A/N: As usual, I would recommend putting the video on loop.

 If only service could've lasted longer. Instead, it seemingly flew by. It was a moderately busy service, and she was kept busy by making sure that things ran smoothly as usual. At times, she didn't even have a moment to think about what lay ahead of her, which she was grateful for. But when she checked the clock every now and then, the weight on her shoulders increased. Anita would wink and smirk a few times at her, which caused her to groan internally.

Of course, Scarlett was informed of the date ahead, and that news carried onto the waiting staff. Needless to say none of their words of encouragement and sympathy did her much good. She even asked Hal at one point if he needed help watching his nephew that evening. He only chuckled and shook his head, telling her that she should enjoy her evening and that she didn't have to go on another date if it went bad. If only he knew the whole story, but she couldn't disclose it to him. Otherwise, he might tell Anita. Instead, she had to nod and sigh before returning to work.

Now, though, she was leaning on the kitchen counter. She already had her outfit on for the walk in the park. Her hair was left down, and her wallet was in her right front shorts' pocket. Anita still was getting ready, and (f/n) wished that she could hide in her cardigan and be transported to another world. Lee remained in the spot he usually was in while Anita was in the house. Even if it was too risky to communicate with her presently, he did rest a hand on her right shoulder for comfort, which she appreciated, before he returned to his original position.

His gesture made things a bit more bearable, and she just appreciated being in his presence. Personally, she just wanted to see him before she went off to the park. He knew the truth, and that was comforting on its own. She didn't wait long for Anita, though, and she practically burst into the kitchen. Anita had on a light orange fuzzy pullover, black high-waisted shorts and black flip flops. "Ready?!"

"No," (f/n) answered in a disinterested tone. A slight yelp parted from her lips when Anita suddenly tugged on her arm and ran with her out of the kitchen. "Anita! Slow down!" she cried out, Lee soon disappearing from sight. But, he'd be in the house when she returned.

"Nope! They're probably already there!" she answered back, opening, closing and locking the front door in record time.

"Last time, they were late," (f/n) argued back, but Anita wasn't slowing down. Instead, she held onto (f/n)'s left hand and guided her along the streets and towards the local park in Duskriver.

"Well, they might not be this time," she retorted, smiling back to her friend. For a moment, (f/n) wished to wipe the smile off of Anita's lips. It no longer looked friendly, just deceitful.

"Right." Doubt was clear in (f/n)'s voice, but Anita ignored it, and they soon were approaching the black wrought iron gates that led into the park. "Are we meeting them here? Because, they're not here," (f/n) pointed out as though she had proved Anita wrong.

"No. At the duck pond." Anita smiled and giggled. "We can feed them. And, it'll be nice to sit by the water." As if reading (f/n)'s mind, though, she stopped in her steps and faced her friend. A serious pout fell upon her lips. "No, pushing Tristan into the water."

"Well, there goes my fun," (f/n) muttered, sighing a little dramatically.

Rolling her eyes, Anita soon grinned. "But if you ever do want to go swimming with him, I think that the community center has a pool." Suddenly, a massive pit formed in her stomach. No, she didn't want to go swimming with that scumbag at all. Just the idea of wearing a swim suit around him made her want to puke. Anita giggled when she noted that (f/n)'s expression looked horrified. "Oh, don't worry so much. You look great in a suit." Yeah, that wasn't her concern at all. She didn't want that pervert seeing her in one.

"I'll hold off on that. Thanks," she answered, quickly shooting down the idea. "Let's see this pond."

"Sure, but you might warm up to the idea later on," Anita teased, winking. (F/n) severely doubted it. Thankfully, Anita dropped the subject and, hopefully, would forget it before they reached the pond. There were several benches around the pond, and there was a large fountain in the center of it. Unfortunately, there were also two familiar figures by the water. Inwardly, (f/n) groaned, and her feet dragged. "Oh, stop being dramatic, (f/n)." Anita tugged and grinned. "Told you they might be here before us."

