Kapitel 4: Chapter 4: Some Other Beginning's End

Ripley's POV

Standing in the mirror, Ripley realized this was the first time she had really stood to study her body. She had avoided it other than to make sure she was doing exercises correctly at the gym.

However, the pile of dresses on the floor forced her to accept she had changed.

She had been willowy and lean in high school. She used to get teased for being built like a string bean. The tiny dresses she had stuffed into the garbage can were evidence of that.

The four years since she had left had filled her out. She had a more effeminate shape now, with curves and muscle. She had grown her hair out, the long blonde locks falling nearly to her belly button.

The dress she finally settled on clung to her every curve. It looked flattering, but she felt like a sausage stuffed in the casing.

Ripley attempted to scrounge up a little makeup. She did the best she could with what she hadn't thrown away years ago.

The truck roared to life, diesel engine humming as Ripley backed it down the driveway. The quiet suburban neighborhood felt menacing, like something vile bubbled just beneath its cheery exterior. She supposed it had felt like that ever since she had lost her family, though maybe it always had been that way and her eyes had only been opened to it then.

Cory had chosen an Italian restaurant in the middle of a strip of bars and restaurants. It was quiet, dimly lit, with candles burning on each table. Ripley strolled through the restaurant to where he sat waiting.

"You look amazing," he purred.

Ripley smiled and did a little spin for him.

"You don't look so bad yourself," she responded.

Ripley took a seat and picked up the menu. This was Cory, someone she had known since she was a child, and yet, she couldn't stop the fluttering in her stomach.

If she hadn't recognized the feeling as regular first date butterflies, it almost would have felt foreboding.

The waitress brought out a bottle of wine and poured them each a glass. Ripley buttered a slice of bread and flipped through the menu.

Cory was talking about a friend of his coming into town to stay for a while. He talked about how he had taken in a roommate to help cover the cost of his mortgage. It all felt very casual. Ripley forced the churning in her gut down with another sip of wine and another bite of bread.

"Grant just finished a trip out West. He did Arches National Park, saw the Grand Canyon, a bunch of stuff like that. I'm looking forward to hearing about it, his pictures were incredible." Cory took a bite of spaghetti.

That sparked a thought in Ripley's head. Hadn't that vampire said something about a wolf shifter coming from out West, looking for her? But lots of people took road trips all the time. She noted the strange feeling in her gut, made sure to be wary of this new friend, but tried to reassure herself it was nothing to be concerned about.

She didn't have much experience with shifters if she was being honest. The priest she had first apprenticed under had explained that most of them simply wanted to be left to exist in peace. It was unusual, but not unheard of, for a rogue wolf, or small pack of rogues, to cause trouble, but they were usually swiftly dealt with by their own kind.

Ripley pushed the thoughts to the side to focus on Cory.

"You know, I've always thought you were beautiful. All the way back to the day my parents moved into that house. You were outside drawing with sidewalk chalk, I knew then and there that I needed to be a part of your life. I'm thankful you gave me this chance."

Ripley blushed.

"I think it took me a little longer to see you as anything more than the kid I played tag with. But somewhere in high school you really started to get me," she chuckled.

"Is that right? Care to expound upon that?" Cory coaxed. His voice had dropped an octave and he leaned in towards her.

"No, I don't think I do," Ripley teased.

Cory gave her a lopsided grin. "Oh, come on. I would gladly tell you about what you're doing to me in that dress. I'll tell you all about what kinds of thoughts I've been having about you for years. I mean, the first time I saw you out washing your dad's cars in that tiny red bikini..." His voice trailed off as he traced shapes across the back of Ripley's hand.

She could feel the heat pooling in her core. She crossed her legs to fight back against the feelings gathering there.

"And watching you in the gym, where was that? I think we were in Washington. It took all I had not to try and convince you to be with me right there in the middle of the f*cking gym," Cory continued.

Ripley's cheeks burned. She ducked her head to avoid the blazing heat in his gaze.

"Ripley, I mean it. You are the most beautiful woman I've ever encountered in all my life. I've loved you since the day we met. I want to spend the rest of my life with you," he said hoarsely.

She giggled a little and looked back up to meet his eyes.

"I don't think we have to make those kinds of decisions tonight. I wanna take things slow. I really want to give this a good, healthy chance." Ripley offered him a small smile.

A flash of disappointment and frustration crossed his face before he schooled his expression back to a loving interest.

"We've known each other for years, Ripley. A lifetime."

"I know. I know. But this is all new. Count this as day one. I promise I want to give this a try."

"Okay, deal. I'll take that for now," he told her, looking relieved.

Cory paid for dinner and walked with Ripley to stand on the sidewalk under the streetlight.

"Could I, maybe, give you a kiss?" he asked.

Ripley blushed and nodded. She had waited for this moment for probably six years. Her heart pounded.

Cory took her face in his hands. He gently brought her face forward, placing his lips gently against hers.

His lips were soft and warm. Somehow, though, they still felt uninviting. He kept them pursed tightly together, even as he kissed her.

With a breath, he pulled back from her.

"Good night, Ripley," he breathed.

"Good night, Cory." She studied him as he walked up the street to his car. Ripley wandered back towards where she had parked the truck.

Probably the six years of anticipation had been in vain.

Maybe, she had built this moment up to stand on such a pedestal that there was no way the real kiss would compare to the idea she had formed of it.

It was chaste. Sweet. Gentlemanly.

Boring.

She had expected passion, she had expected to feel something. His touch was electric, it made her hair stand on end, but his kiss made her feel nothing.

Ripley had had more passionate kisses from drunken strangers while she was on the road. She'd felt more of a spark from a fellow hunter who had always called her "Sweetheart" because he never remembered her name.

Time. She needed to give this all time.

She was probably overwhelmed with everything else swirling around in her head, that was all. His friend that was visiting after a trip out West, being back in her parent's house, the idea that this was finally happening at all, it was just too much to process.

"Ripley Tate, is that you?" The voice was soft and feminine.

Ripley recognized it instantly.

"Sarah Pierce, where in the world have you been?" Ripley asked, rushing to meet her old friend.

"I should be asking you where you've been. I haven't left," Sarah chuckled. "I was headed to meet Katie and Beth at Whitt's, do you wanna tag along?"

Whitt's was a bar just a couple of doors down from the restaurant where Ripley had just finished supper. She considered for a moment, then shrugged.

"Yeah, that would be nice," Ripley told Sarah, following her up the sidewalk.

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