“Ainsley, go get washed up for dinner,” Idirian told her. Ainsley rolled her eyes but got up off the couch to go wash her hands. On her way out of the living room, she spied Idri’s phone and an evil plan formed in her mind. Risking a glance at her brother, Ainsley grabbed his phone and ran out of the room.
Idirian looked up when Ainsley started running out of the room, wondering what prompted that. He never knew with her, she was always coming up with some oddball ideas.
Ainsley, meanwhile, unlocked her brother’s phone (Really, Idri? Her birthday? So predictable.) and found Noa’s contact information. Opening the conversation that Idirian had started that just contained his name (ugh such a man) Ainsley started typing.
Hey. I think you’re hot.
That should work, right? Ainsley didn’t really get flirting all that much yet, she was only fourteen! She quickly washed her hands and wandered into the kitchen to jump into a chair at the table, putting Idri’s phone at his usual place.
Idirian brought two plates to the table and set them down, spotting his phone. “Ainsley, what did you do with my phone?” he asked as he sat down.
“Hmm? I thought you might want it, so I brought it in from the living room,” she said, totally innocent. Yep. That was her. She looked up at him, innocence written all over her face as Idri tried to find evidence of a lie.
“Uh huh…” He didn’t believe her, but he wouldn’t push the matter. He really should stop letting her get away with murder.
Just finishing up her shift at Ross, Noa made sure she had all her things, raising an eyebrow at the text notification she received on her phone. Huh? From Idirian of all people? Tall, dark and emo? With the cute sister? She unlocked her phone to view the message, covering her mouth with a snort. Really?! That's the best he could do? What is he? Fourteen? Deciding to go along with it, she texted back.
Oh yeah?
Idirian had just taken a bite of his food when he heard his phone vibrate against the table. That was odd. Ainsley was really the only one who texted him. He didn’t have a lot of friends, or well…any if he were honest. Their dad and Ainsley’s mom were both in jail and couldn’t text.
Ainsley had a suspiciously curious look on her face when she looked at him. “Who’s that, Idri?” Yeah, she was trying too hard to come off as innocent.
“You tell me, Ains.” With a sigh, Idirian picked up his phone. Why was he getting a text from Noa? “Ainsley, what did you do?”
“Nothing!”
Sure. He definitely believed that. He opened the text and sighed heavily. “Seriously?” Shaking his head, Idirian texted her back.
Sorry, Ainsley took my phone and texted you.
Oh, that was all?
How anticlimactic.
Soooooo you DON'T think I'm hot? Got it.
Noa was on her way home, deciding to walk instead of drive. She popped in her earbuds and whistled while she waited for a reply back. It seems like Ainsley was trying to play matchmaker…Well she supposed she could play along and maybe be a gremlin while she's at it.
Idirian glanced at Noa’s reply when his phone buzzed again. Ainsley was studiously trying not to watch him. He snorted softly. Noa was baiting him, his sister was trying to play matchmaker, and he was…going to go along with it?
At the very least, Ainsley would be entertained for a little while.
I didn’t say that.
While Idirian was not an fourteen year old girl, flirting was not something he had a lot of practice with. Most of his experiences had been with women who had slipped him their numbers. He didn’t want a relationship, not really. He wanted to focus on Ainsley. His life was already ******** up, hers didn’t have to be.
Noa reached her apartment by the time Idirian sent her a text. She opened it and rolled her eyes to the heavens. Of course he didn't send it, she knew it was Ainsley. Since she was due to film today,she decided that a shower is on the agenda, but first she needed to come up with a sparky reply to Idri's message. While she was setting down her things, she also started tidying up a bit. Maybe instead of a video she could work on a photo Shoot? If so, what character is she going to play?
She didn't know why Idri came to mind, but she was feeling….Pastel goth today so that's what her shoot will be. If she was feeling froggy, then she might add a bonus video for her top members only. Welp, now to think about that text…Noa pulled up the text on her phone, tapping away:
Of course you didn't~ I know who it was. Are you always this stiff with your texts? You should really loosen up a bit.
She would offer to help if he wasn't such a stick in the mud.
Idirian heard his text tone but he was in the middle of washing dishes while Ainsley cleaned the table. It wasn't until he was done putting things away that he picked his phone back up and snorted at her text.
You misunderstood. I meant that I didn't say that I didn't find you hot. Ainsley sent the original text but I can't say she lied.
Flirting wasn't his forte because he preferred to say things outright. He hated subtleties and wished more people would say what they meant instead of dancing around it.
Noa had just gotten out of the shower when she heard her phone ding. Wrapping her towel around herself, she made her way over to her night table, reading what Idirian had sent. Her eyebrows went up a tad, well she wasn't expecting him to actually admit he found her hot but she supposed even the walking advertisement for hot topic could be honest. She tapped her chin first then worked on sending her reply:
Well of course it was Ainsley. But you're actually admitting you find me hot? Never thought I would hear it from someone that looks like they are the king of emo.
She made sure to send a wink emoji so he wouldn't get too offended.
Just so you know, I think you're hot too. Now, ball’s in your court. Want to do something about it?
He was finishing up some laundry when two messages came through. He rolled his eyes at the first; it wasn’t the first time he’d been called emo despite the fact that he wasn’t. He just liked to wear black. His brows arched up in surprise when he read that she admitted she thought he was hot, too.
Idirian chewed his lip as he thought about his reply. Ainsley had plans with some of her friends this week… Was he actually considering asking Noa on a date? He didn’t date. And she was a snarky little brat. But…Ainsley had started this. Was she trying to tell him he needed to get out more? He had taken his job as her big brother and guardian seriously ever since the courts had ruled in his favor and sent Garrett and Gina to jail, making him his sister’s legal guardian at eighteen years of age.
Maybe it was time for him to get out a little bit more. Not allowing himself to think about it too hard, he replied to her message.
Yeah, I kinda do. When’s your next day off? I’d like to take you to dinner.
Oh…OH.
Well she wasn't expecting him to actually act on her call out. She smiled and worried her lower lip while working on her reply.
My next day off iiiiiissss……Saturday.
Smiling, Noa giggled. Was she about to go on a date? Yep, and she was so so very excited.
Your request for a dinner date has been granted Idirian….Just let me know the time and place.
Idirian stared at his phone. She…actually said yes? He had not been expecting that. s**t. Now he had to figure out where to take her. He had until Saturday, anyway.
Any kinda food I should avoid?
The last thing he needed was to take her somewhere she hated or was allergic to. Did he even have clothes that could be considered date night appropriate? ********, maybe he should have thought about this first. No, he didn’t regret asking. If he was honest, he was actually looking forward to it.
Ainsley, the instigating little brat, was going to be so ******** smug when he told her.
Nope. I'm not allergic to anything. Anything I should be aware of? I am getting ready for a project. I'll see you on Saturday.
”Dragon Berri”
