Stacy yawned as she read her textbook. Stupid early ethics class.

Ethan wanders in, dressed to impress. He has an interview later with EH Magazine with the possibility of a photo shoot by the river, so a blue suit, and smart white polo today after he went back to his room in Brooklyn. He settles down in the seat opposite Stacy, a little more chipper than he was yesterday despite the time. His internal clock is closer to 'normal', but it's still afternoon as far as parts of him are concerned. Jet Lag is a bitch!

Stacy looked up, bleary eyed, blinking grey eyes at Ethan, her…

Her cheeks turned pink as she realized yesterday wasn't some odd dream. This was her boyfriend. He was going to collar her too. She took a sip of her coffee and smiled. “Hey. Good morning. You look like you're feeling a little better.”

Ethan grinned cheekily at Stacy. “Yeah, it is a good morning. I slept well last night, feeling almost on time this morning. And I've always been a morning person.” He looked down at her coffee, mentally kicking himself for not getting some before he arrived. “I had to sneak out early, I've got that interview today. Then we've got that dinner tonight.”

Stacy groaned and let her face fall to her textbook. “I need to cram shopping for an outfit in somewhere today. I can't go to Porter House dressed like this….” She gestured to herself, a long-sleeved shirt belted around the waist and a pair of dark jeans.

Ethan chortled at her dramatic assertion. “I told you I'd take you…” A slight pause for effect. “Any time. Even like that. Although Kaine might have a complaint about the overly casual attire. You really have nothing?” He couldn't believe that. Surely she'd have something, especially considering the circles she was a part of. Friends of Winter Caldwell surely would have something?

“Okay but if I told you to take me right here and now…” She let that thought trail off. Focus, Stacy. Don't get overwhelmed with imaginative suppositions of your ridiculously gorgeous sweetheart of a boyfriend practising making lots of babies with you. Don't picture him na—too late.

OH NO, HE'S EVEN HOTTER…

Focus. “I do but…” She sighed. “I have dresses. Gowns for the galas I get invited to. I can't wear the same thing twice, the gossip pages eat that shit up.”

Ethan looked down, hiding his face as she started that way. He got exactly the response he'd hoped for given his playful nature coming out now he was more himself. “At home, Stacy.” He couldn't help but chuckle and shake his head with the image that came to mind. “Private conversation, remember?”

Images came to mind, unbidden, of that conversation. He shoved them to the back of his mind. “Oh, gossip. I know how that is. The foibles of modelling.”

_{“Won't be home til you're moved in.”} She mumbled, lifting her head and smiling at him. “Welcome to my world. Except I'm the poor friend. Winter and I are like two broke girls, until you remember Winter's tuition is paid and she's given a modest allowance so long as she keeps her grades up.” She replied, sipping her coffee.

Ethan smirked, trying not to snort at the image coming to mind. “I guess that makes her the lucky one and… You're the struggling waitress. Barista. Whatever that makes you?” His fingers drummed on the table. Without something to do, or hold, he was a little restless. Once he noticed he placed his fingers flat on the table and tried not to twitch. “What's on your study agenda today?”

Stacy looked at him when he laid his fingers on the table and scooped them up in her own. She closed her fingers gently around his and smiled at him. She hadn't meant the show, but now that she thought about it, it kind of fit. “Nothing on my study agenda today, just going to rearrange my apartment so you can make it your own too.” She smiled. “And shopping for a suitable outfit for tonight.”

Ethan pushed his arm across the table as she help his fingers, curling them in hers. “I'd offer to help with the shopping, I'd love to see you trying things on. I've got time between my interview, probably more if it doesn't pan out.” He'd been asked to give up a few hours from 10am, so he should be free from 1pm. “I can put you in my busy schedule.” That brought a chuckle from his throat.

Stacy laughed. “Oh, well don't let me impose in your busy world.” She retorted with a grin, brushing the back of his hand with her thumb. “Alright then, Sir I'mSoBusy, let's go shopping.” She chuckled.

Ethan reached up with his free hand, covering his face. The typical facepalm. A word he used last night. Then one just now. At least she's paying attention! “You're not imposing. Nor am I particularly busy. Just… I don't want to miss this opportunity. _{Nor do I want to miss the opportunity to see you changing dresses.”} He gave her a sly wink.

Stacy grinned. “I don't want you to miss it either. What time do you have to be there?” She asked. And then she smirked. “You know all you had to do to watch me dress and undress was ask. _{Or command me to strip.}” She rejoined with a playful wink right back at him.

