Chapter Fifty Eight

Sunday;

It was just after two in the afternoon, and Lea and I were sprawled across my bed, each armed with a tub of ice cream. The room was quiet except for the occasional clink of our spoons against the containers and the low hum of music playing from my speaker.

Lea, mid-bite, suddenly turned her head toward me, squinting as if she were trying to solve a complicated math problem. "Should you really be eating all this ice cream if you're going on a date in a few hours?" she asked, her tone suspicious.

Before I could respond, she shoved another heaping spoonful into her mouth, barely waiting to swallow before adding, "I mean, aren't you gonna be full?"

She had a point. Probably. But honestly? I didn't care. Stress had wrapped itself around me like a damn weighted blanket, and this ice cream was the only thing keeping me sane. My stomach was already tied up in knots, my mind running a hundred different scenarios at once.

What if I say something stupid? What if there's awkward silence? What if I do something stupid? What do I even talk about? Do I act casual? Flirty? Cool?

Hell, I don't even know how to be cool.

"I'll be fine," I said, forcing a smile that probably looked more like a grimace as I scooped another spoonful of ice cream into my mouth.

Lea didn't look convinced. At all.

She sighed softly, setting her tub of ice cream down on my nightstand before sitting up properly, legs crisscrossed as she studied me.

I kept my eyes locked on my ice cream, pretending I didn't notice Lea staring at me like I was a puzzle she was trying to solve. But the weight of her gaze was impossible to ignore, pressing down on me with silent insistence. I could already tell she wasn't going to let this go, and before I could even brace myself, she snatched the tub of ice cream right out of my hands.

"My ice cream!" I whined, immediately reaching for it, but she smacked my hand away with the speed and precision of someone who had spent years perfecting the art of being annoying.

"Stop whining," she chuckled, completely unbothered as she placed my ice cream beside hers, far enough away that I had no chance of getting it back without a fight. She was enjoying this way too much.

I scowled at her, crossing my arms over my chest like a sulking child, but she didn't care. Instead, she did something I wasn't expecting—she reached for my hands, taking them in hers and giving them a soft squeeze. The sudden change in her demeanor caught me off guard, her usual playful smirk replaced by something quieter, more sincere.

"You're going to be fine," she said gently, her voice carrying the kind of reassurance I wasn't sure I believed. "Johanna likes you, and for all we know, she's probably stressing her ass off too."

I let out a humorless laugh, shaking my head as I stared down at our hands. "Yeah, right. There's no way in hell that Johanna Montgomery is stressing over this."

Lea didn't argue, just kept watching me, waiting for me to spill whatever was running through my mind. And I did, because at this point, it was too much to keep inside.

"Johanna doesn't stress," I muttered, my voice laced with frustration. "She doesn't get nervous, she doesn't second-guess things. She's confident and put-together and always in control. And she's so far out of my league that I can't even see the league anymore."

Lea sighed, shaking her head like she was dealing with an absolute lost cause. She was clearly done with my overthinking, because instead of offering more reassurance, she simply lifted her hands and shoved me.

"What the—"

She pushed me again, harder this time, nearly knocking me off the bed.

"Go shower," she ordered, her tone leaving no room for argument. "And wash your damn hair."

I groaned dramatically, dragging myself up. "I was going to," I grumbled, rubbing my eyes as if the weight of my own thoughts had physically exhausted me.

"Yeah, well, now you're doing it because I said so," she shot back smugly, crossing her arms like she had won some kind of battle. "Now go. You smell like ice cream and existential dread."

I huffed, rolling my eyes as I headed for the bathroom, but the corners of my lips twitched upward despite myself. Behind me, Lea's laughter followed me down the hall.

After a long, much-needed shower, I stepped out feeling slightly less like a bundle of nerves. The hot water had done wonders to relax my tense muscles, but my mind was still racing. Wrapping myself in my soft, fluffy towels—one around my body and another securing my damp hair—I padded back to my room, only to find Lea elbow-deep in my ice cream.

I stopped in my tracks, my eyes narrowing as I took in the scene. "Is that my ice cream?" I asked, voice laced with suspicion.

Lea, completely unbothered, glanced up mid-bite, a spoon hanging out of her mouth. She held my gaze for a second before shrugging lazily. "Got bored of my flavor."

I let out an exaggerated sigh, rolling my eyes as I walked past her toward my closet. I wasn't even surprised. That was classic Lea. Instead of fighting her for my own dessert, I focused on the bigger issue at hand—what the hell was I going to wear?

Opening my closet, I stared at the clothes inside as if they would magically put themselves together into the perfect outfit. Jeans? A dress? Something casual? Or should I go for something a bit more... put-together? I had no idea. The more I stared, the more my brain short-circuited.

From behind me, Lea's voice broke through my thoughts. "What's Johanna's favorite color?"

I blinked, turning my head slightly to look at her. "Uhhh..." I hesitated, thinking back to anything Johanna had ever worn or mentioned. "Red? No—burgundy."

Lea clicked her tongue, pushing herself off my bed. I could already see the gears turning in her head as she made her way over to my closet. Without hesitation, she started rifling through my clothes, her expression growing more unimpressed with every passing second.

