My masterlist is at the end of my bio.

Book: The Royal Romance (After Book Three, but no TRH)
Pairing: Bastien Lykel x OC Rinda Lykel, Henry
Word Count: 1,980

Triggers for COVID-19 topic, reference to speculation of death/at risk populations, family separation when a parent is high-risk because of their career

I realize this is a sensitive topic, and my intention was to treat the COVID-19 pandemic, and the people who have been influenced by it, with respect.

My heart goes out to everyone who has been impacted. My condolences. My love and respect to everyone who sacrifices so much to keep the rest of us safe—especially people who are on the front line like health care professionals, cashiers and shelf stockers, delivery workers, and so many more.

Thank you!

Author’s Note: Obligatory disclaimer that Pixelberry Studios owns the TRR characters and my pocketbook with those darn diamond scenes. Rinda and Henry with all of their quirks are all mine. 

Drabble Summary: This takes place in late winter 2020, when countries were beginning to realize just how serious the coronavirus really is. There’s also a little NSFW.

Promises

Everyone was quiet during the ride home from George and Brigitte’s house. Henry was in the backseat, staring absently out the window as he stroked Ollie’s head. The dog had fallen asleep after a traumatizing day of avoiding the neighbor dog’s attempts to hump him.

Rinda was sitting in the passenger seat, her hand resting on Bastien’s thigh as she alternated between watching Henry and staring at her husband’s profile. He was deep in thought as he drove, his eyes occasionally darting to check his mirrors before turning back to the road in front of him.

“Hey.” Rinda’s voice was low and although Bastien focused on his driving, Rinda knew he was listening. “I know, Tiger. And it’s okay.”

Bastien pursed his lips but didn’t say anything. He didn’t need to. When he briefly took his eyes from the road to look at her, Rinda saw it in his eyes. The agony of a father and husband who needed to leave his family so he could protect his country. The agony he would hide as he slipped into his role of Colonel Lykel, the head of the Cordonian National Response Program. The man who would be responsible for enforcing the King’s mandates to close borders and order people to shelter in place.

The career that was meant to keep him safer and closer to home. But no one was safe anymore and it was his sworn duty, and his privilege, to protect his King and Country.

… . .

After Rinda and Bastien tucked Henry into bed, Rinda stepped out so Bastien could say goodbye. “Knuddelbär?  I need to work with the King to keep people safe during the coronavirus, and I don’t know how long that will take.”

Henry nodded. “I know.” His voice was very quiet. “We’ve all been watching the news, and mom told me that President Trump already closed U.S. borders to China. And that other countries think he’s being too extreme.”

Bastien nodded. “That’s right. King Liam, Queen Riley and I need to talk about those kinds of things. We want to keep people safe, but we also don’t want to turn people away or close businesses and schools. Those are really big decisions, but if we do have to do that, I’ll be away for a long time. I don’t want to get you and mom sick, so it’s important that I stay at the palace while you stay here where there are less people.”

Henry suddenly scooted away from Bastien and called for Ollie to jump into bed with them. When the dog jumped onto bed Henry made a production of talking to him, asking Ollie about his day, as he scratched his belly. “Who’s the good boy who got humped by a smaller dog? Huh? Is it Ollie? Did Ollie have a ‘RUFF’ day?”

Bastien waited patiently, knowing Henry needed his space. Henry needed to deflect while he compartmentalized his thoughts and worked through the best way to share them. And when he shared them, the really embarrassing or really serious things, he wouldn’t make eye contact. He would quickly, without warning, begin rambling the rest. If you didn’t know how Henry processed things, you’d miss it. Or you’d think it came out of nowhere.

But Bastien knew Henry, and he knew he had to be ready to listen.

And he was.

“Ollie. Will you snug in bed with me tonight? Will you be my guard dog? And we’ll both protect mom together, okay? Just until Bonk comes home. And mom says we will deliver groceries to Mr. Ariti and Mr. Halkais, but we have to be really, really careful because they’re higher risk to get sick. But we can help take care of them.”

Henry was starting to cry, so he laid down in his bed with his head turned from Bastien. He pulled the covers over his head and snuggled into his stuffed animal, Buddy. Henry was embarrassed and retreating into himself. No one could see him like this.

“Henry? I have to leave early in the morning for the palace. We need to figure out what’s going on so we can stop it. I know this is the worst time for me to leave you and your mom, but I’ve already talked to Drake and Laura. They’re going to help you take care of everyone. Mom too. But in the meantime, I need you to stay close to home and not go in public places. Just play outside with friends and be inside before the sun even begins to set. Phillip too, okay?”

