Maybe You Should Sleep On This....

Taj is lying up against my back. This mare can sure be lazy. ANYWAYS. Update from the show. We got 3rd! How exciting is that. Before the results were posted I went a found a shot of whiskey to calm^{because I'm actually an alcoholic} my nerves. Today was interesting. I thought Jose was going to faint he was so excited. OH we are still in Scotland. Wait until I show you guys the pictures we took in Edinburgh I'm in love with this place. We're back at the farm though they're kind enough to let us stay in the guest quarters until our flight. Moving on. So today Ryan called me. Yes the same Ryan that I made a fool out of myself with when I almost got a black eye. Of course you remember that. So tonight we are meeting up. Only 5 days left in Scotland though. Need to make the most of it ^{prayers that I don't do anything stupid.}

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Ashleigh finished applying her make up. She was trying to go for casual but cute. Pair of dark jeans with a black v-neck t-shirt. Jacket just in case. She took a cab to the restaurant she and Ryan were meeting at. Just 15 minutes early but the handsome man was already waiting for her at the door. She took a deep breath. The cross necklace hung around her neck and she grabbed it and as she gathered her things with her other hand. Ashleigh put on a smile as she stepped out of the car. He opened restaurant door for her. She blushed. 
"Hi" she finally looked him in the eye as he sat down across from her. 
They were at a small pub not far from the stable. 
"Hi" Ryan grinned. 

The pub was nice. Warm but not uncomfortable; well lit and smelled of spices. She ordered a local ale that Ryan recommended.. 

"So the last time we met, I didn't quite catch what you were doing in Scotland." Ryan leaned in as he asked the question. The two had just ordered their meal. For him a veggie burger with chips and for her the more touristy fish and chips. Even though they weren't in England. 
"I am hired to ride horses for a stable in the US. We are doing an international tour with the mare I ride."
"Really. Never realized people pay other people to ride their horses for them."
"Most do. At least most of the riders I've met are all paid riders that don't own the horses that they show. What do you do?"
"I'm a bartender. I work most nights at the place you last made appearance."
That explained why he called her a cab. That was part of his job. She was just racking up points on the idiot scale.
"I appreciate you calling that cab for me. I didn't realize how bad I needed to just go back to the hotel."
"It happens to the best of us. I would know you are not the first". How much longer are you in the country?"
"Not long. Why bar tending?"
"I meet interesting people. Have fun and best of all free entertainment." With that he gave her a wink. Ashleigh felt her cheeks redden at the implication her falling off tables was entertainment. She ordered another ale. 
"I either party hard or not at all" Ashleigh told him with a shrug. Ah here was her drink. That was fast thank goodness.
"All or nothing. Not a bad way to go at it."
"Well so far the only thing it's been good at is getting me in trouble." Both chuckled. The conversation was strained it was hard to find something that they both knew enough about to find a comfortable niche to really get it going. Ashleigh was tense. She knew he could tell. She ordered a third ale and tried to loosen up. Time for the hail mary- random questions. 
"Books or movies."
"Books."
"Oh thank God." 
Ryan looked at her strangely. "Is this a big deal?"
"I dislike watching movies. Especially alone. I don't get it- some yeah like Disney are cute and fun but why pass up a chance to look at the soul of a character and connect with them compared to watching perfect looking people using someone else's imagination."
"Okay then. What's your favorite book?"
"The Great Gatsby. Though it changes daily. Yesterday's was Agatha Christie."
"You know I've lived here all my life and I've never read a single Christie book. Or Harry Potter for that fact."
Her eyes got wide. 
" I can understand missing Christie- she wrote from the 20's to the 70's. But Harry Potter. That's our generation how have you skipped out on that?"
" Too mainstream." 
"Alright Mr. Hipster- what's your favorite book?"
"Artemis Fowl". And with that Ashleigh fell into a fit of giggles. Of course his favorite book would be her childhood fictional crush. 

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Later that Night about 1am

Went out to check on Taj before bed. Anyways- I only had 3 ales tonight. I'm proud of myself. I think it went well. He's taking me out again tomorrow, some touristy thing. I keep avoiding answering the "when are you leaving" question. I'll deal with it when we get there.
I'm not normally one to kiss on the first date but come one. His favorite book is Artemis Fowl. I don't care that I read those books in 4th grade (although I kept up with the series until the last book came out after I was in college). He wants to travel. Just working to save up money to get a one way ticket out of here. So back to the kiss. I at least waited until he dropped me off back at the room. Jose wasn't there (thank goodness) and he walked me to the door and the rest of it was as if someone who could actually write was writing my life then. It was perfect. I have no idea what our plans are. I think I might take him to meet Taj. If she likes him I guess we can spend more time together. I have an idea. It's really wicked impulsive. But we'll see what happens next. I'll explain more later. I need to sleep. 

Featuring Taj
and a silly story
I wish people would just write me prompts 
so I didn't have to make it all up