “What A Good Woman Does”– Joy Williams
  10. “Until the Levee”– Joy Williams
  11. “Stitches”– Shawn Mendes
  12. “I’ll Show You”– Justin Bieber
  13. “Please”– Bethany Joy Lenz
  14. “Stealing”– Gavin Degraw
  15. “When I Was Your Man”– Bruno Mars
  16. “It Will Rain”– Bruno Mars
  17. “The One That Got Away”– The Civil Wars
  18. “Disarm”– The Civil Wars
  19. “I’m A Mess”– Ed Sheeran
  20. “I See Fire”– Ed Sheeran
  21. “Maybe”– Everly-(Bethany Joy Lenz & Amber Sweeney)
  22. “You Found Me”– The Fray
  23. “Leave You Alone”– Kris Allen
  24. “Wanted You More”– Lady Antebellum
  25. “Lesson Learned”– Ray LaMontagne

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Onto the next portion…My Love Conflicted *Author’s Commentary*

GENERAL NOTES:

This drama series was rooted in the love story between two unlikely souls. Maggie an elementary school teacher and Ricky an undercover “mobster” who thought he was working for an honorable CIA organization that turned out to be corrupt. Maggie and Ricky meet by chance and experience an instant spark. The bulk of their relationship is rooted in sub context. You don’t really see much of their love in current time. You experience it through the occasional flashback, through the stories they share about each other, and through the intense conversations they have when are reunited for brief periods of time. You get to see their life together through images on Maggie’s phone as well.

Lily and Ian are introduced gradually. I always feel that my mind automatically goes to a minimum of a 4 person cast. The love story is there, boy meets girl, boy falls for girl, boy gets girl, boy screws up, boy tries to win girl back. And in the mist of all that the story has to keep going…enter supporting characters Ian and Lily. They’re budding love story is just a happy coincidence. Their story is one of a lighter more sarcastic, sassy and fun tone. In contrast to Maggie and Ricky’s love story which is no heartbreaking and so dramatically driven. The “I can’t breathe without you” feel is heavy for those too. Yet Ian and Lily keep things light and let’s be honest they are most comedy you’ll get here. Lily has her one liners that zing, doesn’t she?

Also the story lines Mob nod must be a trend, huh? [See Mysterious Attraction] Ode to Sonny Corinthos and General Hospital.

THEMES:

There are consistent themes of Love, Friendship, Trust, Fear, Bravery, Finding yourself, Coming into your own skin, Independence, Guilt, and ultimately rebuilding and waking each other up to inspire a better way of life. That goes for all characters and all forms of the relationships between these 4 people.

DREAM CASTING:

When I sat down with the first scene, it was somewhat of a scene that resembled the first part, where there was this back and forth between Ricky and a female character. You could tell she was angry with him and there was a very good reason, one that he was trying to make light of and gloss over with charm and his belief in their love. His belief that love could somehow help them overcome the catastrophic bomb he just dropped on her. i.e.: that he’s essentially a hit man. But I never really knew who these character would become and getting to know them and writing their dialogue and choosing how they would handle things, that’s been the most fun.

Ricky and Maggie

Ricky: Jesse Lee Soffer (I think he and Lenz would be magic on screen together!)

Ricky faces the blow back from years of horrifying assignments. He finally realizes that what he’s been doing hasn’t been for the better of his country. As he comes to grips with that reality he is faced with trying to protect the woman he loves in the mist of trying to out his corrupt boss, Cobbs. Ricky is a good hearted man, but his job has trained him to perceive himself as a villain of sorts. We never meet Cobbs but we don’t have to. His threat is there, it’s real and evident in Ricky’s fear. He’s almost like this mysterious ghost that looms over them, and we never know if he’s actually going to make his move. I wanted the threat and the fear to be real, without having to have some big reveal or altercation with the actual threat himself. I wanted to sway away from the route Mysterious Attraction took, of kidnappings, and hostage situations. Although the dangers were very similar, the main altercation was ultimately Ricky’s arrest and his choosing to let Maggie go, completely breaking her heart and his own.

 Maggie: Bethany Joy Lenz (She is my QUEEN…I can’t even tell you!)

Maggie is that girl that is so kind and beautiful and so full of hope and light that you just expect no one to ever hurt her. That and the fact that she closes herself off from any kind of risk. Therefore insuring herself she won’t get hurt. She’s the girl that is completely unaware of how amazing she is, and is timid in her sexuality. Meeting Ricky who instantly uses his charm and wit to convince her to take a risk makes her feel alive. The fact that he looks at her in a way that she’s never been looked at before, does wonders for her too. But with all that being said, Maggie comes into her own as she slowly realizes everyone around her is trying to coddle her. She hates feeling like a victim and chooses to take her life in her own hands, going after what she wants.

candice-lily

Lily: Candice Accola-King

If you know my writing, you know the best friend is always the sassy one. [See: Demi Lovato as Roxy in Mysterious Attraction.] I don’t know what it is. But I just feel like the best friend has to be this loose cannon who just speaks the truth. In many way Lily serves as the audience’s perspective. You know when you’re watching a movie or TV show and someone is doing something so stupid you just scream at the TV. Yea, well that’s Lily. She states what should appear as the obvious to the others actors in the story.

meet ian

Ian: Nick Wechsler

Ian is a sweet, calm guy. The voice of reason. Although he too has been involved in these high-stake illegal activities, his self-awareness is much further along than Ricky’s. He knows how to separate himself from his corruption leader of a boss, and knows that his actions were a product of being coerced and trained for years. He also has had a bit more distance than Ricky, as Ricky was made a leader in the organization and felt the brunt of things toward the end, Ian was more of fixer of things, the driver, a tying up loose ends guy. Ian was the one who has been by Ricky’s side, the one who would sacrifice for the wellbeing of everyone. He’s heroic. But it’s a quiet heroism. You don’t realize how self-less he is right off the bat. He’s also got his own charm. His flirtation isn’t as blunt as Ricky’s when it comes to the ladies. He’s a quiet compliment-er, he observes Lily and her nature. He uses what he learns to draw her in and to connect with her. He genuinely speaks his mind and although he goes along with Lily’s sassy flirtation he is completely obvious about his intention to fall in love with her.

-The exclusion of voiceover, the implementation of inner thoughts-

This wasn’t consistent throughout the story. It started off with Maggie’s inner thoughts because she was dealing with a lot on her own, so we had to hear her thoughts. Once Lily was introduced those thoughts were reflected in the dialogue between those two characters as we experienced her pain through the things she confided in her friend.

-The Evolution of relationships-

Friendship-

“Laggie”

lily and maggie bffs

It’s evident that Lily and Maggie have been friends their whole lives. Lily is Maggie’s rock. She is the one to look out for her. Let’s face it she has no filter and will test anyone who tries to cause Maggie any pain.

“Rian”

ricky and ian bffs

Throughout the story we see Ricky deal with the consequences of his actions. We see him deal with having to suffer through causing Maggie so much pain. Ian is someone who is brought in to remain the calm, cool, collected person, he’s cool under pressure. He serves as the voice of reason and as Ricky’s eyes, when he can’t be there for Maggie. The one who is Ricky’s right hand man, and will sacrifice to help him in anyway. They have been partners forever, but their friendship is their first priority. They have each other’s backs, always.

Romantic-

“Illy”

ian and lily kiss

Ian passed Lily’s bluster…

When Lily and Ian meet it’s kind of a comedic moment. Rare for this series, but it serves as a breath of fresh air. We see Lily’s sassy nature at its best, and we see that even the most stoic of men can be instantly distracted by a beautiful and alluring woman. Lily is the way she is due to a recent heartbreak. Ian takes his time to court her, proving to her that he’s worth it. Lily’s calm and collected not to mention sassy nature is her defense mechanism. Ian gets to her, with his innocent yet somewhat obvious flirtations.

“Micky”

falling (2)

Took a while, but the love was always there

 

The main love story is set between Maggie and Ricky. Maggie lives a plain life, a routine life. A life of rules. Ricky follows his own set of rules. When their worlds collide, opposites attract and they find something in each other that compliments them as individuals. Things they have been looking for all along. Ricky instills adventure and confidence in Maggie’s life, showing her how amazing she is while trying to keep a light hearted sexy tone to their conversations. He’s definitely got a bit of a problem with telling her what to do, because he’s so afraid to lose her. His overprotective nature does cost him at times. While, Maggie instills belief, love and stability in Ricky’s life. Bringing a sense of realism to life, showing him that his criminal past isn’t what defines him. Ricky and Maggie have a back and forth that is evident. There is always a high level of tension, because they are always drawn to each other even though they both experience their reservations about being together. Regardless the love is always there.

-What I’ve learned about my writing, and need to work on for my next series and future projects-

TIPS:

*Write the series (or at least the bulk of it) in advance before posting.

Posting as I go makes it hard for me to stay motivated at times and makes it hard to remember where I left off. Which can cause continuity issues and timeline confusions.

*Keep note of the timeline and realize that not everyone can see it as clearly as you can.

This story has taken place over the course or nearly 1 ½-2 years. In real time we see about a year of it. But Maggie and Ricky have had an ongoing relationship for nearly 2 years. They were together for about 6 months before she found out about his job. 6 months he was able to hide and act like a normal boyfriend, but on the sly. Lily was the only one who truly knew they were an actual couple. To the outside world they seemed friendly. When Maggie finds out about Ricky’s job she pulls away. As Ricky begins to fight for her-coming full force to win her back. Maggie thinks she’s pregnant and worries Ricky’s lifestyle will cause her and her child pain. Their relationship moves quickly, as Ricky had revealed they said their “I love you’s” a week after dating. The separation/reuniting period is on and off for a while, and then after Ricky’s arrest, we jump 6 months ahead which allude to the growth these characters have made. In that time Ian and Lily have started their own romance and seem to be smitten with each other. Ricky spent his time getting well, and Maggie spent her time being in her own skin. Although the time apart was painful for both of them, they made it back to each other in the end, better than they were before, with a promising future ahead of them.

*Learn how to implement backstory better.

I feel like the little facts like Maggie’s a school teacher and Lily suffered a bad relationship could have been better thought out and more implemented throughout the story’s entirety. I need to be careful of that next time.

*Describe location, outfits, appearance more thoroughly, paint a picture for the audience. Where are they, what does it look like? Just because I see it, doesn’t mean you do.

*Learn to sus out the basis of the story before I post.

This can be hard because I often don’t know where the story will go. I may have a vague idea, but then as I’m writing the direction can change in an instant.

*Be more consistent and stick to a solid posting schedule.

I usually post on Mondays and Thursdays every week. For a while this series was all I featured on my blog, and then I kind of felt like I needed to regroup and give other categories on my blog some love. But then the series kind of took a really long break and it was hard to get back into, I just kept putting it off.

*Do research BEFORE you post.

With the crime/legal issues/mob story lines there are certain clauses and lingo and statures that go with that type of plotline. I feel like I didn’t know much about what the CIA does and that caused a problem as I wrote Ricky’s character. I would research as I went which I think that caused some inconsistencies and some weirdness. I did my best, hopefully it came across accurately enough.

*Don’t be afraid of sexual content and more explicit language. And don’t apologize.

I think this is a big one for me to learn. I find myself putting warnings and disclaimers before any chapters that contain more adult matters. Sex is a part of relationships and loving someone, and telling a love story. Cursing is part of heated conversation and gives a line a more dignified delivery. In this series, I definitely explored a more adult style of writing. I usually edit myself when it comes to love scenes, because I feel like it may be perceived as slutty or trashy, and I’m still trying to learn how to write an effective love scene. But I think with this series I’m breaking out of my shell slowly. I am 24, so I mean come on now, the things on TV and in the theaters now, would make my Maggie and Ricky measly shower sex scene seem like a Disney Channel movie.

*Write more like a script, then a novel.

This is something that I’ve noticed. I want the series to be read like a movie, and yet I’m writing and reading it like a short story. Formatting definitely needs work.

*Step up your editing images game, and use the slideslow option more often.

I don’t have image editing software on my computer. I actually found a way to edit images through Microsoft, but some edits come out SO BAD. Lol. Some come out pretty good. I’ve definitely gotten better since the Mysterious Attraction days, but I can only imagine the images I could create if I actually had Photoshop! Sometimes I’ll edit an image and it’ll come out pretty good and I will just get so excited. Seeing my characters come together like that makes it almost seem real. Oh just let me live. Let me dream! 😉 WordPress just added the slideshow option (or I just realized they had one) and it makes things so much neater, you can add captions and watch the story unfold like a mini movie. I love it!

******************************************

So there you have it guys, as this post goes up, we say Good Bye to this series, and plan for the next one. I’m excited! Thank you for reading, and congrats if you had the patience to stay tuned until the end! 😉

 

Love conflicted says good bye finished

Catch up on Love Conflicted HERE

*I do not take credit for any images used in my edits or otherwise.*

-<3-

Love Conflicted- Chapter 12

michelleleighwrites Leave a comment

Hey guys….Only January and I already dropped the ball on my Tues/Thurs schedule. I think I underestimated how much time and thought needed to be put into the end of Love Conflicted. That and the fact that I’ve been easily distracted lately. The internet is a vortex I get lost in.

12552704_1273661239394882_3773738063538824380_n[1]

Mood.

Anyway, that last part just wasn’t quite ready to post, but it is now! Without further hesitation… Stay Tuned for the exciting conclusion (Part 12) of Love Conflicted…

New poster

#dreamcasting

Previously on Love Conflicted…

Read Part 11 HERE

Start from the beginning/Get caught up HERE

new poster illy

#dreamcasting

 

****************

Hauled up in a familiar old abandoned house, Ricky sits working on his computer as he taps into the surveillance system of a nearby bar, Ricky once took Maggie here some time ago back when Maggie thought she couldn’t handle having a life with him.

Ricky: We’re in. We’ve got eyes on the interior, all exits and side streets of the underground operation.

Ian nods as he stands over a small table sifting through some audio equipment.

Lily and Maggie emerge from a smaller room off to the side, both dressed rather promiscuous.

Ricky looks up. Ian’s jaw drops.

Ricky: No. Absolutely not.

