Lorelei Wentworth 🍦 Alice Longbottom (harmonize) wrote in dunhavenic, @ 2019-03-17 15:27:00 |
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Entry tags: | !log, * jeanne, * terri, c: foster wentworth, c: lorelei wentworth |
WHO: Lorelei Waters → Alice Fortescue & Foster Wentworth → Frank Longbottom
WHEN: April 28, 2018
WHERE: The Dreamery
SUMMARY: Lorelei and Foster have memory together, which prompts a confession.
WARNINGS: Smoochin'. Talk of butts. 🍑
Lorelei had been a bit surprised when Foster had volunteered to hang up some flowers outside her shop. Free of charge, he'd said, because it was really just some more advertising for Grow With The Flow. And, really, maybe she shouldn't have been surprised. Dunhaven business owners tended to work together and to encourage one another. It was a small town, and one's success tended to mean someone else's success just the same. But it was yet another little moment, of the many unexpected moments they'd shared over the past three weeks. Ever since he'd come in to The Dreamery and requested chocolate chili ice cream, the very same one that she'd been dreaming of because it had always been Frank's favorite. Alice and Frank. Foster and Lorelei. Except they weren't an and. Just because they shared dream partners didn't mean that they had to be together in Dunhaven. Dreams were odd enough without entirely dictating how you lived your actual life, and the very last thing that Lorelei wanted was for Foster- or anyone, really- to be guilted or forced into being with her. She was young and independent and driven, sure, but she also wanted that wild and reckless love that took over your mind and senses, for better or for worse. Alice had found that with Frank. But that didn't mean Lorelei would find it with Foster. Even if, since that day, she'd been having more frequent and more vivid dreams of Alice. Even if, since that day, she'd been flirting with Foster at every available opportunity. And maybe it was coincidence and maybe it was fate and maybe it was nothing at all. They'd hung up several baskets already, and Lorelei had the final one in her hand. The multicolored 'million bells' flowers really did bring a delightful and eye-catching pop to the outdoor seating area of The Dreamery. Foster was on a small step-ladder to hang the baskets, and at his signal, she handed him up the last one. Their hands touched. "Causing trouble again, Alice? You really should pick better friends." "You can't believe everything you hear." "Please stop groping your girlfriend…" "Yeah, you're not half bad." "Next time I'll keep my robes on." "Do you think we can behave ourselves?" The memory- or dream- came in a flash. No time had seemed to pass in the real world, and yet in that instant Lorelei had lived half a day through Alice's eyes. Stunned and a little disoriented, she shook her head. -- He didn't usually do anything for free, but Foster had been trading favors with Lorelei since discovering that their dream counterparts were married. It was innocent, really. She provided ice cream for him, and he had put together some hanging baskets for the outside of her shop. That they just so happened to flirt during those exchanges was a bonus. She had been adamant that just because Frank and Alice were married, it didn't necessarily mean anything for them. At first, he'd been a little disappointed, thinking that she didn't even want to entertain the idea of exploring that option. When the flirtations had begun, he'd been almost relieved. It wasn't that he wanted to follow in Frank's footsteps, but he had seen how good it had been with Alice, and the romantic in him had wondered if they would be as well matched in this world. He still didn't know the answer to that, but she had been starring more and more in his dreams. At least, Alice had. They never quite seemed to be in any discernible order, but Foster had begun to put a timeline of sorts together in his mind. He wondered how long he should let this flirting go on, but maybe it was better to let Lorelei make the call on that…on whether or not they could try to be something. She was the one who had been hesitant when they discovered the connection. Foster was smiling a little when she passed him the last basket, but their fingers touched and he found himself in another world altogether for a moment. He could almost taste the scone, and feel the easy confidence that Frank carried in his shoulders. Foster remembered the surprise of this kiss, and the ensuing mild flirting that had taken place. He wobbled a little bit on the step ladder, though he miraculously didn't drop the plant or fall, “Shit.” The curse passed his lips easily, surprised as he caught his balance, taking one step back so that he was more grounded between the two steps. It took a moment or two for him to shake it off, those feelings and sensations lingering, “Well …” he cleared his throat, “now I want a scone.” It wasn't all he wanted, but most of that seemed…inappropriate. -- She heard him curse, and Lorelei looked up, alarmed, when Foster started to wobble a bit on his step ladder. Reaching both hands up this time, she tried to brace him at his hips, but he seemed to have… mostly gotten himself level by the time she'd done this. Even still, it took her several moments too much longer to remember to pull her hands away from him. Scones? Had he just seen the same things, in that moment? "A raspberry scone with preserves and clotted cream," Lorelei offered. "For me, anyway. Almond maple for you. Well, not you you, but…" She tried for a bit of a smile. "You know what I mean, I think. She's a bit incorrigible. Sorry