"What do you mean crazy golf is childish?" Kelsey cried out from her comfortable position on the Henderson's plush sofa. Her arms waved above her head in disbelief.

"It's just not what I immediately think about when it comes to dating in my late twenties." Sean retorted from the other end of the sofa, his head resting against one of his mothers overly expensive decorative cushions.

"It's the perfect first date!" Kelsey retorted. "It's an activity that both parties are involved in, a constant flow of conversation, it's fun! A healthy dose of competition!" She picked up one of the pillows and chucked it in Sean's direction. "Much better than a cinema trip or a meal."

"Oh come on, what's wrong with going for a meal for a first date?" Sean argued, tossing the plump cushion back to Kelsey who stared on in shock.

"Many things, Sean. For starters the lull in conversation as you have no clue what to speak about." Kelsey started listing things off her fingers in a dramatic manner. "Worrying constantly if you have something stuck in your teeth or whether you're drinking too much but drinking is how you deal with the awkwardness of the situation. It's truly an awful idea for a first date."

"Sounds like a very personal take." Sean said, raising an eyebrow.

"That's what I'm here for isn't it? To give you the woman's perspective. Last time I checked I am indeed a woman and that is my perspective on the matter. Don't just go for dinner as the first date." On the last word Kelsey huffed falling back into the crevice she had formed.

"Ok noted. Pick a fun activity." Sean said, closing his eyes in concentration he reached both hands behind his head relaxing in the moment. "Except there's fuck all to do in this town regarding fun."

"Well that's why you have to make it fun!" Kelsey argued back laughing. "No ones going to have fun playing crazy golf if you don't lean into the ridiculousness of it."

"You're really hung up on this crazy golf idea aren't you?" Sean opened one eye to look at Kelsey who had now twisted her body to look at him, her chin resting on her hand as it propped her up against the back cushions. He swallowed a lump in his throat, the sunlight that was breaking through the front window had casted a warm halo around her, setting her hair ablaze with a red haze. She smiled at him then, her eyes soft.

"Honestly, it will be a laugh. We'll go tomorrow and you'll see just how right I am. " She smiled.
"Fine." Sean answered turning his body to face Kelsey. "It's a date."

He watched as the grin spread further across her face, two dimples prominently showing. With a warmth spreading across his chest Sean fought with every instinct telling him to get closer to her. To feel her locks of hair pass through his fingers, to smell her perfume whilst his teeth grazed over her neck, to taste her as he took her lips to his.

Sean blinked back rapidly sitting upright. Those thoughts had snuck up on him from nowhere and he needed to look anywhere but at Kelsey right now. Clearing his throat he stood up.
"Right my phone should have enough battery now."

Kelsey sat upright herself, he smile faltering and eyebrows furrowed in confusion from Seans sudden outburst.

"Alright." She dragged out questionably as she watched him walk over to the door way, he looked back briefly with a sheepish grin.

"I'll make us some lunch to have whilst you ridicule everything." He said before turning and heading up the stairs two steps at a time.

Walking into his room Sean caught his reflection in the mirror that made up his wardrobes sliding door. His hair was dishevelled and his cheeks where still tinged pink, looking at himself he mouthed the word No. He felt ridiculous, where had those feelings come from? It was Kelsey for Christ's sake. Maybe it had been too long? His mates where right, he desperately needed to 'relieve stress' and Sean knew that he wouldn't be having these thoughts if that wasn't the case.
Reaching down to his phone on the desk he unplugged it, the Lock Screen lighting up causing Sean to hesitate putting it straight into his pocket.
"Shit." He whispered reading the notifications from his brother.

Jake: Hey sorry mate, lost my phone on a night out so I've only just set up my new one. Why'd you need Kelsey's number?

Jake: ???

You missed a call from: Jake
You missed a call from: Jake

Jake: I've got a bunch of messages from Kelsey saying she's in town. Has she come to the house?!

