alicexcheng

[alicexcheng]

Alice felt the tingling emotions bubble to the surface at his words, it was the exactly emotion she felt whenever she was around him but instead she pushed those emotions back down to focus on the matter. Being a good best friend. "Yeah, we can totally get take out because heaven knows I can't make a decent meal to save my life unless you count those microwavable dinners."

Gavin felt instantly relaxed as soon as he saw Alice and gave her a small smile. Being around her always seemed to fix any of the problems on his life he was having. “ I was just having one of those days. “ he admitted before entering her place. “ I needed to get out and everything. You were the first place that popped in mu mind “ he admitted. “ feel like maybe some take out somewhere?” @alicexcheng

[alicexcheng]

"I don't own any pets, plants yes but animals no. I have no time to spare for them unfortunately." Alice said with a shrug, she thought about adopting an animal but she would feel guilty for not giving them the time they need when she was so busy with work and never have time to give them after hours when she much preferred relaxing with a bubble bath and wine. "I would love to have a pet but time just doesn't work with me."

Sterling gave Alice a little smile at that. Sterling would honestly do anything to put a smile on her daughter’s face. The world was so cruel and one day she’d have to see all of that for herself, so Sterling did everything she could to give her a wonderful childhood and steer her in the right direction to happiness and a fulfilling life. If a cat would make Sunny happy and have yet another reason to have fond memories of her childhood, then Sterling would get her just that.

“True. I work with cats at the rescue sometimes. They’re sweet creatures, I’m just more of a dog person. I’ve had my dog, Enzo, for about eight years now.” She shrugged. “Do you have any pets?”

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[alicexcheng]

Alice wrinkled her nose at his response about her wanting him. Sure she entertained the thought when they first met, but after they got to know each other she realized that he was nothing more than a best friend who they share their lives together. No matter how much their families wanted them together. Who knows, maybe things would change when they're in their forties and decided to settle down. "You're not wrong, it's just hard because apparently being a woman who knows what she wants scares guys off." She waved her hand as she took another sip of her drink.

"Yeah well...Gavin's not like that....at least I know he's not." The question was would Gavin just be doing that to get his pride going? No, Alice knew in her heart that Gavin wasn't that type of man. She put a line of not to cross when he started a family and remained as a good friend who was there for him. But now, the lines were blurring now that they were both single and her lingering feels were there surfacing again. "I just...I don't want to lose a good friend over something complicated like feelings."

“He’s not going to do that.” Colton rolled his eyes. The fact that Alice was entertaining this discussion though was proof that he may be at least not awful at this. “Freak out, maybe. Out right reject you? Not happening.” He chuckled. Alice was a beautiful but it was the strength of her character that made her stunning and outstanding. Taking a sip from his drink, Colton tried not to laugh and joke at the use of the two of them as an example. “First of all, I know you want me.” he said in a serious tone but winked, proof he was joking. “Second, you would never just come over and say kiss me or profess undying love.” Colton rolled his eyes “You’re no romcom girl, Alice. You’re a woman who knows what she wants” he leaned forward looking her dead in the eyes “And knows how to get it too.”

“Okay” He tried to contain his laughter at her reaction, holding his hands up in surrender. He was really amused but he missed those easygoing teasing chats with her. “It’s not your morals I’m worried about, you know that.” he said honestly, as he began placing items in her plate. “But some men, no matter how awesome we may be as people, or friends even well…” he shrugged “..we can be horndogs and god awful partners.” He thought it was common knowledge he was part of this category; great friend —or so he hoped— but absolutely unreliable and emotionally unavailable as a partner. “I wouldn’t want you getting hurt cause some guy was trying to make himself feel like he could still get it, while having a wife and three kids at home.” That would also mean Alice would eventually have to get him out of jail but he wasn’t telling her that. || @alicexcheng

[alicexcheng]

Alice struggled to hide the smile from appearing on her face at the way Colton tried to speak female with her. It was one of her favorite past times to see him trying to have her understand a situation and that was probably why she loved Colton. Beyond his sarcastic nature, he did have a caring heart that he showed in his own way. "Okay but let's just say....I do make a move but what if he is like 'what the fuck are you doing' type of reaction. Then I would rather crawl under a rock and die. I may be overthinking this whole situation but this is a very tricky situation. Because let's say I had feelings for you and decided to try something and you just automatically reject me. My pride could not handle that."

Having this talk with her best friend was actually relaxing, she could finally talk out these mixed emotions out and it helped that alcohol was involved so she didn't just avoid the whole conversation. After all, she did her share of listening to Colton talk about his one that got away with her quite a few times. "Yes there's been a divorce. Oh my god Colt, I wouldn't go after a married man--that was one time and in my defense, I didn't know he wasn't officially divorced."

