#AtoZChallenge 2022 – Epilogue: X’s and Oh Nos

3 Months later…

Daphne smiles blissfully in her sleep. After dating and kissing so many frogs, she’s finally found someone who’s on the same playing field as her. Slowly, she opens her eyes. “Good morning.”

Charlie, too, is smiling blissfully, “Good morning,” he yawns, sits up, and stretches before turning to Daphne. “So, what’s the plan today?”

“Oh, not much. I thought we’d stay in today, watch a couple of movies while X-ing and O-ing.” She grins slyly.

Charlie arches an eyebrow, “You want to play tic-tac-toe?”

“No silly goose,” Daphne playfully punches his arm, “I’m talking about this.” She stretches her arm and pulls his face to hers and they lock lips in a passionate kiss.

Charlie and Daphne didn’t get together overnight after their escapade at Richard Hitchcock’s mansion. After exchanging phone numbers before getting into separate SUV for home, it took Daphne nearly a month to finally give Charlie a call. Charlie honestly thought he must had gone crazy giving her his number. She’s never going to call, he thought.

Their first conversation was incredibly awkward to say the least.

Daphne: Hey

Charlie: Hey

There was a long pause before Daphne started the same conversation but Charlie thought to go for it. You only live once, he thought.

Daphne: Hey

Charlie: Hey…you want to grab dinner tonight?

Daphne: Tonight?

Charlie: We can do a raincheck if you can’t tonight.

Daphne: I’d love to.

“That kind of X-ing and O-ing,” Charlie says after Daphne finally releases his tongue from her mouth. “That’s way better than Tic Tac Toe.”

On the other side of town, Beth is once again pounding on the bathroom door. “Come on, Stephanie, come out already. I got a job interview in an hour and I need to get ready.”

“In a minute,” Stephanie trills. Beth groans. I don’t have a minute.

At last, the bathroom door opens. “Why are you still living here anyway?” Beth asks, “I thought you signed a lease on an apartment a week ago.”

“I did but they won’t let me move in until next month.” Beth groans again before forcibly pulls her sister out of the bathroom. “Hey, watch it.” Stephanie snaps. “Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning.”

“Well, I have a job interview this morning and I’m nervous as hell right now.” Just then, the door bell rings. Who could it be this early in the morning? Beth wonders. “Steph, will you get that? I really need to get ready.”

It’s not a minute later before Stephanie yells, “Beth, it’s for you.”

This better not be like the last time. She thinks as she takes a deep breath and exits the bathroom. Standing downstairs in the foyer is Abby, an anxious expression on her face. “Abby? Is everything okay?”

Abby shakes her head, “I’ve been subpoenaed.”