After a moment, she turned to me, her brows raised in disapproval. "Dude," she said, holding up a plain black top like it was a personal offense. "You need some color in your life."

I folded my arms. "Excuse me for not dressing like a walking rainbow."

She ignored me completely, continuing her search until her eyes lit up. With a victorious grin, she pulled out a floral dress with burgundy-colored flowers scattered across the fabric. Holding it up, she spun on her heel and practically shoved it into my hands.

"This!" she announced dramatically, her voice going high-pitched with excitement. "This will look beautiful!"

I took the dress, holding it up in front of me as I examined it. It was... actually really pretty. Feminine but not too much, and the color? Yeah, Johanna would like this.

Still, I glanced at Lea suspiciously. "You're sure?"

She gasped, hand flying to her chest like I had just insulted her entire existence. "Do you doubt my fashion sense?"

"Yes."

Lea swatted at my arm, scowling. "Just put it on."

Chuckling softly, I grabbed the dress and made my way back to the bathroom, but as I walked, the nerves began creeping back in. This was really happening. I was about to go on an actual date with Johanna Montgomery. It felt surreal—exciting, terrifying, and overwhelming all at once.

After slipping into the dress, I took a deep breath and turned to the mirror. To my relief, I actually looked... good. The floral pattern complimented my skin tone, the burgundy color was rich and elegant, and the fit was just right—not too casual, not too formal. Lea actually knows what she's doing, I thought, mildly impressed. Still, I knew I'd look even better once my hair was styled and I had a little makeup on.

With that in mind, I made my way back to my bedroom. As soon as I stepped inside, I spotted the pair of shoes Lea had picked out resting neatly on my bed. She had clearly taken full control of my transformation. At the moment, she was sitting at my dressing table, rummaging through my jewelry box like she was on some kind of treasure hunt.

I hesitated for a second before speaking. "Can you help me with my hair and makeup?" I asked, stepping closer.

Lea glanced up at me through the mirror, a knowing smirk tugging at her lips. "Of course, babe. That's literally why I'm here."

I raised an eyebrow. "Really? I thought you were only here for the ice cream."

She turned in her seat, shrugging shamelessly. "Well, yeah." Then, with a completely straight face, she added, "That is the only reason. But I didn't want to say that and hurt your feelings."

I let out a dramatic gasp, clutching my chest like she had just personally betrayed me. "Wow. And here I thought we had something special."

Lea rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Now sit your ass down." She patted the chair in front of the mirror. "We've got work to do."

Grinning, I did as she said, settling into the chair while she gathered the supplies. I watched through the mirror as she pulled my hair into her hands, examining it like an artist sizing up a blank canvas.

"Okay," she murmured, twisting a section between her fingers. "I'm thinking soft curls. Something effortless but still hot."

I gave her a skeptical look. "You make it sound like my hair is a Pinterest project."

She smirked, already reaching for the curling iron. "Well, duh. You're my little DIY makeover."

I groaned. "That makes me feel so special."

"You should," she said, completely serious. "Because when I'm done, Johanna's gonna take one look at you and combust."

That sent a fresh wave of nerves through me. What if she didn't like how I looked? What if this whole thing was just some fleeting moment for her, and I was the only one taking it seriously?

Lea must have sensed my spiraling thoughts because she suddenly flicked my forehead.

"Ow," I whined, rubbing the spot. "What was that for?"

"For whatever self-deprecating bullshit just went through your head." She narrowed her eyes at me through the mirror. "Stop overthinking. Johanna already likes you. She wouldn't have asked you out if she didn't."

I exhaled slowly, trying to let her words sink in. She had a point. Johanna likes me. That fact alone was still hard to wrap my head around.

Lea smirked, clearly satisfied with herself. "Good. Now shut up and let me work my magic."

Lea wasted no time getting to work, curling my hair with quick, practiced movements. The rhythmic motion of her hands, the soft whir of the curling iron, and the faint scent of heated strands filled the air. I sat still, trying to focus on the feeling of her fingers weaving through my hair rather than the anxious knot tightening in my stomach. Every so often, she'd hum to herself, tilting her head as she studied the curls forming under her touch, completely in her element. It was oddly calming, watching her work. My nerves still simmered beneath the surface, but for the first time all day, they weren't completely overwhelming.

"There we go." Lea took a step back, tilting her head as she inspected her handiwork with a pleased smile. She reached forward, tousling a few strands to loosen the curls. "Now for the makeup."

I turned in my chair as she rummaged through the makeup bag she had sneakily brought with her, pulling out a mix of products I wasn't even sure belonged to me. She had definitely come prepared.

She paused, staring at my face like an artist studying a blank canvas. "Hmm."

I frowned. "Hmm? What's hmm supposed to mean?"

Lea ignored my question, reaching for a foundation brush. "I'm deciding what kind of look I wanna go for."

I narrowed my eyes. "Shouldn't I decide that?"

She scoffed, already dabbing product onto my face. "Oh, sweetie, no. This is a trust exercise."

"A what?"

"Trust." She smirked as she blended the foundation, tilting my chin slightly. "As in, trust me to make you look so good Johanna won't know what hit her."