"You shouldn't have." he said flatly. It still amazed him how women overthought every single thing yet they were plain and blunt as can be. He decided that if it hadn't translated in Alice's mind yet, he could make it sink in using words she understood; he'd speak female. "You know those moments you girls describe as time freezing when you" he shuddered a little, shit, this was giving him hives "look at the guy and there's this now kiss voice chanting in your head?" he asked downing his drink. "Time kind of does freeze. Because...both parties freeze..cause the wheels are spinning in a guy's brain too." he explained. "Just not as much as yours or in the same way." Colton waved a hand. "So your odds of this Gaving guy having a thing for you too might actually be better than you think."

Married. Family. This was the part Colton would tell Alice to bolt, run for the fucking hills cause the guy was probably trying to play her and he'd probably have to break his face. But. Alice was no fool, she wasn't the type men found gullible or could string along for more than a week or two; and that would only happen cause she'd allow it, being bored and all. "Has there been a divorce yet?" he asked trying to reserve judgement as the waiter appeared and refilled his glass with champaign. || @alicexcheng

[alicexcheng]

🔥 Alice

Colton rubbed his face with the palms of both hands. "Alice is..a beautiful woman, and I'd gladly fight anyone who thinks otherwise." he said holding a finger up. "But to me..the hottest thing about her" he smirked a little "it's the air she gives off. The way she walks into a room like she knows she's the hottest one in there, the most interesting too. I don't know how to explain it..." he sighed. "Alice is class and confidence; she knows what she worth, she doesn't need me or any random dick to tell her and the fact that she already knows makes her ten times hotter than the rest."

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[alicexcheng]

"You know, that makes perfect sense to me. I just work out to look hot for when I'm in my forties or fifties. I want to look like Jennifer Aniston at her age. Now she aged gorgeously." Alice said laughing lightly. "And perhaps if I ever find myself a sugar daddy then well...at least I won't lose them to some young hipster."

"It's difficult and I have very little self control. Sometimes I have to lock myself in my office so I'll stop trying to eat everything. That's also why I work out as much as I do. If I work out, I can have all the sweets I want and not have to worry about it. Makes perfect sense, right?" Noelle laughed softly, though that really was her main motivation for working out.

@alicexcheng

[alicexcheng]

Alice pursed her lip in thought at the possibility of Gavin sharing the same feelings, she never really thought about that. There were a few times they shared a lingering gaze or words of affection, but she always placed it as just best friends being...well friends. When it came to feelings she wasn't always the best at expressing them unless she was intoxicated of course. "I don't know, I mean there were a few times I thought so but I just swept it under the rug as a simple friend being a friend." She knew she probably should be more observant but that constant fear of ruining something good stood at the back of her mind. "But there was also the fact I had to push those feelings away once he was married and started a family but since that didn't end well, I mean I never dived back into those feelings or the possibility of me telling him how I feel."

He smiled a little smugly. "I'll take those odds" he chuckled lifting the glass to his lips as two waiters placed plate after plate on the table between Alice and himself. Thanking the staff, he turned his attention back to his friend. He studied her for a moment; Alice wasn't one to talk about feelings lightly so there was something of substance happening here, he knew. "I understand." He said simply, taking another sip from his glass. "It's not easy throwing all caution to the wind and risk a damn good thing on hope alone." how he understood, he had no idea but this wasn't the point. Colton himself was not good with feelings. Of any kind really, and his eight year on-again-off-again situationship with the same girl was a testament to that. Moving on. "Do you think he feels remotely the same?" he asked openly, also not one to play around with words. || @alicexcheng

[alicexcheng]

Alice was spending her day rearranging her living room, it was a lot of moving furniture and not liking it a certain way. She was practically finished as she stared at her project happily, she took a sip from her lemon water when the sound of someone at her door pulled her away from throwing herself onto her couch to relax. She walked towards the door and opened it, seeing Gavin had her heart speeding up as she tried to remain calm. "Gavin, what's up?" She asked as she took a step back to allow him inside her home. "You just caught me finishing up on rearranging my living room."

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Gavin needed to get out. He was getting a bit stressed out from stuff and recording in his home wasn’t helping for once. He knew one place he wanted to be and she was always in the back of his head like some sort of tether holding him together. So when he stopped at her place and sat her car, Gavin didn’t hesitate to show up at her doorstep because of their history together as friends. Even if deep down he wanted so much more than that. He just had to work up the courage. Tonight might not be the night, but he was gonna ask her to come have a drink with him. And Gavin knocked on the door for her to answer.

[alicexcheng]

"Well good thing I am a great piece of arm candy." Alice said with a simple shrug of her shoulders. Although she did put in a lot of effort to keep up with her skin care and the pilates that she hates doing, it works out in the end.

She did wonder why she continues to interact with Caleb after that one unfortunate night, maybe it was the fact he was a great kisser or maybe she was just curious and maybe a little bit of being physically attracted to him. She decided to not question it and just go with the flow of things.

