"Why'd you leave?"

Quinn yanked the damp dish towel from off of her shoulder and began drying the small stack of white china that awaited her. She maintained her focus, ensuring that she kept up with the assembly line that she and Charlie, who was tending to a sink full of dirty dishes next to her, silently agreed upon.

"She pissed me off."

Charlie flicked some of the bubbles away from his hairy forearms then glanced at her. "So, you just left? Your sister seemed pretty upset."

The redhead shrugged. "It wasn't the nicest thing I've ever done but she's over it now and so am I."

"Did you get in trouble with your parents?"

Quinn briefly paused her task to stare back at her reflection the pristine dish presented her. "Nope." Before Charlie could as a follow up, she awarded him a polite smile. "It was just between my sister and me. She made it clear that she was a little mad at me for jumping ship, but we talked and everything's fine now. She's actually here now for dinner."

She yielded the dish, stacking it on top of all the rest who'd received a thorough bath. When Quinn took a little longer to accept the next soapy plate that Charlie was handing her, he looked over and caught her somewhat sneaky smirk.

"My sister also mentioned that she had a little help from a certain someone during her hunt for my whereabouts. She said she couldn't quite remember his name but he was 'decent'." Giving him a glance, she caught his grin. "That's a half-assed compliment, I know. As a matter of fact, it's bordering on insulting considering all that you did, but that's pretty good coming from my sister." A humble laugh escaped her throat. "Trust me."

Charlie's viridescent eyes flashed to a dish as he scrubbed away at the particularly stubborn stain that laid claim on it. "Well, like I said, she was upset and needed help, so..." He shrugged. "Besides, we were closing up and...hey, it got me out of toilet duty."

"Well, I'm glad to see that some good came out of it. But I highly doubt that you or your grandfather typically join search parties for missing employees. Especially when said employees are off duty. So, I appreciate it. Even if, at the time, I didn't wanna be found."

Charlie's dimpled grin couldn't have come to fruition any faster if he wanted it to. "No problem." The acknowledgment alone was enough to convince him to push a little further. "But I was wondering...why didn't you come here? Yesterday, I mean."

"I didn't have a shift, remember?"

"Ouch." He freed a guttural laugh that captured Quinn's attention. "You can still come by when you're not working, you know. Admittedly, I had a shift yesterday but since my grandpa's the owner, I could've worked something out. I mean, I practically live here. I'd love to do something other than work with someone that's not my grandfather."

"Don't you have like a ton of friends?"

"Says who?"

Quinn met that with a knowing smile. "I've seen you around. At school and here. I'm a pretty observant person and, from what I can tell, you're at least a moderately popular guy."

Charlie dipped his head as he chuckled. "I can attribute that to the burgers. Not much else. Everyone loves a good friend-of-the-owner's-grandson discount." His gaze traveled the kitchen as though he were observing a bald eagle flap its wings in the morning sky. "This place has been around since before I was even born which means the city's pretty accustomed to it, and us, too, I guess."

The redhead shrugged. "Well, those friends still count in my book."

"I guess. I've only got a few really good friends but, I don't mind. Still, even they get boring sometimes. A lot of the times, actually." That earned him a small smile so, like a self-assured leprechaun, he pushed his luck. "I'd love to see you outside of this place sometime. Maybe we could do something other than flip burgers and I could get to know you a little better so the next time you decide to disappear, I'll have a fair chance of finding you. Maybe then your sister would raise my rating from 'decent' to 'almost above average'."

Ever since the start of her employment, Quinn realized that Charlie laughed a lot. She found it refreshing and, not to mention, oddly reassuring. Even at that moment, that proved to be true. Only, that time, it seemed somewhat awkward. Forced. As if he was waiting for her to rescue him for once with that same sense of reassurance that he provided her each day.

The only problem was, Quinn panicked.

"I'm not so sure about that. T-the thing is, I'm busy." She dried each dish thereafter with a sense of urgency. "A lot, actually. Pretty much all day, every day. When I'm not here, I mean."

He moved his head into a slow nod as he lathered another dish in soap. Just when Quinn thought the conversation was put to rest, he resurrected it, and with a smile no doubt.

"Well, you have to make time to grab food, right? Real food? Not to bash our business but, just between you and me, I wouldn't recommend our menu every day of the week. There must be someplace that you like to go that has not quite as good service as we do but likely far greater nutrition. You've gotta make time for that, right?"

