“Since I’m used to seeing you asleep, this is a nice change,” Ian remarked, laughing as he and Ashley sat down at a table at a random restaurant.

“I’m used to seeing you half-naked, so this is also a change…” Ashley cleared her throat. “Of course, it might not be a nice change because I think I’d rather see you in a Speedo, but never mind.”

Ian laughed full-out, causing Ashley to blush very slightly and open her menu for a distraction.

“I still can’t believe I fell asleep on you,” Ashley said, glancing up at him over her menu; he was watching her with a smile on his lips and Ashley found it quite hard to concentrate on trivial things such as food.

He grinned at her. “I thought it was cute.”

She coughed. “Mmmm. That looks good.”

“What?” Ian asked curiously, leaning forward slightly.

“Um…the hamburger.” She set her menu down and crossed her hands across it. “So, ah, how long have you known my brother?”

“Probably less time than you have,” Ian replied, still smiling as he alternately surveyed his menu and Ashley. “Quite a while. We see each other at random swim events and stuff.”

“Ah.”

“I’m surprised I haven’t met you before, though.”

“Oh, well, I don’t get to go to Australia much.”

Ian raised an eyebrow. “Why not? You didn’t get to the Sydney games, even?”

Ashley shook her head. “No, I went to the Sydney games…but…that’s pretty much it. I usually go to all his stuff, but I’ve been busy with school, so this is the first one I’ve made it to in a while.”

Ian nodded in understanding. “Yeah, I wasn’t sure I was even going to come here because I was so busy, but…I made it.”

Ashley smiled. “Ah yes, you’re promoting your underwear, aren’t you?”

“Not at the moment,” Ian smirked, “But yeah.”

“What else?” She asked, suddenly feeling at ease around him.

“I’ve just done a health food line…”

“TUNA!” Ashley yelled, then leaned down in her seat in embarrassment. “I mean, yeah. My friend Kelly sent me a video of your commercial. Good stuff.”

“Thanks,” he replied, looking bashful suddenly. “You like tuna?”

“Not really.”

Ian chuckled. “I didn’t believe Aaron when he said his sister was insane, but…”

“Now you do?” Ashley questioned, laughing and tipping her head to the side.

He nodded. “It’s nice, though. Insanity is never boring.”

“Hey, that’s my philosophy.”

“I can’t imagine you’re ever bored.”

“Oh, you’d be surprised.”

*

Ian slid his sunglasses over his eyes and took a few steps; noticing Ashley hadn’t fallen into step with him, he turned around.

“You okay?” He asked, taking a step back towards her.

“I’m fine, yeah. I was just…admiring the view.”

Ian looked around skeptically. “You like ugly buildings?”

Ashley colored a bit. “Um, no. I meant…I was…ah…” she gestured blankly. “You know,” she said, changing gears. “If you could just stand there looking pretty, I’d be completely content.”

Surprised, Ian started laughing; he reached out and took her hand, gently tugging her into step with him as he walked up the street.

“You could talk about the weather and I’d be enthralled,” she remarked lightly, aware of him touching her and the fact that it was speeding up her heartbeat alarmingly and also causing her to blurt things out that she hadn’t meant to utter aloud.

“It’s sunny today,” Ian commented, glancing at her out of the corner of his eye. “Might rain later.”

Ashley snorted and then tried to regain some sort of composure. “Oh, look, a puppy.”

Ian stopped walking and turned to her. “You are so odd.”

“I think that’s a compliment.”

“It is,” he assured her, smiling and continuing on their way back to the hotel.

*

“I think. I am. In love,” Ashley announced, dancing into Skylar’s room several hours later and plopping down on her bed with a flourish.

“The date went well?” Skylar questioned from her position at the desk by the window (she was reading a novel).

Ashley sighed in contentment and rolled onto her stomach. “He is so sweet.”

Skylar nodded, marking her place in the book.

“And so adorable.”

Skylar laughed. “Yes.”

Ashley sighed happily again. “We’re going out to dinner tonight. I don’t know what to wear. What do you think?”

“Absolutely not the high heals.”

She received a deep scowl for her troubles. “How’d things go with my brother?”

A shrug. “Fine.”

“What’d you do?”

“Fought mostly. Played Scrabble.”

Ashley chuckled. “I hope you kicked his ass.”

“I did,” Skylar guaranteed her, nodding. “Where are you going for dinner?”

She got up off the bed and walked toward the adjoining door. “I don’t know. A restaurant.”

“Ahh, very informative.”

“Do you want me to get Aaron to buy you dinner? I’m sure he’ll splurge for McDonalds.”

Skylar wrinkled up her nose. “No, thanks. I’m good.”