for that." Except Alice wouldn't have apologized, because Alice had seen nothing wrong with her actions. Even if Lorelei wouldn't have been the type to slam her hands on tables in public or snog- kiss- someone previously unawares… -- He was all too aware of her hands at his hips, and honestly, even if he had mostly righted himself, her touch was somehow steadying as well even if it was also incredibly distracting. He didn’t try to shift away from her touch, and was actually a little disappointed when she seemed to realize that he didn’t really need her to brace him. “Might as well be me,” Foster gave half a shrug and tried not to let his eyes linger too much on her when he looked down, “You don’t have to apologize for her, you know. Frank was...more than a bit enamored.” He felt like he was betraying his own secret by saying it, but as things seem to have worked out for Alice and Frank, maybe it wasn’t really something that was necessary to hide. Foster reached up to place the hanging basket on one last hook and finally stepped down from where the flowers were now hanging, a small breeze making them gently sway, ruffling the blooms. Some things about Lorelei were achingly familiar, but then she would say or do something that was so entirely her, and the line between the Alice he knew and Lorelei was drawn. It wasn’t a bad thing. He didn’t always make the same decisions Frank would go for either. It was still strange for him to talk about his dreams openly with anyone, and as it was, only she really knew anything about them. She was maybe the only one who would understand, “She certainly kept his attention.” -- "She was, too. Even if she didn't say it that day." Granted, Lorelei hadn't (yet?) remembered the rest of that particular day, but she had a decent idea of where things might have gone. She remembered pieces and put them together as she could, but the dreams seemed to be very rarely linear. Lorelei crossed her arms over her stomach, just sort of hugging herself, as she looked up at the new flowers on display. Her face was nothing less than utter delight. "Thank you so much for these, Foster," she added, even though she'd thanked him half a dozen times by now. "They really do look beautiful. And I promise I'll follow their care instructions to the T." Alice seemed to have confidence and surety in spades, and though Lorelei wouldn't have considered herself particularly lacking in that area under normal circumstances, remembering Alice did sort of make her feel almost... deficient, in a way. "She wanted to. He had," has? "those same little dimples when he smiles that you do. It's very alluring." -- Foster seriously doubted that Frank had come clean about his own interest that day either. He’d been trying to convince himself of the reasons he shouldn’t be interested in the first place and why it was a dangerous line to walk. That hadn’t really discouraged those budding feelings and ultimately, even if he’d tried to ignore them, Foster knew that he’d failed and fallen for her. That wasn’t such a bad thing, really. He watched her as she crossed her arms around herself, but it was the pleased, excited expression on her features that really caught his eye, “You’re welcome. They’re really low maintenance, so it shouldn’t take up too much of your time to tend them. It makes them a really good option for someone who keeps busy.” She would just need to water them semi-regularly and toss in a liquid fertilizer every couple of weeks to keep them looking fresh and continuing to bloom all spring and summer. When she pointed out his dimples and their quality for drawing one in, he couldn’t help but grin which showed off those very dimples that she was referring to, “Good to know. I’ll mark them down as one of my best features. Dimples can go right beside good sense of humor and nice ass.” The grin turned into something more of a smirk, then, though she’d been the one with her hands on his hips just a few minutes prior. He wondered if she had noticed. -- "Well, and the nice thing about them being here, is that you'll be able to tell if I'm slacking. That's accountability on display, every day, outside my windows." And he would, she assumed- hoped- still be inclined to come around and see her, even if the pretense of planning floral displays had passed. A smile tugged at her own features when Foster smiled, but then he listed his other notable qualities, and Lorelei pressed her lips together to try and keep from laughing. Oh, he was good. "If we're ranking them, however, that ass has to be second behind the dimples." She held her hands out, palms toward him, and explained, "If only because I'm just a casual observer of said ass. I don't have any… hands-on experience." -- “Exactly. So...if you see me out here sticking my hands in the baskets to check the soil, please don’t be offended. I’m more than happy to provide additional tips if they’re needed in the coming weeks,” Foster assured her, though he could generally tell the health of a plant just by looking at it. He could give a tap of the basket and know by the swing if it had enough water. There were just things you learned after caring for plants for so long. Foster laughed at the rankings that she imposed and her given reasons, though it only deepened the dimples in his cheeks. He made a point of looking over his shoulder at his own backside. He had to bite his tongue just to prevent himself from asking her if she would like hands-on experience, as it could be arranged, “As a casual observer, you’ll have to do me a favor and pay close attention this summer. I want to make sure I’m wearing jeans worthy of