clarasloanes·.
“ hmm , nope , ” she’ll shake her head , long locks falling over her shoulder as a sloane kind’a smile crinkled the corners of her eyes , “ not really . does seem to be becoming a sort’a habit with you though , cole . just –– somethin’ about ya , i guess . ” there’s no subtlety in the way his gaze drops to her lips , and she has a love - hate relationship with the way it gets to her , and the way he knows exactly what he’s doing . “ alright , trouble , ” tongue in cheek , she leans back , no longer trying to hide the way her cheeks flush a shade of pink , “ eyes on the road . ” something about it feels correct . the fluttering in her stomach , the golden light of late afternoon , his hand resting naturally on her thigh . correct and terrifying . heart - stopping . hand - trembling . thought - consuming . big and scary and right because she didn’t mind a twin xl when it was his . she liked the warmth of brown eyes and the suggestion of a crooked smirk when it was his . he made her feel light in a way that she hadn’t known in a long time , not since the universe was thrown out of line the night the sloane family got smaller . a squinted gaze trailed along the sights as they slowly rolled by , teeth digging into her bottom lip as she thought about being on her dad’s shoulders as a kid , strolling behind her grandparents on a sunday afternoon just to stretch their legs . a pit stop along the way in a tiny town practically untouched by time . main street was lined by a florist’s , a barber shop , some kind’a bakery , what could’ve passed as a damn saloon , and a couple family - owned shops . there was a church on damn near every corner , and the park across the way had probably seen one - too - many renovations . people came from all over the state every third sunday for a flea market , but otherwise … it was quiet . with one stoplight that they were idling at when he spoke up again . “ glad you think the mystery’s cute ‘cause i do get a kick out’a keepin’ you on your toes , ” she smiled to herself , watching as a group of kids scurried across the street , only shifting when she felt him move closer . clara turned slightly , watching him as he leaned in closer with one elbow propped up on the seat behind her and her head leaning against it . “ i don’t know , clyde . suppose that depends on how lucky you’re feelin’ tonight , ” her chin tilts upwards , slightly , as he leaned in . closer and closer … she’d missed it more than she realized , the feeling of having him close by . but it wasn’t close enough , and before it could be an irritated driver was laying on the horn behind them . as parker glanced back , clara leaned past him , flipping a handle near the wheel to turn on his left blinker . “ lower your voice , cole , ” she settled back into her seat with a breath of laughter , teasing , “ someone might hear you and think we’re on a date or somethin’ . turn left . ” laughter settles into a smirk as she nods in the direction they’d be turning . “ rosie’s . we’re lookin’ for rosie’s . big , red neon sign that should be lightin’ up right … about … ” she looked at the clock on the dash , then up at the street ahead of them , straightening with a triumphant little smile as , sure enough , neon red illuminated a cursive sign , “ now . ” she looked over at him , beaming , “ there’s a lot on the right to park in . ” rosie’s was a staple . old fashioned ice cream … and it looked the part . 50′s style with bright pinks and blues and reds , a seating area outside under twinkling lights the only thing 21st century . even the music was vintage , circulating through the decades . sneakers practically hit the pavement the moment his truck was in park ; she’d never been great at sitting still . “ welcome to sterling , texas , parker cole . the most charming small town in the state , ” her shoulders lifted in a shrug as she rounded the back of his truck , “ or so i’ve been told . ” she lingered near the end of the bed , one hand on the edge of the tailgate , the other rested on her hip as she waited for him to move towards her . “ still think the mystery’s cute ? makin’ you drive for an hour for ice cream . kidnapping you for a date , ” she looked up at him under long lashes , head tilted with a smile reflecting a gentle fondness , “ because that is what this is . i’m fully takin’ you on a date right now . ”
the habit that came with clara, was halfway expected. he’d known from the moment she’d ran into him, that if he acted on whatever the hell butterflies were supposed to feel like, he’d be screwed. and as time went on, he’d done a good job at staying around that borderline. he’d still tease her, still tiptoe across the line he’d drawn in the sand for himself, but something just kept pulling him closer. he was drawn to her, like magnetic, since day one. it’s why the second anything happened with her, nothing could happen with anyone else. it’s what made ending everything else, so easy. it’s what made him realize that some people he thought were good for him, or could have been good for him, weren’t-- and they never were. because he knew what it felt like to be manipulated, and he’d almost let it happen again, but he’d refused. not after being with clara, not after getting the smallest bit of hope of what something real felt like. “i like being your habit.” and when she mentioned she likes keeping him on his toes, he’ll nod in a smirk and a halfway glance. “mhm, so i’ve been told.” muttered under his breath slightly, and throwing the truck in park. he didn’t really care where they were going--- to be honest. he just wanted to be with her, be around her again, talk to her, kiss her. but leave it to clara, getting him to drive an hour out of the way, for some icecream. which meant, this place must have been pretty special to her, which made it matter to parker, too. “you mean i gotta’ spend a whole hour listening to your 90′s playlist all the way home? ouch.” it’s smirked, and he doesn’t mean it-- he’d listen to anything she wanted, which really did, make you a sucker parker cole. however, she’s jumping out of the truck faster than he can turn it off, and he’s shutting the door, having to crank the window up by hand, and lock it just the same. turning on his heels, he meets her at a halfway point, in between the bed of his truck, and a sidewalk off the parking lot. he’ll lean his elbow on the tailgate, and smile down at her, just as dimpled and as happy as before. she always talked a lot, whether or not she liked to admit that. and the more she went on, the more he listened, in a quiet nod, and a suspicious kinda’ smirk. “wow, you tricked me into a date, clara sloane?” masked in feigning hurt, touching his chest, but there’s still a smile on his face as he met her gaze. “you gonna’ get me home by ten, ma’am?” he’s inching forward again, fingertips catching her on the hook of her belt loops, and pulling her into his chest with a beaming grin. there’s a small shift in movement, and he’s lightly pressing her back against the tailgate of his truck. the pad of his thumb skimmed the skin that rose with the hem of her shirt, and he’s leaning down to kiss her. the universe may have kept trying to steer him off, but he wouldn’t be scared away too easily. it wasn’t a warning, it was a challenge--- testing him to see if he was brave enough to try again. because that’s what clara deserve, someone who would try-- and keep trying. so when he pulls back, his nose is nuzzling against hers in softening shoulders, that was entirely unlike him with anyone else. his hand touches her chin, tipping her up by her smile. “that feels a little bit more than just friends to me, don’t you think?” it’s whispered in a smirk, and he had never planned anything with clara, which is consistent in the way he never planned to ask her to be his girlfriend--- in the middle of a fucking parking lot, to the icecream parlor of their first date. but here he was, about to do just that. “feels like a boyfriend thing.”
