Kurtis

Seeing Misty's hand on Jason's arm then hearing her comment, Susanne's eyes widen slightly. Only after Misty had left the office does she look back to Jason, raising her eyebrows. "You two seem to be... getting along well." 

Jason can feel the heat in his face, but he just casually shrugs. "Sure. We always have." 

"I mean... really well..." 

Jason eyes Susanne, unable to help the grin that quirks just the corner of his mouth. "Yeah, so?" 

"So.... is there something I should know?" 

"As a friend or as a nosy coworker?"

Susanne's jaw drops. "When have I ever been nosy, Jason Kurtis?!" 

Jason's grin finally evolves into a laugh as he shakes his head and returns to sit down at his desk. "I have nothing to say, and I'm not going to tell you that those suspicious in your eyes are wrong." He waves her towards the door. "I can't concentrate on this paperwork with you standing here." 

Susanne's eyes narrow. "Oh, fine." Spinning on her heel, she stalks out the door but pauses for just a moment, sticking her head back in. "Jase?" 

His head comes up at her softer tone. "Yeah?" 

"It's good to see you smiling again." 

Without time to respond before Susanne was gone again, Jason does smile to himself. Someday he'd think of a way to repay Susanne for all her love and kindness. 

Catching Katie blushing, Hunter's eyes drop to concentrate on dunking his sandwich again while leaning his elbows on the table. He wasn't about to lie to himself that he didn't know why her cheeks had turned pink. Perhaps though, his mouth was running just a bit too fast for his own good. 

Glad for a subject change, he nods then smirks a little at the comment about riding the bike. "Yeah... that might be a little... uncomfortable." He rolls his eyes.

"Right after we eat is fine with me. We'll have an hour for our food to settle and I'm guessing that if your dad's released, he's gonna be sitting there waiting to get out of there." 

...The rest of the noon meal experiences no more interruptions of clapping or teasing - for which Hunter is grateful. He liked it that he was being welcomed into this close-knit family, but the attention he'd already received was enough for him.

Leaving with Katie a while later was nice for several reasons. One, he convinced her to let him drive, which he always liked. Two, it gave him an excuse not to ride or clean stalls while his legs were still so sore. And three, he got to have more time with Katie - a growing perk of being in Texas... 

Heading down the highway with the radio playing softly, Hunter's eyes remain on the road, his hands staying on the steering wheel. It was a quiet ride. Few words were spoken, and when they were, it was only about picking up Jeff. Nothing was said about earlier. About the kiss. About them. But... Hunter was okay with just letting it be for now. Katie was going through a hard time - he didn't want to take advantage, nor did he want to assume there was more to this if Katie had just needed a moment to feel good. Every woman needed affection - this much he'd learned to be true. He knew it was possible that Katie wanted nothing more from him than that one moment to get her past a storm cloud. It was also possible that she really did want him to be more than just a friend. But he'd be careful and not press the issue - he'd let her take her time and do his best to read her cues to see which way she wanted this thing to go. For now... for now, he would be content with a quiet, peaceful ride into town...

Sitting on the edge of his bed, Jeff straightens from slipping on his boots. Standing up, he tucks his t-shirt into his jeans and looks at the clock once more. 

"Don't leave yet, Mr. Pent." 

His eyes narrow at the nurse. "That's the fifth time I've been told that in the last half hour. You wanna chain me to the bed?" 

"Of course not. But wait for someone to bring up the wheelchair."

"Wheelchair?! Do I look like I need one?"

"No, but it's hospital rules."

Jeff rolls his eyes. "Right. Okay. I'm staying right here on my leash, don't worry."

Justin blinks. And it's only several silent moments later that he realizes he still hadn't responded to Beth at all. 

"Hmm? Oh... wait, me?" He shakes his head, a silly grin coming to his face as his cheeks redden. "Next to you, I look like I'm a mess." 

Smiling, he reaches out and runs a finger under Beth's new bangs. "I like it... and I like the dress too. You look fabulous." 

Looking down at the flowers, he sighs loudly. "These were pretty 'til I saw them next to you."