when we were young;;

lacey dumas 26; hotel manager ❛ I’m learning how to be angry and sad and lonely and joyful and excited and afraid and happy. I am learning how to taste everything. ❜

[thomasxwerner-blog]

Thomas raised an eyebrow at her initial question, already understanding what was happening. He let out a mocking laugh before shaking his head. “Hold on, Lacey. Did she send you to ask me that as if we were in the sixth grade?” he couldn’t finish the sentence before starting to chuckle. “She’s my friend, Lace. I don’t have time for any sentimental bullshit, alright?”

[laceyxdumas]

Her jaw dropped as she squinted her eyes. "What? Pfft, no! That would be crazy," she said with a high pitch tone of voice. "Sentimental bullshit? I think that sounds like you're avoiding the topic," she said as the smile that was always on her lips began to fade away. "Listen, Thomas I want her to be happy and if you're gonna make her suffer then stop misleading her, okay?"

[brittbrittnelson-blog]

“No one could hate that face. That’s the problem,” Britt joked. It was comforting to know that if she needed it, she could leave her mother in Lacey’s hands. Britt just hoped it wouldn’t happen, for Lacey’s sake more so than her mother’s. If Britt was ready to date, she would see about having the nurse stay an hour or two later on date night. “I know. I’ll figure something out. I mean, I have something situated for me while I’m at work, I’m sure I can arrange something if I ever decide to date.” She smiled at her friend, chuckling softly. “Thanks, Lace. I sure hope you’re right.”

[laceyxdumas]

"It's an everyday struggle," she said with a dramatic look on her face. Lacey would do anything for Britt she had been her best friend for so long that the only thing Lacey wanted for her was to be happy. "I'm glad to hear that. You deserve to be happy, Britt. And with that I mean with or without that Thomas Werner," she said with a warm smile. "I am right."

[thomasxwerner-blog]

“Is that even possible?” he asked, shaking his head. He didn’t like when people couldn’t get to the point, it made him feel like he was wasting his time. Not like he had a lot of things to do, but still. “I know a lot of things, Lacey but I really have no idea what you’re talking about. Just ask whatever you want and then leave me alone, okay?”

[laceyxdumas]

"Apparently," she said. To be frank, Lacey didn't interact much with Thomas, and he was a hard person to talk to. Still, Lacey was on a mission and she was going to do it because her friend needed her help. "Okay, I will, grumpy. Do you like her?" she asked. "Not in a friendly way, but in a more sentimental way."

[brittbrittnelson-blog]

“I guess.” Britt didn’t know what to do. She didn’t know if she could let her walls down and follow her heart. It wasn’t just because of the hurt she’s been through. It was because she was scared she wouldn’t be able to take care of her mother, even if Lacey wanted to help her. “I know you have. My mom does seem to like you a lot. I just worry so much about her and I worry about anyone I leave her with. It took her a long time to get used to the nurse I hired.” She ran her hand through her hair, chuckling. “You love me for it!”

[laceyxdumas]

Lacey understood her friend and why she was scared of giving herself a chance to be with Thomas, still, she was going to keep trying, she knew there was something beyond friendship between them. "Of course she likes me, who could hate this face?" she said, pointing at her face. "I know, but just keep in mind that I'm always available if you ever need some help," she smiled at her friend. "It's hard to hate someone like you, Britt."

[brittbrittnelson-blog]

“Lacey, I’m not you. I don’t just follow my heart. My heart is under eight thousand locks. It’s not a childish game. It’s about actually exposing myself to him and… I don’t know if I can do it,” she simply admitted. “I know, but it’s sort of hard. I’m the only one she has. I have to take care of her and protect her. How can I do either of those things if I fall in love with someone,” Britt asked. She didn’t know what to do. “Hey, I didn’t say anything about not scaring him. I’m just saying I’m not going to harm or kill him,” she said with a laugh. “Just a little.”

[laceyxdumas]

“You should follow your heart sometimes and see what happens. So, what? Are you going to lock yourself and wait for him to get the thousands of keys he needs to get to know you?” she said, looking at her friend. “And that’s amazing, Britt. I’ve told you a lot of times that I could help you if you want to, I want nothing more than to see you happy. You’ve been through so much.” Lacey said, giving her a small smile. “Ah, well, thanks for that, I guess,” she laughed. 

