<span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: Ravi;"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 10pt;">Entering her kitchen she had expected to be alone, a sorely needed moment to recover her composure. Regardless of how the day was going so far Bethany normally was in complete control of everything in her life, at least outside of how busy it was. But Colin was there, leaning over her chowder and when he turned to look at her he had the guilty smile a boy who had stuck his hand n the cookie jar when he shouldn't have. For some reason it made her laugh, the giggle parting her lips before she could think about it and she blushed in response, her cheeks already warm as her hand flew up to stifle the sound. She didn't laugh at Colin, it wasn't polite. <br/><br/>That question, the note of worry that told her instantly that her fairytale prince was ready to swoop in and slay the dragon if need be softened her though and she went straight to him, pressing herself into the familiar comfort of his body, her face burrowed in against his torso so she could hear his heart. What was wrong? Well there was the fact that she had managed to likely come off as both a prude and a bitch to her friend, that she was angling to ruin the offer before it was even made. That she was so utterly incapable of being friends with someone outside of the rather strictly polite manners she had been taught growing up. Colin still had friends outside of her, she knew because she often encouraged him to hang out with them, to even invite them over if she wasn't studying. She didn't want to become the 'old ball and chain' to him, she knew how much that sucked. <br/><br/>But seeing him, stealing a taste of the soup and knowing he was there to support her made that jumble of fears and insecurities simmer down, letting her focus on breathing in and out to match his heart beat rather than her own. Whatever had happened down in the basement wasn't as bad as she thought. Ardy looked lovely in that shirt, and it wasn't wrong to admire another woman looking beautiful. She wasn't attracted to her, just admiring, and that made every bit of sense. "Nothing," she murmured, having relaxed enough to tilt her head back to look up at him with a gentle smile that didn't fully hide her nerves. "It's just harder then I thought. Ardy is wonderful, lovely and funny, I'm just not so good at bring a friend I guess. I found myself staring at her and it unsettled me, but it's just because she suits the shirt I loaned her so well." <br/><br/>Beth glanced at the soup, that laughter coming back into her eyes before she looked up at him again, "I'm sorry, I've been neglecting you lately haven't I? So caught up with my thesis and the wedding plans... I'll try and cook like this more often, just because you deserve it." The brunette moved up on tiptoe, though he leaned down to her to make it easier as she brushed a gentle kiss against his cheek. "I love you."</span></span>