I sighed, giving up any attempt at resistance. "Fine. Do your thing, Picasso."

Lea grinned like she had just won an argument—which, let's be honest, she kind of did—and started whistling to herself as she worked. I sat still, letting her do her magic, the soft bristles of the brushes dusting across my skin with careful precision. Every now and then, she'd pause, tilting my face this way and that, as if she were sculpting a masterpiece rather than just applying makeup.

"Y'know," she mused as she blended out a warm brown shade on my eyelids, "I think I missed my calling as a makeup artist. I mean, look at this masterpiece."

I raised an eyebrow. "Right, because you totally have the patience to deal with demanding customers."

Lea stopped mid-eyeliner stroke, giving me a deadpan stare. "Okay, rude. But fair."

A few minutes later, she set down the last brush with a dramatic sigh and wiped a fake tear from her eye. "You look so damn beautiful."

I turned to the mirror, blinking in surprise. Wow. She really outdid herself. My skin looked flawless, my eyes subtly enhanced with soft, smoky makeup, and my lips a natural, glossy shade. It wasn't over the top, but it was just enough to make a difference. I looked like myself—just a little more polished, a little more confident.

A slow smile spread across my lips. "Lea... I actually look good."

Lea scoffed. "Uh, duh? You looked good before. I just added some spice."

I kept admiring myself, turning my face side to side. "Seriously, though, thank you."

She squeezed my shoulder, her expression softening for a moment. "Almost anything for my best friend."

I glanced at her through the mirror, smirking. "Almost anything?"

Lea shrugged, stepping back. "Yeah, I don't wanna say anything and then have you tell me to jump off a bridge or, like, commit tax fraud."

I laughed, standing up from the chair and smoothing down the dress Lea had picked out for me earlier. "Fair enough."

Lea clapped her hands together, a proud look on her face. "Alright! Outfit's ready, hair's perfect, makeup's on point—now all that's left is for you to not freak out before the date."

I exhaled slowly, pressing my hands against my stomach in an attempt to settle the nerves bubbling back up. "Easier said than done."

Lea swung her arm around my shoulder, pulling me in close as she whipped out her phone. "Alright, time for some pictures," she announced, already angling the camera for the perfect shot.

I rolled my eyes but smiled anyway, tilting my head just slightly to make sure the lighting hit right. She snapped a few, then grinned mischievously. "Okay, now silly faces."

We went through the usual routine—sticking out our tongues, crossing our eyes, pulling exaggerated frowns. At one point, Lea pressed her cheek against mine and made a ridiculously dramatic pout while I burst into laughter.

After a few minutes, she pulled the phone back and began swiping through the photos, nodding approvingly at a few before selecting her favorites. "Love them!" she giggled, tapping away on her screen.

I leaned over slightly. "Are you—are you posting those?"

"Duh." She gave me a look like I'd just asked if water was wet. "These are too good to not share. Look how cute we look!"

I sighed, shaking my head with an amused smile. "Just make sure you don't post anything embarrassing."

Lea gasped dramatically. "Me? Post something embarrassing? I would never."

I gave her a pointed look.

"...Okay, maybe I would," she admitted with a smirk. "But not today."

Satisfied, I sat back down on the edge of my bed, smoothing out the fabric of my dress. But before I could fully relax, Lea suddenly clasped her hands together, a determined expression crossing her face.

"Alright," she said, standing up abruptly, "I have to go."

I blinked up at her, frowning. "The hell you mean by that?"

"Exactly what it sounds like," she said as she started gathering her things with surprising speed. "Johanna is probably on her way here, and I need to get ready."

I narrowed my eyes, watching her frantic movements. "Get ready for what?"

Lea froze for half a second before recovering with a casual shrug. "Oh, uhh, I can't disclose that kind of information."

My frown deepened. "Lea."

She avoided my gaze, stuffing her phone into her bag like it had personally offended her.

"Lea," I repeated, this time slower.

She let out a nervous chuckle. "Look, don't worry about me, worry about yourself. You have a date to slay."

I crossed my arms. "You're being so weird right now."

"Me? Weird?" She forced a laugh. "Nooo."

I stared her down.

Lea groaned, throwing her hands up. "Listen, I'd love to stay and chat, but I have places to be, people to see, and a very important event to attend that has nothing to do with you, so—" She grabbed her bag and made a beeline for the door.

"Lea!"

"Love you, babe! Knock 'em dead!" she called over her shoulder before disappearing out the door.

I sat there, stunned for a moment, before narrowing my eyes at the now-empty space she had just occupied.

What the hell was she up to?

✿

The moment I heard the knock at the front door, my nerves spiked. Alright, Val, breathe. It's just a date. A totally normal, casual, nothing-to-stress-about date with Johanna. I'd seen her countless times before, so why did this feel different?

Taking a deep breath, I straightened my dress, ran my hands over my hair one last time, and finally opened the door.

Johanna stood there, leaning against the wall, arms crossed over her chest. The moment her eyes landed on me, something in her expression shifted. Her usual cool confidence softened, her gaze running over me with a warmth that made my stomach do a ridiculous little flip.

"Wow," she breathed, pushing off the wall. "Sweetheart, you look absolutely beautiful."

