“Hi, I’m Bridget, and I’ll be your date tonight.”

Bridget rang the doorbell before taking a step back. She looked up and held in a whistle while admiring the grand mansion. She could never imagine having enough money to live in this area of town, even if she wanted to. With wealth came a whole host of pretentious and obnoxious people.

While she continued to wait, Bridget glanced up and down Bumble Boulevard, the oldest, wealthiest neighborhood on the southwest side of Honey Hollow. Originally named Bumblebee Boulevard, the bee portion had been dropped early on to make the broad, oak-lined road sound more prestigious. The cream of the crop of Honey Hollow's oldest families lived on Bumble, with the second-tier family stocks living on the blocks on either side. The boulevard eventually turned into a dead end with Pollen Circle, where Diamond Manor sat. Despite Bev's dating Harvey for two years, she'd only been inside once. Even then, she'd only been in the foyer during an awkward introduction to Harvey and Graham's mother.

The current cheer captain had been in the home she stood before a solid number of times over the last two-plus years. As co-captain the previous year, Sela reluctantly welcomed the varsity squad inside to hold several meetings in the spacious home. Gabby had been one of the girls who whispered that Sela wanted the squad to be seen in the exclusive neighborhood as a way to thumb her nose at the other Bumble Girls. Rachel didn't quite believe her best friend's theory since Sela had also been the head Bumble Girl while co-captain.

Stepping forward again, Bridget re-rang the doorbell. Despite such a large mansion, she knew Sela's family had no full-time servants like many Bumble families. Even crazier, Sela's home wasn't the grandest in her family. That honor fell to the original Wynwick Mansion, which sat across the wide, double street with its tree-lined grass medium running down the center. Even Sela's uncle's home next door might have been slightly larger than hers.

"I'm sorry for keeping you waiting," Fenton Wynwick apologized upon opening the large, heavy door. "I was on a call and thought one of the girls would let you inside."

"That's okay, Mr. Wynwick. It's a nice night outside," Bridget replied, accepting his polite arm wave to enter.

"I have to say, this is first for me. Without a son, I've never expected to have a girl come pick up a boy at my home for a date," Fenton announced, chuckling while leading her into the lounge. "It's a strange but pleasant feeling. I expect to witness plenty of girls showing up next door in the coming years as Wyatt and Whit grow up."

"You sound like my dad. His only fill-in hope is Tinsley's younger brother next door. I think he's already planning to give the father's talk to Teddy despite whatever their dad tells him," Bridget revealed.

"It's a minor thing that I do miss. Sela carries herself as if she never needed any advice. Well, maybe I'll have a grandson someday to impart my wisdom to someday," Fenton speculated wistfully. Then, he shifted the conversation to his other daughter. "I want to thank you again for including Fiona in your Homecoming event. I struggle to find ways to occupy her time and boundless energy. Did she behave today?"

"Fiona wasn't a problem. Actually, she behaved better than most of the kids," Bridget replied.

“Ah, that’s nice to hear for once,” Fenton said, sounding relieved.

Behind him, Bridget spotted a ponytail swing as an eavesdropper heard enough. She stifled a laugh. Although Fiona and Brandy had a five-year age difference, they had some similar qualities. Getting into trouble and eavesdropping were two of them.

"If you'll excuse me, I need to make a call," Fenton announced, checking the clock. "Have fun with River. It's great to see him enjoying our town."

After responding to his comment, Bridget began to fidget. Did she act too fast or impulsively when asking River out? Was it fair to use him as a quasi-rebound over Coy? Calm down, Bee. It's not like I'm jumping into a relationship, and River knows that as well…right? Yeah, yeah, of course he does. He wouldn't move halfway across the world to start a relationship with a girl who lives two hours away.

Bridget got off the sofa and wandered around the room to clear her mind. She spotted several framed photographs on the fireplace mantle and a bookshelf. Several showed Sela and Fiona when they were younger. Bridget found her attention drawn to the beautiful woman in the pictures with her children. She couldn't recall what disease Serena Wynwick died from but knew it had supposedly been a rare one. Unlike her eldest daughter, Serena had a beloved reputation as a kind and caring woman. She'd never come across as selfish or pretentious.

