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inchargemarge · Site Admin Joined: 25 Apr 2016 Posts: 7991

“So do you.” Arte replied, a little still but she meant it.

“Artemis! Does he want to come in?” Roxanne called, closer now than before but not yet in frame.

“My Mom wants to know if you want to come in?” Arte repeated the question, thin lipped and increasingly embarrassed.

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PeanutButterGoddess · Joined: 25 Apr 2016 Posts: 8010

"I would love to, if you're inviting me of course." Sal said before suddenly becoming aware of the bulk in his arms. "Ah, actually, maybe I should. I got you a gift. It's nothing big, but I don't imagine you'll want to haul it around with you the whole night." He explained before presenting a lightly used looking book with several illustrated plants on its cover. "It's a field guide for plants with medicinal uses. I saw it in the bookstore when I went out with Lu the other day and thought you might like it. Or maybe not. I don't know. It's really old, but in good condition. If anything, it's a good book to put on display and use as a talking point." He blabbered a bit nervously, worried very suddenly that Arte might not appreciate the book like he had originally thought. He fussed with it in his hands, even opening it to show her the publishing date, not yet releasing it for worry of her actually telling him she didn't want it.
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inchargemarge · Site Admin Joined: 25 Apr 2016 Posts: 7991

Arte opened up the door wider for him but instantly brightened at the book. Combined with seeing Sal be nervous too and the sweet gesture of the gift brought Arte some relief. She smiled and reached to pluck the book from him, careful to not snatch it. Once in her hands she immediately began to flip through the first few pages with care, looking back up at Sal with a sincere smile.

“This is great, thank you.” She said.

PeanutButterGoddess · Joined: 25 Apr 2016 Posts: 8010

Sal felt h is heart leap in his chest and he returned the smile, his own riddled with relief and, well, a little bit of giddiness at having received a sincere smile from Arte.

"You're welcome." He said as he entered the house then.
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Butts n' butts n' butts n' butts.

inchargemarge · Site Admin Joined: 25 Apr 2016 Posts: 7991

“I’m gonna put this away in my room and then we can go.” Arte said with a smile before turning to jog upstairs, nose still in the book as she did so. As her daughter disappeared, Roxanne came into view. She approached Sal with a wide smile, already reaching to dust off his blazer and fuss with his hair in a motherly way.

“I am so excited you’re taking little Arty out.” She gushed. “You look so handsome too, just perfect.”

PeanutButterGoddess · Joined: 25 Apr 2016 Posts: 8010

"Thank you, Missus Laughlin. I'm pretty excited too." Sal chuckled as he allowed himself to be fussed over. "I'm hoping she'll even agree to let me take her out again by the end of the night."
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Butts n' butts n' butts n' butts.

inchargemarge · Site Admin Joined: 25 Apr 2016 Posts: 7991

“Who could say no to a face like this?” Roxanne smiles, patting Sal’s cheek before pausing. “Well i guess if anyone could it would be Arte. But I’m sure you guys will have a great time! Don’t worry about getting her home at a specific time, she’s grown after all.” Roxanne continued.

PeanutButterGoddess · Joined: 25 Apr 2016 Posts: 8010

Sal flushed at that, but still managed a laugh.

"Well, we both still work tomorrow, so I'll try not to keep us both out too late." He said.
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Butts n' butts n' butts n' butts.

inchargemarge · Site Admin Joined: 25 Apr 2016 Posts: 7991

“Ah just a good boy, I’m not surprised though. Your Dad always had a good heart.” Roxanne gushed with a thoughtful sigh.

“Alright, you ready?” Arte called as she bounded down the stairs, skipping the last two.

PeanutButterGoddess · Joined: 25 Apr 2016 Posts: 8010

“Absolutely.” Sal smiled and offered his arm out to Arte then. “We’ll see you later, Missus Laughlin. Have a good night.” He said to Arte’s mother before heading for the door. “Hope you like salsa.”
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Butts n' butts n' butts n' butts.

inchargemarge · Site Admin Joined: 25 Apr 2016 Posts: 7991

“I like both mild and spicy.” Arte answered, mostly serious since she wasn’t expecting he’d take them dancing.

PeanutButterGoddess · Joined: 25 Apr 2016 Posts: 8010

“We’ll keep it mild for now.” Sal chuckled.

—-

Eventually the twosome made their way to the restaurant and Sal was pleased to hear the music playing from an outside dining area just behind the building. He was grinning broadly at the sound, hopeful that maybe a night of dancing awaited the both of them if dinner went well.
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Butts n' butts n' butts n' butts.

inchargemarge · Site Admin Joined: 25 Apr 2016 Posts: 7991

Arte looked up at the building as they approached, hearing the music as they got closer.

“Is it a Portuguese place?” She asked, knowing Sal and the siblings shared a Portuguese heritage on Havania’s side.

PeanutButterGoddess · Joined: 25 Apr 2016 Posts: 8010

“Nah, It’s Mexican. Mama would have a cow if any of us went out to a Brazilian place when she cooks our favorites nearly every week.” Sal laughed. “But is be willing to risk her wrath if you wanted to let me take you out again to a Brazilian place next time.” He winked playfully as they came up to the entrance.

Sal opened the door where they were met by an empty entryway where a host would usually be standing. A waitress was briskly walking by, a smile on her face and a bit of a flush in her cheeks, seemingly coming from where the music was.

“A table for two?” She asked, breathless. Sal wondered if she had been dancing. Maybe that’s where the host was.

“Yes, please. Can we sit outside? With the music?” He asked.

“Claro, yes.” The girl bobbed her head and grabbed menus before gesturing for them to follow.

The outside seating area was covered by what looked like an old and worn pergola that had creeping vines all across its top. There were Christmas lights strung up in the place of fairy lights woven into the leaves. Little paper cutouts looked like they had been freshly hung. On the far side of the seating area was a fountain and a makeshift stage where a band was playing music. A few people, including the would-be host and a server, were clapping and dancing along with the music.

Sal and Arte were sat at one of the mismatched sets of table settings near the dancing.

“This is exciting.” Sal admitted, grinning as he turned to watch the dancing.
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Butts n' butts n' butts n' butts.

inchargemarge · Site Admin Joined: 25 Apr 2016 Posts: 7991

“Everyone seems to be having a good time, that’s for sure.” Arte nodded, as she was seated; admiring the people clapping the same as Sal.

Arte wasn’t really one for dancing, which was funny to think about since her Mother was a cancan dancer for a period of time; she met Jer as a dancer even. Roxanne would probably like this place, even if it wasn’t the same kind of dancing she was used to.

She recalled once as teenagers, Lucinda and her sneaking out of the house and into a club. Naturally, Arte didn’t want to go but Lucinda did, so they went. Lucinda wasn’t a good dancer, not in the traditional sense. But she was confident, which compensated for any lack of skill. She’d smile wide and throw her hands up and bounced along with the music, seemingly blending into the sea of people while Arte sank awkwardly into a barstool.

“Do you like to dance?” She asked.

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