Bastien kissed the blanket where it covered Henry’s head. “I promise that I love you and your mom more than anything else in this world. I promise that I want to come home as soon as possible. And I promise that I will do everything I can to stay safe while I do my job so I can come home to you and mom.” Bastien knew he could never make a promise that he’d come home safe. Not to a child who lost his father in the line of duty. He never said it to Drake or Savannah, and he didn’t say it to Henry, either.

But there was more. Bastien always thought he was too practical to be superstitious—or even spiritual. In spite of this, he knew Jackson still protected Drake, Savannah, and their families. He knew Jameson and Grandma Lorinda still protected Henry and Rinda. And every night Bastien would say a few words to each of them, thanking them for helping him keep their family safe.

And this is what he reminded Henry of as he rubbed his back and said goodbye. Jameson and Grandma Lorinda, and Jackson. They were guardian angels who would protect all of them, and they would also help Bastien, Rinda, Drake, and Laura to keep Henry safe. And there would be other people, too. Other people who would work together to keep everyone in Cordonia safe.

Bastien was about to leave, but Henry emerged from his blanket cocoon. “Bonk?”

“Yes, Knuddelbär?”

“Will Mr. Ariti and Mr. Halkais die if they get it? Will you die too?”

“I don’t know. Older people do get really sick, and yes. Right now a lot of them die because we don’t know how to deal with the coronavirus yet. So Mr. Ariti and Mr. Halkais would probably die, and that’s why we’ll all work together to keep them safe. And that means staying away from them and washing our hands a lot. And I’m going to be careful too.” He booped Henry’s nose. “I’m not THAT old, Knuddelbär. But yes, I might get really sick if I get it and need to go to the hospital. And it might take a few weeks for me to be healthy again.”

Bastien locked eyes with Henry. “Make me a promise.”

Henry pulled the covers away from his face and sat up in bed. “I know, Bonk. I promise that I’ll take care of mom.”

Bastien shook his head. “No. Promise that you’ll take care of yourself. Henry. Listen to me. Your safety is the most important thing to me and to your mom. And to your dad.” Bastien paused when Henry turned away. “Henry, you need to look at me.” He waited for Henry to shift his eyes and focus on him again. “Before your mom and I started dating, she told me that she understood the King and Queen’s safety always had to be my top priority. But she made me promise if there was ever a situation where I had to choose between you or her … or if any members of the guard had to choose between you or her, it always had to be you. It’s the promise she and your dad made to each other, and now it’s the promise we made to each other. You know I will take care of you if anything happens to your mom. And you know that Drake and Laura will take care of you if anything happens to me and your mom. You have to live. YOU are the most important thing. So no matter what happens, you have to promise me. You have to promise me that you will live, even if it means staying with someone else if mom and I are in the hospital. Even if it means you can’t see us or visit, because it’s safer to stay at home.”

Rinda heard Henry’s loud sobbing and she came back into the room to see Bastien holding their son, tears in his eyes as he recklessly promised Henry over and over again that it would all be over soon, that they’d all be safe and home together again soon.

He promised.

… . .

Bastien had one more goodbye. He took off his shirt, carefully folded it, and placed it on the dresser. He knew Rinda would need it to help her sleep while he was gone.

Rinda’s eyes were aquamarine, but she smiled bravely for her husband. “Don’t worry about us, promise? You need to focus on figuring this out and keeping yourself safe.”

“Tria …” He cupped her face with his hands. He already knew every detail of her face, from the laugh lines around her eyes, to the beauty mark on her cheek, to the small scar underneath her chin from a childhood sledding accident. But he looked at her again, as if he were seeing her for the first time. His brave, beautiful Tria.

She pulled him closer to kiss him. “Please, promise me.”

“I promise, Tria.” He kissed her again. “I’m going to miss you.”

“I’m going to miss you too.” She kissed his nose. “I’m going to miss your nose.”

Bastien grinned and kissed her forehead. “And I’m going to miss your forehead.”

Their little game continued as Bastien carried Rinda to their bed, each of them kissing the parts they’d miss. Their ears. Jawline. Neck.

Now lower.

Breasts. Abdomen.

Now silly.

Belly button. Toes.

Now higher.

Calves. The inside of their thighs.

Trailing teasing kisses.

Tongues twirling around the intimate areas they would miss. Rinda gasping Bastien’s name, Bastien groaning hers as they joined. Slowly. Something to be savored, in case it was their last time. It was what they’d both miss most of all.

Being together.

… . .

