With Dinner and Storytime

Beth was outside his building waiting when he arrived, Alan raised his hand in greeting and looked her over. Beth was dressed simply but Alan had to say she made the simple look good. She was wearing an open shoulder top with tank top underneath and tight jean shorts. She heard him approach and turned, raising her hand back and giving a casual high-five.

“Took you long enough Ward, work raking you over the coals?” She was shivering in the cold air with a big grin across her face. “You look like shit”

Alan scratched the back of his head, the long days had taken a toll and his eyes were more sunken than normal “More like the week has worn me down,” He opened the door to the building and let Beth inside, “You could have had Lena let you in.”

“Lena’s at my place tonight.” Beth said the words quickly, and on the sideways look that Alan gave her followed it up with “Things are cool now but she needs to clear her head y’know? Rome wasn’t built in a day and it didn’t have as stubborn a foundation as a Ward’s head”

Alan gave a light chuckle and felt some of his stress release itself. Maybe shit wasn’t completely off the rails with his sister after all.

“But y’know lets talk about that in a bit, I’m here to have some fun, so let’s leave the heavy conversation when we’re stuck eating y’know?” Beth gave a quick wink his way

Opening the front door Alan was forced to agree. He wanted to enjoy tonight. Last night had been…a mess and left him a mess, and that was nothing to the week before it. He just wanted to unwind. To that end he sent a wave of relaxation to Beth as she entered the room. She wanted what he did, so it was only polite to help.

“Hope pasta is ok,” Alan called out as Beth collapsed on the couch

“Any food that’s not instant is good in my book,” She called back out

The burners turned on with the flick of switch and Alan reached for a bottle of gin in the cabinet. “Can I interest you in a drink?”

“Beer for me!” Beth leaned back and gave a contented sound

It didn’t take long to make their drinks, a Gin and tonic for him, a beer for her and Alan came over, draping his arms over the top of the couch handing her the bottle.

“Thanks, Ward.” lifting the bottle She clinked it against his glass, “So how are things with fling girl? Did you manage to cut the umbilical cord? Or is the commitment bug buzzing in your ear?”

A mischievous grin spread over Alan’s features, “Actually…I did see her again.” He sipped his drink

“Fucking hell Ward, knew you couldn’t do a one night stand. What are we even doing here then?” Her expression was exasperated as she gawked at him.

“No, it’s not like that…see we got something different going on.” With that Alan pulled out his phone and showed Beth the photos Caroline had been sending him all week. Taking care to slowly go down as they escalated each day and sending her a flash of excitement as each picture came into view.”

Beth’s eyes were wide with amazement, “Ward, when did you become such a kinky fucker.” She punched his arm, “You got this girl eating out of your hand, that’s…more than a little hot.” She bit her lip.

“Yeah…and she’s not the only one.” Alan put his phone away and went to put the pasta away as Beth jumped to her knees to look at his back.”

“No way! Who? Where did weenie Ward go? Who is this fuckboy I got?” Beth Laughed

Alan chuckled in return, “Finally just getting out of my shell. As for who, you remember Alex?”

“That Intern?” Alan just grinned, Beth didn’t need to know the details, “Holy fuck!”

“Just kind of landed in my lap and it felt rude not to take advantage of the situation.” Alan stirred the pot before draining it out

“Holy shit, aren’t you her boss? Arn’t you gonna get in like heaps of trouble.” Beth came over to the kitchen

Alan put a plate of pasta in her hands, “Only if I get caught, and I’m confident I can handle myself.”

Beth glanced towards Lena's bedroom, “Is that right? Maybe think you’re having like…a quarterlife crisis?”

Alan sent a wave of pleasure at Beth and grabbed his own plate. “If I am, I am enjoying it thoroughly, come on, let’s eat and then I can enjoy you thoroughly.”

Beth chuckled at that “Ok, but you got to get better at those one liners.”

They sat down and began poking at there Pasta when the reason for them meeting up finally caught up as Beth looked over

“So About Lena…”