Heat rushed to my cheeks as she took a step closer. Before I could even think of a response, her hand snaked around the back of my neck, fingers threading into my hair as she pulled me in.

"Absolutely stunning," she whispered, voice low, just before her lips brushed against mine.

The kiss was soft at first, slow and deliberate. But then Johanna's grip on my hair tightened slightly, and just like that, my heart was hammering in my chest. It lasted only a few seconds, but by the time she pulled away, I felt breathless.

She smirked, clearly pleased with herself, before stepping back. "I would've brought you flowers," she said, her voice lighter now, teasing, "but since we're going to a sunflower field, I figured you could pick them yourself."

As we made our way toward her car, a thought hit me. "Where's Tuna?" I asked, glancing around for any sign of her overly affectionate dog.

Johanna laughed, shaking her head as she placed a hand on my lower back, leading me to the passenger side. "I swear you like him more than you like me."

I grinned, sliding into the car. "Well, he does shower me with unconditional love and attention, so..."

Johanna scoffed, closing my door before making her way around to the driver's side. When she got in, she glanced at me with playful suspicion. "Unbelievable. I should've known I had competition."

"Should've," I agreed, barely holding back a laugh. Before I could say anything else, a wet tongue swiped across my cheek.

"Tuna!" I yelped, giggling as the dog launched another enthusiastic attack on my face.

Johanna sighed dramatically, though I caught the amused smile she tried to hide. "Tuna," she said firmly. The dog immediately retreated, lying down on the seat with an exaggerated huff, as if he'd been personally betrayed.

I wiped my cheek with my hand, still laughing. "I swear he's got a personal vendetta against my personal space."

"He just knows you like him more than me," Johanna quipped, shaking her head. "Unbelievable."

I smirked, leaning back in my seat. "I mean, he does give me all the love and affection I could ever ask for."

Johanna shot me a dry look. "I could give you love and affection too, you know."

I hummed thoughtfully, tapping my chin. "Yeah, but do you also have a wet nose and an uncontrollable need to lick my face?"

Johanna let out a short laugh. "Can't say that I do, no."

"See? Tuna wins." I grinned triumphantly.

Rolling her eyes, she shook her head and reached for the gear shift. "Unbelievable," she muttered again, though the corner of her lips curled up slightly.

As the car began moving, I decided to try my luck. "Sooo... does that mean I can connect my phone and play some songs?" I asked sweetly, already unlocking my phone.

"Passengers don't get to connect," Johanna said flatly, not even looking at me.

I pouted, leaning in just a little. "Pleaaaase?"

She finally glanced at me, her eyes flicking to my lips before meeting my gaze. "Sweetheart, lose the pout or I'll make you lose it."

Something in her tone sent a thrill through me. I bit my lip, suppressing a smirk. "And how exactly would you do that?"

Johanna's fingers flexed slightly against the wheel, her shoulders tensing for just a second before she let out a slow breath. Her voice was lower when she spoke next.

"I'm not sure you're ready for that kind of stuff."

The way she said it, so casual yet so full of meaning, sent heat rushing to my face. I shifted in my seat, suddenly feeling very warm.

"Try me," I muttered, half hoping she wouldn't hear me.

But she did.

Johanna turned her head just enough to give me a smirk that was anything but innocent. "Not today, sweetheart."

She reached over, taking my phone from my hands before I could protest. With a few taps, she connected it to the car's system. "But since you asked so nicely," she said, handing it back, "I'll let you play your songs."

My stomach did an involuntary flip as I quickly scrolled through my playlist. My mind was still stuck on her words, on the teasing edge in her voice, on the way she looked at me like she already knew what she was doing to me.

The whole car ride, I sang my heart out, completely off-key and completely unbothered. I didn't care that my voice cracked on the high notes or that I butchered half the lyrics. I was having fun, and if Johanna had a problem with it, well... she could deal with it.

Every now and then, I caught her glancing at me with an amused expression, shaking her head slightly as if she couldn't believe what she was witnessing. When the song finally ended and silence filled the car for a brief moment, she chuckled. "Please, sweetheart, don't quit your day job."

I turned to her, scoffing dramatically. "We're on a date, Montgomery. Try to be less rude."

She just smirked, unbothered as always. "Telling the truth isn't rude."

Before I could come up with a comeback, she pulled into the parking lot of the sunflower field and parked the car. The sight of endless golden flowers stretching into the distance made me momentarily forget what we were even talking about. It looked straight out of a dream.

Grinning, I went to open my door, only for it to suddenly slam shut before I could step out. I blinked, startled, before turning to see Johanna standing there with a warning look on her face.

"You don't open the door," she said firmly, her voice leaving no room for argument. "I do."

I raised my hands in surrender, biting back a laugh. "Well, excuse me, Ms. Montgomery," I teased. "I'll remember that next time."

Johanna hummed in approval, clearly satisfied with my response as she finally opened the door for me. "You better."

The moment my feet touched the ground, Tuna leapt out of the backseat, his tail wagging furiously as he immediately began sniffing everything in sight. Johanna didn't even try to stop him, just shook her head as she walked to the trunk.

