fastest girl in town.

[aliciavikand]

[lottielouavery]

natexobrien:

Nate couldn’t fight it even if he tried. One look from Lottie and he was done. He couldn’t get his feet to move, to leave, lost in her eyes as if pleading her to let him go. You should stay. The surgeon sighed. They had been playing this game for too long. He wasn’t sure what triggered it or if it was just timing, but at that moment, all he could do was close the gap between them and trust his guts. At first he was worried he had scared her, that he had made a move out of turn, but then, as Lottie muttered the words and grinned, he returned the gesture. He was more confident in the second kiss, pulling away only when his lungs ached for a lack of air, his hands falling to rest on her waist as if to keep her from walking away or offer support. Nate’s chest was heaving, taking easy breaths until he was able to recover his voice. “Let’s get out of here.” He managed to speak, not loud enough but close to her ear, letting his lips brush down her jaw as he stepped back, meeting her gaze. He didn’t want to be there anymore. Not with the loud music and the multitude of people pushing them, interrupting them. He didn’t want to let this moment pass by being distracted. He had been craving this for too long now to let it stay at that. To kiss her and not know for sure what it meant. To kiss her and not know what it could be. 

It felt like everything they’d been through in the years of knowing each other had all added up to this moment. All of the awkward moments growing up, the harmless flirting, the teasing, the late nights, everything led them to this bar with his lips on hers and the feeling like her whole world had stopped. Everything felt so right, Lottie had been waiting for this for years, so as he pulled back and whispered an invitation to leave into her ear the blonde couldn’t do much more than to nod. His lips trailing down her jawline caused her returning breath to get hitched in her throat as her hand found his and  she began to lead them through the crowd and out of the bar. Her apartment was only a block away and her roommate, his sister, was out of town for the weekend. Everything was falling into place perfectly.

Once they were out on the street Lottie finally felt like she could breathe, inhaling deeply a few times as a grin spread across her red painted lips. “C’mon,” She said coyly as she began the short walk back to her apartment, “Annie’s gone for the weekend. It’s just you and me.” Lacing her fingers through his, Lottie stopped at the crosswalk and turned to him, pressing another short but passionate kiss to his lips, before pulling back when the light turned and allowed them to walk. She didn’t want him to change his mind in the short distance to her apartment, she’d been waiting so long for this she didn’t want it to slip away. 

[lottielouavery]

natexobrien:

“I was—” Nate had no other excuse and he was never really a good liar. He sighed, shrugging apologetically as he stared back at Lottie. He knew she could pay for her drinks. He knew the guy waiting for her at the dance floor would be more than happy to as well. He just didn’t know what he was doing there anymore. He felt uneased for some reason and though he didn’t want to fully admit it, he knew he was jealous. He was jealous and he had no right. “I should go.” The surgeon added, shoulder dropping, when the blonde told him he couldn’t, hating the frown on her face, the confusion in her voice. He ran a hand through his hair, shaking his head. “Lottie,” He pleads weakly, holding onto her hands and eyes locking with hers. Clearing his throat as he watched her bite her lip, mischief and determination in her eyes, Nate knew he had no excuse. He also knew they had come too far in their game. He had reached a point where going out with her as friends wasn’t working. Where he wanted to strangle every man who tried to steal her away. Where he felt like he had a claim on her attention. It was making his head hurt trying to decide what to do next. It would’ve been much easier had she not come after him. If he had been able to leave when he planned to. If she wasn’t looking at him the way she was now. Because all he could think of was freeing her lip from her bite with a kiss, to have her body pressed against his as they had when dancing. 

Letting go of her hands, Nate tilted her face closer. “Like that.” He hesitated for a second, the music loud and people around them carrying on their own little lives while his had come to a stop. He was afraid it would change everything between them, that he’d been reading it all wrong, but as he leaned closer and held her lips on his, he didn’t think of anything else but how it felt as though the entire room around them had gone still and only them stood there. Only them mattered. He kissed her softly at first, tentatively, then with confidence for a moment until he felt the need to pull back for a breath. 

“Don’t you dare lie to me, Nathaniel...” She warned, hands resting on his chest as she looked up at him, only a hint of the normal playful tone in her voice this time. “No.” Lottie said quietly, taking another step closer. “You should stay.” Her voice had dropped another octave as her hands slid up his chest and draped over his shoulders. It was as if the crowd around them had disappeared as she stared into his eyes, searching for an answer to the unspoken question hanging between them. “Natey.” She replied, eyes never leaving his as her lip stayed beneath her teeth, a nervous habit she’d never grown out of. Their cat and mouse game had finally come to it’s apex, she could feel the electricity between their bodies and her gaze shifted from his eyes to his lips and back again. Being this close to him was more intoxicating than any of the liquor she’d ingested that night and her head was spinning with the possibilities of what could happen. 

