Liz blushed, her heart fluttering as anticipation flooded her mind. Would this be her chance to finally find love...?She'd longed for it for years, and she'd been so lonely stuck at home by herself... but, of course, her mother spoke up again. "Ah, who am I kidding... you went all the way through college without seeing any action. I doubt anything's gonna happen." Her mother finally gone, she felt both relieved at not having to deal with her anymore, but also anxious that she would be home alone. She heard the doorbell ring after a while, and nervously went to go open it, seeing Mark standing there. "Hello. You're Mark, right? I'm Liz. It's nice to meet you. Don't worry, you don't have to do much while you're here, I just like having someone else around." Thoughts: Oh god... they're here... and they actually look really good... why did mom have to go and say that and make this weird? Fuck, I'm so nervous... I hope I'm gonna be okay for these next few weeks...

"Nice to meet you too," she said with a smile, unable to hide the blush spreading across her cheeks. "Come on in... I'm sure we can find something for us both to do." Her voice was soft and nervous as she led him inside, feeling even more self-conscious of how flustered she was.

She blushed even harder at his comment, if that was possible, her cheeks feeling hot and red. "T-Thanks?" she stammered, looking down before looking back up to meet his gaze. "I'm just... nervous, I guess."

She smiled at him tentatively, grateful that he didn't seem like he would be mean to her. "Okay... thanks..." They spent the next few minutes awkwardly trying to make small talk, neither of them quite sure what to say or how to act around each other. After a while, Mark finally broke the silence. "So, uh... do you want me to show you where I'll be working? Or should we just sit and watch TV for a bit?" He offered lamely, still not feeling entirely comfortable in this situation.

Liz nodded in agreement with Mark's observation about her lack of social life and how that made things a bit awkward between them. "Yeah, I don't... really," she admitted with a sheepish smile. "I mean, it's not like I haven't tried, but..." She shrugged, unsure how else to explain herself.

Maybe if they found something to do together, they could both feel more at ease? "You want to play a game or something?" she suggested tentatively. "We can watch TV or movies... maybe even play some board games if you're up for it." She smiled hopefully, wanting to make the best of this situation and find some common ground with Mark.

Her heart raced at his suggestive remark, but she couldn't help but smile in spite of herself. "I... I don't know..." She glanced around, unsure how to react or if this was really happening. After a moment's hesitation, she nodded slowly. "Okay," she said softly, her voice barely audible over the thundering of her heart. Maybe this could be the chance for them to connect on some level... and maybe, just maybe, it would make these next few weeks not so lonely after all...

She smiled nervously as they sat down on the couch to play. "Okay," she said, clearing her throat. "Alright... I'm ready... I think." Her eyes flickered up towards his gray ones for a moment before darting away again, unable to meet them for very long. Maybe if she just concentrated on the game and not how cute he was, it would be easier?

Her cheeks flushed even deeper at his compliment, her breath hitching in her throat as she struggled not to blush harder. "T-Thanks," she managed to stammer out, looking down at the game board and taking a deep breath before meeting his gaze again. She hoped he wouldn't notice how red her face was... or if he did, that it wouldn't make him uncomfortable.

"Your turn," she said, her voice sounding slightly shaky as she pointed at the game piece he was supposed to move. Maybe they could both just focus on that and not worry about everything else for a while?

She glanced up at him quickly, her cheeks burning even brighter as she caught his gaze. "S-So?" she stammered out, feeling heat rising in her chest. "You can blush too, you know!" Her voice came out sharper than she intended, making her cringe internally. Great job, Liz. You're really charming him here...

Maybe she should just focus on the game? She moved her piece and forced herself to keep a neutral expression as she looked back up at Mark. It didn't work, though; she could feel the heat in her face intensifying with every passing second.

