As soon as Patrick opened the door, Pete ran off into the kitchen to find a pizza to eat. Shaking his head at his friend's antics, Patrick turned towards me. "What now?" He rasped.

"Quiet." I demanded, stepping backwards as Pete ran past, pizza in hand.

"Be good, kids!" He called over his shoulder, "No hanky panky on my watch!"

I sniggered at him, "Doesn't look like he's going to be watching much of anything besides Netfilx." I remarked.

Patrick nodded, leading me into the living room. I gestured for him to sit down and ran into the kitchen. I bustled about, looking for some lemon, and heard him come in. "Out!" I ordered, "Back to the living room. Put on a movie. Something sad, so you don't laugh."

Patrick shook his head at me and turned around. A minute later, I heard the opening music of Forrest Gump from the living room. I popped the drinks in the microwave and started to make popcorn.

A few minutes later, I sat down next to Patrick, placing the drinks carefully on the coffee table and putting the popcorn in my lap.

"Momma always says there's an awful lot you can tell about a person by their shoes. Where they're going. Where they've been."

"Good choice." I told Patrick, finally settling in, "This movie used to be my life."

"You like it?" He asked, reaching for the tea I made him.

"Love it. It's what made me want to be a director. The actors, the script," I sighed, "I used to spend hours reading and rereading the script, trying to pinpoint what made it so good."

"I thought you worked at a coffee shop." Patrick looked at me curiously, "You never mentioned you want to be a director."

"Wanted." I corrected, "That's because it didn't work out. Just because you want something doesn't mean you get it. Do I want  to work in a coffee shop? No. Do I? Yes."

"You shouldn't give up on your dream."

"That's hard, seeing as how I'm a high school drop out who never even went to college to be a director." I snapped. Feeling bad, I added, "It doesn't matter, Patrick. The coffee shop may not be my dream, but it's my life and I'll live it. It could be much worse."

"How so?" He asked.

"I could not have you." I blushed a little bit, "And the guys, of course." I added.

"Admit it," Patrick teased, his voice stronger from the tea, "You love me."

"Admit it," I copied, "You love me."

"Hmm," Patrick kissed my cheek lightly, "Not before you do."

I smiled at him and turned back to the movie, ignoring the butterflies in my stomach.

Not before you do.