"Anyway, it was about a year into the relationship when it started to go south. In the beginning Britney was fun to be around, we hung out. It was easy. Eventually, it became obvious we wanted different things in life. Britney wanted to drink and party with her friends all night."She wanted to eat at the most expensive restaurants, buy the best clothes, take lavish vacations. But she didn't have the money to support that kind of lifestyle and wasn't willing to work for it." He hasn't moved from his spot, but his hands continue to flex into fist as he talks."I was a college kid who spent my free time playing video games. Britney didn't see who I really was. She couldn't see beyond the fact she was dating a Stanford guy. I was expected to graduate and get a high profile job to make her dreams a reality." Finn pauses, deep in thought. "Britney didn't come from a wealthy family, but she wanted to make herself one. I was expected to lead the charge."The seconds tick away and he doe

"Nonsense. They know you'll be here. I figured I'd keep it a surprise so you couldn't come down with the flu before getting in the car." He laughs at his own joke then places a small kiss on my temple. His warm lips remove some of my apprehension.The store is well lit and inviting. I hate to admit I had labeled, but this isn't what I expected at all. Maybe Finn is right and I do have a horrible stereotype of his people. Whenever I envision a comic store, they're dusty, closed off, and full of people dressed up as wizards. Everyone here is casual, but normal — maybe a little heavy on the color black, but hey, it's a slimming color.A tall, handsome guy in dark jeans and a tan sport coat with a blue dress shirt approaches our area and takes a heavy seat on the couch across from us."Finn... and Aspen, I presume," he greets us but looks in the direction of the coffee."Aspen, this pleasant fellow is Trey," Finn introduces me with heavy sarcasm.His friend's harsh face hasn't li

His hand caresses my cheek bringing me out of sleep at a relaxed pace. I move to roll over and can only groan in pain. Each and every piece of my body hurts. I wiggle a toe and my foot seizes up. Not willing to risk a larger limb, I go still and play my own twisted version of the freeze game."Good morning, Sunshine." Finn's arms are wrapped around me. His legs are already twisted up in my own. I can't believe I managed to sleep this way. If it wasn't for the body heat he's suffocating me with, I could stay here all day.I don't respond with words but give him another groan to show my displeasure. I didn't hear Finn's alarm go off, but I'll have to find a way to stand up at some point. Last night we walked, and then we walked more, and then we walked some more. I have no idea how I did it. My legs aren't built for these hills. Even downhill hurts at this slope. It was past midnight before we returned and even though his door is farther down the hallway than mine, I couldn't make it

The smell of grease and cheese drifts through my apartment. There's one piece of double cheese pepperoni pizza left and I plan to make it mine. I move my work papers to the other side of the sofa for safety and in slow movements, to not draw attention, reach for the box placed on my thick coffee table.Finn beats me there and in one quick move grabs the last piece. I side eye him and laugh at his smug expression. He's so proud of his accomplishment."Okay, quick draw, but give me the crust," I try to compromise with him.Finn tears off the garlic butter flavored goodness and kisses my mouth before he taps my nose with the crust and presses it between my lips. It's heaven. Him and the garlic butter."Be careful of who you're calling quick draw, my lady." He reaches to his head and tips an imaginary cowboy hat. "I can shoot you all night."His comment catches me off guard and I choke on my piece. "You're going to shoot me?"Finn's face looks devilish as he delivers the punch

"I may have a crush on Jackson, the redheaded guy from Accounting," Amanda confesses while she stares out at the foggy morning view from our spot in Buena Vista Park. The smell of cinnamon lingers between us, evidence of our sugary brunch meeting."I knew it!" I throw my crumpled napkin in her direction. It doesn't make it anywhere near my intended target. "Last week I saw you talking to him by the break room. You were doing the whole giggling school girl routine."Amanda blushes."Men are fucktards," Marissa comments before her head turns to me. Her eyes flicker when she remembers I recently finished a gush fest on Finn. "I mean except for Finn." She rushes to get out, "I'm sure he's a great guy, who won't lead you on for four years then months before your wedding get caught fucking a co-worker under a desk."I'm pretty sure there were no desks involved with the Cody situation, but Marissa has hit the angry phase of this breakup and it's best not to correct her at this point i