[aiden-court]

"Maybe it’s never going to be the right time if I’m being honest,” he admitted, cringing at the idea of Lacey being with someone else. It was an unfair thought as he couldn’t demand her anything while being engaged to someone else. Aiden knew he needed to say something, but he couldn’t find the right words. At the same time, he was aware that prolonging this would only cause more pain for both of them. “I’m not going to ask you to understand because you shouldn’t, but just give me some time. All this has happened so fast. Days ago I didn’t even know your last name and now I can’t stop thinking about you.” Her words were harsh but deserved. “Lacey, please. Just give me some time, I know I don’t deserve it but I’ll leave to Chicago in two days and I’ll come back with you.”

[laceyxdumas]

"Then we should stop wasting your time, don't you think?" she said, realizing that this was the best they could do. Lacey had never felt this way she always knew when to quit, but this time, it was harder as she wanted to cling to whatever they had. "I-I don't have to give you more time. I think you should do what you think it's best, but until you make a decision I believe we shouldn't speak anymore. Hope it's not too late when you've made your choice," she said, trying to force a smile but failed in the attempt. Lacey looked at him, wanting to believe there was a chance for them but instead she just nodded. "Okay, whatever you want," she said, this time leaving.

[thomasxwerner-blog]

“Just today? You really don’t know me.” Thomas gave her a small wry smile. “Well, she’s not here.” He knew Lacey wanted something else as she was a terrible liar. “Let’s cut to the chase, what do you want?”

[laceyxdumas]

"More than usual, I mean," she said, rolling her eyes. Lacey was about to speak when he asked her to cut to the chase, she thought about lying for a second but she was not a liar and he was too smart to notice. "I'm here because I want to talk about Britt and I think you know about what."

[brittbrittnelson-blog]

“I can’t just ‘do it’ with him. He’s my friend! It’ll change everything and if I am wrong and he’s not into me, then I will be ruining everything and I have to work with him.” Love was complicated and Britt’s life was already complicated enough. “Besides, I have to focus on my mom. I can’t be dating and taking care of her at the same time,” she said, shaking her head. It was an excuse, but it was believable. Her mother did need a lot of help. “You aren’t the one in a relationship, babe. I won’t be acting like my dad or brother, so he’ll be fine. I’ll just lecture him.” Britt let out a laugh, shrugging. “He can be. He says he’s tough, but make fun of his hook-ups and he’ll become sensitive instantly.”

[laceyxdumas]

"But we know he's into you. Fine, whatever but doing that could end up this childish game between you two," she said, shrugging. "You have the right to live. I know your number one priority is your mother and I think that's great, but don't ignore your own life." Maybe Lacey didn't understand completely Britt's situation, but she also wanted to see her friend happy with someone. "That's true, I'm not. Okay, I trust you don't scare him." Lacey laughed with her friend. "He gets sensitive about his hook-ups? I'll make sure not bring them up."

[aiden-court]

"It’s all yours,” he smiled at her. Looking at her gave him a feeling of melancholy, for one side she managed to make him smile more than anyone but also he knew that this wouldn’t last forever. “It wasn’t crazy, it’s just not the right time.” Even if she quickly wiped the tear, he was able to see it. He thought about saying something to stop her sadness but that would only make things worse. “Lace, don’t go. I didn’t mean it like that. You know, I care but it’s not that simple.” He looked at her leaving, before running to catch her, grabbing her by the wrist. “Listen, I don’t want this to end like this. After all, you are my neighbor. I really like you. You are different and you make me smile even though I don’t agree with most of the things you do, but maybe that’s what I like about you. So please, don’t write me off yet.”

[laceyxdumas]

"And when will it be the right time? When you're married or when I'm with someone?" Lacey replied, feeling upset about the whole situation. They had kissed twice, she couldn't expect him to leave his fiancee just for two kisses but for Lacey they had meant more than just that. "That's why I'm leaving, so it can be simple again." All she wanted was to get home and cry all night, she wanted to wake up the next morning and move on with her life. She didn't turn around when he grabbed her arm, she stayed there looking at the ground. "I'm just your neighbor, you can live without seeing your neighbor. Is that supposed to make me feel better?" she said, looking at him. "I'm not the one who's engaged, I'm not the one who goes around kissing people. That's on you. But you know, it's my fault because I shouldn't have tried to make it more than what it was. I like you, Aiden, but I deserve better than this."