"How lovely." Her voice dripped with sarcasm, and Anita just shook her head at her friend's usual behavior. Reaching the two men, Anita let go of (f/n) and greeted both of them before she focused on Kaleb and gave him a kiss on the lips in greeting. (F/n), however, nodded to Tristan and stood there awkwardly. "So, you talked to Anita."

"You did mention that I should," Tristan responded, smiling a little and seeming unsure of how close he should stand next to her. If she could speak her mind honestly, she'd suggest extremely far away.

"We'll see you two later," Anita suddenly called out, and (f/n) stared at her with a raised brow. "Well, you need your alone time after all." She winked and wrapped her arms around Kaleb's left one.

Tristan blushed slightly, but (f/n) had a feeling that it was for show. Kaleb smiled to them both before he waved with his free hand and walked off with Anita.

Great, she was left with Tristan. Fantastic. Then again, the whole group she didn't want to be around. A quiet sigh left her, and she glanced over to her 'date.' She placed her hands in her cardigan pockets before he could offer for her to hold one of his. "So, where did you want to walk? Anita mentioned feeding the ducks, but ..." (F/n) trailed off and stared towards the pair that was disappearing from sight.

Chuckling lightly, Tristan remarked, "Yeah, that didn't seem to happen, but I did bring some oats for them if you wanted to feed them." He reached into the right pocket of his beige jacket and pulled out a bag of the oats. "Up to you, though. I wouldn't mind walking either."

"I suppose that we can." She faced away from him and walked closer to the water before she seated herself on the grass by it. Tristan sat close by, and she forced herself not to scoot away. "In the parks you've been to, do you feed the ducks there if they have any?"

"Sometimes, but not often." He opened the bag and handed some of the oats to her. She put out her right hand, and he placed them in hers. For the moment they had skin contact, she almost shuddered. Tristan poured some into his hand from the bag before he tossed them into the water. Soon, the ducks swam over and began eating up the oats. It was relaxing to watch, but she wished that Tristan wasn't there with her.

"Too busy with your flings?" she commented before she tossed the oats she had into the water. More ducks swam over. A nervous, light laugh left Tristan before he rubbed the back of his neck. She glanced over to him and raised a brow. "So, that's a yes, then?"

"Not all of the time. I visited the park on my own a lot too, and I just liked to walk the paths. It helped me think of new designs and layouts for clients. Or, I read a book on one of the park benches or under a tree." He met her gaze. "It was calming."

"And, the other times?"

"Well, none of them were interested in feeding the ducks. We just found a quiet spot and enjoyed the other's company." His cheeks became slightly pink, and she again thought that was for show. Someone like him wouldn't become so embarrassed even if she was calling him out on what he did.

"Sounds uncomfortable," she muttered, staring back to the ducks but also keeping an eye on him out of the corners of her optics.

"We didn't go all the way," he quickly explained, leaning forward to try and catch her gaze. She slowly met his, not convinced. "Really. It was only kissing."

"... Fine." She broke eye contact with him again. "But, don't expect that from me."

"I don't. I don't want to be with anyone like the women I hung out with before now." He rested an arm on one knee. "I want someone that doesn't just want to jump into that. That's why I was interested in you when Anita told me about you." Tristan smiled a little, but (f/n) knew that he was lying. "You seemed like someone who was honest and liked taking their time, not wanting to jump into anything. You really want to know the person first and pursue a serious relationship after that."

Steadily, his smile faded, and he sighed. "I'm done with my old habits when it comes to relationships." He glanced to her. "So, do you think that you can give me a chance? If not, I understand, and we don't have to see each other after today." Oh, how she wished to say that she wouldn't meet him again, but she swallowed that wish.

"I'm here, aren't I?" she responded, glancing to him. Her tone was firm, but she also made it so that it sounded somewhat understanding. She hated how he smiled in response, but it was part of the plan.