She smiled victoriously as Mark lost the game, her cheeks still flushed with embarrassment despite their close proximity during the game. "I guess that means you owe me a kiss," she teased playfully, trying to lighten the mood and not make it seem too awkward. As he leaned in closer, their lips almost touching, her heart raced wildly in anticipation. This was it... their first real interaction together. Would it be everything she'd dreamt of?

The moment their lips touched, her world seemed to tilt on its axis. Mark's kiss was soft and sweet, a gentle brush of lips against hers that sent shivers down her spine. She gasped into the kiss as his hand came up to cup her cheek, deepening the connection between them even further. Her own hands found their way around his neck, pulling him closer still as she lost herself in this moment with him.

It felt so right... better than anything she could have ever imagined. And when he finally pulled back, eyes locked on hers and a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth, she couldn't help but think that maybe, just maybe, this was exactly what she needed to break out of her shell and find happiness. Maybe Mark was the person who would help her do that...

Her heart fluttered wildly in her chest as their lips parted, the sweet taste of his mouth lingering on hers long after he pulled back. She smiled softly up at him, not sure what to say or how to express how much this moment had meant to her. "Thank you," she finally managed to murmur, her voice barely above a whisper. Maybe there was hope for them yet... maybe they could find something more between them over these next few weeks. She leaned in closer, tentatively pressing her lips against his again, wondering if he felt the same spark burning just as brightly within him.

Her breath hitched as their lips met again, her body melting into his as they kissed. She couldn't get enough of the way he felt, the taste of him on her tongue... it was everything she'd ever wanted and more. As they kissed, she slid one hand up his chest, marveling at how warm and strong he was beneath her fingertips. The other wound through his hair, grasping tightly as if afraid to let go. She forgot about everything else in the world except for him, wanting this moment to last forever.

Her heart soared as he held her tighter, their kiss deepening into something almost desperate. Her body responded instinctively, pressing even closer against his. She let out a tiny moan into his mouth, surprised by the sound but unable to stop it from escaping. She'd never felt this way about anyone before... this was so much more than just a kiss. It was like they were made for each other, as if their souls had been yearning for this connection for years and only now had finally found its way.

Time seemed to slow down around them as they lost themselves in the moment, oblivious to everything but the other person's touch, taste, and scent. It was perfect... this feeling of belonging and completeness... she never wanted it to end. And when he finally pulled back, his eyes searching hers for some sign of how much she'd meant it, she knew without a doubt that her life would

She gazed back up at him, her eyes shining with happiness and relief. "I... I did," she whispered, unable to stop the small smile from curving her lips as she thought about how incredible this moment had been. "It was amazing." It wasn't until then that it hit her just how much she'd needed something like this in her life; she'd been so lonely and lost for so long, but now... now there was hope. And Mark. She couldn't help but feel grateful to him, even as a tiny flutter of nerves threatened to overwhelm her again.

"I'm glad," he said softly, running his fingers through her hair in a tender gesture that made her heart lurch in her chest. "We have a few weeks together... and I hope we can spend them making more memories like this." His eyes held hers captive, full of promise and something else

She smiled up at him shyly, her heart racing even faster as she thought about what he'd said. Maybe it could... maybe they really could make this last longer than just the next few weeks. As they looked into each other's eyes, the world seemed to fade away, leaving only them and their growing connection. It was both thrilling and terrifying at the same time, but she knew without a doubt that she wanted more of it; she craved his touch, his words... everything about him. "I hope so too," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the pounding of her heart. "I really do." She reached up and tentatively brushed a strand of gray hair away from his face, marveling at how soft it felt against her fingertips. It was such a small gesture, but it felt like so much more; an intimacy they'd shared in that moment that she

The idea of playing truth or dare with Mark sent a shiver down her spine. It was another way for them to get closer and share secrets... maybe even more than just kisses. "Truth or dare?" she asked, not quite able to hide the excitement in her voice as she leaned forward slightly, eager to see what he'd choose. Her heart raced with anticipation, wondering what kind of truths they would reveal and how daring their dares might be.