Maggie: Ricky, you want this to be believable right?

Ricky: Yea of course, but that doesn’t mean you have to dress like that.

Maggie: (hands on her hips) What kind of girls do you think these guys get walking through their doors? No self-respecting, modestly dressed woman is going to show their face there for a cocaine score. It’s all ladies of the street.

Ian: She’s not wrong.

Ricky glares at Maggie.

Ricky: Baby, I love you. And you can totally dress like that for me another night- preferably away from any other wandering eyes- and I will welcome it, because you look sexy as hell. But I don’t think you realize how bad these guys actually are. I don’t want you near any of them dressed like that. It’s way too vulnerable. They’ll just see you as something to take advantage of.

Maggie: Well how do you know they’re all bad? You and Ian aren’t.

Ian and Ricky exchange looks.

Ricky: Maggie, this isn’t Cobbs version of the CIA we’re trying to bust here. All those people are a lot like us, they’ve been brainwashed into thinking they’re protecting the security of our country. We’re dealing with the real deal guys here. They don’t care. They won’t even blink at the slightest sign of humanity. They’re the cold ones. This drug ring is Cobbs’ most prized possession, this is where the big cash rolls in. We get this stuff on record, the police will have no choice but to arrest him and everyone involved.

Lily: Wait a minute, I thought you already had something major on Cobbs that could put him away? Remind me why you’re allowing both myself and the love of your life to risk our lives and enter the danger zone.

Maggie: Lily…?

Lily: No. Look I’m sorry okay-I don’t mind helping-But I think it deserves some kind of explanation. This whole time everything you’ve done was to protect us from being in danger. And now you are literally putting us right in the middle of it.

Ian: What we have is good. But how we got it- is illegal.

Maggie and Lily exchange glances.

Ricky: I was finally able to hack into a database holding several files regarding legal cases, some date as far back as 20 years ago. A bunch of sealed files of crime cases Cobbs should have done time for. But judges covered up for Cobbs for years, if you throw enough money at people, problems can vanish, like that (he snaps his fingers.) With all the shots against us already, if Ian and I have any chance of actually passing this off as evidence that will hold up in court, we need something current, something concrete.

Ian: Something obtained naturally. If we go to the Cops as is, we’re bound to get arrested for working under Cobbs for all these years.

Lily: It’s still really risky if you ask me.

Ian: We’ll have eyes on you the whole time. You’ll wear wires. We’re right here, if trouble starts, we’ll know. We’ll be in there in seconds.

Lily: And what if we get made, what if these guys sense we’re moles? It takes a second to pull a trigger.

Maggie: Lily?

Ricky: No. She’s right. What the hell was I thinking?

Maggie: Ricky.

Ricky: No. It’s the truth. We need a new plan. Now.

Maggie: Ok… come with me.

Maggie grabs his hand and drags him into the next room.

Ian and Lily exchange glances.

Lily: I’m sorry, I’m not trying to mess with the plan- but it had to be said.

Ian: I get it. It’s a completely valid concern.

Lily: Thank you for understanding.

Ian: You don’t ever have to apologize for who you are. Not with me.

Lily gives him a small smile.

Ian: You know we would never have asked if we thought we couldn’t protect you.

Lily: No I know. But sometimes things don’t always go as planned ya know? Maggie has been through hell, I just want her to be okay.

Ian: We all do. But you’re right. Regardless, I would never let anything happen to either of you. I can have you in and out in a matter of minutes.

*****************

Most of the furniture is all dusty and covered in sheets still. The layer of dust slightly heavier than the last time. The floor creakier, the quiet slightly more eerie. And the dimly lit rooms, seem to be getting darker by the second as the deep night falls upon them.

Ricky: Maggie, baby I’m so sorry. I had no right to ask you to be any part of this.

Maggie: Hey. Stop it. I’m glad that you’re finally keeping me in the loop.

Ricky: But Lily’s right. Everything I’ve done, all the pain I’ve caused, all the days we had to spend a part was because I was trying to keep you safe- keep you away from this world. I never wanted my job to affect you.

Maggie: Hey. (She reaches for him and he pulls away) Hey come here, (pulling him to her) Look at me, I’m fine. Lily’s just being her overprotected self, it’s why we love her.

Ricky: Yea I know. She is right. I’ve got you going into the thick of it. I don’t want you anywhere near this.

Maggie: Ricky you have no other choice. If you and Ian go in there, you’re as good as dead. You know that they’ll recognize you and they’ll know your there to take them down.

Ricky: Better me then you.

Maggie glares at him.

Maggie: Don’t.

Ricky looks at her, his eyes filling.

Ricky: Do you remember when you found out about my job? Do you remember how you looked at me? With disdain. Like you hated me.

Maggie: I was upset and shocked. You had been lying to me for months. It was just a knee jerk reaction.

Ricky: You wouldn’t even let me touch you. You were afraid of me.

Maggie: I was afraid of what could happen if I let myself love you. Because in spite of everything I still did. I still do. (She kisses the corner of his lips.)

Ricky looks at her, he gives in, kissing her for a brief moment.

Ricky: You were right to be afraid of me. I don’t deserve you, I never did.

Ricky pulls away from her, walking off to the side.

*Flashback* (Over a year ago)

Maggie is in a darkened warehouse. She walks through aimlessly. Searching for something. For an answer. She hears angry voices and yelling, she hides behind a few stacks of boxes.

She recognizes one of the male voices.

Maggie peers out and sees Ricky standing there.

Ricky is yelling at a scruffy, dingy dressed, bearded man.

The man holds up his hands.

“Don’t make a move, or I will blow your head off.” Ricky says in crisp cold tone.

Maggie’s eyes widen as she watches in fear. Unknowingly holding her breath.

The man begins to plead with Ricky for his life.

He impulsively reaches for his gun.

Ricky shoots him, point blank, without blinking.

Maggie stands there frozen.          

Ricky there before her, standing over the dead body. Blood seeping into the ground.

Ricky signs. His glare intense. He lowers his gun.

Just then his phone buzzes. Ricky answers, holding the phone to his ear.

“It’s done. Send in the cleanup crew.”

Ricky hangs up the phone. Turning he sees Maggie standing there.

Her face full of fear, her eyes full of tears, her body frozen, yet shaking.

Ricky’s eyes widen as he makes a move toward her.

Maggie steps back, her face growing from confused fear to complete terror.

“Maggie…” he whispers, his heart dropping.

Maggie turns and begins to run.

Ricky holsters his gun and rushes after her.

Maggie makes it to an exit door and bursts through it. Her heart pounding, her breathing sporadic.

Ricky runs through seconds later his eyes searching for her.

“Maggie. Maggie, baby, I can explain.” He walks toward her, reaching for her.

“Don’t touch me!” she screams.

“Maggie, please.”

“Who are you?” she says looking at him with disdain.

“I’m still me.”

“No you’re not. You’re not. The man I fell for was charming, and sweet and had the kindest eyes.”

“Baby I still am that guy. I just have a different job description.”

“Which is what? What possible job could you have that would condone you killing a man in cold blood?”

Ricky looks away.

Maggie’s wheels begin to turn.

“You’re a mobster?” she asks coming to a realization.

Ricky’s eyes fall. He knows he doesn’t want to lie to her any more than he already has, yet he knows he can’t risk telling her the truth just yet. So he just doesn’t answer, and lets her make her own conclusion.

“So what- you just go around killing people, who what- “do you wrong?”

“It’s a little more complicated than that. I don’t exactly make the final call. I have a boss.”

Maggie looks at him. Her hands still trembling.

Ricky notices.

He steps toward her, reaching for her. “You’re shaking…”

He manages to pull her close to him, cupping her face with his hand.

“No,” she pushes him away. “Don’t touch me. I don’t want you touching me ever again!”

Maggie turns as she begins to walk away quickly from him into the night.

Ricky rushes after her.

“Maggie. I know this is a lot to take in. But you just need time to cool down. Then we can talk and try to figure things out.”

“Cool down? I just watched you kill a man. I’m not going to forget that. Everything isn’t going to just be okay. Not after this. If you thought that it would, you must be delusional.”

“Maggie…”

“Don’t. Just don’t.” she says crying “You’re a completely different person to me now.”

Ricky hangs his head, his eyes tearing up.

“I used to feel safe in your arms. And now-” Maggie stops looking around, wrapping her arms around her body, trying to protect herself.

“You don’t have to be afraid of me Maggie. I would never hurt you.”

“How can someone who has held my hand and kissed me and touched me in the most graceful, caring ways, use the same pair of hands to pull the trigger and kill a man without even flinching.”

“I’ve been trained to be a certain way for the job…but that’s not all I am.”

“I don’t care. I don’t want to hear anymore. As far as I’m concerned it’s just another excuse.”

“Maggie please. This can’t be it for us.”

“That poor man. What could he have possibly done, to deserve… that?”

“There are a lot of things you don’t know. It’s complicated.”

“And I don’t wanna know. This relationships over.”

“Maggie…” he grabs her arm.

“Let go of me. Or I will scream and draw attention to the criminal you are.”

Maggie glares at him.

Ricky steps back, her words a blow to his heart.

Maggie still a shaky mess tries to walk away. She gets a few inches away before doubling over and vomiting.

Ricky rushes over, holding her hair back.

“Okay. You’re okay. I think everything has been a bit of a shock to your system.”

Maggie wipes her mouth and stands up, swatting him away.

“I’m going home. Don’t follow me. And do me a favor. Lose my number.”

Ricky looks at her pain etched on his face.

“I know you hate me right now. I get it. But at least let me drop you home. It’s late.”

“So what? All bad guys are the same. You should know that.”

Maggie walks away.

“Take the ride as offered. Or I will throw you over my shoulder and make you take it.”

Maggie stops and looks at him.

“You don’t get to play the over protective boyfriend role right now.”

“Maggie. It’s just a ride home. I promise. I’ll drop you home, and I’ll leave.”

Maggie and Ricky’s eyes lock for a minute. Ricky can almost see a touch of consideration in Maggie’s expression. Maybe all hope wasn’t lost.

Until the exit door opens and Ian stands there.

Ian: Rick. We need you.

Ricky turns.

Ricky: 5 minutes.

Ricky turns back toward Maggie, and she’s gone.

Ricky looks around. He angrily punches the door in.

-End of flashback-

Ricky: I remember feeling like my whole world exploded that night. I really thought I’d never see you again.

Maggie: Well, here I am. And I love you even more than I did back then.

Ricky: Why?

Maggie: What do you mean why?

Ricky: Why do you love me? I mean you said it once before, I’m a criminal…all bad guys are the same.

Maggie glances at him sternly.

Maggie: Come on. I was reacting to seeing my boyfriend kill a man. I didn’t know the full story.

Ricky: Like the full story is any better. Either way you paint it, I still spent my life killing.

Maggie: You thought you were protecting people from the bad guys. And you were, I mean it’s not as if any of the people you had to kill lived an honest life. Especially since they were all involved with Cobbs in some way.

Ricky: You don’t need to justify my actions. I was wrong. It’s okay to admit that. I never had to kill anyone. I made a choice to believe I had to.

Maggie: You didn’t know your boss was a fraud and a sociopath who was brainwashing you.

Ricky looks away.

Maggie: Hey. (She cups his face) You are a good man. With a good heart. You are. If you weren’t we wouldn’t be having this conversation. The real bad guys have no remorse for their actions.

Ricky: When you say it, I actually almost believe it.

Maggie: Believe it, baby.

Ricky: I never did know how you ended up in the warehouse that day?

Maggie: I followed you. I felt like you had been kind mysteriously leaving our dates abruptly and all the calls you’d take outside away from earshot. Initially I kind of thought you were cheating.

Ricky: Are you kidding me? I could never want anyone but you. (He says cupping her face with both of his hands.)

Maggie: I knew something was up with you. I just thought cheating could have been a possibility.

Ricky: Bet you kind of wish that’s all it was, huh? Would have made your life a whole lot easier. I mean sure my character would have been questioned but not so catastrophically. Cheating can’t put you in jail.

Maggie: No. But it would have made me question if you love me. Job or no job. I now know you do.

Ricky: Do you know how much I love you?

Maggie: Yes. (She smiles) Almost as much as I love you.

Ricky: Not possible. (He smiles softly as he pulls her into a kiss.)

*****************

Ian and Lily walk in.

Lily: So. Are we doing this thing?

Ricky: No. We’re not. I am.

Maggie looks at him.

Maggie: Ricky, no.

Ricky: I can’t let you go in there. I won’t. They think I’m dead. We still have a bit of an edge. It’ll be fine. I’ll get in, get what we need, something concrete and physical. And get out.

Ian: Let’s get wired up then.

Ian tosses a mic pack to Ricky as he begins hooking on his own.

Ricky: What are you doing?

Ian: I’m going with you.

Ricky: No you’re not.

Ian looks at him.

Maggie: You’d don’t actually think you’re going in there alone do you?

Ricky: Yes. I am. I won’t put any more people’s lives in danger.

Maggie: Ricky.

Ian: Rick, Dude. Things will go a lot smoother if you let me help you.

Ricky: You’ve helped me enough Ian. I’ve got this one.

Ricky goes to walk toward the exit.

Maggie stops him, by walking in front of his path and placing her hand on his chest.

Maggie: Either you let Ian go with you, or I’m going in.

Ricky: You going in isn’t an option anymore.

Maggie looks at him, turning on her heel, she rushes toward the door.

Ricky and the gang rush after her.

Ricky grabs her back in, closing the door behind her.

Ricky: Are you out of your mind?

Maggie: Are you?

Rick gives her a stern glare.

Maggie: Haven’t you leaned you can’t tell me what to do. Don’t test me Ricky. I am my own person with my own brain. I know what I can and can’t handle.

Ian: Rick, man. Let me just go in with you.

Ricky: Fine. But neither of you leave this house, you hear me? And the minute we leave you lock this door.

Maggie: Deal.

Lily nods.

Ian grabs his coat.

Ricky and Ian head towards the door.

Maggie: Ricky.

Ricky turns.

Maggie’s eyes begin to fill up.

Maggie: In and out. Okay?

Ricky nods, walking swiftly over to her, he grabs her and kisses her.