Quinn looked up at him. In all honesty, everything in her wanted to blatantly roll her eyes at his so-called sneaky attempt to propose the exact same offer that she shut down just moments earlier but between the sincere sweetness in his eyes that surely gave honey a run for its money coupled with the darling dimples in his cheeks, she was far too mesmerized to do so.

"Charlie!"

Both the boy in question and the girl whipped their heads around to find the source of the voice. It was Wilfred who burst into the kitchen, empty serving tray at his side as he nodded back towards the double doors that swung to a close behind him.

"I need you out onto the floor. There are a lot of customers out there waiting for you to take their orders. I'm sure Quinn can handle the dishes on her own just fine."

Charlie's eyes washed over Quinn for a good five seconds after that but neither of them said anything. He grabbed a nearby dishcloth and patted his hands dry before finally venturing towards the awaiting customers.

"How many points do I lose for suggesting this place for our first date?"

"None." Ava tilted her head as she simpered at the ridiculous question. "This place is adorable and so are you. Besides, I'm not tallying a score as long as you aren't."

"That's only the case because you know you'd lose." Paloma opened her menu then assembled a tiny smirk. "But I'll take the deal anyway."

"Ms. Sullivan." Paloma took in Charlie who appeared just as spirited as he was last night. He stood at the head of their booth with a notepad in hand then readied his pen. "Quinn said that you were here. You know, I'm really glad that you found her. Especially since she has a shift today."

Paloma met his humor with nothing more than a half-hearted smile which immediately coaxed a pink tint onto the boy's milky cheeks. "Anyway, I'm Charlie, and I'll be your server tonight." He looked back and forth between the women. "What can I get you?"

"Get what you want. It's my treat."

By the look of sheer bewilderment that overtook Paloma's features, one might've thought that someone spat in her face.

"No way. I'm treating. Get what you want." Of course, Ava hadn't even considered not arguing, so Paloma beat her to the punch. "If it makes you feel any better, I just might let you get the next one. Granted that you're lucky enough to land another date with me, that is." She grinned. "We'll play it by ear." 

Ava tongued her cheek to fight her smile then looked to the curly-haired teen. "What's good here, Charlie?"

"Everything, of course." He chuckled. "But our most popular dish is our award-winning All-American burger. It comes with two sides and a milkshake."

Ava handed him her menu. "Sold."

"I'll have the same." 

Charlie scribbled on his notepad. "And what sides can I get for you?"

"I'll take their order, Charlie."

Paloma and Ava wore matching smiles as they scrutinized Quinn's red and white striped uniform that was identical to Charlie's. Her crimson mane sprouted from her coordinating hat and neatly adorned her shoulders.

"Not a word," Quinn warned. She turned to Charlie. "Your grandfather asked for you. I can take it from here."

Charlie could hardly make his departure before Ava was snickering. "Damn, Quinn. You got a job and a boyfriend in my absence? You work fast."

Quinn exhaled far louder than necessary. "He's not my boyfriend."

"Not yet."

Giving the other woman a teasing glare, Paloma jumped in. "You heard her. Not her boyfriend. And I'd like to keep it that way."

Quinn ignored them both wholeheartedly. "About those sides?"

"I'll have—"

"Coleslaw and sweet potatoes. You can take a girl outta the south but can't take the south outta the girl, right?" Ava wanted to object but Paloma was spot on, really. Not only that, but Paloma's playful cockiness never failed to make her roll her eyes and hide her smile. "Double fries for me." 

Quinn opted out of engaging in whatever game they were playing at the moment. "Shakes?"

"S—"

Again, Paloma beat Ava to the punch. "She'll have strawberry. I'll take chocolate." The fraudulent glare Ava threw her way did nothing more than amp Paloma up. "Just saying, if there were points, I'd be kicking your ass."

Ava dismissed the comment in an instant. "As much as I love greasy, heart-stopping burgers, I've really been missing your cooking, Paloma. It's been entirely too long. Think you could make dinner happen for us tomorrow night?" She leaned in and smiled. "I think that that previous comment of yours automatically earns me the right to ask."

The brunette planted her elbows on the table, sank down into the booth, and groaned. "I don't know. I was leaning a bit more towards tomorrow being a frozen pizza night. Quinn can corroborate this."

