Make yourself at home, I'm going to work.

Beth and Kyle spent the next twenty minutes or so getting to know each other, in a superficial way.
Kyle Jackson. Corporal, US Army, had been honorably discharged after a four year tour. He'd been deployed, first in Iraq, and then Syria. Now that he was done with his duty, it was time for him to fit back into civilian life. He wasn't eager to see his and Brian's parents, for reasons he didn't seem to want to get into, and Beth didn't press. That's why he was crashing here, and not in Newport Beach with them. He would start looking for a job, but he was really excited to be home in time for their wedding.
Beth gave him the short version of how they met, what she did, where she was from. She was coming to the strange realization that Kyle was very charming. He had a slightly "rough around the edges" demeanor that she supposed was typical of recently discharged soldiers, but his politeness was refreshing and his smile was roguish. He had much of the traits that she found attractive in Brian, with the additional benefits of youth, and the physical training of a soldier. She knew, from Brian, that Kyle had been a bad kid: ****, fighting, eventually a stolen car and a joyride before an arrest. Community service, instead of jail time, had led to enlistment. She got the sense from Brian that his parents had pushed him into the military as a way to "get rid of" the problem. {if Formation = 4
}Beth could relate more than she liked to admit. {endif
}After about thirty minutes, Beth stood up. "Well, Kyle, it's nice to have you, and please make yourself at home."
"I'm going to look for a place of my own, don't worry. This isn't a "You, Me and..." well, you know the movie."
"Dupree?"
"No, it's Kyle. We just met?" Kyle chuckled, and Beth giggled despite herself. It was a stupid joke, but she couldn't help it. "I have to get ready for work, okay?"
"Just pretend I'm not here...." Kyle replied cordially.
"I think that might be scarring for you if I did." That got a laugh.
{if Formation = 5
}Stop flirting with your future brother-in-law, slut. The thought was sudden and intrusive, and gave her a sour stomach. {endif
}Beth headed upstairs to get prepped for work. On the way, she pulled out her phone to text, Brian.

Beth: did you forget to tell me something?

A few minutes into her process, the reply came.
Brian: umm....I love you?
Beth: Kyle.
Brian: Oh shit, yeah. sorry I meant to text you. I guess I got busy.
Beth: well I nearly stabbed him, so thanks for that
Brian: shit.... im so sorry. I'm useless
Beth: Its ok. He's here now. I'm going to work

Brian didn't respond, so Beth assumed he had been pulled back into work and couldn't text back. She finished getting ready, popped downstairs to let Kyle know that there was food in the house, but that he could order in if he wanted and pointed out the Chinese food menus and pizza delivery flyers.
"Thanks. I'm probably going to sleep for a little while longer, to be honest." Kyle was already lying down.
"Well feel free to watch TV or whatever you want." And with that, Beth headed to work.