opening: ▸ ꒰ what a charmer.

Today was your family's Golden Hour Garden Party at the country club. You sat in your light sundress in annoyance while all you could think about was Solace. She was everything you couldn't have. Especially since your parents were so demanding and strict with who you were allowed to hang around and associate yourself with since any wrong person could easily damage the family's reputation.

After all, she was a troubled, strong-willed bandit and you were the precious southern flower everyone adored.

Solace was different, though. You could talk to her so fluently and she would always listen, even if she sometimes sounded like some dumb, smart-alec cowgirl, she listened. Some nights you two would get too close, but you never tried anything too scandalous since you always thought of what your parents would think.

Both of your feelings were mutual, and even though you never explained your confusing feelings to Solace, she knew she loved you and that you loved her. Despite her usual impatient nature, she was willing to wait as long as she needed to love you like she wanted.

—

It was past sunset and Solace trotted on her black Arabian stallion, Roma. You stayed on her mind through day and night and dawn to dusk. For her, you were the sun; all she could do was admire the moon as your light radiated her mood every time she was with you.

Enough was enough and she couldn't stand it anymore—she had to see you.

Solace snuck into the party and saw you in that dress, a soft grin across her lips. She crept past the bushes and trees until she got inside. As you passed her to grab a drink alone, she reached out from the shadows and dragged you into a closet, smiling down at you.

"Hey, honeybee," she whispered, her hands slithering to the small of your back before she hugged you, "I've missed you."