Hit the Road [Jack]

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The  actual work was over, and now it was simply time to enjoy herself. The news van had left long ago, but she would have much rather taken a solo taxi than sit in the back of the crowded Gotham Live-mobile with her new co-host. Speaking of which, the young starlet was not exactly excited to have him along for the ride. Being used to solo missions in the world of media coverage, it was hard to share her spotlight. However, the studio felt as though while her ratings were through the roof, it would be good to provide another body for a bit of harmless banter during transitions. While they both lived up to expectations and did just that when the cameras were on, an icy front washed over the vain redhead once they were turned off.

He was a charming man, a bit older than herself but very alive in spirit. He had large, hazel eyes that were easy to get lost in. His thick, brown hair was styled and he was very well groomed. For a member of the male population, his style was particularly fashionable, but that was nothing compared to his dazzling white smile. Needless to say, she disliked him already.

The fireman’s ball was a widely publicized even that many people prepared for. While it was no Metropham, it was something that would distract the citizens of Gotham from the chaos that ran rampart around the city. After a handful of interviews, an exciting raffle and several arranged shots with some of the well-noted members of the event, the job had been done. This was the part that was actually more difficult than doing her job – fitting in. Being several hours into the event, the alcohol started to swirl around in the systems of the attendants, though she only recently accepted a full flute of some sparkling liquid. Thankfully, most of the attendants had already come with dates, leaving limited opportunities for her to be approached by anyone other than a friend of fan.

Her mint green dress went in at her tiny waist, and the unique skirt fell a bit short in order to show of her long legs. The young reporters signature red locks were arrange into a waterfall of curls that framed her pretty face and fell just past her shoulders. After spotting several bitter ex-boyfriends, the young redhead debated on leaving, though knew that doing so would only look incredibly rude on behave of her studio. Needless to say, she needed to make her appearance known and send several warm smiles and waves in the directions of those she recognized.

outfit: Summer is wearing this

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Wine was an acquired taste and they weren’t serving his favorite here so despite having been offered the drink, he didn’t partake and instead nursed a fluke of sparkling grape juice. No one would know the difference and he could drive home with a clean conscience. One of the waiters had been kind enough to offer him the drink as Jack reclined and let his lower back rest against one of the sturdy tables he watched the kind soul.

This was definitely a second job for the server. He had a tan, most likely incomplete, but it brought the sea green of his eyes, which had appeared like stained glass when they looked at the reporter. It didn’t make matters any better that his suit was very fitted. His face was the very description of wicked as his eyes followed the waiter around the room, but then a hand placed itself on his shoulder and his lips fell into a more polite line as he removed his glass and glanced down at the gaggle of women who’d sought him out once he was no longer required to be “reporting.”

They were fans of course. Fans of his previous work, of his new radio job, and they were of course congratulating him all with various hues and intensities of blushes as they spoke to him. Jack simply let his shoulders roll back and crossed one knee over the other. He laughed and when appropriate he let his voice roll in his deep tones and watched as they became flustered. And who wouldn’t be? He was wearing a simple black jacket and slacks with his favorite pair of Hugo Boss shoes. His shirt was a strident white with black, round buttons. It was tucked into his slacks but he wore no tie and his brown hair was perfectly mussed and looked absolutely rakish. The same could be said when he parted his lips to smile. His jawline was defined and he had these ladies entranced which was more than he could say for his co-host.

The dainty redhead he had kept in his sights was having a hard time warming up to him as her partner in the spotlight. He held no offense at that, but he also felt no pity either. He wasn’t going to hold her hand and tell her it was okay to not play nice. The business was always changing and you got with the program and embraced the new or you sank away, drowned, absolutely forgotten. And that, now that would be a pity because Jack did respect her. She was beautiful, animated, and he imagined if she ever stopped holding a grudge that he’d joined her he could see such an equal in her: both ambitious and both icons of beauty and admiration. Admiration wasn’t what Jack saw in one of the ball’s attendee’s, however, as he saw the man’s eyes land on his fiery co-host.

Jack gave a rich laugh to whatever one of his flock had said, though, he actually hadn’t been listening as his attention had been drawn by Summer’s unadmirer. He made his polite farewells and cited that he needed to speak to his news partner and casually left into the crowd. If you walked with enough authority the crowd parted for you and Jack was anything if not determined as he split the mob and walked up behind Summer. He leaned over her shoulder.

