Love by Numbers

@ Aoibhe

Merlin chuckled, nodding a little as she spoke of her parents's desires for her. "Parents always seem to say that they'll support their children, but then when their children mention what they want to do, their parents seem to disagree with it." He explained, shaking his head as she asked to pay for the check. "No, no. I've got it, I insist. It's my parent's money anyway, and it's the least I could do."

---

"Yes, that sounds lovely.." She murmured, softly, linking her arm lightly through his, following him outside as he led her out to the gardens and away from their parents. Once they were out of sight she unlinked her arm from his, quickly moving away from him.

Ariana smiled a little wistfully as she nodded in agreement to his statement about parents. She watched him as he paid the bill, twirling a strand of her hair along her finger absentmindedly. She loved how kind he was as he paid the bill, smiling and joking with the waitress. She snapped herself out of it as she felt his attention falling back on her. She reached in to her purse and pulled out a card handing it to him. "that's my number, I'm looking forward to seeing you tonight" she told him.

***

Eric watched her as she pulled away wuickly putting distance between them. He cleared his throat loudly running a hand through his hair. "Look Bernadette, I don't want any of this any more than you. But you don't need to treat me like I'm evil" he said with a sigh. She was making this a lot harder than it needed to be. "This process might be easier if we at least try and get along, and not act like children about this" he stated.

@ katahdin