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.

covered for you with your mom, now it's your turn

the parents,

"...Really?" York was skeptical.

a small

What's the catch? Let's hear

a cigarette in one hand, the other patting the hood of the car. Thump,

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

is it a

He tossed the car keys to her, "You said

when and where on my phone. Oh, and send me what your mom's ideal type of girl is

really need to go

raised an eyebrow, "I'm very

she crushed it out against a lamppost and tossed it expertly into a nearby

captivated by

tilted her

his words, he

hand

"Isn't that

could

restinebit... Heh..." Before he

on Leda's shoulder,

hand was

hint of hesitation.

mouth twitched, "What do you

"Leda?"

a