“Hey, Red,” he whispered to her, “I don’t want to alarm you, but it looks you’ve gotten someone’s attention and it’s not very happy attention either.”

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It was unusual to be so antisocial. In all honesty it almost appeared as though something was bothering her and she quickly tried to dismiss the fact that her vengeful ex-boyfriend was looming around the party. Summer knew he would seek her out at some period of the night, fueled by a drunken rage as he demanded answers from the young redhead. He was significantly older than Summer, though it seemed like the trail of men that she often sought out and shortly dismissed all had a notable age difference when compared to her own. The ambitious redhead typically dated older, mature and wealthy – call it daddy issues, but honestly, could you blame her?

Her assistant had eagerly stuck around for the ball as well, constantly up Summer’s ass and hot on her heels. It was starting to become highly irritating that the woman could not simply go and enjoy herself. The moment the redheaded reporter found someone worthy of her time, she quickly dismissed her assistant in hope that she would keep her distance for the rest of the night. The last thing she needed was for her assistant to be mistaken as her date. Goodness knows her competitors would have a field day with such an assumption.

Of course, the woman simply approached her to congratulate the addition of her co-host, resulting in a roll of the redhead’s bright green eyes. She hardly considered him an addition as much as a hindrance. However, Summer quickly composed herself and replied with her award-winning smile, stealing a glance over her shoulder at said co-host. She should have assumed that he would be encircled by a group of giggling women who no doubt were on their third glass of wine and eager to leave the ball with her handsome co-host on their arms. It was enough to make her sick.

The moment her conversation had wrapped up, she politely excused herself in order to find another severing of whatever the sparkling liquid in her empty flute had been. She glanced toward the bar only to make awkward eye contact with her former boyfriend. His eyes locked on her and she could tell by his stance that he had taken full advantage of the open bar at the event. With glazed over brown eyes, he started toward her. Instantly, Summer started through the crowd in the opposite direction – eager to gain as much distance from him as possible.

When she assumed she had created enough space, she stopped and took a nervous sip. A familiar voice sounded from behind her, obviously startling Summer at first as she looked over her shoulder. Despite how much she wanted to snub him and start in a different direction, Jack’s presence seemed to be the only thing that kept her ex at bay. Perhaps it was the appropriate time to put the cold front on hold and spend a bit with her unwanted co-host? It was that or be pulled into a corner by her drunken ex for a nonsense rant regarding her past actions toward the man.

“Oh really? I didn’t notice.” She started dryly, though casting a glance in the man’s direction to find herself on the other end of an intense glare. Summer’s eyes grew wide and she instantly positioned herself so that she was facing Jack with her back turned to the pissed off ex-lover. “He’s an ex-boyfriend. So as I am sure you can imagine we are not on the best of terms. I didn’t exactly end it well…don’t look!” she ordered, with a bit of vulnerability to her voice as if she were begging him not to draw any attention from the man. “He’s a bit of a drinker and goodness knows he has had more than a few. I really don’t want to deal with him.” Summer clarified, though quickly realized she was confiding way too much in her co-host in too little time.

Straightening herself up, she took a sip of the mysterious pale pink drink before sticking her nose in the air once more. “Well, are you enjoying yourself?” She asked, more than willing to change the subject.


outfit: Summer is wearing this

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The crowd it seemed had parted for the inebriated and jilted lover. Jack had seen her attempt at a retreat and to anyone else watching it had looked casual, but it seemed the drunken ex hadn’t been deterred so easily. Well, hadn’t been deterred until Jack had shown up and despite what his co-host thought of him, he wasn’t going to let her fall into his hands. The man really should have known better anyway.

Jack could have laughed at how easy Summer was to startle, but the reporter saw no victory in that and instead his expression dropped. His smile was small and his fingers running over each other in a nervous gesture that unspokenly was an apology for catching her off guard. He’d wanted her attention, though, and really he wanted the man’s as well.