She knew what she wanted to happen as she silently willed her best friend’s older brother closer to her in her mind, and as his hands came to her face and his lips closed down over hers it was as if the entire world stood still. She reciprocated the gesture, returning the soft and gentle kiss, matching the increasing passion as the world around them melted and everything went quiet except for the sound of their hearts beating rapidly and their shallow breaths as the two parted. “It’s about damn time...” She muttered quietly as she opened her eyes, wide grin forming on her lips as she looked up at him for a moment before cupping his face in her hands and leaning in, kissing him once more without an ounce of hesitation. She’d wanted this for so long and she was going to make sure he didn’t regret taking the leap with her as she leaned into him and showed him just how much she cared, putting all of the passion and the tension she’d been feeling lately into the kiss.

[lottielouavery]

natexobrien:

“No-” Nate replied immediately at her question. No, he wasn’t cutting her off. She’d be able to order whatever she wanted and keep his tab. “You can still order all you want. It’s on me.” It just made it all that much harder to leave that she was looking at him with questioning eyes, arms draped over his shoulders. For a moment, Nate didn’t say anything, he just stared back at her, shaking his head as she asked him to dance with her. “I should go.” He finally added, leaning closer to let himself be heard without having to shout. “You’re having fun, I don’t want to be a distraction.” A lie. He didn’t want to just stand there watching every head in the room turning in her direction, every guy wanting to have a dance with her. He didn’t know where that sudden jealousy burst came from because he had never thought of himself as a jealous man, but it also didn’t surprise him. It had been slowly brewing since he came back and retired, how their relationship had evolved, how she had become a different kind of constant in his life. Nate wasn’t sure if it was right of him to see her that way, to think of her in the ways he had lately. What if she just saw him as an older brother type of friend? What if he was just misreading all the signs? “That guy is still waiting for you on the dance floor.” He chuckled, trying to offer her a smile, to act casual. Her eyes were captivating, even now in the dim light of the bar. Her smile blinding. He knew he would bend at her will if she had a way with it. “Don’t look at me like that, Lottie!”

“If you’re not cuttin’ me off then what’s that signed receipt for, hm?” She asked with raised brows, body leaning into his as a slight pout came to her lips when he spoke next. “I can pay for my own drinks, Natey...” She said, head tilting back as her eyes searched his. He was acting weird and if it weren’t for the alcohol coursing through her body she probably would have brushed it off, but she was tipsy and confused and most certainly not going to let it go.  “You should stay.” She countered, hands moving to cup his face gently between her palms. “I’m here to have fun with you. You can’t go.” Brows furrowing and causing a crease to form in her forehead, Lottie moved closer as she brushed her thumbs over his cheekbones. They’d been having a fantastic time up until then, drinking and talking and dancing. Lottie had bee doing most of the dancing, but she’d gotten him out on the floor with her a few times and she wasn’t ready for the night to end. This was supposed to be a date and now he was trying to leave. Maybe she’d misunderstood everything happening between them, all of the prolonged glances and little touches, there were sparks between them, she knew there were, so to have him acting the way he was now threw Lottie off of her usually impeccable game.

“Wha-?” She asked, confused as she glanced behind her and rolled her eyes when she saw who Nate was talking about. The man she’d been dancing near waved with what she was sure he thought as a charming grin and Lottie had to fight back an eye roll, instead flashing him a polite smile before turning back to Nate, her hands releasing his face and falling down to her sides for a moment. “I don’t want to dance with him.” He pout was back as she slid her hands into his and linked her fingers through the empty spaces of his hands, eyes locking with his as she leaned in, her forehead practically touching his. “I only want to dance with you.” She said quietly, a wide smile spreading across her lips, causing her bright blue eyes to sparkle and a smirk to form. “Like what, Nathaniel?” She teased, biting down gently over her lower lip.

[lottielouavery]

natexobrien:

Nate cleared his throat, still smiling. They were standing face to face and a bit too close but he was perfectly comfortable, even daring to roll his eyes a little as Lottie tugged at his arms and pulled him into a hug. His eyes closed for a moment, breathing in her scent before she stepped back and he offered her a chuckle. “We’ll see.” To go dancing! It had been a long time since he’d been out dancing. Part of him was almost afraid to make a fool of himself but it was also exciting. Shaking his head as she advised him to rest well and nodding as she agreed to the time of pickup, he couldn’t help but wonder if she meant it being a date in the same way he did. “Thanks for breakfast.” Nate added after a moment, waving his hand in the direction of the coffee he left on his desk. “And for paying a visit.” Especially the latter. 

