Awkward

Justin chuckles and stands from the table. "Okay. Be right back then. Don't go anywhere." 

It only takes a couple minutes to get the coffee drinks both he and Beth wanted and return to the table. Seated across from her again, he stirs the ice around his glass before sipping the cold treat through a straw. 

"So...." He leans back in his seat and cocks his head, just grinning at Beth. Her cheeks were rosy and her eyes twinkling. He could tell she was enjoying herself but was nervous at the same time. As he would expect. He was nervous too, but at least he'd been in several relationships before, when she had not. And he felt... rather privileged. 

"I think if you don't work tomorrow, then we definitely need to do something together. What would you like to do?" 

Heading across town, Jason checks his watch. He still needed to stop and get gas, but he'd told Misty he'd be a little late. He'd been stuck trying to finish up some work for Reese and hadn't been able to get out of the office quite as quickly as she had.

He was glad she'd asked him over for pizza. It wasn't unusual anymore for him to eat supper with her...both of them wanted the company. But tonight, Jason was more curious about Alec than anything. Misty had told him today about Alec showing up, and what she'd offered him. Jason had expressed he wasn't too sure the whole thing was wise, but he knew it was Misty's home, not his, and it was her own decision, not his. So he hadn't said too much, but was glad he could at least come over tonight and scout things out himself. Misty had enough to worry about without a brother-in-law getting stupid.

Pulling into the gas station, he parks and kills the engine. Maybe he'd grab some ice cream while he was here.

Dead to the world, Alec didn't even hear Misty enter the house. It wasn't until his arm was shaken that he wakes up, and when he does, all he knows is that someone was touching him. 

Sitting bolt upright, his hand grabs Misty's wrist hard, as for a moment he doesn't even know where he is. Blinking and bringing her into focus though, he suddenly realizes where he is, and he lets go of her quickly. "Aw, I'm sorry," he mumbles drowsily. "I thought..." He shakes his head and runs a hand through his hair. He wasn't going to say what he thought. It was bad enough he'd had the bad memory flash through his mind without talking about it. 

Rubbing his eyes, he looks back up at her and gives her a sheepish grin. "Next time throw a pillow at me from across the room or something." 

Only now does his nose pick up the scent of food and he can feel his hunger pains returning. "Did... did you say something about pizza?" 

Jeff swallows hard and finds his eyes looking at the floor once again. He was glad Angel forgave him, but he knew she was still probably not happy about this whole thing. He just wished someone would understand. 

"I... I know." He nods. "I wasn't asking for your help. I just..." He shrugs. "I'm glad you're gonna leave it be and I thank you for respecting my wishes." 

Pausing again, he finally stands up, not knowing what else to say. "Thanks for listening. I, um... I gotta get out to the barn. I'll see ya around." 

Being met with such enthusiasm, a smile automatically comes to Hunter's face. Returning Katie's hug, he's pleasantly surprised she's so thrilled to see him. He'd known she wanted him but... maybe he hadn't realized she really meant it. 

Laughing, he shakes his head. "Eh... it woulda taken more than one bodyguard to get me away from here without seeing you." 

Introduced to the horse, Hunter reaches out and pats her neck. "Howdy, Amber. You sure are a pretty thing. I think you know it too, don't you, hmm?" 

Stepping aside so Katie can continue to work, he shakes his head. "Whatever you'd like. A walk sounds great but I don't wanna keep you from whatever you're doing." He readjusts his jacket in his arms, feeling strangely awkward and at ease at the same time. "I can hang out or something if you were gonna ride."