Now, however, was not the time to make the move he wanted. He couldn’t believe he was actually doing this. It was clear as day how the woman felt about him, and yet here he was attempting to help her from having to deal with the other whose breath he bet he could smell a mile away as Creeper. He scrunched his nose at the thought. He really didn’t have to do this, as if she deserved it, but having been on the end of an angry ex, he supposed he felt sympathy for her and little pity for the man.

Summer wasn’t hard to read. She was young, playing the field, and ambitious and if that meant playing one man, she’d do it. He didn’t think badly of her for the behavior, no he actually liked it. Summer Gleeson, a conqueror of men. She was the one who held the power and when the men finally realized that, how late it was. She already off and on to the next thing or man.

He crossed his arms and smirked at her. He could see straight through the sarcasm and within moments that mask she wore fell away and he was moving with her. Now it was him who had to be the one facing the jaded drunk. He didn’t mind that. “Summer, calm down, he’s not worth the looking. Maybe if his face would come out of the scowl, but even then…I doubt he’s even my type,” he told her with a grin before his face softened to her. Be it too much she was telling him, he didn’t seem to either notice or care. She didn’t want to deal with that guy? He could help with that.

“If being harassed by a mob of tipsy women is fun, I suppose,” and he could feel their eyes still on him. He stepped into her space and wound a curl of her hair around his finger before pushing it behind her ear gently. “I’d enjoy it much more in your company if you’d hating me for what the studio decided. Could also help keep your jilted admirer at bay.” He brushed her cheek with his thumb.

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Summed tossed her long, spiral curls over her shoulder as she tried to avoid the daggers that were being glared at her backside. Not only did she have her ex shooting her unwanted glances and drunkenly mentioning her to any concerned patron of the party who greeted him to insure he was okay, but now she had the group of once-giggling women that surrounded Jack sending her horrible looks. Positioning herself so that she kept her back turned to those who looked as though they were half-tempted to throw her bound body into a river, Summer tried to convince herself that she was just over-exaggerating.

Pulling a face at his comment, Summer quickly moved to protest. “Oh please he isn’t any worse than the group of divorced Botox queens that were surrounding you.” Wait, why was she defending him again? With a sigh, she shook her head slightly as if to refresh. “And please do not even consider my ex-boyfriends.” The young reporter said as she resisted rolling her eyes. Instead she took a sip of the new flute of champagne that had been offered to her within seconds of her finishing the other one. Summer wasn’t known to drink, though she couldn’t help but fuel herself with a bit of liquid courage given the situation.

She couldn’t help but smile at his comment, making it seem as though the woman he had previously surrounded himself with were far from his ideal company. “I know what you mean, I couldn’t tell you how many times I’ve been asked for my number this evening. I should have worn a fake engagement ring.” Adjusting the necklace around her slender, pale neck, she hardly noticed as he closed in the distance between them. She looked up with a mild annoyance, her bright green eyes locking with his equally dreamy pair. “I don’t hate you; I just think I would appreciate your talents if you were assigned a different time slot….and station.” She said plainly, sucking in her cheeks as her moved to push the stray tendril of hair behind her ear.

Part of her wanted to push him away, though instead she seethed silently to his action. Doing so would only draw unwanted attention, not to mention possibly lead her ex to confront the pair as if he were trying to save the day. An involuntary trail of goosebumps appeared across her porcelain skin at his touch, which she did everything in her power to ignore. He moved to touch her face and she did everything in her power not to turn away. He knew exactly what he was doing and her situation forced her to just sit there and accept it at the risk of causing a scene. “But I suppose you are right, for once I wouldn’t mind your company – but watch your hands, I’m on to you Ryder,” Summer mananged with a fake, white smile, leaning in dangerously close to him, ending her sentence with a convincingly fake and flirtatious giggle as if he had said something amusing. Two could play at this game.

Finishing off the last bit of liquid her flute, she discarded it on a passing tray before moving to adjust his tie, giving it a small and coy tug in the process. Two could play at this game. She could hear an audible noise of protest from the group behind them, which she struggled to ignore.



outfit: Summer is wearing this

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Jack could have cared less about her ex-boyfriend. Not only was he drunk, but hardly anything of merit and if he tried anything Jack knew he’d have nothing to worry about. He’d could have down and out so easily. The women weren’t a concern either. They were all married, also drunk, and he’d been only entertaining them. Summer may have disliked him for being her co-anchor, but unwanted attention was unwanted. If he glared any of them it was the women. His business was his, thanks. They wouldn’t mess with her, though, he knew. They were just jealous and really, looking at Summer who wouldn’t be? He’d have been lying if he’d said she wasn’t someone he’d not have picked out of the crowd to flirt with. He would have. He’d have done it in a second if they weren’t here together and she disliked him. Still he could hope.