Bastien spooned against Rinda, pulling her close as his leg sprawled over her hip, his foot tucked between her calves.

Rinda took deep breaths, trying to steady herself. She knew Bastien wouldn’t sleep until she did. She knew he needed his sleep, but her mind raced with all of the “what ifs.” But he felt her shaking and felt her hot tears drip onto his arm. “Shhh, my dearest Tria. Just be here with me, in this moment.” He held her as the tears continued to pool onto his arm. “I’m here right now. I’m with you. Even when I’m gone, I’ll be with you. And I will always, always love you.”

When Rinda woke in the morning, Bastien was already gone. But he left his shirt lying next to her and she held it close, inhaling his scent. She missed him already.

When Rinda got out of bed that morning, she saw a Ziplock bag on the dresser that held another one of Bastien’s shirts. She reached for it with tentative hands, clutching it, careful not to open the bag and release its comforting scent too soon.

And when Rinda collapsed on the floor, clenching the bag tightly as she rocked back and forth, her grief becoming a keening wail that could be heard outside the house.

Bastien already knew that he would be gone for a long time. Longer than Rinda had been ready to admit to herself.

@bobasheebaby@sirbeepsalot@jovialyouthmusic

Buckle up. I had some thoughts recently and I decided to share them and have fun :D You can laugh, or you can discuss it further with me. I had fun writing this :) 

So… Riley Brooks. I’ve read nearly all of the books and I remember that every MC had established a back story. We learned things about them like parents, school life, past flings in one book or sequels but TRR franchise is currently on its 6 book and we didn’t know about her life before meeting the prince. 

Someone could say “so what? There is nothing deep about it, the writers didn’t want to bother” but it’s not fun xp

I think there is a reason they didn’t tell us bout her past. It’s because….

*drum roll*

she’s a match. *Perfect Match* 

Think about it. 

She has no background, no relationships and she immediately *clicks* with the prince. She has everything he was looking for. It sounds too good to be true.

I think she was Eros Match #1, the Original. When Rowan kidnapped PM gang he told them this during the dinner:

Maybe that was the case at the beginning. Perhaps a test on how much science can imitate real human beings but he became obsessed about Matches and started treating them like his children. Because someone happened…

 it was Daniel

Meet Daniel, former Eros inventor and engineer. He knew Riley was a miracle since he laid his eyes on her and had their first talk. She wasn’t a human being, but she was alive. Her brain and heart were artificial but her thoughts weren’t. She controlled her emotions and thoughts but she wasn’t safe at Eros because of Rowan greed and desire for power and control. So he deleted his plans and notes Eros could use in the future and they run away. Layed low, working in a bar, barely affording to leave. He did one last thing as her handler - he deleted all of her memories and blocked the ability to think about her past - no Eros, no Matches, no Daniel’s being her creator and the moment she opened her eyes for the first time in the lab. 

Now answers for questions you may have:

-What about other Li’s?

Depend on other Li’s [MC] gives them what they were looking in life (I only read TRR with Liam and Hana route, so forgive me if I mistake something :/)

Hana all of her life was pressured to marry someone rich and successful. she didn’t have a real and happy childhood and her parents moulded her into their image. When MC appeared in her life, they were rivals, but Riley showed her you can be respected without losing yourself and not missing in life. She showed Hana love can be a magical and intimate thing not only a business transaction. 

Drake was in the shadow of his best friend. I don’t think it was Liam’s fault because he would never think about him less just because he isn’t royalty. MC broke through Drake’s bitterness and felt in love of who he truly was and showed him that a higher social status doesn’t mean being bad and you can do a lot of good things too :)

Maxwell… I don’t really know what to write about him :( I think he’s really nice and I personally treat him like a younger brother, but I think (judging from other people’s post) he and MC had a good relationship buildup. Maybe in some way she made him more responsible… He’s funny and I apologize all Maxwell stans… Drake’s too, because as I said I only played Liam and Hana route… But that’s my impressions.

-MC gave birth in TRH, and I’m sure Matches can’t do that! 

Yes, but consider this - If Riley is indeed Match #1 she must’ve been Eros breakthrough. She was designed to pass as a human, so she would be able to live on her own, or in case she was captured, her kidnappers had to believe she’s a person. 

Eros thought about everything.(I added the wired to the MC’s for fun) Her organs aren’t a machine but it’s not a real thing either. Her skin is fake but it turned red when she blushes. She is the closest thing to the humans ever created. 

She’s a miracle. 