Ricky: I love you.

Maggie: I love you.

Ian and Lily look on.

Lily’s eyes lock onto his.

Lily: Be safe in there.

Ian: I do owe you a date.

Lily: That’s right.

Ian smiles leaning in, he kisses her cheek.

Ricky and Ian walk toward the door.

Lily: Hey Ricky, I’m sorry for-

Ricky: No. Don’t be. You were right. It’s nice to know that no matter what you’re always looking out for Maggie.

Lily smiles.

Ricky: We’ll be back.

Rick grabs Maggie’s hand and kisses it, before he leaves.

Lily locks the door behind them.

Maggie rushes over to the computer screen to watch the surveillance.

*******************

Ian and Ricky knock on the back door of the bar.

Three quick knocks. Two slow knocks. A secret knock.

The door opens and a dark skinned man stands there.

Man: Can I help you? He barks.

Ricky: Yea we’re looking for Cobbs.

Man: Yea. What you want with him?

Ricky: We heard this is the place to score some prime C.

Man: You have the money.

Ricky pulls a few hundreds from his back pocket and holds them up.

The man takes it with one hand, and in one swift move, he slaps a handcuff on Ricky’s wrist with the other.

Ricky’s face falls.

Man: FBI you’re under arrest.

The man turns Ricky around as he cuffs his other hand behind his back.

Another cop emerges from the door and handcuffs Ian.

As Ricky and Ian exchange nervous glances, they peer into the underground room. It’s under a complete investigation, crawling with police tape and officers logging evidence.

Ricky: Don’t say a word, Ian. I’ll handle this.

Maggie and Lily watch on horrified.

Maggie rushes for the door.

Lily: Stop. You can’t you don’t want to be an accessory, just wait it out. Let’s get out of these trashy clothes and we’ll meet them at the station okay?

Maggie sighs as tears stream down her face.

Lily: Hey. Don’t let your mind run wild just yet. Ok? We’re gonna be ok, I promise you.

Maggie: How do you know that?

Lily: Because we always are.

Lily pulls her into a side hug.

**************

Maggie and Lily rush into the local precinct.

Maggie walks up to the front desk.

Maggie: Excuse me, I’m looking for Ricky Roman.

Lily taps her, as two cops escort Ian and Ricky into the station.

Ricky’s eyes land on Maggie.

Maggie: Ricky! She rushes over to him.

A female desk sergeant stops her.

Desk Sergeant: I’m going to have to ask you to take a seat. He’s got to go through the process.

Maggie: When are visiting hours?

Desk Sergeant: Not until tomorrow morning.

Maggie’s face drops as her tears fall more freely.

Lily reaches for her.

Ricky notices from afar.

Ricky: Baby. Baby. It’s ok.

The officers shove him into an interrogation room. And Ian into a separate one.

Hours go by and Lily and Maggie sit nervously in the waiting area, completely exhausted at this point, and looking for answers.

Maggie gets up and walks over to the front desk.

Maggie: Excuse me, it’s been hours, can you please tell me anything about what’s going on with my boyfriend. What’s he being charged with?

Desk Sergeant: Name?

Maggie: His name is Ricky Roman. I just asked you about him a few minutes ago, are you deaf or just a victim of shitty short term memory?

The woman glares up at her.

Desk Sergeant: Would you like to spend your night in a cell too?

Lily jumps up and rushes over.

Lily: Ok. Alright. That won’t be necessary. It’s just the stress talking, (she says swaying Maggie back over to their seats.)

Maggie: I can’t take not knowing what’s happening?

Lily: Look I understand ok? This sucks from all ends. But you have got to calm down.

Lily and Maggie fall asleep in the chairs.

******************

The next morning a male officer taps Maggie on the shoulder.

Maggie wakes up and nudges Lily awake.

Officer: Are you here for Ricky Roman?

Maggie: Yes.

Officer: You can see him now.

Maggie: Oh thank god.

She stands up in a hurry.

Lily: And Ian- oh my god I don’t even know his last name, (She reflects.)

Ian comes walking out from a nearby back room.

Lily and Maggie’s eyes shoot up.

Maggie: Hey are you okay?

Ian: Yea. Thanks.

Maggie: Where’s Ricky?

Officer: This way ma’am.

Maggie looks on worried as the officer ushers her into the back.

Lily turns to Ian.

Lily: What’s going on?

Ian: They let me go.

Lily: And Ricky?

Ian: He took the blame for everything.

Lily: And you let him?

Ian: I had no choice. He made me promise that if we ever got arrested, that I let him take the wrap, and I keep Maggie safe.

Lily looks on with worried eyes.

Maggie follows the officer to a hall full of cells.

Guys are cat calling as Maggie walks by.

Officer: Enough.

They simmer down.

They reach a cell all the way at the end, sectioned off.

Ricky sits there his head in his hands.

Maggie: Ricky!

Ricky’s head jolts up.

He rushes to the gate.

The officer unlocks the gate and opens it for Maggie to walk in.

Closing it behind them.

Officer: You have 10 minutes.

He walks away.

Maggie: Ricky!

She rushes into his arms.

Ricky: God I am so glad you’re not in that outfit.(he tries to laugh and make light of things) This place is full of slime.

Maggie: Ricky. What’s going on?

Ricky pauses. He cups her face and kisses her for a minute.

Maggie: Talk to me. Please.

Ricky: The FBI has been watching Cobbs for the past few months. They knew what type of operation he’s been running. They know Ian and I worked for him. Cobb’s underground operation was raided minutes before we showed up. All his workers and Cobbs himself are in custody. We got him. He’s going away for a long long time.

Maggie: And what about you? I mean they released Ian, so that means they’ll release you soon too, right?

Ricky: No.

Maggie: What do you mean no?

Ricky: Maggie I’m being charged.

Maggie: With what? You didn’t work for that part of Cobbs’ operation. 

Ricky: Yea but, I was involved in everything else under the sun.

Maggie: Well did you tell them the whole story? Did you tell them everything? Why you did what you did?

Ricky: Somehow they just don’t care. As far as they know I worked for Cobbs for years and I knew all along.

Maggie: But you didn’t.

Ricky shrugs.

Maggie: We can fight this. We’ll get you the best lawyer.

Ricky: It doesn’t matter babe.

Maggie: So what you’re not gonna fight it?

Ricky: I belong in here.

Maggie looks at him in disbelief.

Maggie: How long?

Ricky: 10 to 15. And that’s with a deal for cooperating.

Maggie doubles over as she suddenly feels like she had the air knocked out of her.

Maggie’s tears fall, as Ricky pulls her into him, he looks into her eyes. Wiping away her tears.

Maggie pulls herself together as she tries to think positively.

Maggie: Ok. Ok, I know it’s a long time. But we can make it worth. I can come see you…all the time. And when you get out we can be together.

Ricky smiles, touching her face and staring at her lovingly.

Maggie searches his face for some kind of reassurance.

Ricky’s face frowns.

Maggie: What?

Ricky: Maggie…I love you so much…But-

Maggie: But what- there is no but, you love me, and I love you.

Ricky: Maggie…

Maggie: No. No don’t Maggie me.

Ricky reaches for her.

Maggie: When this is all over with, we can be together. I mean that’s what the whole deal was, wasn’t it? We stay apart while you gather the information you need to get him put away. Am I missing something here? Am I crazy? Or is that not what you told me. What you kept telling me.

Ricky: No, you’re not crazy. That was the initial plan.

Maggie: Ok so what changed?

Ricky: Maggie I love you more than I did yesterday, and more than the day before that, and I can promise you that I will love you even more tomorrow. But this whole thing just made me realize that… maybe… we’re not the best fit. You’re better off without me. And I’m going to prison.

Maggie: So I can wait for you.

Ricky: I don’t want you to. That’s not a life.

Maggie’s eyes gloss over and her stare turns cold.

Maggie: Don’t you dare.

Ricky: Maggie, baby. You need to let me go.

Maggie: You asshole.

Ricky: Baby please-

Maggie: Don’t. You are full of empty promises. You make me wait on you this whole time, when you really didn’t even have any intention of following through. Did you want to get caught? Did you wish for this? Is it some kind of sick version of self-punishment, because you think this is where you deserve to be?

Ricky: Of course I intended to be with you. I never wanted to hurt you, you have to know that. But what kind of man would I be if I didn’t answer for my crimes.

Maggie: Wow you can put on quite a show. Was I part of your cover too? Just the mobster with a heart of gold who falls for the little timid elementary school teacher. Right?

Ricky: Of course not. I have always been honest about how I feel about you.

Maggie: Right, because honesty is your specialty.

Ricky: Maggie.

Maggie: You don’t wanna be with me. Fine. Just own up to it.

Ricky: Maggie. That is not what this is about, and you know it. I love you so much. And I love you enough to let you go.

Maggie: And I just don’t get a say in this? You’re just gonna choose what’s best for me…again?

Ricky: Maggie I can’t gamble with your life again. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if you spent your life waiting on me. You can’t put it on hold because of my stupid mistakes.

Maggie: (tears are rolling down her cheeks as she keeps wiping them away) Fine. But this is it. You don’t get third and fourth chances. Not with me. You’re lucky you got a second. And now that’s all irrelevant. I don’t want you keeping tabs on me, I’m sure you have ways of doing that even though you’re in here. You don’t want this? Fine.Have it your way. Guard, we’re done here, (She says yelling from the cell.)

Ricky: Wait Maggie, will you just let me explain…

Maggie: Guard.

Maggie leaves without another word.

Knowing that he just made the biggest mistake in his life, Ricky sinks to the floor of his cell.

Maggie collapses to the floor in sobs in the waiting room as Lily rushes to her side.

Ian walks over to the side, he makes a call.

*****************

*6 Months Later*

It’s Maggie’s 25th birthday and Lily is throwing her a party. It’s been 6 months since Ricky was arrested.

The party is full of glitter and glam, champagne is being popped and poured. The DJ is alive with energy and the food is circling. People are mingling and the room is in party mode.

Maggie stands admiring her best friend’s handiwork.

lily and maggie bffs

Maggie: Lily this is amazing! Thank you so much.

Lily: Well with all the craziness that has gone down recently, you deserved this.

Maggie smiles and pulls her friend into a hug.

Lily notices Ian walk in with a familiar face. Her eyes widen as she pulls away from her hug with her best friend.

ricky and ian bffs

Maggie notices.

Maggie: What?

Ricky walks up behind her.

Ricky: Hey Maggie. Happy Birthday.

Maggie stills hearing his voice.

Maggie: (turning) What are you doing here?

Ricky: I was invited.

Maggie looks over at a scheming Lily and Ian who watch eagerly.

Maggie gives Lily a death glare.

Lily just holds her hands out with a shrug of her shoulders.

Maggie: Were you now?

Ricky nods.

Maggie: Excuse me, for just a second.

Maggie walks quickly over to Lily.

Ian: Good Luck see ya.

Ian ducks out over to the bar.

Maggie: Are you crazy? You invited Ricky to my birthday party?

Lily: Hey I just did what you couldn’t do. You obviously miss him.

Maggie: That’s not the point.

Lily: Ok so then what is the point, Maggie? Because you are miserable. I know you’ve been trying to hide it but I know you, and it’s killing me to see you this way.

Maggie: (sighs) I love you for caring about me, I do. But I am not the one who ended things Lily. He was. Do you know how difficult it is to look at him, let alone talk to him? And on my birthday of all days. God, I just-

Lily: You ever think that maybe he regrets his decision?

Maggie: If he did, he would have reached out over the past 6 months. It’s not like he was in jail that long, Ian’s lawyer had him out in a matter of days.

Lily: You told him not to reach out.

Maggie: And he listened. If he wanted me, he would have fought for me.

Lily: He’s here, isn’t he?

Maggie: Yea only because you invited him.

Lily: I don’t think I’m the one you should be talking to about this.

Ricky walks up behind Maggie.

Ricky: I think she’s right.

Maggie turns.

Lily: I’m gonna go find my man. Good luck, (she pats Ricky on the shoulder, walking off to where Ian stands by the bar.)

Ricky: Can we talk?

Maggie: (shrugging) I guess so.

Ricky: Maybe we can go somewhere a little more private?

Maggie: You want me to leave my own party? Sure why not. (She walks off into the hallway of the party venue.)

Ricky: I came here, because I needed you to know-

Maggie: Why did you do it? How could you do it? Did you think about it? What it would do to me? Because I have replayed our entire relationship over in my head a thousand times, over the past 6 months, and I still can’t fathom how you could just walk away. I know I couldn’t. But you left me no choice. So I wanna know. Did you think about it? How you just decided for me. You just decided my fate without even asking me. You broke my heart, just because you could.

Ricky: That is not how it happened.

Maggie: No?

Ricky: No.

Maggie: You promised me things Ricky. I waited for you. And then when things got tough you just bailed on me, throwing away everything we built.

Ricky: I can’t even begin to explain how much I regret the way I handled things. It just seems like I keep messing this up.

Maggie: You regret it? You regret it. What about apologizing? What about being sorry for excluding the woman you claim to love from your life? What about that, Ricky?

Ricky: I do love you. And I am sorry about how much I hurt you. But I will not apologize for wanting to protect you. For wanting you to be happy.

Maggie: Oh ok. (she rolls her eyes)

Ricky: Hey. Don’t roll your eyes at me, I’m dead serious right now. I love you, you know I do.

Maggie: Then why?

Ricky: You know why.

Maggie: We talked about babies Ricky, we talked about marriage and being together. You don’t just go from planning forever with someone to saying goodbye. It didn’t have to be all or nothing, you didn’t have to crush my heart the way that you did. There is such a thing as middle ground, communication. But no you took it upon yourself to just end it. Well you got your wish, you can go now.

Ricky: Believe me, letting you go, was the most debilitating thing I have ever experienced. Do you think that I’ve been ok this whole time? I mean you must have some kind of demented image of me in your head, if you think that the pain you felt wasn’t the same I felt.

Maggie: Fine. I get it. We’re good. You can go now.

Ricky: We’re not done.

Maggie: Like hell we are.

Maggie goes to walk away, Ricky grabs her arm.

They both feel that familiar spark.