“The Botox queens are at least married and wouldn’t risk their reputations by making a scene. Him, however,” he shook his head. “I’d not worry about him either.” Because he wouldn’t let it get that bad and if it did, he was making sure she was of harm’s way. He just scoffed and shook his head. “If they’re all like that, no thank you. I’m into drunks who can’t take no for an answer or who can’t take being played by a beautiful woman. It’s their own fault they couldn’t handle you.” And he means that, whether or not she believes him. He doubts she does, but fine.

Still her smile is a contagion and he chuckles with her. “I should have just brought a date, someone who wouldn’t have minded coming here. Someone who had always wanted to come to this sort of thing. Didn’t even have to be romantic, just company to ward away the sharks. I believe you and I are enough in that department,” he smirked and then he was breaching into her space. It was a tease. He couldn’t help but to fluster her. “In my opinion, you don't need me, but who in their right mind would pass up an opportunity to stand alongside you? I don’t want your fame, Gleeson.”

As much as he wanted to tease her his actions as he came closer as he touched her and spoke in such an intimate tone were all to make that palooka who kept just waiting for an opportunity to speak her go away. So when she spoke, his hands fell to hers and he squeezed them gently. “You don’t have to watch me. I don’t want to do anything you’d rather I not. I’m arrogant, I’m vain, but I’m not a bad guy.” He told her, though it was through smiles and a chuckle as she tugged on his tie.

“I accepted the offer because I wanted to work with you. Not against you. I don’t want you stand behind me, you don’t deserve to be anyone’s shadow. We’re both popular anchors and we have our own talents and for some reason they thought we could work together. I’m honored to be here. I just want to entertain and give the audience news.” He brought her hand to his lips. “This was your show before I came along. I’m here for you.” He kissed her hand and smirked. “Command me, then, my lady.”

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Summer didn’t bother to send a glance toward the tipsy housewives nor her heated ex. She could already feel his eyes glaring daggers toward her back, though she did everything in her power to ignore it. Trying to effectively keep up the façade that she was having a good time, she took a tentative sip from the flute of bubbly champagne she had been housing. When he told her she shouldn’t worry about her ex, the redhead couldn’t help but scoff. “You don’t know him. Believe me, there is reason to be worried. A few more trips to the bar and my past is sure to come back to haunt me.” She stated, positive that that muscular, large man was sure to start back toward the fully-stocked bar for another round of something heavily saturated with top-shelf whiskey.

“Tell me about it.” She said with a genuine smile, for she was starting to have the same thoughts. However, when she did bring a date she felt as though she often neglected them with the work that she did for the show. Bruce was her usual choice if he wasn’t busy, and next the offer would go to one of the city’s newest entrepreneurs or business owners. The age of her dates was typically older, with substantial achievements and bank accounts to match. She was in no position to pursue and kind of relationship at this point, putting strains and false ideas into the mindset of those she often took as a date.

“You say that now.” She said with the fake smile, doing everything she could not to scowl. “But I know how this business works. New faces are meant to push the old ones out, but I am not going anywhere. “ She brushed a stray curl behind her ear so that the new, expensive earrings would be displayed amongst her scarlet locks. “Thank you, though, for the compliments. I'm flattered."

It was hard not to believe him, but she continued to force herself not to get lost in those deep eyes and charming smile. He looked like a prince from a Disney movie, but the stubborn redhead was determined to keep everything between them professional – well, beside for the fact that she had just given out his number to a majority of the men who had asked for her own. She didn’t know what she intended to get out of it, but at the time it seemed like a devious ‘welcome’ present that would be amusing to observe the aftermath off.

She didn’t bother to return the squeeze of his hand, though she had to admit to herself that whatever cologne he wore was very enticing. “I’ll be the judge of that.” She said, the siren still going off in her head. She wasn’t willing to let her guard down regardless of how charming he seemed. Trying to keep her answers short, the redhead did everything not to roll her eyes at his lament. He seemed genuine, with that same passion for news that she herself possess. A pang of guilt hit her, fully aware that the effects of her prank was sure to soon surface.

