<span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: Ravi;"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 10pt;">The tension, already lessened by that utterly unexpected hug, was further let go upon the laughter that came from her friend. Beth glanced at the younger girl before turning her attention to the pie in the oven making sure it was setting up right. After all what was more wholesome than a home made apple pie with vanilla ice cream. All American, okay, maybe that wasn’t the best message to send to Ardy who clearly had had some struggles on that point. But she did have her secret pleasure of … ice cream stashed away. She could bring that out for desert as well. <br/><br/>“Yes, but… I suppose I should have thought of appetizer’s as well. I can at least get you a drink?” Ever endeavoring to be the perfect hostess the brunette decided the pie was progressing along find and turned her attention back to her friend and guest. <br/><br/>“Don’t feel undressed, truly I seem to um.. have a habit of making people feel that way.” Thinking of Colin, and the position they had been in when the door bell rang had color flushing into her cheeks, a little smile that was distracted with thoughts of the man upstairs on her lips. “He, uh… had an old band T on and some ripped up jeans. If anything I’m the over dressed one out of the trio.” Beth offered a laugh of her own, moving closer to Ardelia, shaking her head at the idea of her leaving. <br/><br/>“No, don’t leave. It’s cold out there and I’d rather you not go out into the cold. But um, why don’t you come down with me to the basement, I have a basket of freshly laundered jeans down there, as well as a top or two I’m sure would look beautiful on you. In fact…” Daringly she reached out and grasped the other woman’s hand, tugging her after her out of the kitchen and down the stairs with a giddiness to her step. “I know something just perfect, I have this black top (http://www.whitelacetop.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/55b3b_lace_top_41CvEtfoSkL.jpg) I bought on whim a few weeks ago only it doesn’t suit. Black, lace with a mock corset feel will be much more you, so you can keep it if you like it.” Reaching the bottom of the stairs she froze, glancing back at Ardy with dismay on her features, realizing that her earnest reaction might have been off putting. <br/><br/>“I… uh.. I don’t mean to treat you like a life size Barbie or anything, I swear it Ardy I just… um, habit, to want to help and I really think you’ll look gorgeous in it and it’s not for me at all and um… I… please, don’t be cross, if you don’t like it, or if I have made a fool of myself then feel free to leave, I’d understand. I… haven’t ever had a friend over like this before.” The last part was soft, spoken in a voice that was almost small. There had been plenty of things she and Colin had gone out to do together, or attended for his work or her school but normally she didn’t actively want anyone inside her home. Too bad so far venturing out of that habit seemed to involve some serious foot-in-the-mouth.</span></span><br/>