The music was catchy. They had been dancing for a while between drinks and chats at the bar though he insisted her to have fun. All eyes were on the blonde and he didn’t mind it one bit. She was stunning. She was stealing the show and everyone’s hearts. Nate sat back as he finished another beer, eyes following her every move on the dance floor now for a few songs. He didn’t think much of it at first when the guy started dancing near her, then getting closer. For some reason, he felt like he’d be interrupting if he came close but he also wanted to step in and let him know she came here with someone. He wasn’t sure if he had a right to do it, if he was just annoyed or maybe even jealous. He didn’t really know what got into him, putting his glass down and starting to walk to the bar with the intention to pay the tab, leaning against it as he waited, not sure if he should tell Lottie he was leaving or not. She probably wouldn’t even notice. And he needed to get a grip. Groaning at himself, running a hand through his hair, he turned when the bartender came back, signing the bill. 

Clicking her heels together as she moved effortlessly to the beat of the live music playing from the stage in the bar, Lottie had a wide smile splayed across her features as she spun around once and clapped her hands together above her head, the synchronized dance one she’d taken part in so many times that she didn’t even have to think as she moved. It’d been an incredible night so far, between the drinks and the dancing and the company, Lottie was having a blast. She was just tipsy enough to where her inhibitions were slightly lowered as she watched Nate by the bar and shot him a flirtatious wink before having to spin so her back was to him to continue the dance. She’d gotten him out on the dance floor a couple of times and was planning to coax him back out with her once this song was over, but then one of the bar’s regulars came over and began to dance with her. Lottie, never one to be rude, stayed with him for the remainder of the song, excusing herself with a wide smile to get some water when she walked up behind Nate, arm slipping around his waist as she peered over his shoulder, ready to order another drink when she noticed the signed receipt in his hand. Her eyebrows furrowed as she moved to stand in front of him, arms draping over his shoulders as her face silently questioned him before she leaned in closer and spoke, her voice a bit louder than usual so he could hear her over the music. “You cuttin’ me off already, Natey?” She teased, leaning back a bit to look up at him, expression still questioning. “Come dance with me!”

[lottielouavery]

natexobrien:

Nate wasn’t really fond of selling himself in any way. He didn’t feel very comfortable when it came to talking about himself, either the struggles nor the praises. It was obvious to those who knew him and those who didn’t, just as he was reacting now, whenever someone offered him a praise no matter how deserving, the soldier would look down, his face slightly reddened, a thin, bashful smile on his face. He cleared his throat and shook his head and pleaded with his eyes, tender and shining as they looked back at the blonde, for her to drop the topic. Still he smiled, because he liked to know she held him at such good esteem. Because he wanted her to think good of him.

“Impossible.” The surgeon wiped an amused tear, trying to remember that day all those years ago. Some memories were easier to fish than others, especially after Afghanistan. That one had slipped his mind but it was easy for him to imagine how it all must’ve gone through. “I’m sorry.” He said as his chuckles quieted, reaching forward to stop her from pointing at him, his hand cover hers with a laugh though he let the touch linger, holding her hand for a moment longer than necessary before letting it drop. “I’m sure Annie will forgive you if we leave one of these for her.” Nate added, pointing at the pastries as he sat back against his chair and took the last bite of his, holding the coffee between his hands on his lap behind the desk. “I miss the days I could just… sleep in and waste an entire day in bed.” He added, not sure why. He envied his sister at that. He hadn’t been able to do that for so long that, even when he had the opportunity, as rare as those were nowadays, his internal clock still woke him up early and had him out of bed up and running .

