Baby Pictures And Bruised Ego

The dinner was delicious and Rachel was great dinner company. I ate every single thing, which Rachel was delighted about. When we were finished eating, Rachel went to the kitchen and came back with slices of the chocolate cake that I had brought earlier. Even though I couldn't eat anything more, I accepted the offered slice. After I finished the last crumb of the cake, I looked up at Rachel across the table. "Thanks again for dinner, Rachel. It was amazing." I commended. She smiled brightly. "You're welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed it." "Thanks." I returned her smile, which was contagious. She clasped her hands in excitement suddenly. "Oh, I have to show you Tyler's pictures. I'll go get my album." She said, getting up instantly. Tyler, who was beside me, eyes widen. "No, Mom. I don't think that is necessary. Emily has to leave now anyways." He said quickly, trying to stop his mother. His mother brushed his comment aside. "Oh, nonsense. I'm sure Emily would be happy to see it." She said, stopping to look at me. "Oh yes, I would love to." I said, nodding my head eagerly. Tyler glared at me. I looked at him and gave him an innocent smile. Rachel came with the album and we went into the living room and sat on the couch. Tyler sat on the recliner in front of us, crossing his arms and looking unhappy that I was seeing his baby pictures. Rachel showed me all kinds of pictures. Pictures of her family, Tyler, she and Tyler, Tyler and his dad. I especially like the ones with Tyler. He was so cute as a baby and a young boy. There was a baby picture of Tyler naked in a bath tub. There was one, where he was five or six, his face and hands were covered in icing from the cake that was in front of him. He was grinning at the camera, showing missing front teeth. "Ohh, this is when he was seven and had the chicken pox." Rachel pointed at a picture where a small boy was sitting on a bed. His face and arms were covered with small red spots. "Aww...look at him. He looks grumpy." I said, giggling. "Yes, he didn't want to take any pictures." Rachel explained. I looked up at Tyler, who was glaring at me. He was looking exactly like he was looking in the picture right now; grumpy. "Ty, you didn't tell me that you were this adorable as a boy?" Tyler continued to glare at me, ignoring my comment. Ignoring Tyler and the daggers he was shooting my way, I continued to look at the pictures. We looked at all the pictures in the album and when we were finished, Rachel closed it. I stood up from the couch. "It was so nice being here. Thanks for inviting me." Rachel stood up too. "I'm glad you came." She walked over to me and pulled me in a tight hug. She pulled back and look at me. "You are welcome here anytime, okay?" "Okay." I nodded. "Do you want help with the dishes?" She shook her head quickly. "Oh no, dear. That's okay, but thanks for offering." "Okay, I'm leaving now then. See you soon." I bid her goodbye and turned to Tyler, who had stood up too. He came beside me to walk me to the door. Tyler open the front door and I stepped out. He stepped out after me. I turned to him, lifting an eyebrow. "Where are you going? You don't need to follow me over to my house. It's a short walk and it's only 6:30pm." "Believe me, I do. My mother expects me to walk you home. If I don't, she is going to give me and earful about how she raised me better." Tyler said. I nodded my head in understanding and we walked over to my house in silence, until Tyler spoke. "So, I see you enjoyed yourself looking at my baby pictures." "Yep." I said. I then stood on my tiptoe and pinched his cheek. "It was the highlight of my night actually. You were so adorable." He brushed my hands away. "I don't know why Mom always needs to show my pictures every time someone comes over?" I grinned, enjoying teasing him. "Because they are so adorable." "Okay, okay, you've had your fun. When are you going to stop with those pictures?" Tyler asked. We had just reached my front door and I turned to face him. "Hmm..." I tapped my chin pretending to think. "I don't know." He cracked a small smile then. "You are so mean. You know that right?" "I know...it's one of my many qualities." I replied, then added. "I don't know why you are so worked up. You are always teasing me, so I guess it's my turn now." "Not for long." He said, before turning away and walking back to his house. Shaking my head at his comment, I opened the front door and went inside. ++++++ That night, I had just turned off my light and went into bed, when my phone buzz indicating I received a text message. I retrieved it from my bedside table and unlocked the screen. I saw that it was a message from Tyler. He and I had exchanged numbers the day we started our fake dating. I opened the message. Tyler: Nice Mickey Mouse pajamas ;) I looked down at my pajamas and blushed in embarrassment. How did he see what pajamas I was wearing? I quickly type a reply. Me: Were you looking through my window, you perv? He answered instantly. Tyler: I wasn't looking through your window. You were in my line of sight, so I saw you ;) I don't know who he was fooling, because we both know that he intentionally looked. Me: I'm sure that's what happened... After I sent the message, my phone didn't buzz again until a minute later. Tyler: I told you I'll find something to tease you about ;) Even though he couldn't see me, I rolled my eyes at what he said. I send a response. Me: Whatever Tyler. Good night. Instantly, my phone buzzed. Tyler: Good night, Mickey Mouse ;) I shook my head, before replacing my phone on the bedside table. A few minutes after I put my phone down, I was asleep.