Florecer

One More Time

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     Lily pat her hair dry with a towel as she got out of the shower. She had already called June to let her know that she'd be coming by in about two hours. Well, one hour now. She picked out a comfortable, neutral outfit in the nude, and contemplated where she'd take June for dinner. She wanted to go somewhere family friendly for the atmosphere but also wanted to eat somewhere where the food was a little more sophisticated. She had no worries about impressing June, she simply wanted to eat well since it had been so long since she had.

     Half an hour before she was set to pick up June, she called up a restaurant she used to love before her incident, and asked if there were any free tables now or if she had to set a reservation for later to get one. There were two tables empty, so she reserved one and told them she'd be there within the hour. With that done she finished getting ready and grabbed her wallet, keys, and phone. She texted June that she was on her way.

     When she got to June's she went up to the door and knocked politely, checking herself to make sure everything was in order. As she looked back up the door opened and June smiled widely. June wore a pretty dark dress, the outfit more serious than her usual dresses.

     "Ready?" Lily asked.

     June stepped back and left the door open. "Hold on. Let me just give the babysitter a few last instructions."

     Lily nodded and waited outside. She stuck her hands in her pockets and only had to wait a second before Christina came running up to her with arms wide open. "Miss Lily!" the girl practically screamed.

     Chuckling, Lily squat down and gave Christina a hug, picking the girl up and dropping her back inside because she didn't have shoes or socks on. "Hey. What are you doing?"

     When she was set on her feet Christina smiled. "Playing games. Want to play?"

     "Ah, I can't. I'm sorry."

     "No?"

     Lily shook her head. As Christina pouted, June came into view with a teenage girl. The teen stared at Lily with a surprised expression stuck on her face. Lily stood up straight and smiled awkwardly, clearing her throat. "Ready?" she asked June.

     June nodded. "Ready." She pat the babysitter's shoulder then went to Christina and gave the kid a kiss. "I'll be back later." She turned to the babysitter. "No later than eleven."

     The babysitter nodded, still giving Lily a strange look. Lily ignored her and moved to the door, holding it open until June was outside. "Bye," she told both Christina and the babysitter before closing the door. She heard it lock as she started to walk away.

     "So, where are we going?" June asked as Lily unlocked the car.

     Lily opened the driver's side door and looked at June over the roof of the car. "Some place I used to go to a lot before."

     June bobbed her head in understanding then got into the passenger seat. "Good?"

     "Very," Lily responded as she drove off. She glanced over and smirked. "But it won't take until eleven to finish our plates."

     June lowered her head and smiled softly. "Just in case."

     "Expect something to happen?"

     "If the conversation is good, I think I might stay awhile."

     Lily laughed. "If it's bad?"

     "I think I'll have to fake a family emergency and leave."

     "I'll try not to be offended."