“Thank you for the support, and I am sure we will make a great team.” She said, though she was sure that she didn’t mean it. “I apologize for the hostility; some of my recent undercover situations must have me on edge.” Summer informed. Though very few knew about her work at Iceberg, many could always assume that she was up to something. This story she was sitting on was sure to revolutionize her career and she didn’t plan on sharing the glory with anyone.

Pursing her lips as he kissed her hands, she allowed an equally charming smile to play on her own. A flash of a camera in her direction caught Summer's attention, though she didn’t bother to react to it. “Right, well. Now the work is done it’s time to play and enjoy ourselves, I suppose. I don’t drink anything other than wine and champagne, but that doesn’t seem to be the same case for everyone else. At least if a fight does break out here, we will have something else to discuss on the show tomorrow.” She glanced behind her to see her ex seated at the larger island bar and tightly clenching a tumbler half full of alcohol. His red cheeks informed her that he was intoxicated and several more wouldn’t help the situation.Turning back to face Ryder with a small sigh, it was hard to hide the worried expression. A loud eruption of giggles resulted from the group of women that Ryder had excused himself from. Giving one more gaze of the room, she made awkward eye contact with her ex, who then rose from the bar with his eyes still locked on the redhead.

outfit: Summer is wearing this

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For the most part Jack was finished with worrying about the women entourage, but not so much about the ex, but he didn’t let that show. He could see the man wasn’t finished either in giving Summer his attention. Jack only stared pointedly at him and said nothing; he didn’t doubt the man was soon to be back at the bar too. He only grinned in response to Summer’s scoff and shook his head. “You really need to find better guys to date then, or to play, whatever you were going for.” He shrugged easily. He didn’t mean it in disrespect and his tone showed that as it was light and aery.

While Jack wouldn’t have had trouble bringing a date, he too would have gotten lost in his own work, but that’s where his want to bring someone who wanted to come to this sort of thing came in. Someone who would understand that he’d brought them to enjoy themselves, but not to be an actual date. Jack as well wasn’t yet ready to settle down. Sure a beautiful woman or man could change his mind about that, but as of yet it’d not happened and he wasn’t one to believe in love at first sight, no matter what his wacky counter-personality had to say about it. He could just shudder as he remembered who he’d chosen to become infatuated with. He could, but he didn’t. He drew himself out of such thoughts and rolled his eyes at the red-head.

“I’ve been in this business longer than you, Red,” he told her, “trust me I know how it works too. But I’m not a new face for starters, and two, I’m not know in the news circles to be coy. I say what I mean and I mean what I say. Have you not heard of the trouble I got myself into? Come on! I got thrown into a vat by the Joker because I just had to chase that story.” He chuckled at the memory and how it’d changed his life. Luckily he’d been able to keep that secondary bit of news to himself. “Rabid Reporter Drowned in his Own News!” He mock announced to her. “I was lucky to get out of that alive.” And not thrown in Arkham, he added to himself. If Summer didn’t believe him yet, he had no doubt she would come to. He didn’t want her going anywhere and he wondered if he should tell her that he’d demanded that as part of his contract?

Nah.

He did rather like watching her be so hard to get. She was cute stubborn and he had a thing for beautiful, stubborn ladies. And honestly, she had to know that every woman here was dimmed by her presence. Yet he also had a thing for devious games and once he found out what she’d done…

It meant war.

“I said I was a nice guy, I didn’t claim to be angelic or even innocent. I’m nice, but I know how play whatever game you’re going throw at me, Ms. Gleeson.” He leaned in and told her. He didn’t feel a pang of guilt and he wouldn’t later when he repaid her for her prank. He didn’t even feel guilty for not believing her a second when she said they’d make a great team. No, she didn’t think so yet, but that was fine.

He hummed and tilted her head. “I don’t believe you for a second, Summer,” he chuckled at her statement of being on edge. Oh, he knew she was always up to something. Always up for that next break, that next story. “I’d warn you, but I’d be a hypocrite.” He had his own undercover operations and secrets.