Think about her as a more advanced Host from Westworld

Hope you enjoyed it! :)

Happy birthday @foreverethereal123❤️❤️❤️

A little birthday sketch of Liam and Ella for my dear friend by the talented @neonravensart P, thank you so much for always being in my corner and sending me videos of freaking cute animals to make me smile. You are the best cheerleader ever! Love you a butt ton!

This is a paid commission, please do not alter or repost.

Permatag@ao719@burnsoslow@aestheticartsx@ofpixelsandscribbles@hopefully-sky@thegreentwin@alyssalauren@cordonia-gothqueen@twinkleallnight@charlotteg234@debramcg1106@gkittylove99@kingliam2019@mainstreetreader@neotericthemis@kat-tia801@ladyangel70@forallthatitsworth@princessleac1@gabesmommie1130@emkay512@sfb123@foreverethereal123@lovingchoices14@21-wishes@karahalloway@tessa-liam@mom2000aggie@tinkie1973@emersyn-in-cordonia

TRR/TRH@jared2612@marshmallowsaremyfavorite@iaminlovewithtrr@nikkis1983

The Only Gift - The Loft

I know it’s been a long, long time since I’ve been on here and posted anything but I wanted to share this gorgeous fanart done by the amazing @gokushairgel thank you for bringing my babies to life and being my popcorn soulmate!

My taglist isn’t up to date at all so I apologize if you’re there and you don’t want to be. Please let me know and I’ll remove you asap, no hard feelings ☺️

“What do you want for Christmas this year?” Ella tossed a kettle corn up into the air and Liam caught it in his mouth.

“I don’t need or want anything, love,” he tossed one up in the air and cheered when Ella caught it.

“You say that every year,” she protested.

“It’s true though,” Liam caught another kettle corn in his mouth before doing the same for her. “I just want you.”

“Fine, I’ll figure out something,” Ella munched as she shook her head.

“Alright, alright, I do want something,” Liam smiled as his heart thrummed in his chest.

“What?”

“A fiancé.”

Ella froze mid-throw, the kettle corn landing on the floor next to Liam. “A-”

“You heard me, I said fiancé,” he smirked as he looked down at her bag of kettle corn. She followed his gaze and gasped when she saw a diamond ring. “Ella Christianne Brooks, will you-”

“YES!” She tossed her bag into the air and jumped up to tackle him onto the wooden floor. “Yes, Liam!”

“Ouch, love,” he murmured between kisses. “Can you maybe find that bag with the ring?”

“I don’t want anything but you,” she mocked.

“Very funny … but seriously it was really expensive,” Liam pleaded.

“Okay fine,” she stood and began to look around the room. “Put it on my finger and we’re doing it in the living room.”

Liam’s jaw slacked. “Against the window?”

“Yep,” Ella’s smoldering look made his cock jump in his grey sweats. “With all the lights on.”

“Merry Christmas to me,” Liam yelled as he searched for the engagement ring.

**

Permatag@ao719@burnsoslow@aestheticartsx@ofpixelsandscribbles@hopefully-sky@thegreentwin@alyssalauren@cordonia-gothqueen@twinkleallnight@charlotteg234@kat-tia801@debramcg1106@gkittylove99@kingliam2019@mainstreetreader@neotericthemis@ladyangel70@forallthatitsworth@princessleac1@gabesmommie1130@emkay512@sfb123@foreverethereal123@lovingchoices14@21-wishes@karahalloway@tessa-liam@mom2000aggie@tinkie1973@emersyn-in-cordonia

TRR/TRH@jared2612@marshmallowsaremyfavorite@iaminlovewithtrr@nikkis1983

Because I was missing our TRT babies @ofpixelsandscribbles thank you for this gift and thank you @neonravensart for capturing our group so well (as usual)

“I hope you don’t mind me being too forward, but I know that this is your first time in Cordonia, I would love for you to experience just some of the finest things that our country has to offer. There is an exquisite dining place that the three of you may enjoy. I can make an arrangement for you, if you like. Consider it as my welcoming gift. ”

“A recommendation from the prince himself? Sounds cool! Besides, I’m always down to trying new things, so I’m in!” Bryce replied exuberantly as he turned to Liam with an eager smile.

“I’m with Bryce!” Aera agreed enthusiastically as her arm unconsciously linked with Bryce’s, much to the latter’s enjoyment.

“Well, if you insist, how can we refuse?” Ella shrugged her shoulders with a grin, making Liam chuckle in response.

“Great!”

**

@foreverethereal123@burnsoslow@ao719@debramcg1106@sfb123@neotericthemis@gkittylove99@kingliam2019@alyssalauren@aestheticartsx

Lifetime - happy birthday Burns!