my second best asset.” -- "You have your expertises, I have mine. I would never question you, when it came to plants." Or be offended, either, since she was certain he could tell things about them that she'd never dream of. Oh, she really did like his laugh. If Lorelei had any pretenses about keeping the smile away from her own face, they were gone as soon as Foster laughed. "Don't worry," she insisted, shaking her head once, "admiring your… various assets was already included on my summer itinerary." And if that sounded untoward, well, she wasn't going to apologize for it. She liked looking at him. -- “You have my sworn promise that I’ll never question an ice cream flavor either,” Foster’s promise was accompanied by a grin. He had tried almost every flavor in the shop once, but he had his favorites and he was certain that as time went on, he’d be able to claim to having sampled the entire menu. He raised a brow when she assured him that she’d already been planning on observing his assets this summer. Sometimes he wondered if he should just put aside his worries and ask her for a proper date. Maybe flirting was all that she wanted, though. Could he live with that? If they never found out where this could lead just in defiance of their dreams, would they have regrets? “Now I’m curious about this itinerary of yours and what else may be included.” If she had any pool days or sunbathing planned, he’d be interested in making certain he scheduled his afternoon work with a good view. -- "Alright, so maybe my expertises are a little less useful than yours." Lorelei laughed, despite herself. She had never regretted opening up The Dreamery, of course- she'd quite literally been dreaming of it her entire life. But ice cream, on the whole, wasn't as complicated or long-lasting as real, living plants. He'd all but invited her to check out his ass, and then seemed surprised that she planned to? Still, she wouldn't apologize. Not unless he actually was legitimately offended. "I stay pretty busy in here," she gestured behind her toward the shop, "but I try to get out on the water when I can." It was in her family, after all. She'd known how to paddle from a young age, and to swim from younger still. -- “I never said that,” Foster countered, his smile softening a little, “Ice cream brings a lot of joy to people. Myself included. I think that makes what you have an incredibly useful skill.” He wouldn’t have imagined a fraction of the flavor combinations that she had. Even if he recognized some from his dreams, there were others that were undoubtedly just her own creativity. Of course, he didn’t mind her checking him out. He returned the same for her, but the lines they had drawn that first day seemed to be getting blurrier by the moment. Foster hadn’t forgotten her family’s business, though he admired that she’d gone out on her own and followed her passion, “Do you prefer being in the boat or in the water?” The question was mostly curious, and he wouldn’t judge her for her answer. He wondered what it would take to join her out on the water one day: a couple of shrubbery bushes or just a well-placed question. -- "Well, thank you." Lorelei felt a faint flush creep into her cheeks, and she glanced up to the hanging flowers again, then back to Foster. "So do flowers. For the record." Even though he almost certainly knew that already. "It depends on the occasion. And I'm not trying to hedge my answer," she insisted, quickly, "it just does. If I'm looking to exercise, I love kayaking. But canoes are better for leisurely paddling, if you've got someone with you. Or a pontoon boat if I just want to swim and sunbathe and drink terrible wine coolers." -- He knew that what he did made many people happier. A lot of the people in town took pride in their yards, and if they didn’t live up to their own expectations or the comparisons they put on themselves with their neighbors, they were unhappy. Foster tried to bridge that gap and ensure that even if his client’s yards weren’t particularly unique, they were well taken care of, “Well, then now the customers of The Dreamery can be twice as happy.” He pointed to the gently swaying flowers, though he would make no mistake that they were coming here for her creations and not his decorations. “All of those options actually sound like a really good way to spend an afternoon,” Foster agreed, “But wine coolers? Lorelei. Do you need an education in a proper drink? You at least deserve a real cocktail if you’re going to be lazing around sunning on a boat.” He assumed if she was drinking anything that she was of age, but even if she wasn’t, he would be a hypocrite to judge. -- He'd given her the flowers for free. And she'd been giving him free ice cream nearly every time he came by. Their flirtations were nearly relentless, and yet… "Maybe I do," she admitted with a little shrug. Truth be told, the wine coolers had just been the easiest things to sneak by the cashiers at Wilkersons when she was underage. She was hardly the only Dunhaven teen to do that. She had only turned twenty-one last week. "Are you volunteering to be my pontoon boat bartender?" And then, because it seemed important to add, "Because you know I've been giving you free ice cream because I think you're unbearably attractive, right?" -- Her confession, as it was, seemed to tip the scales. Foster had been trying to walk whatever boundaries they’d set, knowingly or otherwise, and both of them seemed to weave over that line...today a little more than some other times. For her to actually point out her reasons for her behavior so plainly put them into the territory of admission. “If