" Maybe, " Ace Answers Honestly, Because He Can't Make Any Promises He Won't Mess It Up. " Im Kind Of

" maybe, " ace answers honestly, because he can't make any promises he won't mess it up. " i’m kind of known for that, teds. it’s my thing. i’ve made a lot of people regret a lot of things. " his words are light-hearted, spoken with a teasing tone and accompanied by a casual shrug. a grin spreads across his face, and for a brief moment he considers making a joke about his parents— but he quickly decides against it. he’s not sure teddy would let it go over her head like others did, and now isn’t the time to open up about things like that. not when they have something important to focus on. " i pay plenty of attention, " ace assures her, keeping his eyes fixed on the ingredients in front of him. he’s not sure he trusts himself to look at her just yet. lately, he’s becoming too aware of what his heart is trying to tell him, things his mind is desperately trying to ignore. like how pretty she is, or how no one has ever made him laugh as much as she does. " but you’re the only person who can be you, teds. you’re one of a kind. " scrunches his nose, deep in though. " but if someone bought you a cake that you didn’t make, wouldn’t you be mad they went to someone else ? i can’t get my cakes anywhere else now. it feels like bakery cheating. " he laughs, a real laugh this time. he finds it hard to believe anyone would describe him as confident. sure, he can fake it when he needs to, but deep down insecurity runs rampant. " i’m not confident, especially not when it comes to stuff like that. " somehow, though, he still manages to attract attention from time to time. which is fine when it’s just for the night, but the idea of someone actually falling for him ? that terrifies him almost as much as the thought of him falling for someone. though it appears it may already be happening. his breath catches in his throat when she takes his hand, his gaze lingering a moment too long. when she asks who his friends are, only one word escapes his mouth, " you. "

"to be fair, between the two of us, i most definitely have been the kitchen dweller... and yet here i've brought you, against my better judgment. are you going to make me regret this?" time with ace was never time wasted, even if it did currently seem like they could go up in flames at any moment. literally. and that potential doesn't stop her from letting out a laugh as he compliments her. "what, just being in my orbit for years hasn't taught you a thing or two by now? i'm really starting to think you don't pay attention..."

"you know, i'm not too sure if they came to the party together. i think maybe they just ran into each other? it would be extra fucked up if they went together though... do you think both would warrant a cake? no one has ever bought ME an apology cake... although, i guess i would probably be the worst person. i judge every cake that i eat." never too harshly-- it was cake after all. hard to mess that up. "well, i just simply don't believe you. you come in here, so confident with your one-liners. no way you don't go repeating those all around town. anybody besides me stupid enough to fall for them yet?" teddy looks over to his hand, another chuckle escaping her lips. "i've made a real big mistake i think... how are you already covered in flour?" still, she sticks her hand out and grabs his. "who are your friends again? like, ones you'd be really mad about? just so i can be extra cautious," she jokes, giving his hand a light squeeze before dropping it.

he nods at her words, often makes little jokes but really, he’ll never fully speak about his family dynamic. doesn’t see the point. it is what it is and it will never change. “ well, i find it hard to believe that anyone could overshadow you, and they’re foolish for trying because you have some pretty great ideas in that head of yourself, ” king’s grin widens as he catches onto her excitement. it feels almost infectious. he takes note, some of the completely achievable. good ways to draw in some younger clientele. “ a rooftop garden— i like the sound of that. rooftops always make for a good gathering spot. a few drinks, nice chat. it could be a good communal space. ” or it could be used as a way to draw in extra money if he made it available only to few, options he still has to think over. “ have you ever thought about a job in real eastate development ? ” he teases, turning fully to face her. “ think you might have a secret knack for it. ”

hadley noticed the subtle shift in his expression, a flicker of relief at finding someone who understood his vision. she could sense the conflict beneath his confident facade. “ oh, i can really relate to having big ideas that get overshadowed,” she said with a knowing smile, nudging him back playfully. “ family dynamics have a way of doing that, don’t they? but hey, let’s put the business worries aside for a moment.” her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. “ as for amenities, i’d want a space that’s both functional and a little whimsical. maybe a rooftop garden with a view, or a cozy reading nook with built-in speakers for some music. oh, and a home theater with the comfiest seating—because who doesn’t love a movie night? go wild with your imagination; the sky’s the limit.”

