Monroe watched her reaction closely, the warmth in her expression settling somewhere deep in his chest. Seeing that look on Lottie’s face, soft, glowing, a little amazed, made him feel strangely proud of himself, like he’d done something right without even trying that hard. “Hey, don’t blame the office,” he said, raising a brow at her with a crooked grin. “They’re just passionate viewers. Probably very invested in the athleticism in the show and the development of the characters.” His eyes flicked over her face when she asked whether she’d enjoy the sex or the hockey more, and a slow, amused smirk spread across his lips. “Oh, the sex parts. No question,” Monroe said easily, completely certain. “You’d pretend you were there for the hockey plot, but the second someone gets pushed up against a wall you’d suddenly be very attentive.” He nudged her knee lightly with his. “Not that I’m judging. Sex can be hot if it's done right." At her question about the prize, Monroe tilted his head as if he were seriously considering it, even though the answer had clearly already formed in his mind. “Your prize?” he repeated thoughtfully. “Happy ending, for sure." A beat passed. “Plus,” he added casually, his voice dipping just slightly, “whatever else you manage to negotiate out of me while I’m busy making you relaxed and cooperative.” Her blush didn’t escape him, and when she called him a loser for choosing her, Monroe just laughed quietly against her hand when she cupped his face. “Yeah,” he murmured, eyes warm and amused. “Terrible decision. I wake up every day and regret it deeply.” His hand briefly covered hers before she pulled back, though he didn’t miss the quick kiss she stole. When she warned him about distracting her from the food, Monroe raised both hands in mock surrender. “I’m innocent here,” he said, watching her take a huge bite of the burger with clear amusement. “You’re the one initiating kiss based distractions before taking a bite." When she gave him that playful look and threatened consequences, Monroe leaned a little closer again, clearly unfazed. “Consequences, huh?” he said, voice low but teasing, his eyes flicking briefly to her lips before returning to her eyes. “That sounds serious.” He tapped the bag lightly. “But go on, eat. Build your strength.” A faint grin tugged at the corner of his mouth. “Wouldn’t want you getting weak before you start punishing me.” Monroe finally gave in to the food sitting between them, reaching into the bag and pulling out his burger. He unwrapped it halfway, taking a solid bite like someone who’d definitely been hungrier than he’d admitted. For a second his attention stayed on chewing, eyes dropping to the wrapper in his hands. Then he glanced over at Lottie again. And just like that, his focus shifted completely. A slow smile spread across his face, soft but a little incredulous, like he’d just remembered something good all over again. He leaned back slightly in his seat, still holding the burger in one hand as he looked at her. “Shit,” Monroe muttered under his breath, shaking his head lightly. His eyes stayed on her, warm and a little helpless. “Every time I look at you,” he said, voice easy but sincere, “I just fall even harder.”
she was so relieved that her relationship with monroe hadn’t changed at its core. they were still the same people they had been as best friends, playful and careless around each other in the easiest way possible. she had been terrified things would change between them, and she was glad they hadn’t — if anything, everything had only gotten better. “happy ending? i can work with that,” she smiled, “and i’ll try to push you into giving me a massage later.” she winked at him playfully. as she pulled away and grabbed her burger, she knew she was the one distracting him, but she wasn’t about to admit guilt. after swallowing her bite, she pointed at him accusingly. “you’re not innocent after admitting you watched a whole show because the main characters kept pinning each other against walls,” she teased, eyebrows raised. “the consequences are going to be serious.” she tried to keep a straight face, but the smile tugging at her lips ruined it immediately. “and i don’t push you,” she corrected softly, her brown eyes locked on his, “i shove you with love.” she noticed how he focused on his burger for a second, trying not to look at her too much, and it gave her a moment to really look at him instead. he was the most perfect man she had ever met, inside and out. she genuinely didn’t think she could ever love anyone more than him. so when he looked back at her and admitted he fell harder every time he saw her, her heart skipped painfully in the best way. she had found the right person. “you’re such a simp,” she said softly, warmth all over her face, “but i get it. it happens to me too.” she sighed quietly, glancing away before meeting his eyes again. “you’re my happy ending too, you know that?” she murmured. she took another bite of her burger before smiling again. “if we finish these, we can totally have a dramatic makeout session against the car,” she mused. “city lights behind us, full lonely night vibes from la la land.” she laughed softly, shaking her head at herself.