“I don’t care about seeing any of their faces out of working hours, though.” Nate interjected, shrugging, rocking his desk chair as he spoke. It may have been perhaps too quick of an objection but he didn’t mean it as he had something against any of them—it was almost an instinct retort. He didn’t care about any other face outside of work but hers. “We both know that’s not possible, Lottie. No one can get sick of your face.” Nate dared hold her gaze because he meant his words, and for a moment they remained like that, looking into each other’s eyes, until he had to look away, he had to break it before he gave anything away and made things awkward. God, what was wrong with him! Nate turned his hand on the desk Lottie offered hers, giving it a light squeeze, thanking her with a nod. “Thank you.” He didn’t want to add how sometimes it felt like it wasn’t enough, or how it hadn’t been enough so many times in Afghanistan, how he wasn’t able to help some of his closest friends. He accepted her words humbly as he stood up from his chair, gathering the trash and clearing the rest. “Dancing?” The surgeon snorted, shaking his head. “You don’t want to go dancing with me, Lottie. I’m an awful dancer!” Not entirely true. He was a fairly good dancer for someone who claimed to be such a bad dancer—what he wasn’t good at was being surrounded by so many people and calling attention to himself. Walking to stand in front of her, he leaned against his desk. He looked at her for a moment, crossing his arms as he considered her invitation. “Okay. Okay, I’m in. Just because I’m curious to see you line dance.” He teased. “I’ll pick you, if you want. I can drive us there. It’s a date, Avery.”

Lottie pulled her lower lip into her mouth, her two front teeth closing down on it as she stared at Nate and his bashful smile, her heart swelling. He was incredibly cute when he was being humble and the blonde couldn’t help but to simply wink at him and his pleading expression while fighting back a grin. “It is absolutely possible because it happened.” She teased, shaking her head as hew own laughter began to subside. “Oh no you’re not.” With a wide smile, Lottie’s eyes gazed into his as their hands connected, her breath hitching in her throat for a moment. “Mm,” She cleared her throat, placing her hand into her lap once he released it, fingers tingling, “Maybe, but... wakin’ up early has me simply starvin’.” She grinned, reaching out and picking another small pastry from the box and taking a bite. As she chewed she mulled over her response to his admission, a smirk coming to her features as she thought ‘spend a night in bed with me and it’d be possible’ but she refrained. “Have you tried it recently?” She questioned, “I’ve found that if you just don’t get out of bed, it’s a lot easier to fall back asleep. Especially when your mattress is as comfortable as mine.” A teasing glint in her eye, Lottie took another bite from her pastry.

“Why not?” She asked, “I’ve seen the way some of them look at you. Especially that red head, Jenny, right? She wants to eat you right up, Natey.” Lottie tried to keep the jealousy out of her voice, a ghost of a frown pulling her lips down as she quickly continued speaking. “Annie always says she’s sick of my face,’ She replied with a laugh, her smile reappearing on her lips as their eyes locked and she paused, holding in a breath, as they remained like that for a few moments. Her heartbeat increasing the longer their gaze lasted, lips parting slightly as she felt her body temperature rising slightly, and finally, when he looked away, she released the breath she’d been holding. “No need to thank me.” She replied softly, head tilting back as she watched him rise from his seat and begin to clear up the trash around them, finishing off her pastry before crumpling up the parchment paper that remained in her hand and playfully tossed it at him, hitting him in the chest. “Yes, dancing!” She said stubbornly, shaking her head, “I saw you dance at that military ball a few years back, you’re not so bad so hush up.” Watching him walk around the desk and stand in front of her, Lottie rose from her seat, standing directly in front of him and a little too close, as a wide, triumphant grin spread across her lips when he agreed to go. “Yay!” She clapped her hands together once then reaching out to place them over his arms, gently tugging so he uncrossed them so she could move in and give the tired doctor a hug. “You’ll won’t just be watchin’, honey.” Pulling back from the embrace as she beamed up at him, Lottie nodded her head. “It’s a date.” She agreed, cheeks blushing a light shade of pink. “Pick me up at 9, alright? And make sure you get lost of rest... it’s gonna be a long night.” She teased with a wink.

[lottielouavery]

natexobrien:

“Because of my cute smile…” The surgeon teased, cautiously touched the small of her back as she walked into his office, closing the door behind them. His fingertips burned where they had touched, shoving his hand in his pocket, curling fingers into a fist. It happened often at the slightest, most casual touch. It stung. Prickled. It made him want to linger. But he didn’t. “And because I’m nice.” He was lame. So lame. He wondered why she kept him around too, rolling his eyes to himself as he walked behind his desk after pulling a char for the blonde.