Ethan went to look at his watch by reflex, tugging against where she had his fingers. He stopped after the momentary tug, choosing to leave his fingers in her hand. “Ten. But I'd hate to be late.” He hid his face, looking down at his fingers in hers, a pale blush filling his cheeks. “Later. _Home” His grin parted his lips, showing that shining white top row of teeth that was his trademark.

“Then you should head over for it. And then when you're done, come home.” She murmured, lifting his hand and kissing the back of it. She tucked her textbook into her backpack with her free hand, then stood. She took a couple of steps towards him, then bent and kissed his lips. Soft. Passion. “See you in a few hours.” She purred, then reluctantly released his hand.

Ethan returned the kiss with interest, his lips parting to welcome her in. “I'll be there. I might have something to show you when I'm done.” He hated to watch her go, but loved to see her leave. It took him a few moments of checking his phone for the directions before he left for his interview.

---

Stacy rearranged her apartment while he was gone, she'd even had a queen bed delivered. Hauling it in the cargo lift up to the fifth floor, then down the hallway alone was arduous, but by the time 1pm rolled around, she was snoozing on the new bed, everything put in order and arranged neatly.

Ethan entered her building and made his way up to the 5th floor. Third door down. Knock Nothing. Harder. KnockKnock . Did she fall asleep?

Stacy the cheeky little minx had slipped her key into his coat pocket when he was distracted by the kissing! On some level she was registering the knocking. “Five more minutes, he's gonna…” What was she dreaming about? She groaned at the harder knock and fell out of the bed, standing up and padding to the door, opening it and blinking at him with sleepy eyes. “Heeyyy howditgo?” She mumbled, taking his hand and leading him in, shutting the door behind him and locking it.

Ethan got dragged into the apartment by the hand, holding the mockup of the next month's magazine in his other. “I can show you how it went.” He held up the mockup to show her. “So how much do you want for rent, since I'll be sticking around?” He set the page down on the table, turning so he was in front of her and holding both her hands. He could tell she was tired.

Stacy blinked. Looked at the mockup. Looked at him. Mockup. Him. Big grin. Squee. She squeezed his hands and her eyes lit up. “Whatever you can throw at me.” She gasped, then leaned up and kissed him. “Congratulations, Ethan. I'm so happy.” She said quietly. “Want to see what I did while you were gone?”

Ethan grinned broadly with her praise. It wasn't much, but it was a start. With his foot in the door, he could hopefully make a name for himself and bring in more money. “How's a couple of hundred sound to start? And I'll pay for your dress. And I'd love to see what you've done while I was busy making actual money!”

“That's more than fine. You don't have to pay for my dress for the Gala! Or for my clothes for dinner tonight…” Wait. Was this that whole…being taken care of thing? “Okay, you can. But only if you've got the wiggle room in your budget. Okay?” She relented, then led him through the living room, and into the bedroom. “I got a bigger bed. I figured you wouldn't let me sleep on the couch, and I wasn't going to let you sleep there either so…”

“Have to, no. Want to…” She capitulated before he could finish. “They invited me back for another next week. Fingers crossed I'll get paid again.” He followed her through to the bedroom, looking over the bed. “Sure we're going to need all that much space?” He grinned, his eyes twinkling. _{“I would have slept on the couch if you needed me to until you could get a bed.”}

“Mmn, no we might not but if it's there…” She laughed. “I'm sure it will go great next week too.” She assured him, pulling his arms to wrap around her from behind. “Hmm. Might be able to piece together something newish from my closet for tonight.” She thought a moment as she leaned against him. _{“You'd be sleeping on top of me before I let you sleep on the couch.”}

Ethan didn't fight her pull, he wrapped both his arms around her and leaned down slightly to keep his arms closer to her waist. “Tired? Distracted? Don't want to go out now you've got me here?” He half chuckled, half huffed, more of a sharp exhale of breath. He couldn't blame her. _{“I had a feeling that was your angle.”}

“Oh like you want to go out now that you're back here.” She huffed with a twinkle in her eyes as she looked up at him over her shoulder. “Speaking of angles, how's the view from yours?” She replied cheekily. Oh yes. He'd gotten himself a playful little shit to wear his collar when he found one for her.

Ethan grinned, not quite staring down into her décolletage, but certainly appreciating the view from on high. “Gorgeous.” His hands slipped up slightly from her waist as he stretched back up a little, providing a little push up effect. “I did offer to take you shopping, that still stands. Still… _Strip.” He'd taken her suggestion to mind, that last word was whispered in her ear, his voice firm.