She pulled out a picnic basket and a thick blanket, her movements practiced and effortless. I stepped closer, eyeing the basket. "Do you want me to help carry something?"

Johanna shook her head without hesitation. "I'll manage."

I crossed my arms, raising an eyebrow. "What if I want to help?"

She glanced at me, her smirk returning. "Then you'll just have to sit back and enjoy being spoiled."

With a casual shrug, I fell into step beside her, following the winding path through the sunflower field. Tuna trotted ahead, tail wagging as he explored, completely in his own world. The scent of sunflowers filled the air, a mix of earthy warmth and something sweet. It was peaceful.

"So," I said, glancing around at the golden sea surrounding us, "what exactly does this date include?"

Johanna didn't hesitate. "An actual sunset picnic," she answered, shifting the basket in her grip. "No disturbances. No interruptions. No annoying people ruining it this time."

I smirked, already knowing exactly who she was referring to. "And by 'annoying people,' you mean Octavia?"

The moment the name left my lips, Johanna froze mid-step, making me nearly walk into her. I barely managed to stop in time, my eyes widening slightly at her sudden reaction.

"Don't tell me you're still hung up on her," she said, her voice flat, but her narrowed eyes told me she wasn't just asking. She was challenging me.

"What? Of course not!" I shook my head, my brows furrowing.

Johanna's gaze lingered on me for a moment, searching my face, before she finally exhaled. "Good," she muttered, turning back around. "Because she definitely isn't worth your time."

I didn't argue with her. Partly because I agreed, but mostly because I knew arguing would be pointless—Johanna had made up her mind about Octavia long ago. Instead, I focused on the soft crunch of the grass beneath our feet as we walked deeper into the field.

After another minute or so, Johanna finally stopped in a small, open space nestled between the towering sunflowers. She gave a satisfied nod. "This'll do."

Without wasting time, she set the basket down and unfolded the blanket with precise, almost effortless movements. I watched her for a second, admiring how calm she looked—completely at ease, as if she'd done this a hundred times before.

The second the blanket touched the ground, I immediately plopped down, wasting no time in pulling the basket toward me and peeking inside. My stomach had been doing anxious flips all day, but now that I was finally here, I was starving.

Johanna chuckled as she lowered herself beside me. "Barely twenty seconds, and you're already trying to eat," she mused, shaking her head in amusement.

"Well, duh." I scoffed, rummaging through the basket. "I need to calm my damn nerves somehow."

Johanna smirked at that, her fingers brushing against mine as she reached into the basket herself. The touch was brief—barely even there—but it sent a tiny jolt through me.

Leaning back on her palms, she tilted her head, watching me with unreadable eyes. "Are you really that nervous?"

I swallowed, suddenly feeling exposed under her gaze. "I mean... yeah," I admitted. "A little."

Johanna let out a low chuckle, shaking her head as she reached over and flicked my nose. "Sweetheart, you've got nothing to be nervous about."

I huffed, rubbing the spot she flicked. Easy for her to say. She was the picture of calm and confidence, as always. Meanwhile, my stomach was still doing nervous flips, and I had to actively remind myself to breathe.

Trying to distract myself, I continued rummaging through the basket, pulling out a container of neatly cut fruit, some sandwiches, and a bottle of wine. My eyebrows shot up. "We're drinking?"

Johanna smirked. "Just a little. Figured you could use something to take the edge off."

I narrowed my eyes playfully. "Are you trying to get me drunk?"

She scoffed, feigning offense. "I don't need to get you drunk to have my way with you."

My face instantly heated up. "Johanna!" I smacked her arm, making her laugh.

"Relax, sweetheart," she teased, reaching into the basket to pull out two wine glasses. "I'll behave. For now."

I shook my head, but I couldn't stop the small smile from tugging at my lips. Johanna was so effortlessly herself, and despite my nerves, I loved being around her.

As she poured the wine, I leaned back on my hands, taking in our surroundings. The sunflower field stretched endlessly in every direction, the golden petals swaying gently in the evening breeze. The sun was beginning to dip lower, painting the sky in soft oranges and pinks.

"This is really beautiful," I murmured.

Johanna handed me a glass, her eyes not on the sunset but on me. "Yeah," she said softly, "it really is."

I glanced at her, catching the way she was looking at me—like I was the view she came here for. My heart skipped a beat, and I quickly looked away, taking a sip of my wine to hide the sudden flutter in my chest.

"Okay, Montgomery," I cleared my throat, desperate to break the tension, "what's on the menu?"

She chuckled, reaching for the food. "Let's see... we've got sandwiches, fruit, cheese, crackers, and—" she paused, pulling out another container with a sly smirk, "—a little something special."

I raised an eyebrow as she opened the container, revealing chocolate-covered strawberries.

"Fancy," I mused, taking one and popping it into my mouth. The sweetness melted on my tongue, and I hummed in delight. "Damn, that's good."

Johanna's smirk deepened as she picked up a strawberry and held it up between her fingers. "Here," she murmured, bringing it close to my lips, "let me feed you."

I eyed her warily. "Are you always this much of a flirt, or is it just with me?"

She grinned. "Oh, sweetheart, you bring it out of me."