[thomasxwerner-blog]

“I didn’t know we were friends,” he said, shrugging before focusing on his reading again. “I wouldn’t say ‘super close’, and it’s not like I’m with her all the time, so no I have no idea where she could be. Why don’t you go to her house or the hospital?”

[laceyxdumas]

"You're being extremely rude today," Lacey said, realizing that breaking Thomas could be harder than she had expected. "Okay, whatever. I've been there already but she's not there, that's why I assumed she could be here."

[brittbrittnelson-blog]

“Lacey Dumas! That neighbor of yours has turned you into a terrible influence,” Britt said with a laugh. “We’re a glutton for punishment. We just want to keep feeling the pain.” It seemed fairly accurate to Britt. She really didn’t know what real love was. She certainly didn’t get to experience it growing up with her dad and brother being in prison and her mother slowly going insane. “If he keeps on kissing you, he will be. I’m going to talk to that boy and set him straight.” She let out a sigh, looking at Lacey. “Just don’t be too rough on him, okay? He can be a little sensitive about things.”

[laceyxdumas]

"What are you talking about? It's not like Thomas is married or engaged, just do it." Lacey replied with a laugh. "The pain is not worth it, I'll tell you that." Somehow, Lacey was trying to find excuses to hate the idea of love. After her ex-boyfriend, all she wanted was to forget about boys, of course, she hadn't expected the whole neighbor incident. "Should I be scared for his life? It was my fault as well." Lacey nodded. "Thomas Werner sensitive? I don't believe that for a second."

[brittbrittnelson-blog]

“We’ll see. It depends on what sort of conversation we’re having. I rather not be kissing him if I’m mad at him, which happens frequently,” Britt said with a laugh. “But love can be complicated sometimes. That’s why they call them bumps in the road.” Britt was currently hoping that Lacey would remember this conversation the next time she runs into her neighbor. The last thing anyone needed was them to be kissing again. “Exactly! He needs to figure out what he wants and he can’t be kissing you to figure it out. He’s on my shit list until he sorts his shit out,” she said, crossing her arms. “I’m beyond serious. If anyone can get him to confess, it’s you.”

[laceyxdumas]

"Why not? Those are the best kisses. You should try it," Lacey said, laughing softly. "Ugh, love sucks. I don't even know why we keep trying." She rolled her eyes, although deep down Lacey was the kind of girl who believed in eternal love. "He's a really good kisser, but you are right. I need to respect myself. Oh God, your shit list? I don't think he is that bad to be in there." Lacey raised her right hand as a sign of a promise. "He will talk, believe me. It won't be easy, because has Thomas Werner ever been in love? Doubt it, but I'll make it happen."

[thomasxwerner-blog]

Thomas didn’t even need to raise his gaze to know who was in front of him. “Hey, Lace. What brings you here?” he asked, looking up from his book. “No, I haven’t. Maybe you should go to her house? What makes you think she’s in mine?” he replied, returning his gaze to the book he was trying to read.

[laceyxdumas]

Lacey's jaw dropped, although Thomas was too focused on his book to notice how offended she was by that question. "I just wanted to pay a visit to a friend," she said, her usual beaming smile playing on her lips. "Well, since you guys are like super close I thought she'd be here. Do you really have no idea where is she?"

[aiden-court]

"Ugh, are you going to get cocky about it?” he asked, wincing. “You do. I have no idea why, but you make me happy,” he said smiling before reaching for her hand. Aiden had always been ‘uptight’ or at least that’s what people had told him his whole life, and in a way he grew up to believe he was but with Lacey he felt relaxed like he could be himself. He let out a sigh when she withdrew before looking at her wondering if he had done something wrong. He had. “Lace…” he trailed off, putting his hands in his pockets as he took a step back. “I can’t. I just can’t call her and tell her that I found someone else. I’ve been with her for years, I asked her to marry me. I like you too, Lace but I have to be realistic and think about the future. What is this just a fling?” He regretted saying that the second it left his lips. “Not like this is a fling, but we barely know each other.”