Book: The Royal Romance (AU)

Song inspiration:Lifetime by Justin Bieber

Pairings: Liam x MC (Ella); Drake x OC (Alyssa)

Characters belong to Pixelberry; Ella Brooks belongs to me; Alyssa Devereaux belongs to the amazing @burnsoslow​

Summary: The Loft AU that takes place after Drake proposed to Alyssa in @burnsoslow​ ‘s last birthday fic It’s Your Love.

A/N: My sweet Burnsy, this is my THIRD birthday fic for you - can you freaking imagine???? We’ve known each other for three years! I will keep this short and sweet -> I can’t even begin to fathom what would have happened if we never became soul sisters. I love you, our hilarious conversations, the fact that I can watch football with you and you don’t judge me for the shit I say, and that you always finish my thoughts and take the words right out of my mouth. Thank you for always having my back, for believing in me, and for loving me really hard. I hope you loved your early gift and this fic! P.S. posting now because it’s your birthday on the east coast and I’m falling asleep

A/N2: Also participating in @wackydrabbles this week (after 573925639 bazillion years), prompt will be in bold. 

Thank you @ao719​ and @ofpixelsandscribbles​ for prereading and listening to me whine, I love you guys!

Warnings: Adult language; sexual innuendos; possible stereotyping; mentioning of pubic hair. It’s the Loft guys, so just be prepared for anything.

Words: 3180

There’s not much that you can say, To stop me from falling in like I am

Even the waves can’t wash away our names in the sand

Never could, never can

It had been a week since Drake popped the question to Alyssa and the two had all but disappeared in his bedroom. The only way the gang knew they were alive was the banging of the headboard against the wall for a straight hour or the imperceptible noises of lovemaking. When Leo finally got Drake by himself in the kitchen, he talked him into going out that night for a drink.

“Where are we going? What are we doing? Who’s going?”

“Your bar, the one we always go to, Walker,” Leo raised his brow questioningly. “Why are you acting all squirrely?”

“I’mnot being squirrely, I just want to spend time with my fiancé rather than go to a sausage fest,” Drake retorted.

“She can come too, El is going to be there,” Leo shrugged and walked off, leaving Drake sitting at the kitchen island as Liam strolled in, whistling.

“What’s that face for?”

Drake shook his head. “Leo. There’s nothing left to say.”

Liam nodded with a chuckle. “So, long time, no see,” he smirked at his best friend. “You’re enjoying engaged life.”

“Yeah,” Drake grinned. “It’s been fucking awesome.”

Liam poured himself a mug of hot coffee and took a sip. “Well, I’m glad you’re headed out with us tonight, you know, so you can see someplace other than your bedroom.”

“I happen to like my bedroom, thank you very much.”

“Because the woman of your dreams is in there,” Liam pointed out with a knowing smile. “I’m proud of you.”

Drake looked up from pouring his coffee with a quirked brow; His best friend knew him better than anyone. “Yeah?” 

Liam nodded. “You’ve been through a lot, not wanting to settle down at first, having your heart broken at times, and then swearing off women-”

“I was in a dark place,” he explained as he brought his mug to his lips. “It was rough.”

“That’s what I mean, Drake. You were in a dark place, and Lyssa brought you into the light.”

Later that night

While Ella and Lyssa sat at the bar with their glasses of champagne to celebrate, the guys relaxed in their regular booth while Max brought over a round of beer.

“This is on me guys,” Max chirped as he handed the glasses out. “Just for our friend Drake.”

Leo gulped his beer and pursed his lips. “You know what you never told us, Walker?”

“What’s that?”

“How you met Alyssa,” he paused as he took another sip of his drink. “And how you managed to hide her existence from us for six months.”

Drake smirked. “Well … it wasn’t easy when Liam and Ella were around because those two are so damned observant. But you guys” - he gestured to Max and Leo - “are dumb as shit.”

“What are you guys up to?” Ella and Alyssa appeared at the table with knowing smirks on their faces.

“The guys asked how I kept you a secret from them in the beginning,” Drake wrapped his arm around his fiance as she crawled into the booth next to him.

Alyssa dimpled. “In my defense, I wanted to meet everyone.”

“Yeah, but I didn’t.”

“You were not subtle, Walker,” Ella snorted as she plopped onto Liam’s lap and nuzzled her face into his neck, his arms instinctively coming up around her waist.

“I just didn’t want these idiots to embarrass me!” Drake cocked his head towards Leo and Max who gave him shocked expressions.