“I’m unsure how I feel about this date,” Sela announced, startling Bridget.

"You ordered me to keep him away from Annette. This is how I did it," the other blonde pointed out.

"I will admit it could be worse. Yet, don't expect a thank you from me," Sela stated.

"You should probably thank Brandy. She's the one who tanked Annie's chance with River," Bridget revealed. "Aren't you going to interrogate me about my intentions with your cousin?"

“If that mattered to you,” Sela responded, sighing.

Footsteps pounding down the stairs ended any further discussion. River appeared, looking as sharp as he could with the limited clothes he brought for the weekend visit. Still, Bridget thought he looked handsome in his button-up shirt and pants.

“All set?” he asked, eyeing up the two young women.

"I'm ready. Where would you like to go?" Bridget inquired, causing Sela to roll her eyes at the unplanned nature of the date.

"Show me Honey Hollow. Oh, I could also eat," River added.

The classic chrome and pastel pink and blue exterior met River's astonished eyes. His gaze ran along Grubby's exterior walls, which were adorned with vibrant, retro-style murals depicting scenes of teenagers living the '50s dream - sock hops, drive-ins, and convertibles with the top down. The visitor also admired the red and white checkered awnings fluttering in the gentle autumn breeze and the diner's menus running along the roof's underside. The air was filled with the tantalizing aroma of sizzling burgers and frying french fries. The faint jingle of an old-timey jukebox could be heard when the doors to the interior seating opened or from the speakers sprinkled around the diner's outside.

A cheerful ping sounded from a bell whenever an order was ready to be picked up by a server. The waitresses were a delightful blend of past and present, their hair often pinned up while their outfits had a mix of retro and modern flair with short poodle skirts and tight, pink polo shirts that hugged their figures. Outfitted with roller skates, the carhops zipped back and forth, trays of food balanced deftly on their arms, serving patrons through rolled-down windows.

Bridget initially apologized when they came around the corner. Usually busy on a Saturday due to high school students, they'd come on a night when the local classic car club took over part of Grubby's large parking lot. More vintage vehicles line the one side street next to the diner. The large crowd meant it would take longer to get served.

“We could go inside if you want,” Bridget offered after parking in one of the spots to eat inside your car.

"Oh, no! I want the full drive-in diner experience," River said, pulling out his phone. "My mom loved that old show Happy Days, so she will want to see pictures.”

Bridget laughed when the first-time visitor switched to taking video and followed one of the carhops as she zoomed around several vehicles. She'd guessed correctly that his hometown didn't have a restaurant like Grubby's.

"This place is awesome. I can't believe we didn't stop here on our couple of visits," River responded after Bridget pointed to the menu boards. He asked what was good and what she was getting.

"Cheeseburger. If you don't mind a bit of old-fashioned greasy food, that's your best bet. Although, a growing boy such as yourself might want to order a double cheeseburger. I'm also getting some onion rings," Bridget listed, asking him if he wanted any additional appetizers. "Oh, Grubby's has their own homemade root beer, too."

Eventually, a waitress whizzed over and made a perfectly abrupt stop alongside the car window. The blonde driver was greeted by a familiar, friendly face with long, dark brown hair, hazel eyes, and medium-sized breasts.

"Hi, Bridget!" Paula Reedy said before ducking down to look inside at the passenger. Pulling her head back up, Paula made an impressed expression mixed with a touch of curiosity.

"Hey, Paula. Oh, this River Sandberry. He's Sela's cousin and just started school at Zurbrugg this year," Bridget introduced. "I'm showing him around town for Sela."

"I doubt she'd bring anyone here by herself," Paula joked after greeting the handsome young man. Whipping out a pen and notebook, she proceeded to take their orders before zooming off.

“Friend of yours?” River inquired.

"Not a close one. More like a friendly acquaintance or a class friend," Bridget explained. "Don't get me wrong. Paula's a sweetheart, but we have different interests. Still, if Annette and I split the Homecoming vote, I'd prefer if Paula wins the crown."

“Hi, Bridget!” another carhop greeted, slowing down momentarily.

