so so far
one more part and I’m done with this timeskip
NO
no it was not
don’t start
“So, dinner then? Like… a restaurant?”
That would be Leo’s first thought
overdone
do better
“Yeah, dinner. We’ll talk, eat some good food. Get to know each other the normal way.”
Doesn’t get more straightforward than that.
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MAYBE ADDIE DOESN’T WANT STRAIGHT FORWARD
Addie…
Even she has to know that awkward silences are impossible unless she’s trying to cause awkward silences.
Plus, if that’s the plan, she should’ve just said no to the date in the first place.
MAYBE SHE IS TRYING TO HAVE AQK SILENCES so he’ll leave her alone ![]()
Awkward silences? You?” He let out a soft laugh. “Come on, Addie. You’d probably spend the whole movie talking anyway.”
See, even Leo already knows that Addie and not talking do not mix
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HE DOESN’T KNOW HER… not in this world
Her heart skipped, her defenses rising instantly. “I’m not doing anything.” T
Addie, you know Leo better than to think he’s dumb enough to fall for that
…
she can try can’t she?
“Oh, I’m making it complicated? Sure, because you wanting to go to some fancy restaurant where we awkwardly stare at each other isn’t complicated at all.”
It’d be less complicated than going to a movie and not talking, only for Leo to refuse sex after because it didn’t count as a date since they didn’t actually get to talk
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WHY WOULD HE REFUSE
he shouldn’t refuse
That’s ridiculous. We’re not kids.”
Can’t make excuses against that one
she’s trying
What the hell are you doing, Addie?
Finally accepting a date with the man she loves and is supposed to be with
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SHE KNWOS THAT but she doesn’t end up with him don’t you know.
Follow those emotions Addie. Those real emotions are going to lead to where you’re supposed to be, with Leo.
…
Leo doesn’t know how much she’s going to hurt him. If he did, he’d tell her to stay away too
Fine. I’ll go. But I’ll make sure it’s terrible.
As if he won’t notice fake behavior a mile away
HE WONT. TRUST HER
If the date is that terrible, he’d lose interest before he would’ve had sex with her. Sex wouldn’t happen if it was that terrible.
sigh. What if it was just mid?
mid date, great sex?
come onnnn
and opened the door to see Leo leaning casually against the frame. His grin was small but enough to make her stomach flip.
And so it begins.
sadly
her fingers brushing the pristine dashboard. Of course, it was spotless. Perfect. Leo Azure’s life in a nutshell.
Leo doesn’t typically accept less than perfection
What happened to his old car? Is it okay?
The air in the car was thick with tension, her standoffishness palpable. She fiddled with the strap of her bag, keeping her gaze out the window as Leo made small attempts at conversation.
He’s following through with the plan. It’s a date, which means talking and getting to know each other.
Addie’s the one refusing to follow her end of the deal
Leave her aloneeeee
“No. Listen. If this is how the date’s going to go, we can turn around right now. I’m not wasting my time—or yours—on some half-assed version of you. If you want to sit here, sulk, and act like you don’t want to be here, fine. I’ll drive you home. But if you’re going to be here, be here. With me. For real.”
If she didn’t want to even try and have a real date, she should’ve just refused the deal instead of wasting time
So mean
He went at her
It was mean
She wanted sex. He gave her an ultimatium. How is that fair
“Addie, if this is about getting what you want—” his eyes narrowed, “—I’m not sleeping with you if this is how the date’s going to go. If that’s all this is to you, just tell me now.”
Without a real date, he’s not sleeping with her.
…
btch
“Is that a challenge?” He grinned, his hand resting casually in his pocket as he tilted his head toward the row of game booths. “Pick your poison, Parker. Let’s see if that ego holds up.”
Her smirk faltered, just slightly. You’re supposed to ruin this, Addie. Remember? Be insufferable. Make him want to leave. But the flicker of excitement in his eyes was contagious, and against her better judgment, she found herself nodding.
“Alright, Azure. Prepare to be humbled.”
Addie can’t avoid being herself for long when it comes to Leo
It’s inevitable
she’s so comfortable around him
When else did she have the chance to play a real game of darts with Leo again? Him, of course, not already expecting her to win.
She must love the chance to trick him at darts for the first time again
It’s so much fun for her
“Hustling implies I wanted to take something from you,” she said innocently, tilting her head. “I was just… making it interesting.”
Yes Addie, that was hustling.
NO IT WASN’T
kay… so… so maybe she wasn’t as good at this… compared to darts. Don’t blame her… SHE HAD DARTS PRACTICE. This was different.
She’s freakishly good at darts. Everthing else can’t be compared to darts fairly.
She’s had practice at darts since she was a kid
she’s perfected it
he handed her a small, slightly lopsided stuffed bear he’d won, grinning like a child as he held it out to her.
Really he’d do his best to win her every prize at the carnival if she wants it.
she knows he would
“A token of my… clear dedication to winning.”
“It’s hideous.” She took it anyway, clutching it against her chest with a small smile she didn’t bother hiding.
It is hideous but she loves it
God she loved him.
She can’t hide it from herself
she’s trying so so so hard
“Nothing.” He smiled, leaning slightly closer. “Just… you look like you’re actually enjoying yourself. It’s nice.”
It’s been a bit of a rare sight fo him to see
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What - he hasn’t seen her sober and happy since he met her? crazy
“Last chance, Addie,” he murmured against her lips, his voice low and rough. “Tell me now if you want to stop.”
He had to give her one final chance to back out before itd be practically impossible for him to stop himself
He can’t ask 50 times
omg
just do it
“For last night
- $30,000.”
Addie
SHE MADE A RASH DECISION
“Another check? Really, Addie? Am I a fcking joke to you?”
She’s really trying to make it seem like it
he’s not though…
How could she explain this without making it worse? Without making him feel worse?
There’s no option involving leaving that wouldn’t make him feel worse.
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she’s sorry
“I thought I was protecting you.
He doesn’t want to be the one being protected
HE WOULD IF HE KNEW WHAT WAS TO COME
He hesitated for a moment before his arms wrapped around her, his hold firm but gentle, as if he didn’t know whether to comfort her or chastise her.
After all that, it would be hard to know which way to react
I know he’s really confused
He hugged her back but he’s still confused
what is he supposed to do?
be okay wiht what she did? trust her? After THAT?
“I won’t. I swear.” And for the first time, she meant it. Truly. It wasn’t worth it anymore.
Finally
at the very least he’ll see she’s being honest