Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

"Don't wanna wait? You can leave, as if anyone's dying to see you," Leda couldn't help but sneer, her impatience shining through. "With that attitude, you're asking for favors?" York took a deep breath, feeling as if he was walking a tightrope.

This woman knew kickboxing, and if he pissed her off, he'd be the one eating dirt.

"Hey, don't be mad," he quickly put on a smile, "I told you it's an emergency. You being all cool and collected, of course, I got ideas."

"Spit it out then." Leda glanced inside his car, "And... you got any cigarettes?"

"For what?"

"Give me one."

York let out a resigned sigh and turned back to his car, retrieving a cigarette and lighter to hand over to her.

Leda didn't take them. Instead, she crossed her arms and shot him a look that was part amused, part annoyed.

"Fine," York nodded, "Here I am, thinking I'm looking for a date, and I end up with a queen."

Saying so, he bent down to light her cigarette.

It was the first time York had ever lit a cigarette for a woman.

And the first time he saw someone make smoking look so elegant.

"So, what's up?" Leda let out a puff of smoke, the rising cloud briefly masking her face.

York hesitated. "My mom somehow got it into her head that you and I are dating. She's demanding I bring you home to meet her, just laid down the ultimatum."

"We had a deal, remember? Help each other out, no strings attached, keep our own lives. You remember, right?"

"I remember," Leda nodded.

with your mom, now it's your turn

agreed readily, "Just meeting the parents, right? Don't

"...Really?" York was skeptical.

a small

it! What's the

couple of days." Leda strolled over, a cigarette in one hand, the other patting the hood of the car. Thump,

tandem, "Hey, be gentle, don't break

it

her, "You said two days, not a

on my phone. Oh, and send me what your mom's ideal type of girl is like, long hair onshort, what style of

need

an eyebrow, "I'm very

she crushed it out against a lamppost

by her

here," Leda tilted her

what?" Despite his words, he moved closer

hand on my

"Isn't that

could

restinebit... Heh..." Before he

on Leda's shoulder,

hand

hint of hesitation.

twitched, "What do you call

"Leda?"

a