Rolling my eyes but unable to hide my grin, I leaned in and took a bite. Johanna's eyes darkened slightly as she watched me, and suddenly, the warm summer air felt a little warmer.

I cleared my throat, trying to shake off the nervous energy buzzing beneath my skin. Reaching for my phone, I quickly opened the camera app before handing it to Johanna. "Would you take a couple of photos of me?" My voice was steady, but my fingers betrayed me, gripping the phone just a little too tightly.

Johanna arched an eyebrow, her lips curving into an easy smile as she took the phone from my hand. "Of course," she said, positioning the camera.

I tried to relax as she snapped a few shots, but I could feel my own hesitation bleeding through. Still, I smiled, shifting slightly for each click of the shutter. After a few pictures, I hesitated before swallowing the lump in my throat.

"Can—" I paused, briefly glancing at her before looking away. "Can we take some together?"

For a second, Johanna didn't say anything. Then, in a perfectly flat, deadpan tone, she said, "No."

My heart dropped.

I blinked, feeling my stomach twist—until I saw the corners of her lips twitching. A second later, she broke into a smirk. "Come closer," she motioned, tilting her head.

I let out a relieved breath and moved closer, bumping my shoulder against hers. She switched the camera to selfie mode, her arm wrapping around me as she started snapping away. We smiled for a few, pulled a couple of funny faces, and then—

"Can I kiss you?"

The question came so softly I almost didn't register it. My breath caught in my throat, and I turned to look at her. The way she was gazing at me—her eyes dark, intense, filled with something unreadable—it sent my pulse into a frenzy.

I nodded, unable to form words.

Johanna didn't hesitate. She leaned in, closing the distance between us, her lips brushing against mine in a slow, deliberate kiss. It was tender at first, her lips moving against mine with practiced ease, but then she tilted her head, deepening it.

The soft click of the camera still sounded, but neither of us was paying attention to the photos anymore.

Her hand cupped my jaw, fingers pressing lightly into my skin as she pulled me closer. The kiss grew more urgent, more needy, and the phone slipped from her grasp, landing somewhere beside us on the blanket. Free from the distraction, her hands moved to my face, her fingers sliding into my hair as her tongue slipped further into my mouth.

A small noise escaped me, and before I knew it, I was falling backward onto the blanket, with Johanna almost on top of me.

The kiss deepened even more, and I felt my entire body ignite as Johanna's hands started to roam, her fingers pressing into my skin like she was memorizing every curve. When her hands gripped my hips and squeezed, a small whimper escaped me before I could stop it.

That was all it took for her to suddenly pull back, her eyes wide as if she'd been caught doing something she shouldn't. "Oh my fuck!" She groaned, slapping a hand against her forehead. "I am so sorry!" She shook her head, looking genuinely distressed. "I know you wanted to take this slow. I wasn't thinking—"

I sat up, my face still burning from the intensity of the moment. "It's fine." I tried to reassure her with a small smile, even though my heart was still racing inside my chest.

But Johanna didn't look convinced. "Valentina, I really am sorry." She ran a hand through her hair, frustration evident in her expression.

Chuckling softly, I leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to her lips, lingering just long enough to make sure she understood I wasn't upset. "You don't have to be sorry," I murmured, pulling back slightly. "It's fine, really."

She exhaled sharply, shaking her head with a low chuckle. "Fuck..." she muttered under her breath before locking eyes with me again. "You make me so damn nervous. I feel like a lovestruck teenager around you."

I laughed, shaking my head in disbelief. "If that's how you feel, imagine what I'm feeling," I teased, picking up a grape from the picnic basket and tossing it in her direction.

Johanna gasped dramatically as it bounced off her arm, her eyes going wide with mock betrayal. "You did not just throw a grape at me."

"I absolutely did," I grinned, watching as she grabbed the grape and popped it into her mouth like it was nothing.

I tilted my head. "No retaliation?"

She shrugged, chewing slowly. "Nope. I'm in too good a mood."

I arched a brow, pretending to look skeptical. "That's rare."

Johanna scoffed, grabbing a bottle of water and twisting off the cap. "I know," she said, taking a sip before smirking at me over the rim. "Enjoy it while you can."

I laid back down on the blanket, my eyes tracing the sky above. The way the clouds stretched and shifted against the warm hues of the setting sun was mesmerizing, almost as if nature itself was painting something just for us. The gentle rustling of the sunflowers in the breeze and the occasional chirp of birds added to the peacefulness of the moment.

Meanwhile, Johanna was busy unwrapping a small treat for Tuna, tossing it to him with a small smirk as he happily chomped it down. She watched him for a moment before turning her gaze back to me.

"Valentina," she said softly, her voice carrying a weight that made my stomach flip.

I turned my head to look at her, taking in the way the golden light of the sun cast a glow on her features. "Yeah?"

She hesitated for a moment, her fingers idly tracing patterns on the fabric of the blanket. "I know you have some doubts," she started, her voice careful. "And trust me, I have some too. But I want to reassure you that I would never regret kissing you or taking you out on this date."

Her words should have soothed me, but instead, my mind caught on something else entirely. "What doubts do you have?" I asked, completely ignoring everything else she said.

