"Gracias, mi amigo," Veronica replies, and gratefully leans into the kiss. It's been really unexpected, this connection she has with Cougar, but she's glad for it. He's probably her best friend here, and what a world away from her last one.

"No," she quickly says with a shake of her head and lift of her palm. "No, no, I'm fine. If you really feel compelled, you can help me work on my atrocious white girl accent. I don't need a party."