Sitting on a bench outside the café, Joe was tapping his foot anxiously. Having arrived half an hour earlier than Dianne said after being determined not to be late, he realised the café didn't even open until 8am.
Hearing a bark, he lifted his head to see Juno running towards him, with his lead trailing behind.
"Who is it, buddy?" He heard her say, her voice angelic as ever.
Just as he was about to stand up, two wet paws landed on his lap.
"Juno, down!" She exclaimed, clearly not impressed at her dog's behaviour. "I'm so sorry, Joe. I asked you to meet me here this early and now you have 2 paw prints on your cream shorts!" Her genuine concern made Joe smile.
"I don't mind, they'll dry. As for the time, I said my sleep schedule is messed up anyway, so it's okay."
He didn't get a response, but the small smile on her face was enough.
"So, do you want to sit in here or take a walk down the beach again?" He asked, breaking the silence.
"It's way too hot out today, so staying in an air conditioned place with coffee sounds ideal." She replied, while opening the door.
"Usual, Di?" The words came from the barista who Joe saw the other day, assuming she and Dianne were quite close.
"Yeah, thanks. What are you having, Joe?" She asked before looking over to him.
"Just some water would be great, thanks."
He saw Dianne shoot a look over to him, as if to say "are you sure?", so he just nodded before choosing to sit at the table by the window.
He watched as Dianne sat down opposite him and Juno lie down under the table, clearly enjoying the cold floor.
Dianne breathed a deep breath. "So, how are you?"
Glad that she initiated conversation, he happily replied. "Well, apart from the jet lag and work emails piling up, I'm enjoying the down time. And of course the sun. It's winter right now in England so the heat is appreciated."
"I'd swap the heat for the cold and rain any day. After being here for 25 years it would be nice for a change. Don't get me wrong, this place is my home, but I wish it would snow once in a while."
Joe felt himself starting to laugh under Dianne's gaze, ready for her questioning.
"What?" She asked curiously.
"I'm sorry if this disappoints you, but it rarely snows in England. Even when it does, it's the most pathetic amount of snow you've ever seen!" Joe continued to chuckle at the confused look on her face.
"But...but he said..." She trailed off, suddenly looking at the ground. "Never mind. So, tell me about work." She said, obviously desperate to change the conversation.
"I work as a business consultant." Joe laughed as Dianne screwed up her face. "I know it sounds boring but I really enjoy it. I can't deny that I hate waking up at 6am every morning, though."
"I never understood how people don't love getting up in the morning, a fresh start to a new day. The excitement of what's to come. I feel so blessed to wake up every morning knowing that I have the opportunity to do whatever I want with my day." Her words conveyed so much passion and Joe was surprised with how much they had struck a chord with him.
"You know, I think that's one of the smartest things someone has said to me. Thank you, I'll think about that next time I have to wake up at 6am!" Joe said sincerely.
"Smart is not a word that anyone has used to describe me." She looked down again, almost seeming embarrassed.
Without thinking, Joe reached across the table and grabbed her hands, instantly getting her to look up again. He had only known her a few days, but he felt strangely protective over her.
"There are many definitions of smart. It doesn't just mean being able to recite a textbook or solve equations. It also means knowing what to say at the right time, knowing how someone is feeling, and expressing your emotions and thoughts so eloquently through words. Those qualities make you people smart, which, to me, is so much more important than solving some shitty maths problem!" Joe surprised himself with his words, but was glad when he saw a smile appear on her face.
Joe took his hands back to take a sip of his drink, feeling all kinds of emotions. Just before he said something again, Dianne spoke.
"Thank you, Joe. That means a lot to me."
Looking at the time on the wall, he realised that they had been there nearly an hour. As cliché as it was, time really does fly when you're having fun.
"I hate to leave, but I really must get heading back if I want to make class on time." She said apologetically. "And I'm helping out with the dance recital all weekend, so I don't think I'll be able to see you."
Before Joe could reply, she brought out her phone.
"Here, put in your number. I'll let you know when I'm available next week."
Joe was stunned. Just yesterday she was so reluctant to spend time with him, yet here she was, giving him her phone number. Joe was brought out of his chance by Dianne speaking again, yet her voice was more panicked.
"Joe, I'm so sorry! I just assumed that you'd want to hang out again, oh gosh, I'm so stupid..." She continued, making Joe want to jump up and hug her.
"Dianne!" The forcefulness in his voice shocked him. "Of course I want to see you again. And I understand, about the dancing. Good luck with that, by the way. If you can get a bunch of screaming kids to dance somewhat together on stage then you really must be a miracle worker."
Joe watched as she took back her phone and put it in her back pocket, and then she sighed. To him, it sounded like a sigh of relief.
"Okay then, I'll text you. And thanks, fingers crossed it all goes well." She giggled, before grabbing Juno's lead. "See you, Joe."