Quinn neatly tucked her notepad away in her apron. "Unfortunately, I can."

"Come on, please? And, before you shoot me down again, just know that telling your girlfriend 'no' without even considering her request is a great way to lose a massive amount of theoretical points."

As far as Paloma was concerned, she might as well have been asleep because that made her jolt straight up just as she did on the mornings that her alarm obnoxiously blared at her bedside.

Of all the possible responses that scattered through Paloma's head, she chose the worse one of them all. "...You're my girlfriend?"

Just like that, Ava's smile descended; leaving nothing behind but a painfully awkward chuckle. "Well, yeah. I think so, at least. I mean, that's what I thought this whole thing was with you and me and this date. You...trying. I figured that's what you meant. Do—" Using her straw, she poked around at the ice cubes that floated atop of her water as she shifted in her seat. Finally, her eyes flickered to Paloma's. "Do you wanna be my girlfriend?"

"...Y-yeah. Totally. That totally works." Paloma nodded and smiled through it all as if she could think of nothing better in the world to do. "Sorry, for the confusion. As you know, I live with my head in my ass which means occasionally missing out on crucial information. Won't happen again."

If there was a remedy for blushing, or, in Ava's case, hardcore blushing, she would've used it right then and there. No matter the cost. "Awesome."

Quinn looked back and forth between the two, not bothering to shut down her grin. "I'll put your orders right in."

"Hold it." Paloma grabbed on to the tail end of her sister's uniform before the teenager could make a beeline for the kitchen. "You know who'd be great to join us for dinner?"

Quinn considered the question. "Uh...no one? How many romantic, candlelit dinners can you name that includes a third wheel?"

In all honesty, Ava was wondering the exact same thing but Paloma powered through before she could give it another thought. "Charlie."

Quinn's eyebrows crawled towards the center of her forehead. "Why?" She shook her head. "You know what? I don't care why. No thanks."

Lucky for Paloma, she wasn't really waiting for Quinn's approval. Paloma signaled for the boy who was at their side in mere seconds. "Just the guy I wanted to see. I was thinking, after what you did yesterday, I think it's only fair that we repay you."

Charlie bore a crooked smile that was a complete contrast to his straight teeth. "That's not necessary. I'm always glad to help."

"You hear that, Paloma?" Quinn stared daggers into her sister's eyes. "That's not necessary."

Paloma dismissed that comment in no time. "Of course it is. Which is why we were hoping you'd join us for dinner at my house tomorrow night. It's just up the road from here." As if the invitation weren't enough, Paloma sealed the deal by pulling Quinn closer and displaying the girl as if she were her most prized possession. "Plus, Quinn would absolutely love it if you came."

The vain in Quinn's neck throbbed violently. Wearing a glare that was far fiercer than her last, she looked down at the woman. "I'm sure he has other things to concern himself with, Paloma. Like...work."

Charlie shook his head. "Actually, it just so happens that I'm free tomorrow." He beamed at the sisters. "Thanks, I'd love to come."

Quinn ensured that Charlie was out of range before jerking herself from Paloma's hold and letting her anger rip. "What the hell was that?"

The brunette raised her shoulders as if that alone would maintain her innocence. "What? It really is the least we could do. Besides, it'd be good for you to have a friend over and, so far, he's the best candidate. From what I can tell, he's a sweet kid."

The teenager sucked in a considerable breath then finally sicked her dark, unforgiving eyes on Paloma. "You better pray I don't spit in your food." A farewell was lost on the women, primarily because Quinn didn't offer one as she disappeared behind the kitchen's double doors.

Ava stole some napkins from the dispenser at the head of their table then neatly stacked them between them. Paloma's amusement hastened away like prey in the Sahara upon seeing the small crease between Ava's forehead that signaled her displeasure long before she could ever make it known. Needless to say, Ava didn't have to utter a word for Paloma to get the vivid picture, but she did anyway.

"So, it's gonna be the four of us, huh?"

The brunette fought to dig herself out of the hole she'd made for herself but Ava's unwavering gaze was making that rather difficult. Considering she, herself, had always been blessed with what one might refer to as above-average looks, Paloma rarely felt intimidated.

