❝Let me catch a vibe, let's just take our time

Just relax your mind, and take it easy❞

- DaniLeigh, Chris Brown, Easy (Remix)

"So, I've been working on a new recipe for my amazing spaghetti Bolognese," Tanner told me the next morning as I laid on the couch, scrolling through my phone.

"Really?" I looked at him as he walked into the living room, mixing something in a bowl. "Is that it?" I asked excitedly, sitting up on the couch.

"Yep, but this is just for the sauce," he nodded.

"Can I taste it?"

"I was going to wait but since you're so eager and I'm also really eager for you to taste it, open your mouth and close your eyes," he came closer to me and I did as he said.

I felt the spoon enter my mouth, the content dropping into my mouth.

No, this didn't taste right.

I immediately spat it out, wiping my mouth, "Ew! Tanner!"

My brother was laughing maniacally, almost rolling on the floor and I looked at him in disbelief. "What was that?"

"You just had a really nice mixture of ketchup, orange juice and peanut butter," he kept laughing.

"Oh my, Tanner! Why would you do that?" I asked in surprise.

"It's so fun to mess with you," he ruffled my hair, chuckling.

He and Kaleb loved to do this, and that was what Kaleb would say when he popped a Mentos in my soda or hid my shoes, and speaking of Kaleb, since he was coming over this evening, then I would have to be back home on time.

"What time would you be out today?" Tanner asked, walking into the kitchen to discard the disgusting mixture of what he had created.

"River says he'll be here by 1," I followed behind him and sat on the high stool.

*

The doorbell rang at exactly quarter past 1 and this time I was fully dressed and ready.

"Renée! River is—"

"I know, I know," I giggled, kissing his cheek, "Bye."

I walked out the door and closed it behind me, but not before Tanner shouted a greeting to River. It made me happy that Tanner liked River as a person. That way I didn't have to bother about him not liking the guy I liked.

"You know, I've never met anyone older, and as free as your brother," River told me as we walked to his car.

"You won't believe what he did to me this morning!"

"Spill," he chuckled.

I went ahead to tell him how Tanner had successfully tricked me into having that horrible mixture of ketchup, orange juice and peanut butter.

"No way," River scrunched up his nose and then laughed.

We got into the car and I let out a breath and looked at him, "So, where are we going?"

He had a small smile on his face as he answered, "You'll see."

"Yeah, I expected that answer."

He let out a low chuckle, "If I tell you, there will literally be nothing for you to be curious about."

"So, leaving me in suspense does it?"

He winked as he shrugged, "That's the best way."

"Anyway, tell me, how's the job for the bakery going?"

"It's perfect. I'm actually enjoying it and I should be done with it in two weeks at most," he replied.

"Is there like a deadline for it?"

"No, not really. But I promised myself and I may or may not have told Skylar that I would be done with it in about two months."

"Well, you're on your way to keeping your promise," I looked at him. "I actually can't wait to see what it looks like when it's completed."

"Yeah? I'm excited for it. It's the biggest job I've done," he kept his eyes on the road.

"Your parents must be so proud," I said.

"I love keeping them happy."

"How's Riley?"

"Riley's good," he nodded. "In fact, after yesterday, she's been doing really well."

"Really? Like, no tics after yesterday's?"

"Nope," he had a grin on his face.

"River, that's amazing," I smiled.

"It is. Though it doesn't mean the tics won't play up, but times like this, it feels really good to experience how she would have been without the syndrome."

"She's precious," I said softly before looking out the window. "I've never been on this road before."

"That can't be true," he threw a quick glance at me.

"I'm serious, though. If I have then I've forgotten. Where are we going, River?"

"You'll see," the small smile returned.

The suspense was killing me.

*

"River..." I slowly looked at him in shock. "This is your house."

"Yep," he grinned, getting out of the car while I remained seated in the passenger seat.

"Come on out," he said to me, opening my side of the car.

"I- Is your mom home?" I asked.

"She is," he nodded.

"Why didn't you tell me you were bringing me to your house?" I asked in more shock. I wasn't offended that our hangout spot today was his house. I just wished he had told me, I could have probably brought something along for her or even Riley.

"Because I didn't want you to freak out, okay? Come out?" He said softly.

I let out a breath, "River, you deserve a punch for this."

"If you're still upset about it later, I'll give you the go-ahead to."

"I'm not upset," I said through gritted teeth, hoping to talk in a hushed tune.

"She can't hear you," he laughed out and I felt a small smile form on my lips.

"Shut up," I chuckled. "I'm not upset. I just wish you would have told me. I could have brought something for your mom and Riley, I don't know."

"See, that's why I didn't tell you," he playfully winked. "Let's go in."

I didn't realize how beautiful the exterior of the house was until we moved closer to the door. I tried to take in the fact that I was going to meet River's mom. I wanted her to like me, and if River had told me about this I most likely would have had a practiced speech in my head, but he didn't, and I wasn't the best when it came to meeting people and conversing with them.

I was more nervous when River pushed the door open.

"Mom! I'm back!" He called and I swallowed.

I felt him squeeze my hand, and he gave me a small smile as she led me into the living room. I marveled inwardly at the living room. It looked so comfortable, inviting and full of style. The mix of colours of the custom sofas and curtains, pillows were beautiful. The fireplace was vintage and the living room smelt like strawberries and cream.

"Mo-" River started to call again, but I heard footsteps and a sweet voice say, "Coming, coming!"

It was then I spotted his mom. Short and a little thin with dark hair and brown eyes. She was beautiful.