Maggie: What do you not get? I don’t want to see you. I don’t want to talk to you.

Ricky: There you go lying to yourself again, (He pulls her closer.)

Maggie: Don’t.

Ricky: Don’t what?

Maggie: Don’t try and manipulate me Ricky. That whole flirtation bit where you try to handle me isn’t going to work. We are here because of the choice you made. And I warned you that was your last chance. So let me go.

Ricky sighs and releases her unwillingly.

Maggie sighs of relief and begins to walk away.

Ricky: Maggie…

He rushes over to her, pulling her into a kiss.

Maggie pushes him away angrily.

Maggie: What else do you want?

Ricky: I Want You.

Maggie laughs.

Maggie: You know you keep saying that. But everything you’ve done has proven otherwise. Do you enjoy playing games with me? Because you had me, and then you broke it off, several times actually. Proving to me that you are not in this. I can’t keep doing this with you, I can’t keep putting my heart at risk. Because that to me is worse than any bodily harm your line of work could have possibly caused me. You had me, and you didn’t want me, so you can’t change your mind and expect me to just go along with it. Haven’t you learned by now, that you can’t handle me! I’m not your puppet.

Ricky: I’m not handling you, and I’m sorry if I’ve made you feel like I am trying to. But I have never not wanted to be with you. I was just trying to think of your happiness. I realize that I went about it all wrong and that I should have trusted that we could make it work together and let you decide for yourself. I was stupid, and wrong. I was in a bad head space Maggie. God if I was in my right mind, do you honestly think I could ever let you go. I was so ridden with guilt. I thought you were better off without me. Since I’ve been out I’ve been going to therapy and just trying to be that guy you met at the start of us.

Maggie looks at him.

Maggie: Has therapy been helping you? (She asks curiously folding her arms over her chest)

Ricky: Yea. A lot actually. It made me realize things I couldn’t see clearly before.

Maggie: Like what?

Ricky: That I was suffering from the effects of that type of job, and I wasn’t ready or able to forgive myself, let alone let you love me. But I do want to be with you. And I think you wanna be with me too.

Maggie: Look I’m glad that you’re doing better. But that ship has sailed. We lost a lot of time. Too much.

Ricky: We can get it back.

Maggie looks away.

Ricky: You look beautiful by the way. I mean you’ve definitely changed, but I like the new look.

Maggie: Well tragedy can stir up change.

Ricky: Well it’s certainly working for you, (he looks at her the way he always used to. And Maggie instantly feels her stomach flutter.)

Maggie: Don’t do that.

Ricky: What I can’t compliment you anymore?

Maggie: No. And you can’t look at me like that anymore either.

Ricky: What way am I looking at you? (He says walking closer to her.)

Maggie: Like you-

Ricky: Like I love you?

Maggie: You broke up with me. You don’t want to be with me, the sooner you admit that the sooner you can move on. Why would you even come here?

Ricky: Is that what you really think? That I broke things off because I don’t wanna be with you? Have you not been listening to anything I’ve been saying? I swear sometimes I just think you like to pick a fight. You only choose to hear what you think will help your case. When in reality there is nothing further from the truth.

Maggie: I just think that you don’t know what you want. That maybe I’m just convenient. At first I didn’t think that. I thought you were genuinely worried about me and wanted me to be happy. And I could on some level understand that. Respect you for caring that much. But when you realized that you were in the clear. You didn’t once reach out. You didn’t fight for me at all. And it just made me realize that I had completely deluded myself into thinking that you actually loved me.

Ricky: Ok. I’m going to respectfully ignore the fact that you keep saying things like that. Of course I loved you. I am still so in love with you. Maggie, after everything we have had together, do you honestly think I could walk away from you without feeling like my heart exploded into a million pieces.

Maggie: Well you have a funny way of showing it.

Ricky: I was trying to respect you and give you space. And I had to make sure that everything was fully resolved with me before I came back into your life. I wasn’t going to risk uplifting it again. And… I had to save up.

Maggie: Save up for what?

Ricky: For this.

He takes a ring box from his pocket.

Maggie looks at the box and then locks eyes with Ricky.

Maggie: What is that?

Ricky hands her the small box.

Ricky: Open it and find out.

Maggie: Ricky I-

Ricky: Open it, (he playfully touches her chin.)

Maggie looks at the box, she takes a deep breath and opens it to find a big diamond engagement ring.

Maggie: (gasps) Ok. I can’t breathe.

Ricky: (laughs) Stay with me on this, ok?

Maggie nods, completely baffled.

Ricky smiles taking her left hand and kneeling down on one knee.

Maggie: Oh my god.

Ricky: You wanted forever.

Maggie: Only if you want it too.

Ricky: (rolls his eyes at her) I love you. I don’t like my life without you. It’s unbearable. You mean the world to me, and I know that this hasn’t been easy, and we’ve been on a painful roller coaster for a while. But I have never not for one second, stopped loving you. I love your heart and how you wear it on your sleeve. I love your eyes, how they sparkle and how they can always read me. It’s kind of creepy and crazy. (He laughs) I love your smile, and your creative mind. I love how you come home smelling like Elmer’s glue and covered in paint and glitter. I love that you love kids and that you’re so good with them. I love that you love with your whole body and soul and how you truly listen and take the time to get to know people. I love how having you in my arms every night magically fixes everything. I’ve really missed that. I love how we can sit watching movies for hours in our sweats, eating junk food and then still choose to order Chinese food and you still manage to look flawless.

Maggie is laughing and shaking her head, taking it all in stride.

Ricky: I love how you love.

Maggie is in tears at this point.

Ricky: I know that I hurt you, and you have to understand that it wrecked me to leave you. But I’m back and I want to make you happy, I want to make up for the time that we lost. I want for us to have the future we planned, the future we deserve. And I’m not letting one more day pass by without having you in my life. So if you haven’t completely given up on me yet…I was just wondering if maybe you’d consider, marrying me?

Maggie: (shrugs) Took you long enough.

Ricky laughs.

Ricky: Is that a yes?

Maggie: That’s a yes.

Ricky puts the ring on Maggie’s finger and stands up to meet Maggie for a kiss.

Ricky kisses Maggie and hugs her tightly.

Ricky: Do you like the ring?

Maggie: (looks at it) It’s perfect.

Ricky: I love you so much.

Maggie: I love you.

She cups his face and kisses him.

Ricky: Happy birthday love.

Maggie smiles and kisses him again.

Maggie and Ricky walk back into the hall hand in hand.

Lily and Ian notice.

Lily: Told you it’d work, (she nudges Ian with her hip.)

Ian: Your superpowers scare me.

Lily laughs and kisses him.

Maggie and Ricky walk over to them.

Lily: So…I’m guessing we worked things out?

Maggie: Oh yea, I mean if he ever tries to break up with me again, I will have to kill him. But- (Ricky laughs and wraps his arms around her) I uh I think that we’re good. (She says tucking her hair behind her ear and showing off her ring.)

Lily notices.

Lily: Holy shit! Shut up! (She grabs her best friend’s hand.)

Maggie laughs.

Lily: Oh my GOD! Oh my god! (She shrieks and jumps up and down hugging Maggie.) This ring is gorgeous! Ricky you did good.

Ricky laughs.

Ian: I think what Lily is trying to say is Congratulations you guys.

Ian shakes hands with Ricky.

Ian: Congratulations brother.

Ricky: Couldn’t have gotten here without you. Thanks for having my back and for watching over these lovely ladies, (he says gesturing toward Lily and Maggie as he pulls Maggie into a side hug.)

Ian nods.

Ian: It’s a pleasure. Thank you for having my back.

Ricky nods.

Maggie and Lily are hugging and freaking out.

Ricky: (noticing he leans over to Ian) But…I should probably apologize in advance…

Ian: Why?

Ricky: Because…the pressures on buddy…you’re next.

Ian looks at Ricky, then at Lily as he smiles.

*****************

Maggie turns to Ricky as she smiles, before she kisses him.

Maggie: I guess we have a wedding to plan.

Ricky: I guess we do.

Maggie: Do you want a big wedding or a small wedding?

Ricky: Whatever you want, (he says wrapping his arms around her and kissing her.)

Maggie: You don’t have an opinion? (She smiles up at him.)

Ricky: As long as I have you there, I’m covered. You’re all I want, you’re all I need.

Maggie smiles brightly as she kisses him.

Maggie: But you know after the wedding, our first order of business-

Ricky: Babies. (He says smiling knowingly)

Maggie: Yes. (She says smiling)

Ricky: Hell yes, I don’t care how many times we have to do it. How many days we have to spend in bed.  (he smirks leaning in to kiss her again as she laughs.)

****************

Lily walks over to Ian

Lily: I throw the best birthday parties ever.

Ian: (blurts out) You think you’ll ever marry me?

Lily looks over at him.

Lily: Are you asking me?

Ian: Just inquiring for future reference.

He says staring straight ahead, not making eye contact with her curious eyes.

Lily: Hmm.

Ian’s eyes shift over to her, his lips smirking.

Lily: I kinda love you, you know that.

Ian’s expression stuns.

Ian: Did you just-

Lily: Yup.

Ian: But that’s the first time you’ve ever-

Lily: I know. (She smiles)

Ian turns to her, taking her hands in his.

Ian: I love you too.

Lily: Yea I figured, (she smiles pulling him into a kiss, as Ian laughs against her lips.)

***************

*Flashback* (Over a year ago)

Maggie comes out of the school, her hands full of creative craft supplies.

She begins dropping them one by way, by accident.

Ricky driving on a motorcycle is held at a red light and notices her, his eyes looking her over. He smiles to himself.

“Ugh,” he hears Maggie’s aggravated sigh.

Ricky drives off to the side and parks his bike. He walks over to a very frazzled Maggie.

Kneeling down he helps her pick up a few things.

“Here you go,” he says.

“Thank you so much. Today is just not my day. I’ve been dropping things, spilling things, I am covered in glue and glitter,” she says finally looking up, and locking eyes with the handsome stranger.

An instant spark ignites.

Maggie’s captivated. Ricky is intrigued.

“Do you need a lift somewhere?” he says pointing to his motorcycle.

Maggie notices.

“Oh gosh. (Laughing) I better not. Motorcycles terrify me.”

“Hmm. All the more reason to do it. Who knows you might just enjoy it.”

“I don’t know. We’re strangers,” Maggie says mentally kicking herself for not jumping at the opportunity.

Ricky smirks, thinking for a beat.

“I’m Ricky,” he says extending his hand.

Maggie looks up at him.

“And you are?” Ricky says with a sexy expectant smile.

Maggie’s heart flutters.

“Maggie,” she says shaking his hand.

They lock eyes at the powerful feeling of contact and connection.

“It’s nice to meet you Maggie, see now we’re not strangers anymore.”

Maggie lets out a nervous giggle as she pulls her hand away.

Ricky’s heart skips a beat.

“I’m sorry I just don’t think this is a smart idea…” Maggie says.

“Come on, I don’t bite. Live a little.” Ricky says his eyebrow cocking up as his head jerks over toward his motorcycle.

“Ok. Fine. You’re on. But just to be clear, no tricks ok, it’s my first time on a motorcycle.”

“Don’t worry. I’m a very safe driver, I’ll be gentle.”

Maggie blushes as she laughs.

Ricky smiles flirtatiously as he shows her the path to his bike.

Ricky puts her bags into a back tank, and gets on the bike.

“Hop on,” he says.

“Ok….Uh…” Maggie says nervously looking at the bike.

“Just grab onto my waist and swing your leg over.”

Maggie does so and gets on the bike.

“There you go,” he says with a smile of confidence.

“That wasn’t so bad,” Maggie says laughing.

Ricky gives Maggie a helmet as he puts his on as well.

Maggie wraps her hands around his waist.

Ricky looks down, he smiles.

“You ready?” He asks.

“Yea.”

“Hold on tight Maggie this is gonna be fun.” He says revving his bike, waiting for the light to turn green. As it does he speeds off and Maggie squeals.

-End of flashback-

****************

The DJ starts to play a familiar song.

Maggie and Ricky smile at each other.

Ricky: May I have this dance love?

Maggie takes his hand as they sway in each other’s arms.

Maggie holds him tightly as she looks at her ring, she smiles happily.

Ricky: Thank you.

Maggie pulls away and looks up at him.

Maggie: For what?

Ricky: For walking into my life, at the perfect moment. You changed me for the better. You woke me up.

Maggie: You woke me up too. Besides, the foundation was pretty much intact, I just did a little fine tuning. (She says smiling up at him.)

Ricky: No, it was a lot more than that, so thank you.

Maggie: Thanks for the ride. It’s been a hell of one.

Ricky: Well hold on tight baby, we’ve got a long way to go, (he says smiling down at her, pulling her closer to him.)

Maggie smiles and kisses him.

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-The End-

There you have it, the Love Conflicted journey is over. It’s been fun. I hope those of you who have read along, enjoyed the love story between Ricky and Maggie and Lily and Ian.

Stay Tuned for a Love Conflicted inspired “Soundtrack” & my author’s commentary! COMING SOON!

Thanks for reading!

 *I do not take credit for any images used in my edits, or otherwise.*

-<3-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Love Conflicted- Chapter 11

michelleleighwrites 1 Comment

We’re BACK! FINALLY!

Maggie & Ricky and the gang have missed you!

Stay Tuned for this week’s concluding portions of Love Conflicted.

This is a long one so hopefully it makes up for the many weeks that have gone by without any updates. I will say just a quick NOTATION- this chapter is on the sexier side due to the language and the actions of the characters. It’s nothing R-rated but I just like to give a little notice in case there are any younger viewers. So let’s get into the budding yet overly complicated love story between Ricky & Maggie that is  Love Conflicted.

Reunion feels so sweet.

Previously on Love Conflicted…

Read Part 10 HERE

Start from the Beginning/Get Caught up HERE

************************************************************

Ricky is hard at work uncovering some much needed evidence at his work station in his dimly lit hotel room.

A knock is heard.

Ricky gets up quietly and checks the peephole.

Ian salutes him.

Ricky opens the door.

Ricky: Hey thanks for coming, are the girls okay?

Ricky steps aside as Ian walks into the room.