[laceyxdumas]

"Perhaps. Just let me have this moment," she let out a laugh. The kind of laugh she only had when she felt really happy and at the same time nervous about something. Pretty much that laugh was a description of what Aiden made her feel. His answer was not a surprise, but Lacey couldn't help but feel disappointed. Her gaze darted to the ground where it stayed while she listened to him, trying her best to not show any sign of the pain she was feeling. "You're right. It was crazy to suggest something like this. You should be with her, that's the right thing to do." Lacey wiped a tear that fell down her cheek. "This was just a fling. Don't try to make it sound nicer than what it was. Just leave it like this." She heaved a sign before looking at him for the last time, turning around to head home and forget this had happened.

[laceyxdumas]

@thomasxwerner

"Coffee?" Lacey asked as she sat across the table, pushing the cup of coffee towards Thomas. She was determined to make him say he liked Britt out loud, it wasn't going to be easy but she will. "So, Thomas, what's up?" she asked, trying to start a casual conversation. "Have you seen Britt? I've been looking for her." She asked casually before taking —no suspicious at all— sip from her coffee. 

[aiden-court]

"I disagree. I smile when I’m with you, don’t I?” he said, replying her question about happiness. He could think of a thousand reasons why this could work and why it would be the right thing to do, but there was one reason that stopped him from doing it. There was someone in Chicago thinking he was working in California eager to come back and get married, and that had been the case for most of his staying but now it was the opposite. “I wish it could, I really do.” He let out a sigh, he couldn’t keep his eyes from her, she was too perfect and that only made things worst. Kissing Lacey was the greatest feeling in the world, in all the years he had been with his fiancee he had never felt this way. He pulled her closer, enjoying every minute of the kiss before the feeling of guilt made him stop.

[laceyxdumas]

His words brought a beaming smile to her face. "You do. Wait! Are you admitting that I make you happy?" She teased, nudging him before blushing furiously. Lacey had been in relationships before, not like this was a relationship, but she had never felt like this in the past. There she was smiling like a fool, looking at him puppy eyes and wishing he wasn't standing that far away. She felt like a teenager. "Then do it. I know it's wrong to ask, but if you feel it and I feel it then why not try it?" she asked, almost in a begging tone. Ever since that last kiss all Lacey had wanted was to kiss him again and now he was but the words he had spoken with her best friend kept playing in her head. She withdrew slowly, mostly against her will. "Stop," she blurted out. "I like you, and a lot but I don't want to be that kind of woman. I'm not the other one, and I don't know your girlfriend or fiancee but she doesn't deserve this and neither do I. I don't want to force you to choose, but it's the right thing to do."

[brittbrittnelson-blog]

“I tried but he won’t let me finish telling him. It’s like he doesn’t want to hear me say it because he feels the same and then it’ll ruin everything between us.” Britt let out a sigh, looking over at her best friend. “Boys are never smart. I suppose this means the only way I’ll get through to him is probably kissing him senselessly.” She winced a little, looking apologetic towards Lacey. “Sorry, hon. You aren’t either. He’s the cheater. I mean, he’s the one who’s engaged and kissing his neighbors. If anything, he’s rebelling against the idea of marrying that witch. I think you should say to him that he needs to grow up and figure out what the fuck he wants because you aren’t here to make that decision for him, nor are you about to be the other woman that he uses and dumps.” Letting out a sigh, she shrugged. “I’ll agree to secret weapon. Now, as to what you can do… maybe make him admit he likes me out loud?”

[laceyxdumas]

"Why is this love thing so damn complicated? Sometimes actions speak louder than words, just kiss him I'm sure he won't be able to resist you." She suggested, although she currently wasn't in the best position to suggest those things. "I guess you have no choice but to do that, my friend." She let out a fit of giggles before her smile vanished. "You are right. I should just make things clear, I must tell him that I don't want to be the other woman and even if I don't know that witch she doesn't deserve to be fooled this way." Lacey stayed thoughtful for a few seconds, trying to convince herself that she had to do this. "Are you serious? Because I will, and I've been told I can be very persuasive. You'll get his confession."