Nate was stirring his coffee after putting some sugar when Lottie started telling him the story of how he had lied to her about being able to portal herself to Hogwarts. He had completely forgotten that but he didn’t put it past him, finding it not only funny but adorable that she had actually tried and instead got hurt all over. “I’m sorry.” He begged, between chuckles, wiping a tear with his knuckles, shaking his head. “I didn’t think you’d actually believe me! Annie never did.” Then again, his sister had made it her goal in life to do the complete opposite of what he said. He was used to it. “You shouldn’t wait, by the way. She’s never going to wake up.” Reaching for a file at the top of a small stack of papers on his desk, Nate turned his gaze to the information, trying to sign some releases and approve some medication for patients just before he ended his shift. Accepting the pastry with a smile and a quiet thank you, he kept shuffling the papers before him to finish as soon as possible. “You’re the only one who sends me any Snapchats.” In truth, he only had the app because of her. “I don’t think there’s many people interested in seeing my face in the middle of the night after a double here…” Nate looked up from the papers, meeting her gaze and forgetting what he was saying for a moment. He had to clear his throat, shrugging as he continued, smiling. “We had some complications with a patient during surgery. It was a 5-hour procedure that ended up being 8.” They had almost lost the patient, but hadn’t. “He’s in observation now, recovering. Delicate, but he’s okay.” Sighing, he wished he had more interesting things to share with Lottie other than work—all the time. “I ideally have the day off tomorrow, given nothing changes too drastically… we can do something, if you want. If you’re free. I just need a nap or else I’ll end up snoring next to you, scaring everyone away.”

“Mm, I have always had a thing for those dimples.” Lottie teased with a grin, one leg crossing over the other as she got situated in the chair, her eyes following his figure as he walked around his desk to his chair. God he’s fine. She thought to herself, slight smirk coming to her lips when he said he’s nice. “Nice is sellin’ yourself short, honey. You’re nice lookin’, but if we’re talkin’ about your personality... well, I’d say you’re borderin’ on saintly.” Taking another sip of her coffee, Lottie sat and waited for his rebuttal. She knew he didn’t see himself in nearly as good of a light as she saw him, but that didn’t mean she’d ever stop trying to get him to. 

His laughter caused a wide smile to come to her own lips, even as her cheeks flushed a light pink with embarrassment. “Nathaniel O’Brien, you better top laughin’ at me!” She said with a teasing grin and an unconvincingly stern tone. “Annie didn’t want to be a wizard as much as I did. She was always more into those Narnia books than Harry Potter. I was a trusting little girl and you, sir, took advantage of me.” She pointed an accusatory finger at him, her eyes narrowed playfully before she just shook her head affectionately and took another bite of her pastry. She finished chewing and swallowed the bite of food before she spoke again, nodding her head in agreement with him. “I know, which is why I’ll probably just wake her up when I get home. She’ll be mad at first, but she’ll thank me later. She hates sleeping the whole day away, she says it just makes her feel like she’s wasted an entire day. Which she has.” Lottie chuckled, shoulders shrugging. She’d never been one opposed to spending all day in bed, it was actually something she enjoyed. Especially on rainy days and especially when she wasn’t alone. 

“Oh, bullshit.” Lottie said with a smirk, shaking her head. “I’m sure there are plenty of women here who’d love to see that face of yours outside of working hours. I’ve seen the way some of the nurses look at you. Besides, I’ll Snapchat you while we’re in the same room. Are you sayin’ you’re getting sick of my face?” Raising her eyebrows as she looked at him, her signature smirk coming back to her features, Lottie met his gaze with a steady one of her own. Their eyes locked for that moment caused her heart to skip a beat, chuckling softly when he had to clear his throat. “I’m sorry to hear that.” She said, her gaze softening as she reached out to place a hand over his. “But you got him through it.” Her smile towards him was soft this time, giving his hand a gentle squeeze and not letting go just yet. “You have such a talent, Nate. I hope you know that. Your gift, what you do for people, it’s amazing.” Her voice had gone soft and this time it was her turn to clear her throat as she finally removed her hand from his and leaned back into her seat. She truly was in awe of all Nate had done in his life and how he devoted himself to not only the people he knew and loved, but strangers, too. “Well I have no plans,” She began with a growing smile, “So I think after you get your nap in we should go dancing tonight. There’s this amazing bar near our apartment and they have the best drinks and music. What do you say? I can even teach you to line dance if you want.” She teased with a grin.

[lottielouavery]

natexobrien:

“Most likely, yes.” Nate could only laugh and shake his head, running a hand through his hair as he let his eyes leave the blonde’s for just a few seconds to wander down the corridor before focusing on the woman before him again. He took the coffee, lipping a thank you as he held the cup to his lips. She was a sight for sore eyes, Nate thought, impossible not to smile whenever she was around even when he was at his most exhausted. He didn’t think he’d ever met anyone who was not only as beautiful as she was all the time but as happy and funny and kind. It was like, no matter what mood he was in, her energy was strong enough for both of them. It’s what made him drag his feet out the door at her invitations, want to leave his apartment on a day off to just spend some time with her, no matter how little, no matter how long. 