Ian: Of course. Do you think I’d leave if they weren’t?

Ricky: Of course not. Reflex question. Sorry.

Ian: Hey you’re in love, I’ll let it slide.

Ian smirks, patting him on the shoulder

Ian: So whatta we got?

Ian says taking off his jacket and sitting down beside Ricky’s work station.

Ricky: Cobbs has somethings he’s been hiding from the rest of the gang.

Ian leans over to the computer screen and takes a look.

Ian: Well, well, well looks like our boss man hasn’t been as careful as we thought… all this time he’s…

Ricky: We’ve basically been taking orders from one of America’s Most Wanted.

Ian: How did you get this? I mean this record had to be sealed?

Ricky: Did I mention, I started off as a hacker? I can’t believe it took me this long to figure this shit out!

Ian: Well years of having the code drilled into our heads will do that to you. Why didn’t any of these charges stick?

Ricky: He probably paid off judges, I’m sure he has plenty on retainer.

Ian: Cobbs isn’t who he says he is.

Ricky: That’s for damn sure.

Ian: Holy shit.

Ian covers his mouth in shock, coming to grips with this daunting realization.

Ian: How is this even possible? I mean we could be sent to prison for the shit he made us do. Protecting national security my ass. He was full of it. This isn’t CIA shit, this is lethal, corrupt, hit man shit. Rick, man we can’t get caught in this mess. I’m not giving any more of my life for that guy. Let alone, go to prison.

Ricky: That’s not going to happen. Not if we get to the police before it’s too late.

Ian: Who’s to say they’ll even believe us?

Ricky: Oh they will, my life depends on it. Both of ours do. Besides, maybe if we give them full cooperation they’ll be able to cut us a deal. Grant us full immunity. I mean we have him. This is the smoking gun.

Ian: You do know that if this doesn’t go our way, and we get sent away- Maggie…

Ricky: You don’t have to bother finishing that sentence, ok? Trust me, I know. She’s all I can think about. That’s why we have to do everything in our power not to let that happen.

Ian: Well we have proof that our boss was a corrupted piece of shit who embezzled millions of dollars, not to mention all the illegal drugs I’m sure he smuggled in.

Ricky: Yea and all the blood on his hands. That’s enough to put him away for a long long time. I just don’t get it though. All the assignments we’ve had over the years. We thought we were taking out the bad guys.

Ian: Meanwhile, we’ve been working for one this whole damn time. And for what? What’s the reason for all the bloodshed? Money, power…

Ricky: Greed? Lack of humanity. Kill for the cash.

Ian and Ricky share a sigh of grief.

Ian: How did we get here Rick?

Ricky: I ask myself that question every single day. You know all these years, I told myself we were protecting the world. Taking out the people who could cause innocent people their lives. I convinced myself that we were actually doing good. And then I meet this girl and she has the biggest heart. And the sweetest soul and if I tell you the way she looked at me after she found out what I did for a living. I knew something was wrong with me. With this situation. And I realized that I can’t let this be my life. Not anymore.

Ian: Maggie certainly has had a positive effect on you.

Ricky: I need you to promise me something.

Ian looks at his friend expectantly with a nod.

Ricky: If something happens…to me…

Ian: Nothing is going to happen. You just said so yourself.

Ricky: (gives him a stern glance) If anything happens, if I have to go away, or worse. Promise me, you’ll look after Maggie.

Ian: Dude.

Ian shakes his head, not wanting to think about the dreaded possible outcome.

Ricky: Please.

Ian: Ricky, it wouldn’t be only on you. I’ve been on this job with you. I’ve done shit I’m not proud of either, trust me.

Ricky: No you haven’t. You just drove the getaway car. Played security guard.

Ian: You know that’s a lie. We’re partners.

Ricky: Maybe so. But it’s what I’m gonna say. You’re not going away for this. You were helping me out. You’ve always been there to help me out.

Ian: Rick, man, just stop okay. We’re a team.

Ricky: Promise me, please? (he holds his hand out) I need to know that she’ll be okay.

Ian: I promise. There. You happy?

Ricky smirks and Ian shakes his friend’s hand

Ricky: Thank you.

Ian: Nothing’s happening to you though. That girl has been through too much of your bullshit to get the short end of the stick this late in the game….So…what do you wanna do?

Ricky: We have to be smart about this. Cobbs can’t know what’s coming. The element of surprise is all we have here.

Ian: Are you thinking about going to the cops straight away?

Ricky: He knows cops, he can see them coming a mile away.

Ian: So then…what other choice do we really have? Go after him ourselves?

Ricky: Yea. We have two very sexy and persuasive women in our corner.

Ricky’s eyebrows raise as he smirks. Ian realizing and smiling in return.

Ian: I’ll drive.

Ricky jumps up and grabs his bag of spy equipment as they head out the door.

**********

Maggie and Lily sit in Maggie’s apartment as they watch a movie.

Maggie’s mind is going a mile a minute as she wonders where Ricky and Ian are and if they are okay.

She sits stiffly on the coach as she bites her nails looking off in a daze.

Lily notices.

Lily: Is something wrong?

Maggie: What? No. I’m fine.

Lily: Really because if you continue chowing down, you won’t have any nails left.

Lily smacks her hand away from her lips.

Maggie bites her lip nervously as she checks her phone for the 50th time.

Lily: What’s going on Maggie?

Maggie: Ok. I have to tell you something, but you have to promise me that you won’t tell a single soul.

Lily: Okay.

Maggie: I’m serious Lil, like nobody.

Lily: When have I ever betrayed your trust?

Maggie looks at her knowingly.

Maggie’s phone rings.

She jumps up, answering it.

Maggie: Hello?

Ricky: Baby?

Maggie: Hi. (she lets out the breath she’s been holding in)

Ricky: Hey.

Maggie: Where are you? Are you okay?

Lily watches her friend pace the living room.

Ricky: Yes I’m fine. We’re fine. Ian and I are on our way to you. We got something babe. And it’s big. But we need your help.

Maggie: (laughs) I thought you’d never ask.

Ricky: (laughs) How are you? Are you okay? Lily?

Maggie: I’ve been better. I’ll be good once I see your face.

Ricky: You and me both love.

Maggie smiles.

Lily begins to catch on as she notices the tone in Maggie’s voice and the goofy grin on her face.

Lily’s wheels are turning as she watches Maggie talk on the phone. Her jaw drops as she gasps.

Maggie notices.

Maggie: So I’ll see you soon?

Ricky: Yup.

Maggie: You know Lily is here, right?

Lily narrows her eyes at her.

Maggie gives her a face of apology.

Ricky: Yea. Go ahead. Tell her. We’re gonna need her help too.

Maggie: Okay. Bye. I love you.

Ricky: I love you babe. Bye.

Ricky hangs up as Ian turns onto Maggie’s block, taking the back streets.

Maggie looks at Lily who seems angry.

Maggie: So…that thing that I wanted to tell you…

Lily: Yea? (She folds her arms across her chest)

Maggie: Ricky’s alive. He had to fake his death to protect himself from his psycho boss, and by extension he had to protect me and by extension was protecting you too since you’re always with me anyway. So I mean there’s the silver lining right?

Maggie rattles off as she nervously looks at her friend.

Lily: Why wouldn’t you tell me?

Maggie: He’s in hiding. I couldn’t risk it.

Lily: Haven’t you learned you can trust me, by now. We’ve been friends our whole lives. Here I am thinking you lost the love of your life. And it was all a game. I tell ya you put on quite a performance.

Maggie: Trust me, Lil. It was not a performance. I really did think he was dead. All the tears were real.

Lily: So how long did you actually know he was alive?

Maggie: Since I went back to work. A few days.

Lily: A few days? Maggie I am your best friend. Seeing you so hurt and in so much pain, was heart breaking. I wish you would have just come to me and told me the truth.

**********

Ian and Ricky sit in the car, listening to their conversation.

Ian pulls into an alley.

Ricky has sunglasses and a hat on.

Ricky: Let’s just give them a minute.

Ian: Well now it just feels like we’re spying.

Ricky: Hey if that’s the worst thing we do today, I’ll consider that a great deal of progress.

Ian: True.

**********

Maggie: Lily I am so sorry. I have been a nervous wreck these past few days. Trust me when Ricky came to see me, I nearly fainted.

Lily: So he was here?

Maggie: Yes.

Lily: So he did risk going out in public. So really what was the point of hiding this from me?

Maggie: He found out about the false positive on the pregnancy test. He said he had to see me, he had to be with me. But he didn’t stay long. He couldn’t. For both our sakes.

Lily: How did he find out about the false positive?

Maggie: Um. There’s a bug under the lamp shade. I guess he overheard it when we were talking.

Lily looks under the lamp shade, seeing the small mic.

Lily looks at Maggie with a dumbfounded look, leaning towards it.

Lily: Hey… hey I’m talking to you two in spy land. What the hell is going on?

Maggie: Lily…

Lily: So we’re in that much danger here? That your boyfriend had to fake his own death and have his partner bug your apartment to keep you safe?

Maggie: Apparently the business is really shady.

Lily: I can’t believe this. So we’ve just been sitting ducks this whole time?

Maggie: No. Ian has been here with us. Protecting us.

Lily: Oh please. Where is Ian now? I swear that guy is the worst body guard ever.

It’s Lily’s turn to pace now.

There’s a small light knock on the door.

Maggie and Lily exchange looks.

**********

Maggie: That’s them. Did I mention they were on their way?

Lily: Oh no. You didn’t.

Maggie rushes over to the door, peeking in the peephole first, before opening it.

Ricky: Did you look in the peep hole before opening the door?

Maggie: Of course.

Ricky: That’s my girl, get over here.

Maggie smiles, as Ricky grabs her into a hug.

Ian: I uh suggest we move this into an enclosed area.

Maggie: Of course. Come in.

Lily stands there. Arms folded. Obviously annoyed.

Ricky: Hey Lil.

Lily: Whatta know. You’re alive. It’s a miracle.

Ricky: Lily. I’m so sorry.

Lily: Are you out of your mind? Do you know what you put her through? What you put me through? Having to try to be strong for her, when I was grieving in my own way. You’re my friend too.

Ian watches on with sympathetic eyes.

Maggie’s eyes begin to tear.

Ricky: Lily, I have no words. I’m so sorry. It was stupid I know. But it was the only way I thought I could keep everyone safe. I’m the one they were after. So if I wasn’t around then, they couldn’t use either of you as retaliation. It wasn’t personal. It wasn’t that we don’t trust you.

Lily: I hate being lied to. You both know that. (She looks between both Maggie and Ricky) Everyone in this room knew what was going on, except for me. You left me in the dark. Please, don’t ever do that again.

Ricky: It won’t happen ever again.

Maggie: We promise.

Lily: Ok. Good.

Maggie: Are we…okay?

Lily: Of course we are.

Maggie hugs her friend tightly.

Maggie: I really am so sorry. You know that alive or not, not having Ricky in my life has been really hard. And you somehow managed to make things okay. Like you always do. I couldn’t get through this life without you Lil.

Lily: Ditto.

Lily hugs Maggie again.

Ricky: Do I get a hug?

Lily: Sure. Why the hell not? If nothing else, I’m glad you’re not dead.

Ricky: Aw you’re so sweet to me.

Ricky smiles holding his arms open as Lily hugs him.

Lily: I really am glad you’re safe.

Ricky: Thanks Lil. Thanks for always believing in us, (he says pulling Maggie over to him and kissing the top of her head) And for being the best friend we could ever ask for.

Lily: Oh well what a love fest.

Everyone laughs. Ian smiles, admiring Lily from afar.

Maggie: So what’d you guys find out? What’s the plan?

Lily: Pause.

Everyone looks at her.

Lily: Go be in love for the night.

Maggie and Ricky exchange glances.

Lily: Whatever plan you have can wait until the morning. I know you two haven’t really spent much time together.

Maggie and Ricky lock eyes, as he smirks, she blushes.

Ricky extends his hand.

Ricky: Shall we?

Maggie takes it as they walk into her bedroom.

**********

Ricky and Maggie get into her room, and Ricky closes the door.

Ricky: I’ve been dying to kiss you. Come here.

Ricky pulls her to him, as he kisses her.

Maggie kissing him back, she wraps her hands around his neck.

Ricky’s hands make their way up her shirt, Maggie stops him, pulling away.

Maggie: Ricky we can’t…not with them in the next room.

Ricky: Are you kidding me? They expect it. Trust me.

Maggie: I don’t care if they expect it. That doesn’t mean it should happen.

Ricky: I’m sorry. Are you telling me, you don’t wanna do this? Do you know how much I’ve missed you?

Maggie: Yea I can imagine. I’ve missed you so much. Of course I want this. I just don’t think it’s appropriate.

Ricky: Our current situation really doesn’t leave much room for appropriate behavior.

Maggie: Baby I just can’t. I’d feel so uncomfortable.

Ricky: Ok fine. But just know that I am doing everything in my power right now, not to rip your clothes off.

Maggie laughs.

Maggie: Well thank you, I’m so proud of your restraint.

Ricky laughs.

Ricky: Kiss me, at least.

Maggie: (narrows her eyes at him) I don’t know. Do you think you can handle that? Could be a gateway drug for you.

Ricky: (laughs) That’s not exactly untrue. But you gotta give me something here, baby.

Maggie smiles and pulls him into a kiss, as he pulls her closer to him, kissing her back.

**********

Ian and Lily sit on opposite ends of the couch, in silence.

Ian looks away up at the ceiling as his uncomfortable level begins to rise.

Ian: They’re having sex aren’t they?

Lily: Oh yea. Really strong possibility. (Lily nods)

Ian: Fantastic. This won’t be awkward at all.

Lily: TV?

Ian: Dear god, please. I’d really appreciate not having to hear anything.

Lily: You and me both.

Lily turns the TV on.

Ian: In all fairness you did kind of set the ball in motion telling them to be all in love for the night.

Lily: Well considering I’m sure whatever plan you both have up your sleeves in going to be either A) ridiculously stupid or B) extremely complicated and time consuming, I figured they deserved a night together. They’ve spent so much time apart.

Ian: You are absolutely right.

Lily looks over at him.