you’ll have me out there, I’m volunteering,” he assured her, though he didn’t stop there, “I gave you free flowers because I really like you, and I think you’re the most stunning woman I’ve ever set eyes on...and that’s not Frank talking. That’s just me.” Truthfully, Frank probably would have agreed, given the connection with Alice, but it felt important to point out that he wasn’t into her based on their dreams. -- That's not Frank talking. Though she hadn't specifically asked for that reassurance, it was somehow still needed. Lorelei had been the one to insist, from the start, that just because their dream counterparts were married didn't mean that they had to be anything at all. But she'd been drawn to Foster all the same, and she was certain it was for more than just his ties to Frank. It had to be. Stepping forward, Lorelei wrapped her arms around Foster and pulled herself into an embrace. It was, perhaps, not overtly romantic, but she wanted to… to see what it was like to be close to him. "I was wrong." Her voice was somewhat muffled as she leaned into his chest. "When I said we didn't have to be anything. I want to try." -- She was in his arms in an instant, pulling herself close to his chest. Foster wrapped his arms around her without any hesitation, and though they’d scarcely touched before, it felt right. He didn’t know if he would have the same sense of familiarity with her without the dreams, but that didn’t really matter. Even just starting to get to know her over the last few weeks had made him certain that they could get along, with or without Frank and Alice in their heads. I want to try. “I would really like that, Lorelei,” he gave her a small squeeze and shifted back just enough that he could look down and see her properly. That, however, was more temptation than Foster really knew how to resist. He lifted a hand from her waist to her cheek, his fingers tracing along the curve of her cheek and then her jaw. He brushed his thumb against her lip, and leaned in slowly. She could have taken a step back if she had wanted to...dodged him altogether. But he closed that gap and pressed his lips to hers. It was a gentler first kiss than what Alice and Frank had shared at the Ministry, but there was no comparison, really. His senses were immediately filled with her, and Foster wouldn’t have had it any other way. -- Relief flooded through her when Foster agreed with the sentiment she'd expressed. And maybe she should have expected it, but even still, it felt… really good to hear aloud, here, in real life. He wasn't a dream. He had shifted slightly, and Lorelei worried at her lower lip as his fingers brushed over her skin. But then his thumb touched her lips- which was unbearably alluring- and he was leaning in to kiss her. She felt her fingers grasp against his shirt, and Lorelei leaned up on her toes to help close that distance between them. She returned his kiss eagerly, giving herself up into it, into him. And when, several moments later, she pulled back, Lorelei wouldn't have been surprised if Foster had told her that there were literal hearts in her eyes. "You are entirely unfair, Foster Wentworth. But you should definitely kiss me again." -- He was caught up in that moment from the second it began. All he could hear was the beat of his own heart, and even though he had initiated the kiss, her eager response made his heart fly. She was shifting closer to him, and his hand tightened at her waist, slipping behind her back to keep her close, fingers still lingering there at her jaw. There was a protest ready on his lips when she shifted back, but as soon as she spoke, a small smirk tugged at his lips, “Unfair is all a matter of perspective, I believe.” He wasn’t going to protest the suggestion of a kiss, however. That was exactly what he wanted to do...for the next several minutes or the rest of his life. As he leaned back in for another kiss, his fingers slipped into her hair, tangling in the long strands to keep her closer still. He was more confident now that he knew she wasn’t going to reject the action, though he was conscious of the fact that they were standing in front of the business that she owned and perhaps should not get too carried away as a result. After several long, breathless moments, he shifted back, “Boat bartending is definitely a thing that’s going to happen, but before that...can I take you to dinner tonight?” -- He kept her pulled close to him, the faint tangle of his fingers in her hair more intoxicating than it had any right to be. She had moved a hand from his waist to his chest and then sliding up just to his shoulder, bracing herself up on her toes. Foster was the one to shift back away this time, and Lorelei almost didn't let him- but she settled back on her heels just in time for his question. "Can you take me to dinner every night forever?" The words escaped her lips before Lorelei had even thought about them, and her cheeks flushed deeply as those same words reached her ears. But instead of pulling back, she just pressed her face to his chest and hid that way, mumbling, "I didn't just say that out loud, ohmygod." -- He hadn’t been anticipating that particular response, brows raising just slightly even as she flushed and hid herself against his chest. He certainly wasn’t upset by it. That honestly just meant she’d been telling the absolute truth when she confessed to wanting to try for something with him. They’d both begun developing feelings for one another before now through all their flirtations. Foster was smiling a little as he held her just as close as before, “I hate to break it to you, but you did