Nate’s eyes closed for half a second as Lottie reached her hand towards him, getting lost in her eyes as he smiled. “I’d never dared lie to you.” He said without missing a beat, letting his head tilt back with a laugh at her threat to go find another doctor. Instead of getting back into the argument, Nate let his hand touch the small of her back and started walking her away from where they stood and towards his office. “What are you doing today?” Not that he had any plans other than probably dropping dead in bed after his shift came to an end before she decided to pay him a visit. Holding the door for the blonde, he placed his coffee on his desk and shrug off his white coat, offering her to take a seat. “Hang here with me for half an hour and we can go somewhere, if you’re up for it. I haven’t seen you in a few days.” I missed you. “It’s been… crazy here.”

Letting out a laugh, Lottie shook her head and playfully rolled her eyes affectionately at the doctor in front of her. Nate, no matter how tired he was, could always make her laugh. “Why do I keep you around? Please remind me.” She teased, bringing her own cup of coffee up to her lips and taking a sip from it, leaving a bright red lipstick stain around the mouth of the stark white plastic lid. Nate was quickly becoming the first person she thought about when she woke up, and the person she texted the most throughout the day. Even Annie had noticed her gaze lingering a little too long on Nate, a fact that Lottie vehemently denied. Nathaniel O’Brien had been a fixture in her life since she was a child, but lately he’d become a fixture in her mind and her affections for him were teetering the line between innocent crush and something more. 

“That’s a lie right there. You once told me that if I spin around real fast ten times and run in a straight line I’d be able to run through a portal to Hogwarts. I was in the third grade and I so wanted to believe that my best friend’s cute older brother would never lie to me. I learned the hard way that you, Nate O’Brien, were a liar when I ran right into your momma’s rose bushes and had to spend an hour gettin’ cleaned up with those awful antiseptic wipes.” Grinning at the memory, Lottie allowed herself to easily get lead towards his office, the feeling of his hand on the small of her back causing tingles to run up her spine. “I was thinkin’ of waiting until Annie woke up and then headin’ for a spa day. But nothing’s set in stone yet, and who knows when that girl’ll wake up. She got in around 3AM last night, apparently it as inventory night at the diner. Poor thing.” Crinkling her nose slightly at the memory of being woken up by her roommate at an hour you only liked if you were already awake. “But spendin’ time with my favorite surgeon is a much better offer than waitin’ for Annie to wake up so I’m in.” Her bright smile lighting up her eyes, Lottie pulled a pastry out of the bag and held it out to him. “It has been a while since we’ve seen each other out of silly Snapchats hasn’t it?” She chuckled, her eyes looking directly into his, “I don’t know how I’ve made it this long.” She smiled, her eyes shining with a little bit more affection than was appropriate. “Yeah? Tell me about it.” She said, getting situated in the chair and pulling out a pastry for herself, genuinely interested. She was always interested when it came to him.

[lottielouavery]

natexobrien:

Nate’s overtime was starting to catch up with him, rubbing his lids as the nurses went over one of his patient’s chart, about to relay the following instructions before he finished his shift when he heard the voice behind him. The nurse raised her brows at him, probably because of the smile that suddenly lit up his face, before scurrying away and giving him some privacy. “Depends,” The surgeon turned around. “If it has to do with that coffee and Tabitha’s sweets, need look no further. Anything else, I might have to guide you straight back to the lobby, Miss.” 

Bright blue eyes stared back at the woman, tired but lively at the sight. Somewhere in the last few weeks, the way Nate saw the blonde had shifted. Lottie had always been around, he was comfortable around her. She had kept him sane even while he was deployed, had given him a sense of home put together in small packages when he needed it the most. Now that he was back, the more time they spend together, Nate found it harder to picture her as a little girl and more like the gorgeous woman she was. The kind that made heads turn as she walked and broke hearts without even knowing. “You’re up early.” He pointed out, brows raised to make a point, letting her know it didn’t go past him. “You’re not going to tell me you’re cutting your beauty sleep short just to come visit now, are you? What have I done to deserve such a treat?”

As soon as he turned around the smile on Lottie’s face lit up brighter than it’d been before, causing her eyes to twinkle beneath the fluorescent lights. “Oh, so if it had to do with anything else you’d send me on my way?” She asked, a playful pout coloring her features, her former smile remaining in her eyes. “I’m hurt, Nathaniel. Now I’m just going to have to find another surgeon to share my cousin’s bakin’ with...” Trailing off, Lottie paused for a moment before she let out a laugh, shaking her head as she held out the coffee to him. “You better take this before I really change my mind.” She teased, leaning against the counter of the nurses station as she gave her best friend’s brother a quick once over.