“Rude!” “I just bought you a drink!”

Lyssa waved both her hands in the air to stop the incoming argument. “I’ll tell you guys how I met this handsome guy.”

A year ago

Alyssa Devereaux was sick of meeting douchebags. These guys were hot but they were either really, really stupid or just creeps. As she walked down Anaheim Blvd, she saw the bar where she was supposed to meet this guy her coworker set her up with.

“This place looks like it’s crawling with egotistical idiots,” Lyss mumbled to herself. She didn’t even know this guy’s name, her coworker saying she didn’t want her to judge him from that. Which was already a bad sign. Alyssa was instructed to look for a tall man with a beanie and a red rose. She took a deep breath in and made her way inside the bar. A very drunk person was up on the stage singing a bad rendition of Ain’t No Mountain High Enough by Diana Ross.

Lyssa scanned the bargoers and saw a tall man in the corner booth with a beanie and a red rose. He spotted her immediately and waved; she gave him a small smile and waved back. Okay, well, at least he’s cute. They made their way towards each other and she found herself engulfed in a very big hug.

“Hi! You must be Alyssa?” He asked, hopeful.

She nodded. “Yes, and you are?”

“I’m Chet! Jessica told me you were beautiful, but … my God!” His eyes were wide as he took in Lyssa’s flawless porcelain face and short frame.

Her eyes were wide as well. “Y-your name is Chet?”

“Yup!” The man grinned proudly. “Let’s go sit! I ordered drinks already, Jess said you like white claws!”

Alyssa shrugged and looked around the bar, it was a small establishment but it had pinball machines, arcade games, a basketball hoop, a karaoke stage in the other corner of the room … she may have misjudged-

“So, you’re a teacher?” Chet asked, interrupting her thoughts, as they sat across from each other.

She nodded. “Jess and I work together, I run the reading program.”

“Damn, that’s awesome. I wish I learned to read good.”

Alyssa’s brows furrowed and she sat forward in her seat. “I’m sorry, you what?”

“Yeah! I never got to learn to read really good, I told my Nana that I wanted to be a street artist!”

Lyss pursed her lips and nodded. “I … see.”

Chet smiled and slammed a hand on the table, making their drinks rattle on the old wood. “She told me she wanted me to finish school but I was like screw you Nana! I’m gonna be a street artist and not just any street artist, but a sick as fuck street artist yo.”

“Right,” she picked up her white claw and took a large gulp. It’s going to be a long night.

Chet, unphased by her answers and facial expressions, continued his story. “Like, some people look at a wall and just see a wall, you know? But for me, I look at a wall and I see a damn dolphin with a cool backpack or Cookie Monster handing out tacos!”

“Oh! Tacos, do they have those here?”

“Yeah! Go ahead and order what you want, I gotta tinkle,” he ran up from his seat and walked towards the back of the bar.

Tinkle? Alyssa closed her eyes, covered her face with her hands, and groaned. She wasn’t even 15 minutes into this date and she already wanted to jump ship. Why did her friends and coworkers want to set her up? She was a 26-year-old woman who was single in Los Angeles. That’s why. Lyss fished her phone out of her purse and began scrolling through her contacts in hopes of finding someone that could bail her out.

Chet returned from the bathroom and his monologue went on for another 45 minutes. Lyssa was only able to nod, say one or two-word answers, or fake laugh at something he said.

Drake sat on a barstool across from Chet and Alyssa as he nursed his third glass of whiskey. He had just finished up a meeting with a potential client that wanted to invest in his bar and decided to stay for a few drinks. The bar wasn’t that big, and the drunk woman on the stage that was attempting to sing Build Me Up Buttercup by The Foundations finally finished her set, so he was able to hear most of the couple’s conversation. He noticed the gorgeous, dark-haired woman as soon as she walked in, but hid his dismay when the dumbass in a beanie stood and waved at her. Those starving artist types always get the girl, he thought to himself. But as the night wore on, he kept smirking or hiding his smile with his glass at the things the moron would say. The woman had no interest in him, not having said more than two words at a time, not that she could speak over this douche anyway. Drake watched the beanie man stand and make his way to the restroom again and then tilted his head as the woman closed her eyes and put her hands against her temples, looking like she was about to cry.

Maybe it was the whiskey, maybe it was how gorgeous this woman was, or maybe it was just the fact that everything this dude said was just stupid … but Drake wanted to help her. He drained the rest of his whiskey and made his way to the booth. “Excuse me, I’m sorry to bother you, but … are you okay?”