Trying hard to push my nervousness away, I didn't know when River led me to her.

"Mom, this is Renée," I snapped back to reality and gave her a smile, feeling shy all of a sudden.

His mom smiled widely before reaching out for a hug, "It's nice to finally meet you, Renée." Her hug was so warm. Like mom's hug. The smile on her face still remained as she pulled away, "You look even prettier than River described you to be. I'm Madison, but please call me Maddie ."

Still feeling very shy, I gave a small nod, "Thank you. It's nice to meet you Maddie."

"I've heard great things about you," she passed a smile to River who looked at me, smiling.

"You're more than welcome here anytime. Help yourself to whatever, and don't be a stranger," Maddie said, grinning now before looking at River. "River, please come with me to the kitchen for a moment."

"Alright," he called after her before looking at me.

"I did terrible, didn't I?" I looked at him

"No, you didn't," he chuckled. "You were really cute."

I felt my cheeks heat up.

"Give me a minute, I'll be right back," he smiled, following after his mom.

I looked around, smiling and walking to a family photo where River stood with his parents and Riley, all of them with smiles on their faces

"Renée!" I looked to see Riley running, a cute dog following behind her.

"Hey Riley!" I grinned, hugging her tight. "How are you?"

"I'm great. River didn't tell me you were coming today," she frowned.

"Don't worry about that, he didn't tell me I was coming either."

"Meet Waffles," she bent beside the puppy, ruffling its head.

"Waffles?" I tried to hide my smile.

"I know," she rolled her eyes. "It was River's idea."

"Hi there, Waffles," I bent to it, rubbing its head as well.

"He's a golden retriever," she told me, her eyes sparkling.

"How long have you had him for?"

"Not long, actually. We got him late last year. Dad brought him home."

"Ah, I see you've met Waffles," River said proudly, coming into the living room.

"He's adorable," I looked at the puppy who whined , running in circles while Riley laughed, her full attention on the puppy. "Why'd you name it Waffles?"

"I was eating a waffle when my dad walked in with it," he looked even more proud and I let out a chuckle.

"Come on. Let's go up to my room," he said and looked back to Riley, "Riley, please feed Waffles in like an hour?"

She nodded absentmindedly, engrossed in playing with the dog.

He led me up the stairs, leading to a long corridor. "Apparently, my mom wants you to have lunch with us. She's making some chicken salad, and I won't lie to you, her chicken salad is bomb."

"Of course," I smiled at him.

He pushed a door open, revealing his room and it felt like I was in another world.

"Damn, I totally forgot to pick these up," he hurried over to pick some papers and clothes which laid on the wooden floor.

The grey theme of the room was perfect. The walls were grey with a bit of white. The bedside table, lamp and chair were all grey. The large carpet and the bed with its covers were grey as well. My gaze was averted to the painting right above the bed, colorful lamps below it reflecting on it and making it look absolutely beautiful.

"Did you paint that?" I asked him, referring to the painting on the wall above the bed.

"Yep," he nodded.

"It looks so good. River, you're very talented," I looked at him and he smiled almost shyly, "Thank you."

"Are you ready?" He had a challenging smile on his face.

"Ready for?" I raised an eyebrow back at him.

He pointed to a side of the room I never noticed. A medium sized screen with a table below, game consoles on it. I looked at him and he wiggled his eyebrows, "Madden."

"Yes, yes, yes!" I said excitedly and he chuckled.

I didn't remember the last time I played Madden. Of course, it had been with Kaleb but it was most likely months ago. Each time we planned on playing games these days, one thing or the other would come up.

"Can you set it up? I'll go get snacks," he looked at me.

"Sure!" I replied, still excited.

*

"That's impossible. I'm unbeatable at Madden! Never been defeated!" I said in disbelief.

"I like to believe there's a first time for everything," River teased, raising his cup of cranberry juice to his lips. "How does it feel to lose three times?" He tried to hold back his laughter.

"I hate you," I burst out laughing. "I won't lie, though. You're good at it."

"Told ya," he playfully winked.

"Cocky much."

"Honestly, you're equally as good. Are you sure you didn't take actual lessons on how to play?"

"Nope," I threw a sour skittle into my mouth. "So, we can say you're not all that great at it, and it was just luck?"

"Luck three times? I'll say no," he laughed. "Throw a skittle at me."

I smiled and took a skittle from the pack, throwing at him which he caught successfully with his mouth open.

"Whoo!" I cheered, clapping. "Let me try," I said, handing the pack to him so he could throw a skittle at me. He did so and I failed which caused him to laugh loudly.

"Jeez, what is going on with me today?" I chuckled. "Can I have my skittles back?"

"Sure, come get it," he had a small smirk on his face.

"River." I called.

"Yeah?" He looked at me innocently.

"Give. Me. My. Stuff," I tried to sound tough but failed miserably when I laughed.

"You do realize all you have to do is come get it, right?" He chuckled.

Boldly, I got up from the beanbag I sat on and moved closer to him, my eyes not leaving his. With my eyes not leaving his still, I retrieved the pack of skittles he held. After getting it, I should go back to where I sat, but I didn't move.

No, I couldn't move.

We were so close together, I honestly didn't remember how we got that close. But I could smell his very masculine cologne. The small smirk on his face before returned and thinking very clearly, I pressed my lips very softly against his. He seemed surprised for only a little while and shortly, he cupped my face and I leaned in closer to him while his thumb brush over my cheek.

When we finally pulled away, he looked at me, a teasing smile on his face, "Not bad for a girl who bit me the first time we kissed."