Bridget shot back her own greeting to one of Haley's friends. A third carhop, and second junior, yelled over as well. River smiled at how popular his date appeared.

“Do you have many friends working here?” he asked.

"Most of the weekend employees are from my school. Oliver Ragg's family owns Grubby's. Oh, right. You met Ollie earlier. He was one of the baseball players who came with Graham."

River nodded, mentioning how friendly everyone seemed today. It wasn't what he expected from Sela's friends back home.

"We're her old cheerleader friends. You're lucky you didn't meet any of her Bumble Girl neighbors."

River admitted he'd heard the term before. However, he wasn't very familiar with the concept as his family branch moved before the high society clique became entrenched. He only knew that a few of his relatives took the club and its leader's election seriously.

Bridget followed up by asking questions about his family's beach resort. River gave a quick overview that caused her to laugh, as it sounded like a spiel used to attract tourists.

"Does it? Damn, I guess my dad finally managed to brainwash me," the brown-haired young man said, sounding shocked before he joined in on the laughter.

"So, you said your brother is taking over someday?" Bridget asked, curious about his family. "What's he like?"

"We're pretty similar, I guess. He's a bit larger than me, but people never fail to mention how much we look alike. Personality-wise? We're both outgoing people. Wynd is probably a little more serious than me. That's why he's better suited to run Beachberry than I am."

“You’re locked into returning after graduation and working at the resort?”

"Pretty much. College might open up new possibilities, but I wouldn't want Beachberry to end up sold someday because none of us wanted to work there. What about you? Got a family business to go into someday?"

"Family business?" Bridget repeated giggling. "Sure, if you want to be a private investigator."

“What?!”

"My dad runs his own agency. It used to be just him, but Mom made him take on an employee last year to cut down on his workload."

Surprised and impressed, River asked several questions in a row.

"He was a cop for about a minute. He quit after being suspended for refusing a superior's order not to arrest some rich kid. It's a tough life. He's often in danger, but we're proud of the people he's helped. You met my little sister Brandy. She probably takes after my dad the most. My older sister Beverly is the least adventurous or daring person I know. My mom met my dad because he'd always get injured during his cases. So, she'd be dead set against any of using following in his footsteps," Bridget explained.

"I can understand. Do you have anything in mind?" River inquired.

"A nurse. I've known that I'll be one since I was little. As I mentioned, Mom met Dad because she's an emergency room nurse. I've learned a lot about the medical world from her. I plan to go to the nursing school at Zurbrugg next year," Bridget revealed.

"Wow, that sounds awesome. I meant the nursing career…and you coming up next year," River added, grinning.

They spent another ten minutes talking about River's adjustment to college and the long move to the Midwest from Hawaii. Bridget gave him the lowdown on which of his college classmates she knew and who she liked or disliked. Although he hadn't met many, he admitted that a few names sounded familiar. Bridget told him to trust Rusty Ridge's impressions about who to avoid.

Paula returned, wheeling over in an impressive display of speed and food safety. Since Bridget knew the drill, she'd already rolled her window the necessary distance for the tray's hooks to rest on. Digging in immediately, River gave a thumbs up when asked what he thought of the food.

"What's up, Bridget?" Duke Hager yelled, walking past the car toward Grubby's front door. He did a doubletake while ducking down to see who she had in the car with her.

With food in her mouth, Bridget pointed at her lips before waving a greeting. Reaching over, she grabbed her drink to wash down the food. While she did that, Pernell Sweet and Abacus Kessler came around the car next to hers to join Duke before dining inside. Bridget watched as Duke alerted the other two to her presence. After a preemptive hand wave, she smiled. Although her plan hadn't been to make Coy jealous, getting spotted by Duke would surely lead to the quarterback hearing immediately about her date with a mysterious man.

"In the mood for ice cream?" Bridget asked once they finished their meal. "Have you been to Scoops Creamery in Arbor Corners yet? No! Well, let me take you to their original location."

“Is it far?”

"Nope. It's just down the street," Bridget replied, backing her car out of the spot.