Lily: Hmm. I like the sound of that.

Ian laughs.

Ian: I’m sorry you didn’t know the full story. I know that we don’t know each other and you probably don’t care, or need an apology from me. But I was a part of this whole thing. And I just want you to know we weren’t trying to make a fool out of you or disrespect you in any way.

Lily: It’s ok. Thank you. I know you were just doing your job.

Ian: According to you, I don’t really do it that well.

Lily: (laughs) I only said that because I was angry and I knew you were listening.

Ian: Ah.

Lily smiles.

Ian: I don’t like being lied to either. So I get it.

Lily: Yea being lied to sucks. Especially when the guy who claims to love you, continues to cheat on you with every available woman.

Ian looks at her stunned.

Lily: Sorry. I just dumped my garbage right in your lap, didn’t I?

Ian: No that’s okay. I’m sorry that happened to you. That guy is a fool.

Lily: I was the fool. For believing him. When in my gut, I knew.

Ian: He’s the fool for not realizing what he had.

Lily: (smiles) Thank you.

Ian: You know, that explains a lot. About why you are the way you are.

Lily: What does that mean?

Ian: Just that you seem overly independent. You don’t want to rely on anyone to take care of you.

Lily: Well I don’t have to. I can take care of myself.

Ian: I can tell.

Lily: Don’t sit here and analyze me.

Ian: That’s not what I’m doing.

Lily: Then what are you doing?

Ian: I’m trying to get to know you. Sure you’re gorgeous and funny and captivating. But there’s certainly more to the sassy blonde routine you like to put on. I wanna know what makes you tick.

Lily: Do you?

Ian: Yea, (he smiles.)

Lily: Really?

Ian: Yes.

Lily leans closer and stares into his eyes, trying to read him. Judging if he’s being sincere.

Ian: What are you doing?

Lily smiles and pulls him to her as she kisses him, Ian cups her face, kissing her back.

**********

Ricky and Maggie are now lying on her bed as they continue kissing.

Ricky’s kisses become more intense as his hands begin to roam over Maggie’s body.

Maggie pulls away.

Maggie: Ricky.

Ricky kisses her again.

Maggie: Ricky.

Ricky looks at her.

Ricky: I’m sorry. My self-restraint is fading fast, (he says rolling away from her and standing up, slightly out of breath.) Come on babe. It’s been days. I want to touch you. Scratch that, I need to.

Maggie smiles and shakes her head, as she begins to turn 7 shades of red.

Maggie: You know what when this is all over, I promise you and I will go away for a whole week and we won’t even have to leave our hotel room.

Ricky’s eyes light up, as he raises his eyebrow. A smirk forming on his lips.

Ricky: Now that sounds amazing.

Ricky says grabbing her by the shirt and pulling her into a kiss.

Maggie smiles against his lips before pushes him away gently.

Maggie: But for now. You’re gonna have to work on that restraint of yours.

Ricky: Then you better but a freakin’ barrier between the two of us, if you expect me to stay away from you.

Maggie: Let’s just go back outside.

Ricky: Yea a few extra pairs of eyes may keep me a bay, for now. (he smirks)

Maggie laughs as she opens the door she sees, Lily and Ian kissing on the couch.

Maggie’s jaw drops.

Lily lifts her shirt off as Ian begins to unbutton his.

Ricky: Babe what’s up?

Maggie: Shh. (she puts her finger to her lips as she points to them)

Ricky looks over her shoulder as his jaw drops too.

Maggie shuts the door.

**********

Ricky: I called that from day one.

Maggie: Oh my gosh. Lily must really like him.

Ricky: Well I can tell you, he definitely likes her.

Maggie: Ugh I knew he did. I could totally tell. What has he been saying about her?

Ricky: Oh you know just the usual. He thinks she’s amazing and beautiful and unlike any other woman he’s ever met.

Maggie: Oh that whole spiel?

Ricky smiles as he wraps his arms around her waist.

Ricky: I know what you’re doing?

Maggie: What?

Ricky: Trying to distract me.

Maggie: From what?

Ricky: Well considering the reason we aren’t naked in that bed right now is due to the fact that you were so embarrassed and concerned that they would hear, and now they are the ones doing the deed. And barely know there’s any life around them. You have no excuse anymore.

Maggie smiles covering her face.

Ricky: Come on, let me show you how much I missed you.

Maggie kisses him as he smiles.

Ricky lifts her up  heading for the bed, as she squeals.

**********

Ian and Lily continue kissing as Lily reaches for Ian’s belt buckle.

Ian stops her.

Ian: We should stop. (he says pulling away)

Lily: That is the stupidest idea, you’ve ever had.

Ian: I really like you.

Lily: I’m getting that. Come here. (she cups his face again as she kisses him)

Ian pulls away again.

Ian: I don’t think that you do.

Lily looks at him confused.

Ian: I like you a lot. I can’t stop thinking about you and your sassy little walk and your flirty little banter and your incredible brain. I love how you now without fail trust your gut. How you speak your mind. How you sugarcoat nothing. You are a strong powerhouse of a woman. I wouldn’t dream of ever tainting that. It’s your sexiest trait. And considering what a knockout you are, that’s saying a lot.

Lily looks at him, her heart pounding in her chest.

Ian: Ever since I met you, you have continuously called me on my crap and every time I realize more and more that I could do this forever.

Lily: Do what?

Ian: Do this. (he gestures between them.) I could fight with you forever. I could talk with you forever. I could watch you forever. I could love you… forever.

Lily: You don’t even know me.

Ian: I know you enough to know that you’re worth fighting for. And you’re more than just sex. If we do this now, it’s going to send you the wrong message about what I want us to be.

Lily looks at him her head spinning.

Lily: Are you a real human, or some robot? You’re turning down sex?

Ian: For now. (He cups her face and kisses her tenderly)

Lily: What is it that you want, exactly?

Ian: Same thing you want. But you’re just too afraid to admit.

Lily leans in and kisses him again.

Ian feels something shift, there’s not so much of an urgency as there is a feeling of trust.

He kisses her back for a bit and then pulling away he looks at her with a smile.

Ian: Can I take you out on a date?

Lily: Considering you’ve already partially gotten me out of my clothes I would say it’s the least you could do. (she narrows her eyes at him as she laughs)

Ian laughs.

Ian: After this whole thing. We’ll pick a Saturday. But I’m warning you now, be ready because I plan to sweep you off your feet.

Lily: You kind of already are.

Ian smiles as he rises his eyebrows is surprise.

Lily: Yea I said it. I heard myself.

Ian smiles.

Ian: Come here. (He cups her face and kisses her one more time.)

They redress themselves as they snuggle up and find a movie to watch on TV.

**********

Maggie and Ricky lay in bed, tangled up in each other. Maggie’s hands tussling in Ricky’s hair as Ricky wraps his arms around her body, as he continues to kiss her passionately.

Ricky: I love you so much, he whispers into her ear.

Maggie moves closer to him as she kisses him.

Maggie: I love you too. (She says pulling away and looking up into his eyes as she cups his face.)

They lean into another kiss.

**********

The next morning both couples wake in each other’s embrace.

Ricky: Hey you.

Maggie: Hi.

Ricky kisses her softly on the lips..

Maggie: I’m gonna need to recover. Last night was kind of unbelievable.

Ricky: Yea well, I had a lot of time to make up for.

He kisses her as he rolls over positioning himself on top of her.

Maggie: You’ve got to be kidding me? Ricky! (She laughs)

Ricky: What can I say, I can’t help myself. (He kisses her as she giggles.)

**********

Ian: Morning.

He stands in the kitchen making breakfast and coffee, as a very tired Lily surfaces from the couch.

Lily: Good morning.

Ian: Coffee?

Lily: Oh god yes.

Ian: You didn’t get much sleep either huh?

Lily: Nope. Not with those animals going at it all night.

Ian: Yea that was not exactly the best night’s sleep I ever had. Although I will say I did enjoy waking up next to you.

Lily smiles as he hands her a cup of coffee.

Ian: I could do that forever too.

Lily: You know I’m trying to decipher if you’re just really good at flirting and throwing out one liners or if you actually mean these things.

Ian: I thought we covered that last night.

Lily: Guys will say anything.

Ian: To get in your pants yea. I agree. We can be pigs. But I recall I was the one who stopped us last night.

Lily: So what do you want a cookie?

Ian: Yes, yes I do.

He laughs.

Lily laughs and takes a chocolate chip cookie and feeds it to him as he cooks breakfast.

Ian: Thank you. (he mumbles as they share a sweet look)

Lily: You’re welcome, (she says leaning over and kissing him.)

Ian wraps his hands around her as she leans against the counter. He continues deepening their kisses.

Lily pulls away.

Lily: What happened to waiting? Are you finally showing your true colors?

Ian: Waiting doesn’t mean I can’t kiss you like crazy.

Lily: That is true.

Ian smiles as he kisses her again.

**********

Maggie and Ricky emerge from the bedroom, basking in their afterglow.

Maggie: Good morning.

Lily: I bet it is.

Ricky smiles.

Maggie: Please tell me, you guys were too busy having sex, that you weren’t hearing us have sex?

Lily: Look at me Maggie. Do I look happy?

Maggie: Kind of.

Maggie: Do I look sex happy?

Ian and Ricky exchange looks.

Ian: Sex happy?

Maggie: You don’t look sex happy. Oh my god, you heard us?

Lily: All night long. It was like a Lionel Richie song.

Maggie: I am so sorry. I tried to keep him away from me. (she covers her face in embarrassment.)

Ricky: I’m not even sorry.

Ian high fives Ricky.

Lily rolls her eyes at them.

Maggie: This is so awkward. I’m sorry.

Lily: I am exhausted not from a sexy romp in the sack but from being kept up all night by you two. So…therefore I am going to change your sheets and take nap. While you three come up with whatever plan you need to come up with. Ok? Ok.

She walks into the bedroom, shutting the door behind her.

Ian: So I’m guessing she’s not a morning person?

Ricky shakes his head no.

Maggie: She gets super angry if she doesn’t get a good night’s sleep. Take notes.

Ricky: Yea buddy take notes.

Ian looks at them and looks away.

Maggie: Are you really gonna play coy with us right now. You guys didn’t have sex?

Ian: We did not.

Ricky: Well I mean last we saw, you guys were on your way there.

Ian: I stopped it. I really like her. I don’t want this to start off on the wrong foot.

Maggie: I think that’s very smart Ian. Lily’s going to really respect that.

Ian: And I mean we may or may not be going on a date soon.

Ricky: What? Atta boy. Hell yes. It’s about time.

Maggie: Oh my gosh! Yay! I think you guys are going to be perfect together. Lily can be very strong headed and it takes a strong secure man to understand where she’s coming from. I think you’re just her type.

Ian: (laughs) Thank you.

Maggie: And you make breakfast. Oh my gosh, aren’t you perfection.

Ian smiles and hands her a plate of food.

Ricky looks at her..

Ricky: Oh okay I see how it is. You can have your way with me all night and then some guy makes you breakfast and now I’m chopped liver.

Maggie: (Shrugs) Essentially yes.

Maggie and Ricky laugh as he pulls her into a kiss.

Maggie: So what’s this plan?

The guys exchange looks.

To be continued…

*I do not take credit for any images used in my edits or otherwise.*

-<3-

 

What are you doing New Year’s Eve?

michelleleighwrites 2 Comments

**This was posted on Monday by accident, I had scheduled it for later in the day and forgot it needed some editing and pictures. It was meant to be posted for today- New Year’s Eve. My apologies. Hope you enjoy! And if you’ve already read it by some chance, there’s some new scenes added, so I’m just saying…you may want to glance over it again! 😉

A follow-up to last year’s “Kiss Me At Midnight” short story

kiss me at midnight

READ this before you read this new chapter…

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What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?

A short story

Soundtrack: LISTEN as you read 😉

what are you doing new year's eve

***Although I will just say it is a bit more on the adult scale than the previous chapter. Nothing too crazy, but definitely a little bit of a sassier dialogue. I think you guys can handle it. 😉

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They were friends for years, as he pined over her watching her date guy after guy. Until a pact between the two formed a new spark.  Follow Aidan & Chloe’s New Year’s Eve journey, ONE YEAR LATER…where are they now? Are they in love and happy, or are they better off as friends?

Did their love last

A vanity full of beauty supplies; eye shadows, lip sticks, glitter, perfumes, the list is endless.

Chloe’s reflection is displayed in the mirror, a silk robe and her hair up in a messy bun, fresh out of the shower.

Ok let’s go this, she thinks as she sets to getting ready for a big night.

Her stomach full of anxious butterflies.

A little ways later, Chloe’s hair is done in a chic short messy style as she’s finishing up her makeup, with one final touch. She applies her lipstick, then smacks her lips together and smiles at herself.

vanity chloe

She then walks over to her closet to pick out her outfit. Chloe pulls out two outfits- a short black dress and a silver sparkly romper. Chloe stands in front of her mirror taking turns holding each in front of her to judge- trying to make a decision.

Chloe hangs the silver one back in her closet and sets the black dress out on her bed. She then walks over to her dresser and pulls out some silver bangles, a pair of big dangly silver earrings, a big silver diamond fashion ring and a sparkly silver shawl.

Chloe throws on her outfit and walks over to her full length mirror again. She smiles as she turns to look at her outfit from all angles.

Chloe walks back over to her vanity, reaching for her perfume, out of the many, she reaches for his favorite, which by extension has become her favorite too.

She sprays some on her neck area and notices her ring sparkle on her right hand through the reflection in the mirror.

Chloe looks and removing it she puts it on her left hand ring finger.

She smiles at her hand looking at it, just then her cellphone rings.

She looks and smiles seeing the phone display the words “my love” on her screen.

Her heart flutters as she hears that special ringtone playing.

It never gets old, she thinks.

“Hi babe,” Chloe says in that sweet sexy voice she only reserves for him.

“Are you down stairs?”

“Ok I’m coming down right now.”

Chloe hangs up, and grabs a purse throwing her phone, keys, wallet, and lipstick into it. As she goes to leave, she stops and puts her ring back on her right hand, as she laughs and heads out.