He was tired, that’s for sure, but that’s a look she was used to with him. However, she’d noticed that recently, his eyes shone a little brighter whenever they saw each other and she was hoping that meant he’d been getting a bit more rest. Not only did he deserve it, but he needed it. “Am I?” She chuckled, hand reaching out to gently smooth down his hair. “You’re tellin’ me you don’t want to be the reason I’m up and out this early? Are we lyin’ to each other now, Natey?” Grinning, she shrugged her shoulders and allowed her hand to fall back down to her side. “My offer from before still stands, I can find another doctor to spend my time with...” She was avoiding his question because if she was honest, she wasn’t quite sure why she’d ended up at the hospital to see him. Well, she was, but she didn’t want to admit it.

[greenhouselab]

[lottielouavery]

@natexobrien​

Strolling through the front sliding glass doors of the hospital, Lottie’s new peep toed heels clicked rhythmically on the tile floor as she made her way towards the elevators; two cups of coffee in a drink holder in one hand and a bag from Annabelle’s bakery in the other. She’d gotten up uncharacteristically early for a Saturday, and while 9AM wasn’t unheard of for any other normal adult, the fact that she was both dressed and functioning while out of the house at such an hour was quite the miracle. Such a miracle that the blonde hadn’t quite been sure what to do with all of the time that she normally would have spent sleeping. So with her best friend and roommate still sleeping after a late shift the night before, Lottie set out to get food and visit the man who she’d had a growing affection for.

Walking out of the elevator and onto the floor that held the hospital staff’s break room, Lottie made sure to scan the halls as she made her way to the break room, changing her course when she spotted the man she’d come to see at the nurse’s station. “Excuse me, Dr. O’Brien?” She asked once she was close enough for him to hear her, playing up her southern accent, “You wouldn’t happen to know where a lady could get some help around here, would you?” She asked with a wide, teasing grin.

[lottielouavery]

pxrkerrose:

Parker’s head was pounding. She wasn’t even sure how she made it to Lottie’s place when the doors of the elevator gave way to the blonde standing there, as beautiful as an angel, and though she tried, she couldn’t mirror her smile. “I’m fucked up.” Was all the brunette managed to say, not even trying to deny Lottie’s accusations as she just held onto her friend in a hug. “I’s say I need a drink but even just thinking about it is making me sick. Can I stay here tonight?”

“Oh, honey.” Lottie sighed, wrapping her arms tightly around the brunette. “Let’s get you inside and get you some water, c’mon.” She smiled, pulling back and taking Parker’s hand into hers, leading her into the apartment she shared with Aniston and shutting the door behind them. “Of course you can stay here. In fact, I insist you do.”

[lottielouavery]

natexobrien:

“The best company.” Nate corrected Lottie with a smirk, his hand still on the stick with hers over his. Her touch was light an warm, and it felt foreign to him. He wasn’t used to it. He had not let many come so close to him aside from family and yet there was her. Always present. A familiar face but not boring. Intriguing. Captivating. Hypnotizing. With a nod, he agreed to their plans. He was exhausted, yes, and had she not come through his front door he’d probably be trying to catch a good night’s sleep by now. Instead, he was leaving his car keys with the valet as he held the door open for the blonde, offering his hand as they started walking to the entrance. “We can get you the exact same case for the new one, Lottie. There is a chance we may not get your old phone back.” 

Inside, the host was quick to sit them. A window table for two with a candle making shadows on the tablecloth and a small vase with holly bush. Nate waited for her to take a seat before doing the same, her eyes on her even when the host explained the menu. He knew what he wanted and he didn’t have to look at the menu to see it. “We’ll have a bottle of the Scavino to begin with, thank you.” He ordered, only then smiling politely at their server and placing the menu aside. “I think it’s best if we don’t tell Ani we came here without her. She’ll throw a fit.”

“Mm yes, of course, the best.” She mused, a smirk of her own coming to her lips. She was, of course, speaking of herself - teasing, because she figured he’d been doing the same. If she’d been honest with Nate tonight, she’d had told him that she did in fact have plans tonight with an old friend from her time in New York... but she blew them off to be with him. A decision she wasn’t at all regretting as she made her way out of the car and into the restaurant with him, her fingers linking through the empty spaces of his once her hand was placed in his. “No, a friend of mine actually designed it. It was one of a kind, Nate. Can’t be replicated.” She teased gently with a smile, “If we can’t get the old one back we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it. But for now I’m holidn’ out hope, darlin’.”