The sun had dipped below the horizon, casting a final warm reddish hue that made the neon lights of Scoops Creamery pop. River started to understand why Bridget suggested the ice cream parlor when he spotted the flickering parlor blue and yellow sign. It had an old-time charm buzzing with nostalgia. After experiencing Grubby's, River shook his head upon entering their next stop. An old-fashioned jukebox played similar tunes as the drive-in down the road. The walls were adorned with vintage posters of ice cream sundae towers and gigantic multiple-decker ice cream cones. Although a family establishment, the black and white photographs hinted at sensual delights with cherry-lipped beauties featured prominently. A black and white checkered floor and a gleaming chrome-lined countertop transported customers to a simpler time.

The heart of Scoops was a long counter, the type usually found in early 20th-century **** stores. It was lined with colorful stools that spun when you sat on them. Several large slanted display cases stood at the end of the counter nearest the door, displaying a cornucopia of frozen delights. More than fifty flavors of ice cream tempted diets and waistlines. These ranged from the classics to specialties like bubblegum blueberry swirl, strawberry cheesecake, Tiger tail, Spumoni, and avocado mint. The toppings ranged from the usual suspects—whipped cream, sprinkles, chocolate sauce, and crushed Oreos—to the unexpected: breakfast cereal, stale donuts, and candied bacon. The sundae menu was a testament to culinary creativity, with names like "The Volcano," "The Galaxy," and "The Turtle's Treasure." A sign proclaimed the banning of frozen yogurts and gelatos. "Health-Conscious? Go Elsewhere." it read.

Seeing a long line, Bridget motioned for them to grab a seat. Along the walls were cozy booths upholstered in red vinyl, each with a mini-jukebox that softly played classic tunes for a dime. They grabbed one of the open ones for several minutes as if to proclaim they'd reserved it.

Once the line dwindled, they left Bridget's light coat to keep anyone from sitting in their booth. With a few people still in front of them, Bridget motioned for her guest to peer around them to get a glimpse through the display cases. River's eyes widened as he took it all in, his sweet tooth already tingling in anticipation.

"If you liked the homemade root beer at Grubby's, they use the same here for their floats," Bridget informed. She noticed River's conflicted expression and read it perfectly. "Don't worry. Scoops is the only business that Grubby's sells it to, and that includes their shop in Arbor Corners."

Suddenly, Bridget perked up when she heard a familiar pair of voices at the front of the line. This explained why they hadn't budged lately.

"It's not a tough choice. Just pick one," the dancer with the dyed dark brown hair prodded her friend.

"I don't know. I just don't know," responded a very worried and conflicted voice. Bridget smiled at the blonde for making it sound like a life-or-**** decision.

"Hey, Wally, can you help out over here?" the employee waiting on the two girls called over to her co-worker. "Tutti frutti? Or how about Raspberry Ripple? Aren't those two of your favorites?"

"They are! But…oh, I don't know. Chocolate chip cookie dough feels like it's calling my name."

"Then, get it! C'mon, Fliss, we don't have all night," Naomi Fitch reminded, clenching her fist in mild frustration. Unknown to anyone else, she shared a conversation with her friend about this exact issue before they entered Scoops. "Seriously, just get both if you can't decide."

"What? I can do that?" Felicity Witt questioned, hopping up from where she'd been staring into the glass case. "Won't Gemma or Didi get mad?"

“I’ll distract them for you.”

"You'd do that? Thank!" Felicity squealed, reaching around to hug her friend. That's when she spotted the cheer captain. "Hi, Bridget!"

"Hey, Fliss. Hard decision tonight, huh?"

"Yes!" the bubbly blonde announced, nodding her head vigorously. "We're taking Gemma some ice cream. She wants to gorge herself while crying her eyes out over Coy."

"Fliss!" Naomi hissed before scolding her closest friend on the dance squad. "Bridget's the last person Gemma would want to know that."

"She is? Oh! She is. Erase that from your memory, Bridget," Felicity directed. Only after the cheer captain finished zipping her lips did the friendly teen notice the guy standing next to her that Naomi had already eyed up. "Who's your friend? Ooh! Do you have a new boyfriend already? Uh-oh, maybe we need to get Gemma a quart."

“No, he’s not my boyfriend, but he is my date for the night.”