Lyssa opened her eyes and was startled to see a gorgeous man wearing a gray t-shirt that accentuated his perfectly chiseled chest and arms staring at her. “Oh,” she cleared her throat. “I … am not okay actually,” she turned and peered towards the back of the bar where the bathrooms were, then turned back to face him. “This is the worst date in the history of dates and I’ve been trying to get the fuck up out of here, but he won’t shut up.”

The man nodded, trying to hide a smile. “Well, he’s on his way back, so just follow my lead.”

Alyssa furrowed her brows in confusion, and before she could say anything, Chet returned to the table.

“I want to paint the walls of that bathroom so bad,” he gestured behind him. “I want to be like Michael D. Angelo and just go to town!”

Drake and Alyssa stifled their laughter.

“Do you mean Michelangelo?”

“No, no,” Chet shook his head fervently. “It’s Michael D. Angelo!” He turned to look at Drake. “Hey dude, can I order a sco-ro? And whatever the lady wants.”

Drake arched his brow. “A … sco-ro?”

“A scotch on the rocks, bro.”

“Right,” he looked at Lyssa, then back at Chet. “Sure, well, I’m Drake, I own this bar and a phone call came in for-”

“Alyssa,” she added with a smile.

Drake smiled back. “A phone call came in for Alyssa, there’s a family emergency and she needs to leave right now.”

“Oh shit!” Chet put his hand on his forehead. “Go, Alyssa! Go save the day!”

Without giving it another thought, she grabbed her purse and stood from her seat. “Thank you, Chet, have a good one!”

Drake quickly matched Lyssa’s steps and ushered her out of the bar. He continued to walk with her down the street until she saw another bar and quickly pulled him inside.

“Oh my God, that was so fun,” she giggled and Drake felt his knees go weak at the sound.

He grinned down at her. “You’re welcome. I’m sorry I stuck my nose in there, but I overheard part of the conversation and thought you might need a save.”

“He has a tattoo that says Warrior Poet,” she said in a deadpanned tone. “And he tipped the bartender with a sketch of a hip hop ninja.”

Drake snorted. “He called a scotch on the rocks a sco-ro.”

“Yes!” Alyssa let out a loud laugh. “What the fuck?”

After a few minutes of both of them laughing like lunatics in the corner of a bar, Lyss looked around. “Hey, this isn’t as cool as your bar,” she dimpled. “Was that really your bar?”

“Yeah,” Drake gave her a sad smile. “I have to go back in a little bit. I just wanted to make sure you got out of there safely.”

Both of them didn’t move as they stared at each other.

“Oh. Okay, well, thank you,” she whispered, Drake could barely hear her but he could have sworn there was disappointment in her voice.

“You’re welcome, Alyssa.”

“I parked just across the street from here,” she gestured to the door.

Drake nodded. “I’ll walk you.”

The pair walked in silence, both trying to figure out how to see the other again, but trying not to look too desperate.

Alyssa dug into her purse and found her keys, clicking the alarm so her door unlocked. “This is me. I appreciate you walking with me.”

“Of course,” Drake stared into her clear blue eyes, then drifted down to her plump lips. They began to move and all he could do was stare. “I’m sorry, what?”

“Can I give you a hug for saving me?”

He leaned down - way down - and wrapped his arms around her tiny waist. He felt her arms come around his shoulders and shivered at how her fingers raked through the hair at the nape of his neck. “Alyssa.”

“Lyss.”

He pulled back a little bit to look at her face. “Huh?”

“My friends call me Lyss or Lyssa,” those dimples made another appearance and he swore he would pull down the moon and fucking stars just for her to keep smiling at him like that.

“Lyssa, would you mind if I … um, took you out to eat? For lunch? Or dinner? Whatever you’re hungry for,” he felt a wave of nervousness course through him and he started to babble. “I mean … if you want to, that is. And not at my bar. We can go anywhere-”

She let out a laugh. “Yes, I’d love that, Drake.”

Present-day

“You’re such a simp, Walker!” Leo howled as he slammed his hand on the table with a laugh.

Ella’s eyes were wide. “You’re so … marshmallow-y and sweet, Drake! Do we even know you?”

“Heis sweet,” Lyss grinned as Drake blushed a crimson color.

“Okay, okay, enough about knowing me-”

“Well, I know something you all definitely don’t know about me,” Max announced. “Since we’re talking about all that, I blew my nose once and a bug came out.”

“We wereall there when that happened,” Ella pointed out.

Alyssa grimaced. “It was at my birthday brunch.”

