Page 66 of Picture Us

Wrapping their arms around her waist, Drew kissed her firmly. They took in her scent as they embraced.

“You ready?” Drew nodded to the pile of gear behind her.

She walked toward it and started slinging straps over her neck and shoulders. “You didn’t have to come up, I didn’t mean to make you park.”

Drew laughed. “You didn’t make me. I wasn’t going to let you bring down this much shit by yourself.”

Rose put her hands on her hips defiantly. “Don’t think I’m strong enough?”

“Of course not,” Drew smirked as they grabbed some of the bags. “It’s just silly.”

Between the two of them, they were able to collect all of the gear. It would be a massive first trip, but a first trip nonetheless.

Collecting her keys, Rose scanned the apartment. “Sorry it’s such a mess.”

“That’s okay, I hadn’t noticed.” Drew smiled. It was the most obvious lie they could have tried. Her place was objectively a nightmare. The other times Drew had come over, she had managed to hide most of her unorganized tendencies in her closets.

But this was what her place looked like on a regular basis, piles of clothes on the couch, dishes on the counter, a layer of dust on the TV.

Rose tapped her pockets, making sure her keys were there. “Okay, let’s boogie.”

“Boogie? Jesus woman, we need to get you out of the house more.” Drew laughed, leading the way downstairs. They made their way downstairs and loaded the bed of the truck quickly.

Without saying a word, they effortlessly placed each piece of gear into the covered bed. Rose extended her arm to push the camera bag into the bed, her sleeve pushing up as she did.

Drew’s eyebrows raised. “Are those?”

With a nod, Rose met Drew’s burning hazel eyes. “From your ropes? Yes. And now I have to wear a long sleeve overshirt in the middle of July.”

Smirking, Drew shrugged. “Do you dislike it?”

“I didn’t say that.” Rose bit her lip, the anticipation of their touch soaking her panties already. She grabbed another case of equipment and placed it in the bed.

Drew sighed. “You can’t tease me like this when there’s now time to fuck. Because now I’m excited and have to keep it to myself.”

Rose balled her fists and brought them to her face, mimicking an exaggerated cry. “Boo-hoo, poor Drew has to wait to come until after work.”

With a smirk on their face, Drew slammed the tailgate closed. It was a perfect fit.

“Close call.” Drew shook their head, raising their hand for a high-five.

After their hands met, Drew hopped into the driver's seat and Rose took the passenger seat. As she buckled her seatbelt, Rose asked, “Did you thank Diana for the truck loan?”

Fiddling with the music, Drew mumbled. “I did indeed. She said anything for you… and nothing for me.”

Rose laughed. She had met Diana once or twice in passing and had nothing but nice things to say. Especially considering she and Drew were exes, Diana was nothing but welcoming to Rose.

They pulled off the FDR in Drew’s neighborhood, passing Tompkins Square Park. Throwing on the hazards, Drew double parked and hopped out. They pulled the handle on the passenger door to help Rose out.

Holding their hand out, Rose grabbed it to get down from the shockingly tall truck.

The car beeped behind them as Drew locked the car and sped toward C&B around the corner. But their face immediately wrinkled when they saw the doors closed. It was unusual for them to not leave the door wide open in the summer.

Drew pushed on the door, but it didn’t budge. “Crap.”

Catching up to them, Rose caught sight of the sign on the door: CLOSED FOR RENOVATIONS, SEE YA MONDAY!

Drew started rubbing their forehead, feeling the day beginning to spiral out of control already. But Rose lowered her head and caught Drew’s gaze. “Hey, it’s okay. We’ll stop somewhere along the way up. I built in a bunch of time.”

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