Johanna sighed softly, her hand drifting down to pet Tuna absentmindedly. "I'm scared," she admitted after a beat. "Scared that one day, you'll regret going for someone twice your age. That you'll wake up and realize I'm too jealous, too rude, too much."

I let her words settle between us, feeling their weight. I knew where she was coming from because, truthfully, I had my own fears—fears that I wasn't enough for her. That my inexperience would bore her or that she'd wake up one day and want someone who wasn't still figuring everything out.

I shifted closer, reaching for her hand and interlocking my fingers with hers. "Guess we're both scared," I murmured, squeezing gently. "But let's just take it slow and see where this leads us."

Johanna scoffed, rolling her eyes even as she gave my hand a squeeze back. "I should be the one giving wise words or whatever, not you."

I grinned. "Sorry to steal your role, Professor."

She huffed a small laugh and shook her head. "But you're right," she admitted, tilting her head slightly as she studied me. "One day at a time."

I jumped up, feeling playful, and handed Johanna my phone. "Come take some more pictures," I urged, a wide grin on my face. She rolled her eyes but stood up from the blanket, following me further into the sunflower field.

I struck a few poses in the vibrant sea of yellow flowers, the warm sunlight making everything seem even more magical. I even grabbed Tuna for a quick shot, his small body awkwardly perched in my arms.

"Okay, now do me a favour," Johanna said with a smirk, the phone already raised. "Turn your back towards me."

I did as she asked, carefully picking Tuna up again and positioning him so his head rested on my shoulder. He lazily glanced over at Johanna, clearly much more interested in whatever he smelled on the ground than the photo session. Johanna snapped a few pictures, the camera clicking away.

"This is absolutely beautiful," she commented, swiping through the images on the phone. "You two look perfect together."

But then her tone shifted, becoming much more perplexed. "What the fuck?" she muttered, her fingers zooming in on one of the pictures.

I furrowed my brows, dropping Tuna gently to the ground and walking over to her. "What?" I asked, peering over her shoulder.

"What the fuck is this?" Johanna said, voice rising in disbelief.

I squinted at the screen, trying to make sense of her outburst. "What's wrong?"

The words barely left my mouth when I saw it — a sunflower in the background of the shot that didn't look right. "What the hell?" I muttered, zooming in on the flower that was clearly... different. Something about it was off, and my stomach twisted in confusion.

Johanna leaned in closer, eyes narrowed. "Why the fuck does it have eyes?" She handed me the phone, clearly freaked out, and began stepping toward the spot in the field where the flower had appeared.

I held the phone, staring at the screen in disbelief. The sunflower had two distinct, beady eyes in the center of its petals, and they seemed to be looking directly at the camera.

"What the hell is going on?" I muttered, my mind racing. "This wasn't here earlier, right?"

Johanna glanced over at me, her hand running through her hair in frustration. "I swear, this wasn't here when we walked by." She stepped even closer, squinting at the sunflower with narrowed eyes. "I... I don't even know what to think about this."

I swallowed hard, the unease creeping up my spine. "Maybe we should just ignore it," I said, feeling the need to avoid whatever strange thing was going on. I quickly exited my photo gallery on my phone, trying to push the unsettling image out of my mind.

Johanna, however, was not having it. "Hell no," she shook her head firmly, her voice determined. "I'm going to investigate whatever the hell that was."

Before I could ask if I could come with her, she was already disappearing into the flowers, leaving me standing there, unsure of what to do. With a quiet click of my tongue, I turned back toward the blanket and plopped down, the unease still gnawing at me.

A minute or so passed in tense silence, and then suddenly, I heard a loud shriek, followed by an apology. "Nooo! I'm sorry!"

My heart skipped a beat as I whipped my head in the direction of the sound. I saw Johanna emerging from the flowers, her hands gripping someone who was dressed head to toe like a sunflower. Green shirt, green pants, the exposed skin painted green, and fake sunflower petals adorning their head. It was the most bizarre thing I'd ever seen.

"Valentina!" The person chuckled, finally breaking free from Johanna's grasp. "How're you?"

My jaw dropped. "Lea?" I asked, confused, standing up and stepping closer. "What the hell are you doing here?"

Johanna rolled her eyes, exasperated. "She was spying on our date," she muttered, flopping down on the blanket, clearly annoyed. "Unfuckingbelievable."

Lea just shrugged nonchalantly, as if this were all totally normal. "Okay, that is true," she admitted, with a teasing grin. "But to be fair, I was only trying to make sure you were treating my best friend right." Without missing a beat, she plopped down beside Johanna, immediately diving into the picnic basket like she owned the place.

I shook my head, still trying to process what had just happened. "You seriously followed us here? Dressed like... like that?" I gestured to her sunflower costume, unable to contain my disbelief.

Lea simply gave a lazy wave of her hand. "Hey, I had to blend in somehow." She quipped with a grin.

Johanna let out a long, drawn-out sigh as she stared at the sky. "This is what I get for trying to have a date in peace."

I couldn't hold back my laughter any longer, and I let out a loud snort. "Lea, you look absolutely ridiculous."

