Monday
Rowan
Good morning, beautiful.
Claire
Good morning. How was your run?
Fine. It would have been better had it started and ended at your place …
Claire
Rowan
We both know you love it.
Claire
Unfortunately, I do.
Rowan
I miss you.
Claire
Miss you more.
Rowan
Heads up, but my sister thinks her surprise party is a regular dinner, and she wants me to invite you as my plus one.
Claire
What did you say?
Rowan
At first I told her I had plans that night, but she gave me her big-eyed, sad look.
Claire
Of course she did.
Don’t tell me you ruined the surprise …
Rowan
I tried reminding her that you’d just gone out with another guy, but that didn’t work, either. So I eventually admitted I’m just too chicken to ask you to be my date.
Claire
She’s going to hate me now!
Rowan
I was trying to stick to the truth. And you know Daisy loves you … almost as much as I do.
Claire
Nice save.
I still can’t believe the news hasn’t gotten back to her yet. I keep waiting for her to ask about your special delivery at work.
Rowan
I think Loren’s been telling everyone to keep it quiet until after the party. Daisy must have talked to her about trying to set us up.
Claire
And I thought you’d quit all that lying and scheming …
Rowan
But I’m only telling fibs of omission, and I’m doing it for a good reason.
Claire
So you are actually afraid to ask me out?
Rowan
Maybe … just a little.
Claire
It’s okay if you’re not ready for everyone to see us together. I get it.
Rowan
I’m worried you’re not ready for that. And it’s okay if you aren’t. I promised we’d do this at a pace that’s comfortable for you.
Claire
Are you really prepared to face your family and everything they’ll have to say about us?
Rowan
I am very much looking forward to rubbing our official-adjacent relationship in everyone’s faces.
Claire
Then is this your way of asking me to be your date for the party?
Rowan
No, hang on, you deserve better.
Daphne Claire Bergeron, would you do me the honor of being my date for my sister’s surprise party this weekend?
(I’m on my knees right now, if it helps.)
Claire
Hmm. Pics or it didn’t happen …