say it. Not that I’m complaining.” He brushed a gentle kiss to her hair and then coaxed her to look up, making a half-step back just so that he could (hopefully) see her face. He knew that every night might not be feasible - her family would presumably want to see her for dinner some evenings, and perhaps he wouldn’t be part of that for some time - but he saw nothing wrong with a compromise, “Dinner together as often as we can, whether that’s out or one of us cooks. If we’ve got some reason we can’t do dinner, then we can always talk. If we’re going to do this, I fully intend to spend as much time with you as possible, Lorelei, at dinner or otherwise.” -- Not that I'm complaining. Lorelei let out a breath that she'd been holding for a moment too long, exhaling and steeling herself even as Foster pressed a kiss to her hair. As he pulled back, she did look up- though the flush hadn't entirely faded away from her cheeks. "No, I want- I mean, yes." A quick nod. "That sounds perfect. I- I don't mean to sound demanding or quite so... forthright. I just... like you." Well, if that wasn't an understatement. -- “I like you, too,” Foster assured her, though it didn’t really feel like enough. It was far too early to make any other sort of confession and he knew that, but like didn’t seem to convey the depth of what he actually felt, “I like that you’re decisive and passionate. I would rather you be forthright than to hold anything back.” He knew that they would soon have to return to the routine of their day, but he was glad for the promise of tonight. He wanted their evening to be worthy of remembering, “I can pick you up tonight. Maybe 7:00 or 7:30 at your place?” He knew that she still lived at home and it didn’t bother him in the slightest. It was the smartest way to go about things, really. He’d been lucky in that he was able to afford a new place and to start up his business, but he’d had help from his parents with that as well. -- How had she really thought that this wasn't what she wanted? That flirting was enough, because they shouldn't cross the line she'd somehow seen due to their shared dreams? That line was assuredly gone now, and Lorelei would never draw it again. "Seven," she said, quickly. "I close up here at six, so I can make myself ready and presentable by seven." The extra half hour might have been nice, but that was also an extra half hour before she could see him again. Goodness, what kind of floodgates had she opened, here? "Since you… like my forthright-ness," which definitely wasn't a word, but Lorelei offered a hopeful smile up at Foster all the same, "how about one more kiss, just to get me- us- through the day?" -- He had known that she closed at six on weekends during this time of year, and he couldn’t help but recall that tomorrow, she would be closed for business. He didn’t always work on Sundays either, but he tried not to let himself run away with the idea of spending the rest of the weekend with her from seven tonight forward. She could have other plans, after all. A slightly crooked smile took up Foster’s lips when she made her bargain, though it wasn’t a hardship at all to fulfill that desire, “One more.” It was an agreement, though he would have really liked a hundred more, or maybe a thousand. Even still, he was determined to make it one that would last them until tonight. When he did lean in and press his lips to hers, he did not hesitate or tease. It was rather closer to the kiss that Alice had given Frank at the Ministry...almost desperately edged, needy and meant to leave them both wanting for more. He didn’t want it to end, and it didn’t until he needed to breathe, but he pulled back with the taste of her on his lips. He gently squeezed her waist before he let her go, though the moment that they disconnected he felt suddenly adrift as though she was the tether that kept him grounded. Foster was a little breathless when he smiled, “I’ll see you at seven.” -- Oh, that smile of his was going to get her into so much trouble. Lorelei had brought both her hands to Foster's shoulders, fingers pressing into him there to hold herself closer to him as they kissed. Her senses were full of nothing but him. The touch and taste of his lips, his strong arms holding her waist, the very faint bristle of his stubbled cheek as she moved a hand there. If he had intended to leave her wanting more, he was a resounding success. They pulled apart, and her hand hung in the air a moment longer before dropping back to her side. There was definitely a part of her that just wanted to forsake all responsibility and common dignity and just throw herself into his arms. But she shouldn't. Lorelei bit her lower lip, but nodded. "Seven." Another nod, and this time she managed a smile. "Have a good day, Foster. I hope you'll be thinking of me half so much as I'm thinking about you." -- He didn’t want to go. It would have been easy to just claim he needed to take the rest of the day off for some reason that he could feasibly come up with off the top of his head. He wouldn’t have complained...but seven wasn’t so far away. Just a few hours in the long run. He was certain that it would feel like an eternity, regardless. That way she tugged her lower lip between her teeth really should be outlawed, but in a moment, the action was over and she was smiling. He returned the grin, and assured her, “Oh, I’m certain that I will be. But more than half.” He took a couple of steps backward, and finally turned towards his truck that was parked there at the curb. She was going to be on his mind all afternoon, but that just meant he could look forward to that night. |