But, between Ava's flawless eyeliner and mascara that accentuated the expectant look in her bright green eyes, the rare occasion presented itself that night. And being briefed on the recent birth of their relationship surely didn't make the redhead's gaze any less damning.

"Well, yeah, it's just...I figured Quinn would probably be around the house tomorrow anyway."

"We could always do it at my place," said Ava. "You're resourceful. I'm sure you could make something great outta whatever it is I've got in my kitchen." Her smile was sweet up until her tone became sultry. "Plus, my apartment will give us an opportunity to engage in...other things, too, which we'd definitely need privacy for. Only thing I've got are potted plants on the window sill, and, as long as we're not counting them, then we'd have plenty of alone time."

Ava's soft laughter lulled Paloma from her motionless, visual standoff but, even then, the muscles in her shoulders wouldn't cut her a break. "True but..." She made sure the coast was clear before leaning in and lowering her voice considerably. "Here's the thing—Quinn's had trouble, lately, making friends and I don't want this one to slip away, you know? Charlie seems nice and I really think she needs this. It's just one night. Do you mind?"

Eyes softening, Ava shook her head. "Not at all." It wasn't until a simper claimed Ava's lips that Paloma finally relaxed. "I've said it before but I'm sorry, I can't resist saying it again—you are so soft when it comes to that kid." 

Leaning back, Paloma crossed her arms and examined Ava. "Well, look who just smart-assed their way out of a second date."

"How many points am I ending the night on?"

Ava held the door open for Paloma to step outside, then she joined her into the somewhat chilly night. Snickering, she walked down the sidewalk alongside Paloma until they reached the parking lot.

"I thought we agreed on no points."

"Yeah, but I figured you said that because of your bad sportsmanship but considering I'm almost certain that I pretty much failed that date, you're the official winner." Once they made it to Ava's car, Paloma turned to face the woman head-on. "That being said, I'd like my evaluation now. Wanna start making improvements ASAP."

"Well..." Teetering softly, Ava moved closer to the brunette who stood her ground, leaving no more than a foot of space between them. "Maybe we could save the evaluation until the night's officially over."

Paloma's eyebrows rose. "It's not over? This isn't the part where you flip on me, take me back to your apartment, then store my remains under your floorboards, right? Because, I gotta say, I was really hoping for a low-key kind of night."

Ava's lips curved into a mischievous smirk. "You caught me." Forward she went. "How about we skip the flipping out part and the storing your remains part and just head over to my place, instead?" The moon paled in comparison to Paloma's eyes when Ava snaked her hands around the brunette's waist. "I figured we could enjoy some wine then, maybe, make things not so low-key."

It was a rather cunning gesture, really; a gesture that Paloma had performed too many times to count. Still, it managed to take her by surprise which meant she got no time at all to brace herself for the intimate act.

Being that Ava's seductive smile was still going strong, Paloma figured she was fairly successful in masking her startlement. After a little coaxing, she tamed her heart, willing it to stop pounding in her chest like the skilled drummer of a rock band then returned the expression as best she could.

"If I recall, going back to my place was off-limits." Her eyes found their way up to the night sky as she bore a reminiscent smile. "Something about not getting into your pants too quickly." Paloma could feel the warmth of Ava's breath on her cheek as she dropped her head and laughed.

"Your memory serves you correctly, however...I didn't say anything about my place." Paloma thought it not possible, but the mahogany-haired woman pulled her closer before tugging on her own bottom lip in a somewhat timid yet suggestive manner that wasn't lost on Paloma. "As a matter of fact, it's very much on limits."

Everything in Ava was sure Paloma would pounce on the opportunity, so, when the brunette met that with nothing more than a short-lived, polite smile, Ava was taken aback, to say the least.

"Or not." She freed Paloma from her delicate hold then readjusted the strap to her purse to keep it from sliding down her arm. "You know, I have the utmost respect for women who don't put out on the first date. Glad you're giving it a try." She would have been even gladder if Paloma hadn't decided to adopt the policy that night.

"I'm sure you are." Paloma stifled a laugh, all the while opening the car door for Ava to step inside. "Next time, grub's on you, and, just so you know, I'm gonna need a four-course meal, at least, if you want access to this temple."

Ava's grin returned ten-fold. "So, there will be a next time?"

Once Ava was settled in, Paloma shut the car door and flashed her signature smile. "If you're lucky."