Sam wasn't the only one thrilled about having real food. Since working at the Doublemeat Palace, Buffy had once again lost all of her appetite for fast food. There was only so many batches of fries you could dip in days-old grease until you realized that they weren't all they were cracked up to be. Back in Sunnydale, she had promised herself to never work at another fast food place again. Yet, there she was, working eight hours a day (not including weekends), and wearing that stupid hat with the even stupider cow.
So it was safe to say that Buffy was just as happy with a sandwich and strawberries as Sam.
"Of course I thought of everything," she said while unwrapping one of the sandwiches, and sitting up from her lounging position. "I am, after all, a genius in all shapes and forms." When Sam leaned forward to feed her one of the strawberries, Buffy smiled and took a bite, smirking when some of the juice made its way down her chin. Using the back of her hand to wipe it away, Buffy couldn't help but laugh at his comment about liking older women. "Oh, really? Should I feel threatened by every grandma that walks by? 'Cause I don't have any qualms about hitting an old lady."
What she had with Sam - it was different than anything she'd had with any of her past boyfriends. It wasn't complicated, not reliant on shadows or lies. It had only been a month, and Sam had already managed to find a place in Buffy's scarred, uneven heart. There was only one problem. Some couldn't survive there. Someone had told Buffy once that she was the kiss of death.
She was starting to believe it.
"You know, Sam," Buffy began, grabbing one of the bottled waters next to her. "You look like you're starting to get a little warm." Before he could say otherwise, Buffy splashed the entire bottle of ice-cold water on him, a devilish smile playing across her lips. For a moment, he just sat there shocked. "What!? I was just trying to do you a favor." It had been so long since she'd really laughed that the sound that burst free from her throat even startled herself. "Your face is gold right now." That's when he jumped to life, and Buffy leapt to her feet and took off, leaving her sandals behind on the blanket.