While Felicity squealed and clapped with delight, Bridget introduced River to the two Sugarbees. After hearing how miserable Gemma felt tonight, she was happy to make her rival feel even worse once the news arrived at her house about Sela's handsome cousin. Naomi expected the same reaction and wasn't thrilled about being the bearer of bad news.

With that thought in mind, Naomi turned around and ordered three quarts for herself and the other dancers. Then, she added a pint of each chocolate chip cookie dough and Raspberry Ripple for Felicity. Such a large order for herself distracted the bubbly blonde long enough for Naomi to pay and hustle her friend to the waiting area.

"Hello, and welcome to Scoops Creamery. What can I scoop for you, Bridget?" Janet Napier asked, wearing her paper hat and bowtie.

“Busy night?” Bridget asked while River morphed into Felicity with his indecision.

"Kinda. We get more business whenever the car club is down at Grubby's. Who's your friend?"

Once again, Bridget introduced the college student to one of her classmates. And like the two dancers, she expected Janet to carry the news back to another person. Only this time, she'd likely ask Cassie what she knew about Sela's attractive cousin.

River selected a classic hot fudge sundae. He figured he'd have plenty of time at the other location near his college to try some more elaborate combinations. Bridget countered by ordering a strawberry cone.

"Bye, Bridget! Bye, Bridget's date. Have a nice night!" Felicity yelled over as Naomi pushed her out the door.

Returning with their ice cream to their booth, the cheer captain's sashaying managed to pry River's eyes away from his sundae. Bridget grinned at his response. She also wondered what rumors would be spread about her around town tonight. If the reports about her handsome date pissed Coy and Gemma off, then better yet.

Seated across from each other, Bridget took her first lick, allowing the vibrant strawberry ice cream to coat the tip of her tongue. Slightly tilting the cone, the busty blonde took a deliberate, slow lick, her tongue tracing the curve of the cone. Her eyes never left River, watching as his gaze widened. Another tongue swirl nearly caused River to place the spoon on the table instead of returning it to the sundae.

With each sensual lick of the strawberry ice cream, Bridget felt a sense of power and allure building within her. The coldness, along with slutty teasing, sent a delightful shiver down her spine. Closing her eyes, Bridget took the ice cream deeper inside her mouth. With it as deep as it could go, she let loose a loud, contented moan. She didn't need her eyes open to know how River reacted to her full lips wrapping around the cone. The teasing blonde easily heard his spoon clank hard against the sundae's glass bowl.

Bridget also felt his heated, hungry gaze on her, which she confirmed after reopening her eyes. A giggle escaped her lips at spotting the pinkness of his blushing cheeks. A thrill filled her upon realizing how her seductive licks had started to drive him wild. River had to **** himself not to stare too openly once Bridget's tongue went back to work. However, his somewhat forgotten hot fudge sundae told where his attention lay as it slowly melted.

"Loving the show, and I'm learning a lot, Bridget. I'd say the same for Wally, who's hiding his waist behind the counter. However, those parents in the other booth look ready to complain. So you might want to turn the temperature down a few notches until you leave," Janet whispered after coming over to their booth.

"Oh, right. Sorry!" Bridget apologized. She'd been startled when Janet first started speaking. Lost in her flirtatious seduction, she'd forgotten there were others around.

"Yikes," River sounded. "Getting kicked out of a place on my trip down here would be a funny story, but I don't want to offend anyone in here with kids."

“Yeah, I don’t need that getting back to my mom,” Bridget admitted.

The pair resumed eating their ice cream like normal people, although River had to eat his sundae quickly before it finished melting. Bridget's remaining half of an ice cream cone didn't take her long to finish either. While she did so, Bridget avoided eye contact as the family, who looked ready to complain, finished their treats and left.

River let out a pleased moan after his last spoonful.

“Enjoy it?” Bridget asked.

"In more ways than one," River replied, winking. "Well, thanks for the delicious dessert."

"Dessert? Oh, that wasn't your dessert. The restrooms are over there. Clean up, and I'll show you another of Honey Hollow's sights. You get your dessert there," Bridget revealed suggestively.