Attraction

54.

As I pull my purse to my shoulder, my hand tightens against the strap. A deep breath leaves my lips as I put on a smile and walk into the restaurant where I see Paul sitting, he stands to greet me as soon as our eyes meet. The friendly side hug he gives me makes me feel sad deep down for some reason but I push that feeling aside as I take my seat across from him.

"What can I get you started on to drink tonight?" Our waitress asks me.

"I'll have a water, please."

"I'll have the same" Paul responds, our waitress writes down our requests in her notepad before walking away.
This leaves Paul and I alone as our eyes meet, it feels like I haven't seen him in so long—which I haven't. Yet it feels like no time has passed in a way which makes me happy yet feel so strange.

"You look like you're doing really well" He states as I look down at my fingers.

"I am, thanks. How have things been with you?"

"Not much has changed, my mom came back to Forks to visit me but it's rare that I hear from her anyway" He responds casually, I nod. I had only met his mother one time which felt so brief before she left, Paul never actually talked to me about his relationship with his mother before.

"Oh, how was it?" I ask feeling unsure of what to say next, he shrugs as the corners of his lips turn upward and he begins scanning the menu while I do the same.

"Enough about me. How have things been with you, really?" I look up at his as our eyes lock got a moment before I avert my gaze to the table.
I take my bottom lip in between my teeth as I chew on it nervously.

"Here are the drinks you guys ordered, have you found what you want to eat?" The question is thankfully prolonged as we look up to see the waitress from before.

"Spaghetti please" My voice comes out soft as I take a sip of my water.

"I'll have the steak and fries, thank you" Paul's voice fills my ears as I take another sip of my water.
Our waitress walks away leaving us alone together again which causes my heart rate to speed up as my eyes meet Paul's warm gaze.

"How have things been with your job?" I ask as Paul smirks, a perfect grin appearing on his face. I smile.

"You're changing the subject."

"What? No, I'm not."

"If you don't want to talk about yourself that's fine, I was just curious to see how things have been" He says casually before flashing me a charming expression as my heart races. I can't believe he still have such an effect on me, maybe I'm just overthinking things.

"We can talk about me" I say lightly, "I've been doing good, I still work at the same store, I'm taking art classes now, and I'm—in a relationship..." My voice softens at the end of my sentence as my eyes watch Paul cautiously. I don't want to upset him, but it's only fair that he knows. The corners of his smile turn serious now but he doesn't look upset, he just gives me a nod.

"I'm happy that you're doing good" He says casually before taking a sip of his water.

"You're not mad?" I blurt out.

"Why would I be mad?"

I shake my head softly. "No reason"

"As long as he treats you right, then how could I not be happy for you? Just because things didn't work out between us doesn't mean I don't want you to be happy" His words that are meant to cheer me up make me hurt for some reason but I push the emotion away from me. Our food arrives at our table as we begin eating, after I take a bite from my fork and chew it carefully I speak.