napkin, he dabs the corners of his eyes, soaking up the tears. “I know.”
I offer, “Do you think we should go someplace else? I don’t mind. We’ll pay for our drinks and we can go grab a big, greasy burger or pizza somewhere.”
“No, I’d like to eat here. Even if Sampson really doesn’t love me anymore, I have good memories of this place. Unlike most people who can’t eat when something bad happens to them, you know food always seems to bring me comfort.”
“If that’s what you want, then we’ll stay. I know you’re hurting. Your heart is breaking and mine is breaking for you. Maybe we can find something to do this weekend that will take your mind off of it, even if it’s only for a little while?”
“Yeah. Maybe,” he says without conviction. Then he sits up taller in his chair. “Lets order.”
As we eat, Steven wants to talk about my trip to New York. The topic of Bryce eventually rolls around because he wants to know more, as I knew he would, but I quickly deflect and we talk about his upcoming trip to L.A. I’m still processing my thoughts and feelings about being around Bryce, about my reaction to him. I have to figure it out for myself before I can talk about it any more with Steven.
I excuse myself after we order desserts, and on my way back from the restroom, I run into none other than Bryce himself. Here of all places? What are the odds of that happening? I feel like the Pied Piper.
“Ali, hi. I didn’t expect to see you here.”
“Hmm, funny you should say that. I was thinking the same thing. Are you here with your leggy brunette?” The second I ask, I want nothing more than to reach out, snatch the words and put them right back into my mouth. He looks amused and irritated at the same time.
“Yes, but she’s not mine.” Looking uncomfortable or irritated, not sure which, he nods over towards his table as Mara plasters a fake smile across her face for him, then glares at me as though I’m the Devil and she’s wishing me back to hell. For someone who obviously doesn’t have singular taste, with this particular woman, he looks as though he doesn’t mind too much.
“She made the reservation. We have a few things to talk over and I need to set some things straight with her.” It’s as though he now needs to explain himself to me, which he doesn’t.
I make a mental note to never come to this place if I ever need to ‘clear the air’ or breakup with someone.
He continues, “Are you here on a date?” He looks around to see where I’m sitting.
“No. I’m here with Steven. I should be getting back to the table. They’re bringing our dessert soon.” Why am I explaining myself?
“Well, I’ll let you get back to it then.” He hesitates a moment before he says, “You look beautiful, Ali.” The unscripted words cross the threshold of his lips in a rush.
I momentarily lose my ability to speak but snap myself out of my trance “Thank you.”
Not knowing what else to say, I decide to leave and run into a waiter with a tray full of food. Luckily, he avoids dropping it, but there’s a lot of mumbling under his breath while I apologize profusely. Eyes straight ahead and not looking back, I make a beeline to my table. Bryce is probably laughing at me, but I won’t give him the satisfaction of looking back to see. Will this day ever end?
When I get back, Steven cocks one eyebrow. He witnessed the whole ordeal.
“I think there’s something going on between you two that you’re not telling me.” He sounds hopeful but cautious.
“There’s nothing going on between us. I told you everything that happened. Besides, he’s here with one of his ‘flavors of the month.’” Even I can hear the disdain in my voice. His lips twitch as he conceals a smile.
“He’s definitely interested in you. Especially with that little testosterone fueled introduction today at the
I offer, “Do you think we should go someplace else? I don’t mind. We’ll pay for our drinks and we can go grab a big, greasy burger or pizza somewhere.”
“No, I’d like to eat here. Even if Sampson really doesn’t love me anymore, I have good memories of this place. Unlike most people who can’t eat when something bad happens to them, you know food always seems to bring me comfort.”
“If that’s what you want, then we’ll stay. I know you’re hurting. Your heart is breaking and mine is breaking for you. Maybe we can find something to do this weekend that will take your mind off of it, even if it’s only for a little while?”
“Yeah. Maybe,” he says without conviction. Then he sits up taller in his chair. “Lets order.”
As we eat, Steven wants to talk about my trip to New York. The topic of Bryce eventually rolls around because he wants to know more, as I knew he would, but I quickly deflect and we talk about his upcoming trip to L.A. I’m still processing my thoughts and feelings about being around Bryce, about my reaction to him. I have to figure it out for myself before I can talk about it any more with Steven.
I excuse myself after we order desserts, and on my way back from the restroom, I run into none other than Bryce himself. Here of all places? What are the odds of that happening? I feel like the Pied Piper.
“Ali, hi. I didn’t expect to see you here.”
“Hmm, funny you should say that. I was thinking the same thing. Are you here with your leggy brunette?” The second I ask, I want nothing more than to reach out, snatch the words and put them right back into my mouth. He looks amused and irritated at the same time.
“Yes, but she’s not mine.” Looking uncomfortable or irritated, not sure which, he nods over towards his table as Mara plasters a fake smile across her face for him, then glares at me as though I’m the Devil and she’s wishing me back to hell. For someone who obviously doesn’t have singular taste, with this particular woman, he looks as though he doesn’t mind too much.
“She made the reservation. We have a few things to talk over and I need to set some things straight with her.” It’s as though he now needs to explain himself to me, which he doesn’t.
I make a mental note to never come to this place if I ever need to ‘clear the air’ or breakup with someone.
He continues, “Are you here on a date?” He looks around to see where I’m sitting.
“No. I’m here with Steven. I should be getting back to the table. They’re bringing our dessert soon.” Why am I explaining myself?
“Well, I’ll let you get back to it then.” He hesitates a moment before he says, “You look beautiful, Ali.” The unscripted words cross the threshold of his lips in a rush.
I momentarily lose my ability to speak but snap myself out of my trance “Thank you.”
Not knowing what else to say, I decide to leave and run into a waiter with a tray full of food. Luckily, he avoids dropping it, but there’s a lot of mumbling under his breath while I apologize profusely. Eyes straight ahead and not looking back, I make a beeline to my table. Bryce is probably laughing at me, but I won’t give him the satisfaction of looking back to see. Will this day ever end?
When I get back, Steven cocks one eyebrow. He witnessed the whole ordeal.
“I think there’s something going on between you two that you’re not telling me.” He sounds hopeful but cautious.
“There’s nothing going on between us. I told you everything that happened. Besides, he’s here with one of his ‘flavors of the month.’” Even I can hear the disdain in my voice. His lips twitch as he conceals a smile.
“He’s definitely interested in you. Especially with that little testosterone fueled introduction today at the
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