by Kaci Hart
“You asked if you could take me to dinner. I assumed you were talking to me because there was no one else here. Donna had gotten in her car and you were just standing there so there was no way you were….”
“Shut up Aaron.”
Nick turned around and walked to go inside the cafe while Aaron stood holding the door open for him.
“Why do you say such mean things to me? I thought you were my friend.”
Nick gave him a rueful half grin and walked by to their usual table.
“Hey man, I thought it was funny.”
“Right. And that is exactly why I gotta find a new best friend. I knew I shoulda just met you at the office today but no, you wanted to stop for coffee and embarrass me to no end. With friends like you…”
Aaron feigned shock and sadness.
“Whoa. Now don’t go blaming me because some woman you used to seriously like had no idea who in the world you were. It’s actually hilarious that she remembered me immediately. You actually should be thanking me because if I hadn’t been here, maybe you would still be out there trying to convince her of who you were.”
Aaron spoke in an imitation voice of Nick’s earlier meeting with Donna.
“You don’t remember me? But you sold me apple pie.”
Thinking back, Nick did feel rather silly trying to convince her of who he was.
“C’mon man, she said it was the hair. Everybody said I look totally different when I got it cut. She remembered the old me so that counts too. And as for remembering you, who wouldn’t remember that constantly goofy look on your face. For the record, I leave the office every day hoping I can forget it but every day you come in and drill it into my mind again.”
“You have got to face the truth buddy. Out of the two of us this is just another example that I am the lasting impression and you are the other guy. Don’t feel bad pal. Nothing wrong with being the other guy. Like I’m a superhero and you’re my sidekick. Like Batman and Robin. You don’t hear about the boy wonder by himself. They know Batman just fine--but no one just remembers Robin. It’s Batman and the boy wonder or just Batman. But if it's any consolation, you make a really cool Robin.”
It was obvious Nick wasn’t going to let him get his goat.
“Ok man, enough is enough. We could spend all day sitting here talking, or in your case whining most likely, about how she didn’t remember you but I have got to eat first so your puppy love is just going to have to wait.”
“Now that’s a bit much Aaron. I was just happy to see her again. I barely even know her. It’s ludicrous to say I’m in love with her.”
“Well love or a big crush, from where I was sitting and what I know, it all looks the same to me when it comes to you and her. You have always had a big thing for her and it hasn’t changed from what I see.”
“Aaron, could you just order your food? I’m not even hungry anymore. I’m just taking a coffee.”
“Fine. Let me get the waitress’s attention.”
As Aaron went about putting his order in with the waitress, Nick spent his time thinking back to the unlikely encounter he had experienced less than ten minutes ago. In spite of everything else he was really glad that she was back. He just hoped that he would have the chance to see her again without having to stalk the diner from across the street. Although he felt prepared to do it if he needed to.
As the waitress got ready to walk off and put in Aaron’s order, Nick stopped her and added more for himself besides a coffee. Moments earlier his stomach had begun to grumble and he immediately had second thoughts on not getting anything for himself to eat. He had a lot of work to do that day and he had a feeling that it was going to be hard enough concentrating if she penetrated his thoughts throughout the day like she was doing then. The last thing he needed was a growling belly or hunger migraine to slow him down.
After his order was placed, he sat talking to his friend but his mind still floated back over and over to the most beautiful woman he had seen in Stanton Falls since...well since the last time he had seen her.
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