Once she was seated at the table, she picked up the menu and opened it up, carefully peering across the table at Nate with a sly smile as the candlelight flickered across his face. Her attention was pulled away, however, when the host explained the specials and the blonde’s eyes landed on her. Her eyes were pulled back to Nate when he ordered the bottle of wine and she had to bite back a grin. “Oh I’m gonna tell her,” She smirked, picking up a breadstick and taking a bite out of it. “And I’m going to tell her it was all your idea.” She teased, setting her menu down as she beamed across the table at him.

[lottielouavery]

Rising from her spot on the couch, glass of wine in hand, Lottie hit the buzzer to allow Parker into the building before opening the door and standing in front of the elevator, arms crossed with a smirk on her face, waiting for her friend. “And I thought I was the queen of bad decisions,” She said as soon as the doors opened up. @pxrkerrose

[lottielouavery]

✉ → Girlfriend 💋

Parker: Excuses. That's all I hear!

Parker: I mean I can totally see it being a bad idea cause if it doesnt work then it'll be awkward with Ani but also like HE'S HOT

Parker: And he has a good job with an even better income and looks like he has his shit together... unlike us. Or me. Unlike me.

Parker: I'm leaving now.

Lottie: Because it IS an excuse but it's legit thank you very much

Lottie: No us was right, neither of us has our shit together which is exactly why I'd be horrible for him

Lottie: Come over

[lottielouavery]

✉ → Girlfriend 💋

Parker: He likes you. You like him.

Parker: WHY HAVEN'T YOU TWO HOOKED UP YET? So much wasted tiiiiiiiiiime!

Parker: I kissed him.

Parker: I have NO strength.

Lottie: You totally forgot that he's Ani's older brother, didn't you? MY BEST FRIEND'S BROTHER, PARKER.

Lottie: YOU DID WHAT

Lottie: I'M COMING TO GET YOU WHERE ARE YOU THIS IS A DISASTER.

[lottielouavery]

natexobrien:

Nate disregarded her words with a chuckle, shaking his head at the idea of them returning to his apartment and having Lottie massage his head until he fell asleep. It wasn’t a secret but not everyone knew that was a thing, some sort of Achilles heel for the surgeon. It wasn’t really something he intended, or could, debate on, her fingers making the skin on the back of his neck burn where they touched, and he coughed. The hands on the wheel tightening the grip to the point where his knuckles paled. 

The conversation quieted for a little while, not because he wanted to but because he couldn’t find his voice or the right words to say. Stopping at a red light, Nate turned his face to look at the woman beside him and a dimpled smile took over without his consent. “I wouldn’t be so lucky.” He added, half teasing, half serious, with a small shrug. His grip on the wheel had loosened, one hand now placed idly on the stick between the seats, fingers thrumming to the radio music. “I agree. Food is always a good place, especially when there’s some of the best wine and best bread sticks in town involved.” And you. Their eyes had locked there for a moment, his fixated on hers, the shape of her lips, the way her hair fell onto her face, that he hadn’t even realized the traffic lights had changed until he heard the honks from the cars behind them. “You still want to go see Oscar after dinner or are you going to buy  new phone instead?”

There had been something different between them lately, not only had Lottie found herself seeking him out more often than not, but the butterflies in her stomach when he was around had the blonde both nervous and excited. Growing up, Lottie had always had a crush on Nate, he was the cute older guy who didn’t completely disregard her presence and he’d always been nice to her. But lately, lately their friendship had developed into something more than either of them were willing to admit or talk about, a fact brought to the forefront of the blonde’s mind as the pads of her fingers tingled even after she’d removed her hand from his neck and placed it back into her lap.

“I beg to differ,” she replied with a grin, eye’s sparkling in the glowing amber streetlights as she turned her head to look over at him. Her eyes meeting his, Lottie’s smile grew wider as she bit down lightly on her lower lip, the eye contact causing a soft blush to color the apples of her cheeks a subtle pink but she didn’t dare look away. “And good company,” She chimed in, “But mostly the food and wine.” Teasing, she reached out and gently placed her hand over his on the gear shift, giving it a soft squeeze and allowing it to linger there until the loud honk from the car behind them pulled her out of the moment. Clearing her throat and pulling her hand from his to return it back to her lap, Lottie let out a chuckle as her gaze shifted back to the road in front of them. “We’re still going to see Oscar... unless I’m in a food coma, then it can wait until tomorrow. But I’m getting my old phone back, I had the cutest case on it. I can go a few hours without it.”