"Aw c'mon, are you a little stage fright?" She asked smiling at him. Of course she was teasing him and wouldn't make him dance in front of people. Now that would make another encounter with him even more hilarious. "But fine, I'll take the private showing over no show at all."

"If they're rich, they deserve it. Besides, if you're marrying rich, you're not marrying for love, so don't feel bad about it. They just want a hot piece of arm candy."

Any age, he mentally adds. It's not a suggestion to hop on 'Seeking Arrangements', but California has all sorts of wealthy folks. If that were the case, though, because Caleb doubts Alice would ever stick to that. He can't figure out what interest she has in him especially after the last time, he didn't really give her anything to want to come back to.

Whatever, he'll work with it.

"Smart. But, thanks. I'll get next round, or give you the unrhythmic lap dance you mentioned earlier. It just has to be private. The whole bar doesn't get a show."

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[alicexcheng]

Alice opened and closed her mouth in thought, who would be the one to meet Colton? She lift the glass and took a long sip before answering. "Who knows, we'll leave that to the universe unless you find dirt and take matters into your own hands." She normally didn't want to blur the lines but in all honesty, it probably would be Gavin, he was also one of her best friends too so it was matter of time when two of her best friends meet, right? Even if she was harboring long time feelings for Gavin, she just hasn't acted on those feelings. "Anyways, I have feelings for Gavin...for a long time but I haven't you know...crossed that line and before you ask why the hell not...I just don't want to ruin a good friendship."

"Hey, it's not a bad thing." she chuckled. Alice could have half a dozen of men pining after her at any moment..and keep him busy judging them. In New York, it was a great way to pass the time for him; his PI was like his very own Gossip Girl, texting him dirt on them. It should not be a thing to brag about but, hey, Alice was safe while living her life and he had his peace of mind. He listened to her carefully, hand covering his mouth as he smiled a little. "Well, that sounds...I don't know, both funny and traumatizing at the same time." he chuckled. Taking a sip from his glass, Colton pushed his lips together before asking. "So...who am I more likely to meet in an awkward 'that's my friend and that's my boyfriend' way?" he asked. || @alicexcheng

[alicexcheng]

"What's that term...if the child is happy then you're happy?" She asked questioningly before laughing, "If you end up getting a cat, it's not the end of the world. They're quite interesting pets, I mean dogs are all about being friendly and lovable, wanting attention while with cats you have to practically grovel at their feet just to get their love."

"I've heard that. Honestly, I'm afraid I would be that person. I'd end up with a ton in my house and I'd never be able to stop. The only reason I don't have more than one dog is because my dad wouldn't allow another when we lived with him and by the time I had my own place, I had a baby. Ugh, I might cave and get Sunny a cat." Sterling rolled her eyes at herself, coming full circle to the cat conversation. She loved animals so much and she had a hard time saying no to Sunny anyway.

@alicexcheng

[alicexcheng]

"You act as if I have several men in my life," She said with an eye roll but it wasn't far from the truth, she did tend to have one or three guys she strung along for her own entertainment but that was all in New York where she didn't know anyone and just enjoyed the element of the city life away from Aurora Bay. But being back, she mellowed out the best she could and of course figuring out what she wanted to do next, career wise she was fine, it was just settling down was the real question. "Let's see...Caleb is a mechanic, we had an incident where we were both drunk about to get on with it but he got sick in the middle of the...deed...and had to puke. So that was a hilarious moment. We often hang out and I give him some of my sass and wit, he just goes along with it or shares the same energy."

Them marrying each other was a running joke between them but deep down Colt knew that if one day Alice called him and said she needed that marriage, he'd do it. She was his best friend, he'd support her no matter what. Chuckling he mused "Of course I have." he said remembering the first time the boys in class noticed she wasn't a kid anymore. It was a best friend's nightmare. "So..." he leaned back, looking all relaxed and casual "..we like Gavin." Colton stored the name in his memory, opening a mental tab on the man. Amused, Colton clapped his hands together. "Of course you are. You're hot and smart and any guy would be lucky if you waste a moment on him." he hyped though it was the truth. "Tell me more about both..you little delinquent." || @alicexcheng

[alicexcheng]

"Well good thing I took an Uber here because I wasn't about to leave my car just anywhere while I was intoxicated, I would have ended up sleeping in said car." Alice said laughing, it may seem funny but she really loved her car and treated it as if it was her baby which in a way it was since it was a gift from her father. "Yes, I am definitely in need of a good drink, what have you had so far?" She slipped her arm through his and directed him towards the bar as she walked along side him.

