Feel this moment in you/You know all I am/
Can you teach me to believe in something?

It seemed, at least to Dallie, that the only thing in the entire world, then again it could be only Hartford considering that was where he spent 94% of his life, that emptied out slowly was society’s balls. Some of which he had been forced to go, as to escort Lola to them.

Small friendly gatherings that contained most of your family had away of emptying out in a blink of an eye. Such was the case, with Ashley, Devon and Augusta claiming traveling fatigue before retiring to their respective rooms. Leaving him alone with Lola. His siblings should know better right now.

Not that anything horrible was happening or, really, anything at all. Considering he had taken to the couch, and she was still on the piano bench.

Or not.

Lola gave him a smile, making him utterly suspicious at once, before tucking a foot under her. “I was thinking…”

“Is this part where I run for cover?” He asked, leaning his head against the couch.

“No,” she answered simply. “But remember when you mentioned, at breakfast, that thing about not arguing?”

“The thing where we actually get along?” Dallie had to admit that she had a way of piquing his curiosity.

“Yes, without any truces just letting it happen naturally.”

“But you argued with me that it wasn’t in the realm of possibility,” he reminded her.

Lola paused. “I realize that I may be a part of the problem.”

Dallie couldn’t stop a snort at that. “A real small part of it, right?”

“Are you starting up before we begin?”

“If we’re beginning then it sounds like a truce.”

That made her hesitate again. “You’ve been living with me too long.”

He watched as she sank into a partial pout. “What do you mean?”

“You’ve become decidedly difficult.”

“Fine, I won’t go out of my way to argue…”

“Lecture.”

Dallie shot her a look. “Lecture you, as long as you don’t.”

“Can’t add that.”

“Why not?” Jesus, she was reverting him back to eight years old.

“That makes it a truce, there’s a thin line.”

“Like there’s a thin line between being popular and being hated?”

“Besides I don’t lecture you,” Lola pointed out.

"You should have warned me that I need lawyer present to sift through all this,” Dallie complained. Or maybe it was a pout. He had been spending too much time lately in her company.

Lola licked her lower lip; damn she had to be up to something. He recognized the signs. Either that or she was nervous, but Lola just didn’t get nervous. “We used to get along.”

Dallie sat up, “You’re serious about this, aren’t you? You’ve started to quote me.”

“Have you ever known me to…”

“Lie,” he finished up for her. “First off, Lo, you need to stop asking that because you know my answer…”

“Oh, like you ever let me lie,” She said dismissively. “And you speak as if you’ve never lied.”

“Not to really quote you but, when have you known me to lie?”

She lowered her voice, “‘Oh no, David, I’m not named after the city of Dallas, rather my parents are big fans of PGA commissioner, Dallas Beaudine.’”

Dallie grabbed her by the arm and pulled her closer to him. “First of all, a lie told ten years about the origin of my name doesn’t count.”

Lola rested her head against his shoulder, “So when I lie. It’s a lie. When you lie, it’s justified?”

“Are you sure you’re not a feminist? Because I’m hearing a lecture about double standards coming up…”

“No, just about your supposed sainthood.”

Dallie laughed, “Sainthood? No. No. Definitely not.”

“Right, you only date them.” She looked up at him. “And that’s not an insult to you.”

“Thank you for pointing that out, otherwise I may have never known.”

“I live to service you,” Lola winked at him.

He made a sound of disbelief. “Dearling, you live to torture me.”

“Yes, of course. I live each day to check off every little idea off the list I have of ways to torture you,” She said, her eyes dancing. “You’re just not supposed to admit to knowing about it.”

“I’m sorry,” Dallie kissed her forehead. “I’ll try to go back to living in mock denial.”

“Splendid.”

And then she leaned up and kissed him, softly, not aggressive like it had been on that night, or was it sweet like it had been in the car. Perhaps it was for that reason alone he didn’t push her away, like he had promised himself.

Or just maybe it was because he sensed something was different than either of the times before. Though she herself had initiated the kiss, she was letting him have complete control of it. Something that before made her break it off, but this time it was like she was willing handing the reins over to him.

But most importantly, he thought as he pushed her gently down onto the sofa, this time was most definitely different. And it seemed to be different for the better, too.