As Chloe leaves her bedroom a frame of photos of she and Aidan come into focus…

BEVERLY HILLS, CA – NOVEMBER 18: Actor Andrew Garfield attends the “Band of Outsiders” dinner party hosted by Dewars at the Band of Outsiders Loft on November 18, 2010 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images for Dewars)

Chloe opens her front door, to find a man in a suit waiting in front of her door, his back to her.

“Hey you,” Chloe says.

Aidan turns around with a bright smile, he’s holding white roses in his hands.

“Hey babe,” he says.

Aidan watches Chloe as she steps down from her front door walking toward him. His eyes take her in, registering her beauty.

“You. Look. Gorgeous. Even after all these years, you still take my breath away,” Aidan says with a sheepish smile.

“Yea?” she smiles shrugging.

“I mean I can’t wait to see what kind of sexy little number you’re rocking under that later, but uh, yea you look gorgeous,” he says smirking.

Chloe looks at him, narrowing her eyes at him, with a stern face.

He mimics her.

Her lips circle into a smile as she laughs.

Aidan looks at her lovingly.

“Well I may or may not be wearing your favorite set,” Chloe says sauntering up to him.

Aidan’s eyebrows raise, “The black lacey one?”

“Maybe.” Chloe says nodding yes.

Aidan smiles as he pulls her waist to him, he kisses her.

“Happy New Year to me,” he whispers as she laughs kissing him again.

“Are these for me?” she smiles looking at the roses.

“Nah, they’re for my other girlfriend,” Aidan says in a serious tone.

Chloe hits him in the chest, he smiles handing her the roses, she tip toes to meet him in another kiss, her arms circling around the nape of his neck.

“Thank you,” Chloe says smiling up at him.

“Thank you for making 2015 the best year of my life,” Aidan says looking at Chloe with admiration.

“Let’s hope 2016 is just as great,” Chloe says smiling. “Although I gotta say, 2015 is gonna be hard to top. It’s not everyday you get to fall in love with your best friend and live an amazing life with him.”

“Oh trust me babe I fall in love with you everyday over and over again.”

“Even when…we fight?” she asks curiously.

“Especially when we fight,” Aidan smirks.

“And why’s that?” She questions pursing her lips at him and narrowing her eyes in a knowing way.

“You know exactly why. There is nothing sexier then when you look like you hate my guts, like you want to rip my head off, but you just can’t seem to stop loving me. You do this thing where you can be yelling at me and then you just stop and you take a breath and you just look at me with understanding. And the fight’s over.”

Chloe looks at Aidan lovingly as her eyes sparkle softly.

“And then there’s the make up sex- yea that’s pretty fantastic,” he says smirking and chuckling knowingly.

Chloe gasps as her boyfriend’s response went straight from sappy romantic to typical guy. She smacks him in the arm.

“Shh. Someone’s gonna hear you,” Chloe laughs looking around and up at her building for any nosey neighbors.

“What? There’s nothing wrong with it,” he says shaking his head no, and smiling at a blushing Chloe. “My girlfriend is sexy as hell,” he reiterates starring at her.

“Ok. Stop.” Chloe says laughing and covering her face, burying it into Aidan’s chest.

“No. I’m not gonna stop. I’m gonna tell you how beautiful, sexy, smart, kind and talented you are everyday. Because you’re amazing and sometimes it’s like you don’t even know it. But don’t worry that’s why I’m here.” he smiles, holding her close.

Chloe smiles up at him.

“You’re the amazing one, I have never felt so safe, and so happy in my entire life,” she says cupping his face.

“I’ve had to watch guy after guy hurt you in the past. You deserve to be loved every minute of every day. And that’s what I’m gonna do. 2016 is going to be an amazing year for us,” Aidan says taking her hand and leading her to his car parked in front.

“Oh really, well you sound pretty sure of yourself,” Chloe says following him as she looks up at him curiously.

“Oh I am. I have big things planned for you this year.” Aidan says opening the passengers door for Chloe.

“Do you now?” Chloe says leaning against the car, challenging him.

Aidan leans closer to her “Oh yea,” Aidan says his eyes sparkling.

She goes to kiss him, but he instead grabs her left hand and kisses her ring finger.

“Stay tuned,” he says, winking at her as she looks at him slightly speechless.

Chloe smiles and gets into the car, as he closes the door, and walks to the other side of the car, Chloe begins to fidget. She begins to feel her heart race.

She looks down at her hand, biting her lip, she nearly squeals out loud.

Aidan opens his door, as Chloe tries to calm herself down and play it cool, while looking out the window.

Aidan sits, starting the car, he looks over at her with a smile. He pulls the car out of its parking spot. Heading off to their destination.

Soon enough their car pulls up in front of a hotel.

Chloe looks at Aidan, confused.

“Where are we? I thought you said your old college buddy was throwing a party?”

“Oh he is, we’re just not going,” he says smiling, and shutting the car off as he gets out.

Aidan opens the door for Chloe, as he reaches for her hand.

They walk toward the hotel doors, as Aidan beeps his car alarm, and Chloe holds onto the dozen of long stemmed white roses.

Aidan stops in front of the door, and turns to Chloe.

“Ok so, this is the thing- I need you to put this on before we go any further.” Aidan says holding up a black silk blindfold.

“Okay, Aidan, what is this?” Chloe says really confused.

“Well the way I see it is we’ve been best friends forever, but our first kiss happened last New Year’s Eve right?”

“Yea.”

“Well then tonight isn’t just any other New Year’s Eve, it’s our one year anniversary.”

“Ohhh-I see.”

“And I think we’re worth celebrating- in style.” Aidan gestures to the fancy hotel behind him. “Will you put on the blindfold, please?” Aidan asks, with puppy dog eyes.

“I hate feeling like I’m not in control Aidan, you know that. If I can’t see, I’m going to feel all kinds of anxious,” Chloe says rattling off.

“I’ve got you. I’m not gonna let anything happen to you,” he laughs.

Chloe gives him a look.

“Is that supposed to intimidate me? Because I gotta be honest it’s kind of a turn on,” Aidan says with a slight cock of his head, looking at her, he smiles.

“You are shameless,” she says shaking her head with a laugh “I swear all our years of friendships and you never not once tossed out these sexually charged one liners.”

***Blast from the past…simpler times when all Aidan could muster up was a goofy grin. ;)***

“Hey all that pent up sexual tension has been building up, I gotta let it out,” he says smiling at her. “Just put on the blindfold, so we can move this night along.”

Chloe sighs. Debating.

“Do you trust me?” he asks taking her free hand in his.

“With my life,” she says smiling.

“Good answer,” Aidan ties the blindfold around her head, and kisses her cheek.

“Come on you,” he says taking her hand and leading her through the doors and into the lobby elevator.

Aidan presses the number for the 25th floor.

With just the two of them accompanying the elevator floor after floor, Aidan looks at Chloe. He smiles, pulling her and meeting her lips with a kiss. Aidan deepens it as he walks Chloe back into the corner of the elevator, her free hand cupping his face, as his hands circle around her waist. Working their way to the corner of the elevator, as their hands grip the railing on the wall of the elevator behind Chloe for support. Aidan moves closer to Chloe, leaving no space between them.

Chloe pushes Aidan away softly.

“Aidan,” she says with a giggle and slightly out of breath.

“Don’t worry no one’s in here,” he says kissing her again.

Just then the elevator dings, and the doors open.

Aidan gives Chloe one last quick peck on the lips, and taking her hand, leads her out of the elevator, down a long carpeted, dimly lit hallway.

Aidan stops when he reaches the end of the hallway, taking out a room key, he guides Chloe to stand in front of him, as he wraps his arms around her. From behind, leaning over her he unlocks the room door. Slowly guiding her into the darkened room.

“Ok we’re almost there, you okay?” Aidan whispers into her ear, nuzzling into her neck.

“Yea. I’m good,” Chloe says smiling. Her mind running a mile a minute.

“Ok just wait here, love,” Aidan whispers in her ear, suddenly vanishing from her side.

Chloe hears Aidan shuffling around the room.

He comes over to take the flowers from her.

A few minutes later she hears silence.

“Aidan?”

“Aidan, where’d you go?”

“Still blindfolded over here.”

Just then Chloe hears…

Maybe it’s much too early in the game
Aah, but I thought I’d ask you just the same
What are you doing New Year’s
New Year’s Eve?

Wonder whose arms will hold you good and tight
When it’s exactly twelve o’clock that night
Welcoming in the New Year
New Year’s Eve

The lyrics filling the room.

She smiles.

Aidan comes around behind her, untying the blindfold, revealing a romantic candlelit hotel suite.

Silver, gold, and cream hues fill the room. Balloons dance on the ceiling as white rose petals kiss the paisley bed.

Chocolate covered strawberries and a bottle of champagne- two glasses already filled, sit on the coffee table as the fireplace crackles nearby.

An assortment of appetizers lay on the kitchen island, her white roses stand nearby dressing up the spread.

“Aidan this is so perfect,” she says walking further into the suite and looking around in awe.

Aidan smiles, as he walks over to a nearby small table which holds a bunch of festive New Years hats, crowns, poppers, and noise makers. He takes out a silver and gold 2016 crown and a 2016 hat. Putting the hat on his own head, he walks over to Chloe handing her the crown, as she smiles and puts it on. He takes the two glasses of champagne over to her, handing her one.

“I know you enjoy a good party. And that you’re a people person. But when I’m in a crowded room, all I see is you. And no one else matters. I guess selfishly I just wanted you all to myself tonight. No interruptions. Is that okay?”

Chloe looks at him, her eyes sparkling.

“Yes, that’s okay. There’s no where else I’d rather be.”

Aidan smiles, pulling her into him.

“Happy Anniversary, my love,” he says clinking his glass with hers.

“Happy Anniversary,” Chloe kisses him, wrapping her arms around his neck.

As they continue to kiss, the song is still playing throughout the room…

Aah, but in case I stand one little chance
Here comes the jackpot question in advance
What are you doing New Year’s
New Year’s Eve?

…as Aidan begins to sway with Chloe in his arms.

As the song finishes, Aidan walks over to turn the tv on. The countdown to midnight is rolling: 1 hour left.

“Are you hungry, we’ve got an hour?” Aidan turns toward Chloe.

“No, not really, you?” Chloe asks a smile playing on her lips.

“Nope.” Aidan says noticing the look she’s giving him.

“Well then I mean- what can we possibly do to pass the time?” She asks playing coy.

Aidan laughs.

“I have a few ideas,” he says walking over to her.

“Yea?” Chloe says smirking.

Aidan nods as he pulls her into a slow, deep, kiss.

His hands reach around to her back, unzipping her black dress as it falls to her feet.

Aidan steps back admiring his favorite lingerie on Chloe.

Chloe smiles pulling him to her by his suit jacket and kissing him, as she begins to undress him.

They walk towards the bed as clothes scatter the floor.

“Oh now we’re definitely gonna miss it,” Chloe says in between kisses.  “And you bought all those poppers and noise makers.”

“I have a feeling we’re gonna be making enough noise all on our own, don’t worry,” Aidan says kissing her as they fall onto the bed.

Soon enough the count down begins as the crowd is heard on tv
10, 9, 8…

As Chloe and Aidan lay in each other’s arms, blissfully happy. Chloe snuggled into his side, wearing his button down shirt, her eyes resting.

7 ,6 ,5…

Aidan kisses Chloe’s forehead, as she smiles. He leans over to the end table and pulls the draw open reaching in for something.

4, 3…

“Chloe?”

Chloe opens her eyes, gasping.

2 ,1…”Happy New Year” Aidan says as he gets up to a kneeling position beside her in bed. “Will you marry me?”

Chloe just stares blankly as she watches the stunning diamond being slid onto her ring finger.

Aidan looks at her, waiting for her answer anxiously.

“I know it’s quick, and we’ve only been together for a year. But I figured we’ve been best friends forever, and it’s enough for me to know Chloe. I love you so much. You’re my everything. You’re it,” he says smiling.

“Yes.” Chloe blurts out, breaking her trance.

“Yes?”

Chloe nods happily, kneeling in front of him, reaching for Aidan, she cups his face as she kisses him.

A little while later the two of them sit on the floor in front of the fireplace, clearly in afterglow yet again as they pick at the appetizers and drink champagne.

Aidan watches Chloe as she takes a sip of Champagne her ring sparkling on her finger.

“That ring looks sexy on you,” he says leaning towards her for a kiss.

Chloe smiles and kisses him softly, as he pulls her onto his lap.

“I love you,” she says in between kisses. “And this ring-” Chloe holds her hand out admiring it in awe.

“You like it?” Aidan says holding her waist as she sits on his lap.

“It’s breathtaking,” she says still in a fog.

“Fitting, for a girl like you,” he smiles as she leans down to kiss him.

“I love you,” Aidan says deepening their kiss as he leans them back they fall onto the floor. He continues to kiss his future wife, her ring glistening on her hand as it circles around his bare back. The shine complimenting the glistening from the fireplace.

“I still can’t believe this. We’re engaged!” she smiles, as he looks down at her ring.

“Well believe it, babe. Because unlike the idiot guys that came before me, I know what I have. And I am never letting you go. We’re gonna be celebrating New Year’s Eve together for the rest of our lives.”

“Kiss me at midnight?” Chloe says holding her pinky up.

“Always,” Aidan says linking his pinky with hers as he kisses her.

kiss me at midnight the sequel

As people all throughout the hotel and city streets scream and holler into the night, seemingly having the time of their lives. Aidan and Chloe were having their own quiet private party, VIP only.

~The End~

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I hope 2016 is full of happy and healhy memories for all of us!

* I do not take any credit for images or gifs used in my edits or otherwise.*

*the “photo frame” scene pics are not my edits, I do not own them.*

*the blast from the past gifs are not mine, I do not own them.*

(I guess I’m not the only one out here in cyberspace that thinks these two would make a great pair on screen together! Thanks internet!)

-<3-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For Old Times’ Sake

michelleleighwrites 2 Comments

What happens when an unsuspecting Lennox meets a classic fella Brady?

For old times' sake

Every year Lennox thinks the New Year will be a dud. For the past few years she has sat home on the sidelines watching as the world lights up in glitter and champagne. Cheers and laughs echoing in the halls. The city streets alive with living below her apartment building.