“ I don’t know you look pretty great in a suit even without the alien “ Gavin replied giving her a small smile. She always looked great to him and he would always tell her that fact, but his boldness of the night might have been bright on by the few drinks he’d had earlier. “ we should have. The offer still stands even if we both took are cars here. You know I’ll always be around “ he smiled a bit before letting out a sigh. “ speaking of which wanna grab a drink?” @alicexcheng

[alicexcheng]

Alice was pretty into the halloween spirit, although her costume was last minute and she didn't spend a large amount of money on a costume was her idea in the first place. How could one go wrong with going as Men in Black. Although it depends if people watched the franchise would get her costume. She was adjusting the fake badge around her neck when she noticed Gavin and chuckled. "Yeah, you should've. We could've car pooled here or you know, if one of us gets drunk at least the other would take care of the drunken one." Alice grinned towards Gavin and presented her outfit. "My balloon alien popped so now I just look like I'm undercover."

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Gavin had always been a bit nervous when he would be with Alice anywhere. He hadn’t asked officially to go to Sharkys with her because he had this fear she would think it was a date and then it would ruin their relationship. God, how he really wanted things to be a date with her. He really needed to just admit to the truth or get over it however he knew it would hurt if she ask for someone else and so he knew time would run out one day. After all, she was the most beautiful woman he had ever met. Anyone would be lucky to be with her.

When he saw Alice it was easy to just fall into the same patterns they often did. They were so close but there was always an edge of flirting and Gavin didn’t always pick up on it. “ I should have asked you to come with me. I don’t think I like being around so many people anymore “ he joked

[alicexcheng]

"Normally no," She said, usually she had insanely good luck which she was thankful but never abused that luck. Alice was pretty good at a lot of things, either she studied hard for it or practiced until she was good at it. Which was why working as a lawyer was beneficial for her and the fact she enjoyed arguing while getting paid for it. Alice missed living in New York where her job required her to do a lot of that but she did enjoy being back in AB for her family and old friends. "That's the plan, marry someone rich but so far no such luck in that department. But god, can you imagine? I would just gamble their money away. I think at a certain point I'd feel bad...maybe."

"Okay! If you say so." She called out in response to him, walking toward the bar as she ordered their drinks, sliding over the bills to the bartender and carrying their drinks back toward their table. "They'll bring the shots by because my hands were full or they just didn't trust my juggling skills."

“If you think I’m that soft, you have another thing coming for you.” Caleb wouldn’t be up for spending anytime with Alice if he took her verbal jabs so personally.��

He is thick-skinned enough, but it also helps that she’s great to look at. Besides, despite how things ended last time, there’s still a silent inkling of another go around. Just this time with less throwing up and laughter at his expense. He’s skeptical when he looks over his shoulder again, throwing Alice one quick glance to preface the near bulls-eye he makes with his next toss.

Caleb is nothing short of cocky when he asks, “Do you lose a lot?” It’s his own challenge, even if their scores are scarily close. “You need to find someone rich to take you to a casino. You can blow all the money in the world, but get that same thrill.” It’s something he’d never do. Fiscal irresponsibility has never been fun for him.

“I’m fine. It was once, I’ll be alright with another. Two, even!” He calls back when she walks to the bar, a smirk showing through in all his amusement. In a moment of mercy, he decides to throw his last two shots without trying to tank his score.

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[alicexcheng]

"Uh huh," She said with an eye roll, although they did come up with a pact about marrying one another one day if they were both still single. But she had a feeling Colton would probably find someone to love so much they would get married before her. After all, her failed relationships and work schedule always taken over her life. Thinking about her suitors, Alice couldn't help but to snort under her breath and shakes her head. "I mean have you seen me? Of course I'd have some suitors." She knew she was pretty but again, it seemed that life had her in situations that had her questioning if she wanted something more. "There's this one, I've been best friends with them for so long and to the point I love them more than a friend and no it's not you, his name is Gavin. Anyways, I never stepped over that line of just friends but it's getting harder to deny my feelings. Then there's this other suitor who I had an interesting drunken story with. I'm just rather popular now I speak about this."

Holding his hands out open, he tilted his head to the side a little smugly as if saying ‘don’t fix what’s not broken’. Well, that was debatable but not up for discussion at the moment. Colton faked offense at the mention of Alice marrying his brother. He was mostly offended on her behalf for insinuating she’d lower herself to marrying Asher. Pffff… Okay, his brother was easy on the eyes —they almost shared a face after all, but he was a shithead. Trust him, Colt was the middle son, he knew. Leaning forward, he grinned liking where this was going. “It does, doesn’t it?” he mused before adding in a teasing tone “Which is why you’re eventually marrying me.” It was a running joke between them for years; their marriage. It would please the mothers, it would shock New York social crème de la crème and make Asher weep. But they were too great of friends to go there. “Tell me, gorgeous, are there any Californian suitors or are the men here fucking idiots in need of an optometrist and a new brain?” || @alicexcheng

[alicexcheng]

Alice Cheng as Men in Black

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