he shakes his head, anxiety still there like an invisible cloud surrounding him but he bounces on his feet, forces himself to believe it's magically gone. " nope, i'm officially stress-free. the stress i began to feel over caring for a plant seemed to evaporated all my other stress weirdly enough, so you know, when you think about it, this things still served some purpose in the hour it was in my life. " when alyssa agrees to take it, relief washes over him. he’s all too happy to hand it over, rid himself of it. “ well congratulations, alyssa, you’re now a plant mom to yet another one of these things and i am free. ” practically beaming now, can’t wait to go home and tell his dog all about it. “ let me know if you ever need a plant-sitter, i’ll help you find someone. ”

they do. it's true. all plants die eventually. and then you have to go out and buy yourself a new one. especially if you're not someone who really knows how to take care of them. " of course you're going to be fine. i have a pup too, so i get it. they're wayyyy tougher and a plant.. well.. it's a plant. you just have to give it some sunlight and water. how hard can that really be for you, you know? " she let out a laugh and a playful roll of her eyes while her tone was also kept teasingly. " way, way, easier. at least in my opinion, yes. " dogs usually always let you know whenever they happen to need anything at all. but with plants, it's not exactly as if it can bark and let you know what it needs. " you no longer have any stress? " she made a face as she looked at ace because she could see right through the expression clear as day on his face that he was indeed.... quite stressed out right about now. " you sure? because you seem like you are to me. " she paused before continuing to speak. " if you don't want it...i'll take it. we do have a few cute plants in my apartment. so, what's one more? "

" okay, " singular word is dragged out, contemplation before her next words. noa has never had a one night stand in her entire life, and it's not that she thinks there's anything wring with them— there most definitely isn't. but growing up watching her parents be madly in love had made her very particular. " well, did he ask to see you again ? because if not i would probably be questioning his motives. "

"Well the amount of bouncers I've met who have actually done their jobs and kicked out handsy and rude guys is astounding. Mostly I have to go and tell them and hope they actually do something, but this one actually helped out instead of letting the guys do whatever the hell they wanted. And he's really hot. Like could be a Marvel superhero hot," she further explained, putting her lipstick back into her purse. "And he was sweet enough to offer to walk me to my car in case the guy stuck around, which isn't exactly in his job description."

she's glad that he sees the amusement in it, seems to take the edge off her own shoulders. her entire existence up until the age of twenty-one had been fully controlled, and it irks her deeply that, despite things being drastically different now, she still holds onto some old habits— like keeping herself pristine even though part of her longs to let go, just a little. " oh, no. no. it's sweet of you to offer, but trust me you do not want to teach me anything. i'm a notoriously difficult student and i will overtake. " a fatal flaw perhaps, that when it came to ability she'd show extreme competitiveness. carved into her from a young age, a deep-rooted need to always be perfect, the best. " maybe i can teach myself, just to say that i could. " glint in her eye is met with mirth, playful in her delivery.

a soft chuckle leaves him , tipping his head to the side as he gives her a playful look . " well , ain’t that somethin’ , " he drawls , his southern twang laced with amusement . " can’t say i’ve ever heard drownin’ bein’ better than messin’ up your hair , but i reckon your mama had her priorities . " he steps closer , his smile warm and easy . " tell ya what , darlin’ . we’ll keep that hair lookin’ pretty , and i’ll teach you how to swim . no need for embarrassment . ain’t nobody born knowin’ how to do it . " his voice softens , the teasing edge fading as he adds , " you just say the word , and i’ll be right there , keepin’ you safe . "

“ don’t go giving me any big ideas celeste, i don’t have time to move. i only just perfected my closet which means i need to stay put for at least six months. ” though wouldn’t it be nice to have all the close friends within the same complex ? perhaps a one day. “ no, ” she’s quick to insist. understands where the other is coming from but she has such big expectations of how love is supposed to be it’s often difficult look past. “ i mean, don’t get me wrong, i love a good project, but . . . well i know he’s not my soulmate, because if he was i would find it endearing instead of absolutely horrifying, you know ? it’s less about the sandal-sock combo and more about how it made me feel. ” logic, apparently. most likely why she’s no closer to settling down. “ but enough about me, what about you ? fill me in on everything. i need to know all about the happenings in celeste james’ life. ”

"if we were neighbors it would make our lives so much easier," she mused, cozying into the couch and throwing a fuzzy blanket over her lap. "then, we could just alternate days and i would be able to just show up at your door when you don't text me back." because that was totally normal and made sense ( to celeste ). immersing herself in noa's story, she began picking at the snacks, nodding here and there as she listened. "i see the problem," the disgust was written all over her face. socks and sandals were practically a death sentence to celeste, let alone on a man. "but i mean, so what he's a little bit of a fixer upper ? aren't the best one's ?"