And every year Lennox tells herself it’s all by choice. She chooses to stay in. She enjoys the comfort of her own quaint little apartment. It’s just another year, another night. What’s the big deal, right?

Enough of the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. Enough of the stress and running around for the whirlwind that has become Christmas. This is her time to unwind.

But just as New Year’s Eve rolls around she gets that feeling. That “I have no plans” feeling. No fun exciting reason to dress up and hit the town in sparkly fashion.

Social Media is no one’s friend. As the updates of girls she barely knows getting ready and dolled up sharing the exciting plans for the evening keep pouring in. Fomo (fear of missing out) is real, and rearing its ugly head.

Lennox sits in her rustic, earthy inspired living room. Her Christmas tree still lit up in the corner. A romantic comedy plays on her TV screen as she watched intently, sipping her cup of tea.

Lennox glances over at the clock- 5:03 p.m.

Less than 7 hours til 2016 she thinks

And I’m sitting here in my pajama bottoms and an old high school sweater, with a stain from Taco Tuesday on it, she thinks and she glances down pulling her at her sweater and sighing at her appearance.

“How sexy am I?” she says aloud huffing and puffing at herself.

Lennox checks her phone-No messages.

She tosses her phone to the side, with an annoyed expression.

Her eyes glance over at it as she reaches for it again.

She decides to be hopeful and proactive and begins to send out texts to all her friends about their evening plans.

Lennox sighs as the rejection texts pour in-

“Sorry can’t, going to a party in the city.”

“Sorry…family party.”

“Sorry girl, party with my boyfriend.”

“Sorry girlie, got Gala tickets for tonight.”

“Braving Times Square, been here for hours!”

Lennox looks around at her apartment and her current situation of junk food, and wine, and her favorite romantic movie.

“Well looks like it’s just you and me Ryan Gosling,” Lennox says looking at her TV screen with a shrug and a sigh.

Just then, her phone starts to ring with the name Millie displayed.

Lennox, smiles answering. Her older sister could instantly but her in a better mood with her loud and infectiously outgoing personality.

“Hello?”

“Hey Loser, what are you doing tonight?”

“Oh drowning my sorrows in a pint of Rocky Road ice cream, and getting a buzz from some cheap wine.”

“Oh what, no hot date?” Millie asks driving on a main high way, passing by car after car, as her radio plays.

“That’s laughable.” Lennox laughs sarcastically as she rolls her eyes at her sister’s out of reach assumption. “What about you, going to some swanky Upper East Side party with ever so hunky John?”

Millie lets out a laugh herself.

“Hell no, I dumped that asshole months ago. I’m driving home now, be there in about an hour. Get dressed. We’re going out.”

“What? Are you serious?” Lennox says looking down at her terribly un-fashionable outfit.

“Uh hell yes! Do you really wanna spend tonight home alone? Get dressed. I’ll be there soon.”

“Okay. Um. Okay. Oh my gosh, I have to go find something to wear!” She says suddenly full of excitement.

“And do me a favorite Len, wear something mom and dad would never approve of.”

“Oh gosh,” Lennox says rolling her eyes at her sister.

“Come on now, you got it girl, flaunt it. Maybe you’ll meet someone completely amazing tonight, a handsome stranger that will sweep you off feet, just like in all those crappy romcom’s you love to watch.”

“Hey those are brilliant.”

“Yea yea, get dressed.” Millie hangs up.

Lennox looks at the clock- 6:30 p.m.

Holy crap! She says rushing into her bathroom, as she jumps into the shower sliding the curtain behind her in a rush.

******

Lennox stands at her bathroom mirror dawned in a fluffy white robe and a head wrap.

She walks into her bedroom and opens her closet searching for something that sparkled. Hanger after hanger, and nothing. Lennox stops in frustration. Just then she has a light bulb idea, a smile spreading across her face as her eyes light up.

Lennox digs all the way back into her closet pulling out her trusty little black dress. It has a hint of shimmer and an elegance of sparkle. She smiles holding it up and admiring it.

“Perfect,” Lennox says as she sets to doing her makeup and hair.

******

Lennox glances at her dolled up reflection in her full length mirror.

“Not bad for a rushed job,” She says turning to check all angles of her outfit.

Grabbing her phone a blazer, and a purse, she heads to her living room, where her doorbell rings.

“Wow, perfect timing.” She says looking at the clock- 7:50 p.m.

Lennox walks to her door and opening it sees the bright smile of her sister, who is decked out in head to toe gold sparkle.

“Hello gorgeous!” Millie screams hugging her sister.

“Well you may be in competition with the actual times square disco ball.”

“Well you know what they say, the outfit has to match the personality,” Millie says with a sassy undertone.

“Well then, you are spot on,” Lennox says laughing.

“So! You ready to make some guy fall in love with you tonight?”

Lennox laughs.

“Sure,” Lennox says rolling her eyes as she closes her door, locking it behind her.

“Don’t roll your eyes at me miss thing, ok you are fabulous, and you look hot! Ok this is your night. It’s about time you let the New York men see what you have to offer.” Millie smiles with an eyebrow raise, as she links arms with her sister. They enter the elevator.

******

Lennox and Millie get on the train, as people decked out in their best party clothes and New Year’s crowns and hates flood the subway car alongside the two women.

Lennox looks around feeling a sense of surprise bubbling up in her like champagne does once you pour it into a crystal glass. Excited to see what the night’s affairs would hold. Lennox felt alive.

The two women get off at a stop in the city as they walk down the streets, people are cheering and full of happiness. As they hold the promise of ridding themselves of years past stresses and starting anew with their hearts. Some looking for love. While others just want to- let’s face it- get drunk.

Lennox smiles and her sister pulls her along dodging past people like a true New Yorker.

“Where are we going?” Lennox asks excitedly with slight anxiety.

“Don’t worry, you’ll love it!”

A few blocks later, Millie pulls Lennox over to the back door of a ritzy city hotel.

Millie waves to a man inside wearing a security uniform, who opens the door for them.

“Thanks Billy. You’re a doll,” Millie says kissing his cheek, as she rushes in, Lennox in tote with a baffled expression on her face.

Billy smiles at her.

“Millie what are you up to?” she whispers.

“That’s how you get in for free, when you know people.”

“No basically we just snuck into a crazy expensive party?”

“Yea…cool huh?” Millie says her eyes matching her gold ensemble.

“You don’t think we’ll get in trouble.”

“Oh please, with tickets prices that high, it’s like their begging for people to sneak in, come on!” she says pulling Lennox near the main floor.

They come across a coat check as a smiling red head asks if they’d like to check their coats.

“Sure.” Millie says without reluctance as she legs her faux fur cream and gold coat fall off her shoulders. She hands it to the girl, looking at Lennox in expectance.

“Oh,” Lennox takes off her black sequined blazer and hands it over “Thank you.”

The red head smiles, “Enjoy your night.”

Two men dressed in black suit and ties open a pair of burgundy curtains as Millie and Lennox walk into a dream world, full of fancy hor d’oeuvres, people dressed to the nines, and a DJ playing the year’s greatest hits.

Lennox’s eyes wander over the atmosphere, taking it all in. Millie instantly locks eyes with a handsome stranger.

“Give me two minutes, and then save me, he looks like trouble.”

She leans in, whispering to Lennox.

“So then why bother going over at all?”

“It’s New Year’s Eve, the last night to do something spontaneous, and reckless, for the year. Go sow your oats!” She says pushing Lennox into the crowd as she walks off toward her night’s first target. “I won’t be long.”

Lennox rolls her eyes with a laugh as she looks around the room. She spots the bar and heads over for a drink.

The bartender, a handsome, dark haired guy looks up at her, her chocolate brown eyes locking onto his deep brown ones. Lennox looks down, feeling herself blushing already.

Every damn time. I have issues, she thinks to herself.

“What can I get you?” he says smiling.

Lennox looks back up at him, slightly smiling back.

“Um I’ll just have a mimosa.”

“Sure,” he says grabbing a champagne glass.

Handing the drink to her, Lennox goes to pull out her wallet.

“Don’t worry about it, your smile is payment enough,” the bartender smiles as he winks at her.

“What can I get you?” he asks the next person.

Lennox stands there confused for a second, as she stumbles away, drink in hand.

With Millie out and about Lennox had to fend for herself. It wasn’t like Millie wasn’t close by, and she did check in. But it was more of a -how many guys can Millie make out with before the clock strikes 12-game.

Lennox was starting to dread coming. She wasn’t good at being alone in a crowd of people she didn’t know. She looks around at all the people, beautiful women mingling with beautiful guys. Some doing a little more than mingling. All the women seemed so carefree. As if they are throwing caution to the wind, and guys just flock to them. For Lennox communicating with the opposite sex was a bit more complicated. She was for lack of a better word; awkward. She didn’t know how to flirt and if a guy was even attempting to flirt with her she wouldn’t really stick around long enough to see what would happen. Yup, nerves controlled her love life that’s for sure. But Lennox knew that she didn’t just want any guy, for a whatever night. She wanted a promise of forever. Call her old fashioned but Lennox wanted more.

As Lennox’s wheels in her mind begin to turn, her inner battle of whether she should stay or go begins right on cue. Could she brave this awkward anxiety inducing environment, or should she just decide to go home. She begins to question her ability to have a good time.

Suck it up, she thinks. Look at where you are. It’s a beautiful party, full of gorgeous guys. And you look nice. You can do this, get in there, Lennox thinks to herself.

As she looks around the room, her stomach flips.

“Nope, time to go,” she whispers to herself as she turns, she comes face to face with the Bartender.

“Leaving already?” he asks.

“Oh hi.” She says shyly.

“Hi.” He smiles at her as she avoids his eyes.

“Um I was thinking about leaving. I came here with my sister but she seems to be having much more fun without me.” She says looking up at him as his glare makes her heart flutter.

“Oh well that’s a shame. Maybe we can fix that? Would you like to dance?” he says holding out his hand.

“Don’t you have to work?” Lennox says confused.

“I just got off my shift. So how about it? I mean that is if you don’t mind dancing with a bartender?”

“I don’t mind at all,” she says smiling as she takes his hand.

He pulls her close to him, as he holds her waist with one hand, and her hand with the other.

“You know how to lead?” Lennox asks surprised.

“Sure, I watch Dancing With The Stars,” he says shrugging and laughing.

Lennox laughs.

“So…mysterious, beautiful girl in the sparkling little black dress…what’s your name?”

“Hmm, maybe I should keep that a mystery until you tell me yours.” She says.

“Ah, Okay. I’m Brady. Born and raised in Brooklyn. Went to culinary school, but the restaurant jobs haven’t exactly been rolling in just yet so, I help out here with catering, and sometimes I bartend.”

“Wow, that’s amazing. Good for you. I mean you do make a mean mimosa.”

Brady laughs

“Thank you.” He says. “So…what about you, what’s your story?”

“My name is Lennox, I was born and raised in Brooklyn as well, just got my own big girl apartment in Williamsburg though, and I am an interior designer for a small design company in SOHO.”

“Very cool. Now that we got the pleasantries out of the way. Shall we move onto something a little more personal?”

The song ends as Lennox looks at Brady suspiciously.

“What’s your New Year’s resolution?” he asks smiling.

Lennox laughs as the two walk over to a nearby table and sit.

“Well I kind of need to break out of my shell. I’m kind of a loner.”

“Well I think you’re doing a pretty good job of that tonight,” Brady says encouraging her.

“Thanks,” she laughs “baby steps,” she shrugs. “What about you, what’s your New Year’s resolution?”

“I don’t usually like to make any. I tend to break them within the first week of the New Year. So for me, it’s kind of just like what’s the point?” he says shrugging with a laugh.

“I hear ya on that one.” Lennox says nodding.

“Yea?”

“Yea I mean people think the New Year is a new beginning, and that somehow everything will be magically perfect. Don’t get me wrong I’m definitely guilty of that, but it’s so easy to fall into old habits.”

“It’s like you’re reading my mind,” he says laughing and shaking his hand.

Lennox laughs as she looks down.

Brady waves over a waiter carrying a silver plate of champagne flutes.

He takes two, “Thanks bud,” he says as the fellow employee nods walking back toward the crowd.

“Here, we’re just about 5 minutes til midnight,” Brady hands Lennox a glass.

“What? Really I didn’t even realize the time went by so fast.”

“Well I guess you’re having a good time,” he says smiling.

“I am, it’s so easy to talk to you, I feel like I’ve known you for my whole life, or something.” She laughs

Brady smiles.

“Yea, I know what you mean.”

As a staff member begins handing out New Year’s Eve crowns, hats, poppers and noise makers, Lennox and Brady are ready for the New Year.

******

NYE

The countdown begins…

10, 9, 8,

Brady stands up extending his hand to out to Lennox, she smiles taking it, as he walks her to the center of the dance floor.

7, 6, 5,

The crowd is electric. People shouting along with the countdown. Lennox looks up at Brady, nervously.

4, 3, 2, 1

Brady leans in and kisses Lennox, catching her slightly off guard, but not so much so that she doesn’t reciprocate.

“HAPPY NEW YEAR!” The crowd screams.

Brady looks at her, “Happy New Year.”

“Happy New Year.” Lennox says smiling pulling him to her as she kisses him again.

Millie notices from the other side of the room, a big smile across her face.

“Atta girl,” she whispers as she grabs the guy next to her into a kiss.

In typical New Year’s fashion the lyrical melody of “Auld Lang Syne” echoes through the venue as confetti washes over the crowd of people pairing off in embraces.

Brady looks at Lennox.

“I changed my mind,” he says in a serious tone.

Lennox looks at him nervously.

“I think I just thought of a New Year’s resolution,” he says.

“Oh yea? What is it?” she asks smiling.

“To fall in love,” Brady says looking into her eyes like he’s known her soul forever.

“I think I can help you with that,” she asks pulling him into another kiss.

Lennox begins to feel a new chapter beginning for her and this handsome stranger on the very night she used to dread.

NYE 2

-The End-

*I do not take credit for any images used in my edits or otherwise.*

-<3-