“Alright, so how did you hide being in a relationship around the loft?” Liam questioned.

Drake and Lyss looked at each other. “Well …”

Three months into their relationship

“Your roommates always yell at each other like that?” Alyssa whispered as she curled against Drake’s side in his bed.

“Leo and Max usually go back and forth for a bit and then they chill out afterward and start eating cheese,” he chuckled. “Or Liam comes out and tells them to shut up. They’re like an old married couple.”

“I want to meet them.”

“They’re so ridiculous, baby,” Drake ran a hand up and down her soft arm. “And I don’t want to share you yet.”

A few hours later, when Drake thought the living area was empty, he snuck Lyss out of his bedroom and they both crept towards the front door.

“Drake! Is that you?”

The pair panicked and frantically looked around for somewhere Lyss could hide. Drake pushed her behind the couch and folded his arms across his chest in an attempt to look natural. “What?”

Max appeared from around the corner. “You’ve been holed up in your room for two days, I didn’t know if you died or not.”

“I’m alive, but I’m headed out so-”

“Oh! Where are you going? Leo!” Max hollered as he pounded on the bathroom door. “Let’s go out with Drake!”

Drake shook his head. “No, I-”

“Okay!” Leo’s voice sounded over the water running in the sink. “Give me a minute, I have a patch of pubic hair I need to get!”

“Ew!” Alyssa said from behind the couch and gagged.

Max turned. “What was that?”

Drake’s eyes widened and then coughed. “Ew, Leo, what the fuck?”

“Yeah, ew,” Max echoed. “Use your ball shaver and let’s go! I charged it after I used it.”

Drake scrambled to think of a way Alyssa could leave without being spotted. He feigned shock as he looked out the loft windows. “Beaumont! Is that Taylor Swift?!”

He had never seen his lanky friend run so quickly, his face plastered to the glass. “Where?!”

Drake waved at Lyss behind the couch for her to get up and move. She ran towards the front door, opened it, and scampered into the hallway out of sight.

“That wasn’t Taylor Swift, Drake,” Max turned away from the window with a pout. “But she does have a hat like that.”

Standing in front of the door and letting out a relieved sigh, Drake shrugged. “Sorry.”

Present-day

The gang let out wild bouts of laughter.

“That shit only worked with Max and Leo,” Drake said as he wiped the moisture from the corner of his eyes.

“They’re so gullible,” Ella snorted.

Leo rolled his eyes. “Alright, well even when we knewyou were together, it was still weird.”

Seven months into their relationship

Drake and Alyssa sat at the kitchen island, Lyss feeding him a grape and then kissing him.

Leo gave them a look of disdain. “It’s just food!”

Lyss giggled. “I know it’s super annoying being around a couple, I’m sorry, Leo.”

“I’m not sorry,” Drake smirked as he obligingly opened his mouth for the pineapple Lyss fed him.

Max stared at the couple with widened eyes. “It’s super annoying and super weird to be around Drake in a relationship. It’s freaking me out” - Leo elbowed Max in the side - “I mean freaking us out. Plus you’re freaking out the cat. He’s actually never going to experience real lovemaking!”

“I think you’re too into your cat, Beaumont,” Drake said with a shake of his head.

“He needs to get crazy and get his freak on! He’s getting snipped next week! What should we do?”

“A cat bachelor party?” Lyss suggested.

“How did we get to talking about his cat’s balls and kitty sex?!” Drake bellowed.

“The cat needs to go, Max,” Leo said sternly.

Alyssa had to know. “Why?”

“They carry disease, are obsessed with my nipples and they areunwelcome in this loft.”

“Your nipples?” She squeaked.

“Alright, we’re done here,” Drake stood from the barstool and tugged at his girlfriend’s arm.

“Where are we going, baby?”

“To my room, where we don’t talk about cat genitalia or my roommate’s nipples!” Alyssa snickered as she let him pull her down the hall. “I knew I shouldn’t have had you meet them,” Drake grumbled.

Present-day

“Well, I met them and we’re getting married,” Alyssa kissed Drake’s cheek. “You’re stuck with me now.”

The pair gazed at each other, their friend’s conversations and the bar noise fading around them.

“You know, some people come into your life for a season or a specific reason,” he murmured as he picked up her left hand and stared at the gold engagement ring with three stones, a small smile playing on his lips. “But you, baby” - his eyes traveled up her body and met her gaze - “You’re for a lifetime.” Drake leaned in for a kiss, ignoring his friend’s cheers in the background.

You are my everything, I gave up everything

They say you know when you know, well I know

I know you’re the one