Lea gave a dramatic flick of her hand, adjusting the fake sunflower petals on her head with an exaggerated flourish. "I'd have to disagree," she scoffed, clearly loving the attention. "I think I look absolutely beautiful."

Johanna shot her a death glare, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "You really find new ways to absolutely piss me off."

"One of my many amazing traits," Lea smirked, popping a cracker into her mouth with a satisfied crunch. Johanna opened her mouth to retort, but one glance from me made her pause.

She sighed softly, her shoulders relaxing as she looked at me. Johanna reached over and interlocked her fingers with mine. "I promise to make it up to you," she whispered in my ear, her breath warm against my skin, "A date where no one interrupts us."

I smiled, the warmth in my chest growing as I squeezed her hand. For a moment, everything felt perfect, even with Lea sitting there like a third wheel.

Lea glanced between us, making a dramatic sigh. "You two are so cute together, but I have to admit, it feels like I'm third wheeling over here."

Johanna, never one to let things slide, stood up with a teasing smirk. "Yeaaaah, this date is officially over."

Lea's face fell in mock surprise. "But I just got here!" She whined, crossing her arms.

Johanna's eyes narrowed, a playful yet threatening glint in them. "Get your ass up before I actually kill you."

Lea's face twisted in exaggerated fear. "Alright, alright, I'm going!" she said, quickly standing up and giving us one last exaggerated pout.

Lea pulled me into a quick hug, then made her way toward Johanna, clearly intending to hug her as well. However, Johanna immediately pressed her hand firmly against Lea's face and pushed her away with a look of mock horror. "I'd rather have Tuna lick me on my mouth than hug you."

Lea rolled her eyes but smirked. "You'll come around," she said teasingly, hopping away like she was on some mission, leaving us alone in the field.

For a few seconds, it was quiet. I started gathering everything back into the basket, my thoughts still a little caught up in how absurd Lea looked in that outfit. And then Johanna suddenly burst out into laughter, her shoulders shaking with it. "That girl is absolutely insane."

I raised an eyebrow as I packed up the last of the snacks. "You're not mad at her?"

"No," Johanna chuckled, shaking her head. "She's irritating as fuck, but she can be funny sometimes." She smiled at me, clearly more relaxed now that we were finally alone again.

I smirked, folding the blanket and shaking my head. "That's why I love her."

Johanna gave me a playful look as she grabbed the basket. "You're crazy if you love that lunatic."

I chuckled softly, standing up and brushing myself off. "Yeah, well, she's full-on psycho. But I wouldn't change a thing. Love her to death."

Back at Johanna's car, we unloaded everything into the trunk. Tuna hopped in eagerly as Johanna opened the door for him, then she moved to the passenger side, holding the door open for me with a gentle smile. I returned the smile, feeling that familiar warmth stir inside me, before I slid into the seat.

She closed the door behind me and walked around to the driver's side, sliding in with a smooth motion. "Ready to go?" she asked, her voice soft as she turned the key in the ignition.

"Yeah," I replied, my heart fluttering in my chest. She nodded, and with a quick glance around, reversed out of the parking lot.

I busied myself scrolling through my playlist, trying to find the perfect song, and finally settled on one. Turning the radio up just a little, I let the music fill the car, letting myself relax as we headed home.

The whole drive, I sang along without a care, my voice joining the familiar melodies. I couldn't help but laugh at how free I felt, all the tension from earlier now a distant memory. All too soon, the car came to a stop in front of my house, and Johanna turned the music down, her eyes soft as she glanced at me.

"Thank you for this date," she said with a gentle smile, her voice sincere. "Although it didn't exactly go as planned, it was still nice."

I unbuckled my seatbelt and looked her way, smiling warmly. "I enjoyed it," I said, my heart swelling a little.

Johanna squeezed my hand gently, bringing it to her lips for a soft kiss on my knuckles. "That's good," she murmured, her gaze lingering on me, and for a moment, the world felt perfectly still.

Before I could even process what was happening, Johanna pulled me closer and kissed me. It was soft, gentle, a sweet moment that took my breath away. She pulled away just as quickly, tucking a stray strand of hair behind my ear with a soft smile. "I'll see you tomorrow," she murmured, her voice low and comforting.

"Naturally," I said, my heart still racing. I bit my lip softly, still trying to absorb the moment. I glanced down at Tuna, who was happily lounging in the backseat. I leaned over and gave him a quick pet. "Bye, Tunaaaa!" I made exaggerated kissing sounds, earning a soft huff from him before I opened the door and stepped out.

"See you tomorrow, Montgomery."

I flashed her a final smile. "Bye, sweetheart," she called, rolling down the window slightly as she spoke.

With one last smile, I turned on my heel and walked up to the front door, my thoughts still a bit scattered from the kiss. Johanna waited until I was safely inside before she reversed and drove off.

As I closed the door behind me, I let out a quiet laugh. I can't believe I stressed over this date for nothing. It wasn't nearly as bad as I thought. And the fact that Lea showed up means I won't have to give her every single detail. I couldn't stop shaking my head at the absurdity of it all. Lea dressing up like a damn sunflower to spy on us? Absolutely crazy. But then again, it's Lea. Never a dull moment with her around.