She had control of the TV that was playing Casablanca in the background. Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman's voices mixed into the background. It was a chilly autumn day. Austin's parents were not at home this weekend and the boys were keeping him company while he recovered. Millie arrived at the doorstep and rang the doorbell. Gloria went over to open it. "Hello dearie," Gloria enveloped her in a bear hug, "Welcome home! I've got some apple cider brewing that will be a real treat. And we'll redo our photo now that you're here." *Millie's POV* Coming out of Gloria's bear hug, I felt the warmth of the fireplace and the smell of Gloria's home cooking. Another black-and-white movie was playing on the TV. And she called it home. It's the first time I've ever been somewhere that welcomed me 'home.' The boys came to the door to see me, and their eyes traveled from my face down to my... flowers. "Are you picking Luke up for your date?" Austin asked, "With flowers?" "What's happening?" Luke looked astonished. "Are we crashing your date right now?" Chad questioned. Then Luke stepped forward to talk to me privately, "I was going to pick you up at your house. I have our whole date planned." He was standing close to me, holding my arm softly and I hit him with the flowers. "These aren't for you. I came to check on Austin." "Well then! Don't smash my gift on him!" Austin said, reaching for the flowers with his one good hand. As the gift exchanged hands, Luke stared down at the freshly plucked bouquet, "Are those from my gar.... Never mind." Without the others seeing, he raised a suspicious eyebrow at me. He'd recognized them from his backyard. I shrugged meekly back. The apple cider was taken off the stove and poured into five glasses. Gloria added cinnamon sticks and placed them on a tray. Like moths to a flame, Chad and Austin gravitated to the kitchen. Luke's hand rested on my elbow and he pulled me back. I felt myself touch his chest as I stepped back, and his warm body enveloped me. The butterflies in my stomach started to flutter again as my nervousness for our date returned. "There's nothing to be nervous about, Minnie," he whispered into my ear as he felt my body tense under his touch. "It's our first date. I want it to be the first of many." I gulped. I hadn't expected that he would be here when I arrived, so I was now thinking of all the things I should've done: perfume, breath mints, nicer outfit. "We're meant to go in an hour, but why don't we cut to the chase now?" he suggested. He waited for my response. I couldn't turn to face him just yet – my stomach was only starting to calm down before it started freaking out again – but he saw my head nod. I'd be crazy not to. "Hey, we're heading out," Luke called out to the kitchen. He put his coat on and walked towards the door. It was surprising how quick he was; how ready he was for our date. Chad, Austin and Gloria came out to watch us. "You won't stay for snacks?" Gloria asked us, making me really hesitate. As wonderful as Luke is, I do like my snacks. Luke pulled the front door open and replied, "Minnie and I have a date that's three months overdue." Three months overdue. Is he saying he- "Minnie?" Chad repeated. Luke had accidentally called me by my nickname in front of them. "Her real name's Minnie? Is everything a lie?" "BYEEEE!" Austin yelled from his door, waving a handkerchief he must have stolen from Gloria. He dabbed the handkerchief against his nonexistent tears, "They grow up so quickly." Luke and I walked down Austin's front lawn, towards the cars parked on the side of the street. He took longer than usual, using a crutch for his injured leg. There were some minor logistical issues around getting to our mystery date location. We had both driven to Austin's house. Ywo cars and one date... "We're taking my car," Luke decided, pulling his keys out of his pocket. "But I'm the better driver," I argued. Remember to never forget the- "That's extremely debatable," he disagreed, "And I know where we're going," he said as the winning point. I reluctantly got into the passenger seat. We all knew I was the better driver, but he had the better car. I nestled into a comfortable position. This was a familiar spot, sitting in the passenger seat of Luke Dawson's car while he drove out. He gave me control of the stereo, handing me the AUX cable. I like that we share similar tastes in music. Music was one of the first ways we connected on the camping trip this summer. After the other counselors had rejected me by the bonfire, Luke came to join me. He ate my sandwiches and we sat side-by-side, listening to my playlist. I glanced over at him now. The boy who had been there for me in more ways than I could remember. He felt my eyes on him and glanced back. Our eyes locked. Suddenly, music came bursting out of the stereo: Magic Mike – Pony A half-naked Channing Tatum and his Chippendale crew was the image that came into our minds.... That base hit embarrassment deeper inside of me with each note. Any romantic moment immediately shattered. I could cringe until my pension kicks in and it still wouldn't be enough. Luke swerved the car, and the phone fell out of my lap as I tried to stop the song. I only managed to turn the magic – I mean music – up. "I see where your mind's at," he smirked, having lost control of the car after being so distracted. Right when he said that, a text came through on my phone: I changed my mind about backing off. I'm in NYC for the next two weeks but when I come back I want you to get to know me – Jake Dawson "Okayy. That's a message we'll bring up later," I mumbled to myself as I quickly dismissed Jake's text. A problem for another day. Along with the blackmailer. This morning I had woken up to a bowl of cornflakes and a side of blackmail. Another letter had been slipped under my front door. It said: YoU hAvE iGnOrEd My EvErY wArNiNg. NoW cOmE cOnSeQuEnCeS. tHe NeCkLaCe WaS jUsT tHe BeGiNnInG. My next pitstop after stopping by Austin's home this morning, was the police. Only now, I was with Luke. "Hey Luke, do you think we can stop by the police station first?" I asked. "Can't wait until after our date?" he asked back, "I know sh*t seems to follow us around, but let's try putting everything on pause. For one afternoon, let's enjoy us."