Jack didn’t respond when the camera flashed either. Well he didn’t turn to it. He wondered if there would be rumors of the two co-hosts getting cozy during the first job together, but he couldn’t care. “I don’t drink at all at these things. I often forget to eat and the last thing I need is to get drunk. It was bad enough to worry about it on my own and worse now.” Yet that wasn’t completely true. Alcohol lowered inhibitions and when Jack had less inhibition that was begging Creeper out to play and he got out enough as it was. Jack needed to be in control now, which was a sobering thought that stole his laugh just in time to see Summer look back at him.

He couldn’t help but glance with concern up at her ex. He pursed his lips and they only thinned when he stood up.

Summer was right. There might be a fight, but if this man started it, she’d have forgive him for finishing it.

Stupid drunks just had a way of souring one’s mood.

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‘The last thing she needed was another input regarding her love life. If it wasn’t from her mother it was the limited friends that she managed to collect over the years. However, she certainly didn’t need it from Jack Ryder. Still, she wasn’t going to indulge in the topic, knowing it was almost a losing battle. She did need to find better guys to date – with the exception of very few, her past relationships were far from healthy. “Dating is not a concern of mine at the moment, I am much too busy.” The young reporter replied as if she hadn’t even taken a moment to process what he had actually said.

“Don’t call me that.” She ordered through her smile, quick to abandon his use of a nickname. Even if she did somewhat like it, she wasn’t going to admit it. The stubborn redhead abandoned her act when he mentioned the Joker. A sharp, imaginary pain radiated across her upper thigh where the horrible brand had been. After a medical mystery she was relieved of the awful mark, though an internal one still remained. How could she have forgotten her co-hosts encounter with the man? One would be foolish to think that Summer Gleeson would not indulge in some endless snooping when they first informed her she was getting a new cohost. Her face turned pale and she felt as though she may have left her body for a moment as the nightmares flooded her thoughts.

This was not the time or the place for that. Summer couldn't let this continue to eat away at her. She conquered the war raging on in her head and her tone changed almost unexpected. However, she was lucky. Her encounter had not been seized by the media. She paid several of the nurses and doctors for their silence and eventually she found a mysterious woman to rid her of this ailment. Slightly embarrassed, she tried to cover her actions by taking a sip of her champagne before surrendering her silence and returning back to the conversation. Summer herself was familiar with this acid, meaning she had seen before. However, she was fortunate to not experience it the same way that he did. Still, the questions surfaced. “That’s right…..you survived. With no side-effects at all?” The question was out of place and incredibly rude considering that he had just opened up to her, but summer was not about to do the same.

The mention of the Joker had thrown her off her game. She recovered her smirk with a bit of difficulty, though the conversation had been directed toward the little game that she had started. That was a much preferred topic that didn’t slice open any fresh wounds. Summer leaned in as well, unable to let him have the last word. “Well, let the games begin, Mr. Ryder.”

She retrieved the strawberry that sat decoratively on the rim of her glass and placed the fruit delicately between her sets of pearly, white teeth. Before she could even finish the drink in her hands, the bartender had prepared her one of a dark-brown color and slid it toward her, informing her that someone had already covered the charge. “Oh thank you! But I- um…” She wasn’t sure if she should attempt it, but with the circumstance she certainly felt obligated to avoid looking rude. The presence of her new cohost and her inebriated ex-boyfriend was more than enough of a reason to want another drink. “Thanks…” She ended her sentence awkwardly and set her empty champagne flute down to retrieve the new drink, far to stubborn to even ask Ryder if he knew what it was before she dared sample it. It was obvious that she had no idea what it was, nor had she noticed the bartender make it, having been too distracted by her angry ex-boyfriend staring her down. Speaking of whom, he started toward the pair, stumbling slightly.

“No….” Summer groaned softly, though one of the giggling women blocked his path in attempt for a conversation. The redhead released a small sigh of relief, hoping that the drunken oaf would be distracted and forget his anger. She still had not sampled her drink, though turned her attention away from the couple and back to the handsome features of her new co-host. “Maybe they are plotting to kill me.” She attempted jokingly. “I bet you are in on it too so you can collect the story.” Summer teased, bringing her red lips to the matching colored straw that protruded out of the drink.


outfit: Summer is wearing this