010

It's been a while since Georgina's had a decent meal, the last time being when Aaron took her out for lunch. It's been a while since she's been in the company of people she knows and trusts, the last time maybe almost going into a month. She wouldn't know; she hasn't been counting.

But memory served correct as Georgina took a taxi uptown toward Veronica's house, painted a nice light yellow with a triangular roof in a quaint village that Veronica tells her had nice neighbors and less crime rate.

She rang the doorbell once in respect, and honestly should have expected her cousin's face to answer the door.

His face goes neutral as they meet eyes, Georgina schooling her expression into something similar as her cousin's.

"What brings you here?"

It wasn't a biting question; just a curious one.

Her mouth opened to answer when a third voice cut through excitedly, "Connor is that Gina?"

Connor was pushed out of the way unceremoniously, the display making Georgina laugh at the expense of her cousin. Warm arms wrapped themselves around her neck, pushing her for a tight hug in Veronica's presence.

The familiar smell of daisies and sugar wafted off Veronica, making Georgina instantly at ease and safe.

"Missed you, girl," Veronica sighed out.

"Missed you too," Georgina returned, tightening the hug for a moment.

They parted and Georgina took a few seconds to closely look at the kind eyes and warm smile that graced her best friend's face. Her hair was brunette and in natural curls that reached her midback, figure accentuated by the sleeveless dark blue dress she was wearing.

"You're just in time for lunch," Veronica said jovially, turning to walk back inside her house.

The cousins looked at each other for a moment before an awkward smile made itself known on Connor's handsome face, gesturing for her to come in.

She can tell the passing seconds were just as excruciating for him as it was for her, since his face was pulled tight. To try and dispel the awkward atmosphere she decided to be nice and accept his offer, smirking as she passed him.

A jab to the ribs made her scream and direct a glare at the snickering man.

"You jerk! You know that hurts!" she said in a loud voice, rubbing the sore spot and scowling at him.

"That's why I did it," he called as he walked away, now back to his suave self, if the arms behind his head were any indication.

She mumbled incoherencies before walking toward the dining area, seeing Veronica place the last of the dishes on the table before beckoning Georgina over.

All three sat down on the chairs with Veronica as the head.

After saying grace, they spend the time eating and chatting about random topics ranging from politics to global warming to experiences about skydiving and even atrocious Christmas presents from before.

With the food gone and the utensils all washed up, the trio finally relaxed in the living area with Connor on the carpeted floor on his side, Georgina on one of the love seats hugging a large pillow to her, and Veronica seated elegantly on the couch, ankles crossed.

"Now Gina you said you wanted to talk to me about something?" Veronica asked with curious eyes to her friend, who straightened from her hunched position.

Connor's eyes turned to her curiously, Georgina nervously affirming with a nod and a slight cough.

"Uh... yes. Though it's rather embarrassing and I don't know how to go about it," she finished lamely, feeling stupid.

A knowing smirk bloomed on Connor's face before stating confidently, "It's a man."

Georgina's eyes snapped to him, a light red decorating her cheeks.

"Wha—well," she trailed off, looking unsure as the blush intensified.

Connor guffawed at his cousin's embarrassed state, hands to his stomach as he curled in on himself. Veronica gave him a waspish look, even going so far as to poke him with her foot.

"Connor, be reasonable! Don't go making fun of your cousin like this."

The man took in a lungful of air and admitting, "Oh Nica look at her! Her reaction's priceless!"

"Yeah it's a boy problem but not in the way you think," Georgina said loudly, the couple turning to her as Connor regained his bearings to lie comfortably on his side once again. Georgina licked her lips and continued, "He's a sort-of friend I made, and he's pretty awesome but..." she sighed in frustration, cursing herself for being unable to express just what she wanted to say.

Veronica seemed to notice her distress as she spoke kindly, making sure to inject only curiosity if her best friend still wasn't ready to share the whole thing.

"A friend?" she repeated, earning a nod. "Wow, even with your status as a robber," she remarked with interest.

"He's been telling me to rethink my life," she said.

"And you should," Connor piped up. "Seeing as he's concerned for you just like us, you probably really should. How'd you two meet anyway?" he asked, looking at his cousin with furrowed brows.

An embarrassed blush made its way to her face, mind flashing back to how she unabashedly entered his car and threatened him. His wide and fearful green eyes come to her memory, and a little wince escaped her at the brash way she treated him, even when she used him as hostage that one night.

"On one of my steals," she said with as much nonchalance she can put into her tone, but Veronica saw right through her and gave her a knowing look. Georgina caved as she admitted, "Okay so I maybe... sorta threatened him and I stole his phone, and things happened."

Another loud guffaw bounced through the walls, the females looking at Connor as he rolled on the carpeted floor covering his eyes with an arm, though Georgina could see his red face and neck and her irritation sparked, prompting her to throw the pillow she was hugging. It directly hit his face, but he was unfazed as another peal of laughter burst through him.

Georgina could feel the heat creeping onto her cheeks again, and attempted to make him stop by shouting, "It's not funny, Connor! I was trying to get away from the police that time!"

"Poor guy!" Connor breathed out, already calming down some, but the amused smile was still on his lips. "He must've felt so intimidated by you. And then?"

She shrugged, not knowing how to answer.

"I kept bumping into him," she confessed, noticing how Veronica's eyes softened. "I once held him hostage, and he found my apartment 'cause of some app he placed in his phone."

She rolled her eyes at the memory, but the pair could spot a fond smile growing on the corner of her lips. They shared a knowing look.

"Maybe you're destined to meet after all," Veronica said with a hint of a smile. Georgina's eyes widened at that, and the brunette was quick to add, "Maybe not romantically, but you could learn from each other." She paused thoughtfully. "What's his job anyway?"

"He's a librarian."

Connor whistled impressively.

"And you love books, cousin," he pointed out.

"He's a neat freak, though," Georgina said, her face scrunched.

"And you're a messy gal," Connor commented again. "Maybe he'd teach you how to clean your room or something." He trailed off with a snicker, Georgina shooting him a dark look. But her face softened as she mulled it over, eventually shrugging.

"Or something," she agreed.

"It's interesting to note you both have similarities and differences," Veronica said with her finger curled on her chin, the cousins looking at her curiously. Her eyes met Georgina's, and she exclaimed, "You should bring your friend for lunch sometime. I'd like to meet him."

"Yeah," Connor agreed, nodding. "Maybe I can teach him a thing or two on how to handle you when you've got a fiery temper."

He winked, Georgina throwing another pillow at him.

"Ugh no thanks," Georgina replied with an air of sass. "I wouldn't even bring him near you. You're like a hurricane—going everywhere with no direction."

Connor nodded sagely, as if agreeing with her words, but then he shot a sweet and charming smile his fiancée's way.

"True. Till I met you."

This caused a beautiful blush to appear on Veronica's face, fanning herself with a hand and smiling, obviously flustered.

Georgina's eyes caught on something attached to her best friend's hand, looking closer to discover it was an engagement ring. It was gorgeously simple with the band a nice silver and the gem her birthstone.

Her inner kleptomaniac whispered at her to swipe it but Georgina knew better. This was obviously handpicked by her cousin and she wouldn't want to jeopardize her and Veronica's friendship just because she couldn't control herself.

She also internally approved of her cousin's taste in buying the ring, hoping that the wedding bands would be just as gorgeous and simple which held a lot of meaning. He was sentimental like that.

"I'll tell him."

But she knew they don't hear a thing, too caught up in their own little bubble to notice Georgina kiss them both goodbye and leave for her own apartment.