You missed a call from: Jake

Jake: Sean answer me.

Jake: Are you with her?!

You missed a call from: Jake

Jake: FFS, what do you want with Kelsey?!

Well if that wasn't a sign to squash all feelings towards Kelsey then Sean didn't know what it was. Quickly opening the text chain to his brother he typed out a reply.

Dude chill. Yes she was looking for you last night at the house. She must've dropped her ring whilst at the door, I was just trying to contact her to give it back.

Sean hit send. Unsure of why he bent the truth slightly. But somehow he got the feeling that if he let slip that he'd be test driving some dating scenarios with Kelsey he'd unleash some sort of unhinged version of his brother judging by those messages and what Kelsey had told about him.
Putting his phone on silent he pocketed his phone and left his room.

"What do you think about Bacon rolls for lunch?" He called out as he descended the stair case. Kelsey poked her head round the door way.
"Sounds heavenly right now."

................................................................................................................................................

Kelsey felt like she was floating as she walked back towards the entrance of the Travelodge. The smile plastered across her face felt the most natural thing in the world. She couldn't quite get over the day. Sean had to be the most at ease person she had ever been alone in a room with. She couldn't recall if he was always like that, actually it certainly seemed that whatever room Kelsey entered Sean always seemed to vacate fairly quickly when she was dating Jake.
Her stomach was still tender from the laughter from their lunch. The most vanilla dating profile she'd ever come across. Through mouthfuls of bacon Sean defended each sentence whilst he rested on the back of the kitchen stool Kelsey sat on, her eyes watering with laughter as she struggled to get the words out.

"It looks like a CV"
"Oh come on it's not that bad!"
"Sean you've got subheadings! And bullet points!"
"It's very factual and to the point."
"It's very corporate. You need something to let them know you have a personality."
"Ow."

Sean feigned a shot to the heart but his smile remained. Kelsey enjoyed how easy he was to talk to and she admits his close proximity was enjoyable too. The goosebumps that formed on her neck as he leant over to hit the 'edit' button on the screen, how his face was inches from hers as he turned to look at her.

"Fix it for me Owens. Make it something you'd swipe yes for."

Opening her room door, Kelsey was greeted by the mess she left herself earlier that morning. Ignoring it all she headed straight to her phone that laid face down on the vanity table. Her Lock Screen a swarm of notifications. Pulling down and swiping the 'Clear All' button Kelsey wanted enjoy the peace of a good day a little longer before returning to reality. Crashing down onto the bed the springs creaked beneath her as she sprawled out among her belongings, stretching her legs out kicking her trainers onto the floor Kelsey flexed her feet before rolling onto her side. Her foot grazed an object beneath the tight end of the bed covers, confused Kelsey ran her foot over the lump again.

"You've got to be kidding me." She cried jumping up and pulling the layers back from the bed. Beneath the white fitted sheet a green purse with floral embroidery looked up at her wedged between the mattress and bed frame. Kelsey shook her head in disbelief. "How on earth-" she trailed of into a chuckle whilst snapping a quick picture.

      Opening up her messages she hit a new message, glancing at the numbers neatly scrawled on the back of her hand she double checked she'd copied them accurately before attaching the image of the purse.

Look what's turned up. Golf's on me tomorrow.

Clicking out Kelsey entered the group chat, ignoring the countless demands from Cameron and angry face emojis from Milly, Kelsey tapped her finger on the side trying to think the best way to say what she wanted to;

. So I ran into Sean again today. We are going to fake date for a couple days?
. Jake didn't kidnap me, sorry I was too busy fawning over his older brother?
.I'm in trouble but I kind of like it?

All valid messages she could send but all resulting in more complex questions being asked by her friends she was sure.
Kelsey bit her lip as she began to type out her message.

Kelsey: I'm fine, let me know when you're all free for a group phone call. A LOT to catch you all up on xx
Sent: 14:53