Too Close For Comfort (LH) (PT1&2)

28. A Drink At The Movies

It was eight am, and it seemed the entire city was asleep. The roads were clear, there wasn't a soul in sight. The car ride was silent. Luke played soft music to ease the tension, but clearly we both had something to say.

Luke's tense hands let me know something was on his mind, but his relaxed shoulders told me he wasn't mad. My hands however were trembling.

That stupid dream kept replaying in my mind! The thought of Luke's hands all over me made it hard for me to breath. I fiddled with the hem of my shirt, the tear in my jeans, the necklace around my neck, anything that I could focus on, so I wouldn't look at Luke.

We pulled into a small parking lot. There was this adorable little store that said, "Bear's Kitchen?"

"It doesn't look like much, but this place is great! Come on, I'll show you," Luke seemed genuinely excited about this place. His excitement rubbed off on me, soon enough we were out of the car and in the tinny restaurant.

It wasn't big at all. The cash register was right by the door, there were about ten tables surrounded by chairs, at the back there were two Buffay tables, and beyond that was a closed off kitchen.

"Luke! It's been forever since I saw you in here," an older woman approached us. She had a soft smile, very welcoming. She was much shorter than Luke and I. Her frail arms wrapped around Luke, who didn't hesitate to hug her back, "you sure are getting big kid!"

"It's great to see you Mrs. Share. How are you and Mr. Bear?" This was the first time I've seen Luke interact with someone other than his family and friends. His entire demeanor changed. He was friendly, full of life, a bit shy. Nothing like the Luke I'm used to.

"We're well. Oh my!" The old woman looked at me with wide eyes, "who's this young lady?"

"This is my friend Kaytlin. She's new in town, and I wanted to show her the best dinner," Luke grinned at me. His friend Kaytlin?

"Well hello!" The woman quickly hugged me. She turned back to Luke, "my so thin. Don't worry doll we've got plenty to fill you out! You two grab a seat, I'll be back!"

As the little woman disappeared, Luke retook his place next to me. "She seems nice," I had to laugh.

"Sweetest woman I've ever met," I felt Luke's hand rest against my lower back. My entire body stiffened at his touch. Of course he noticed! A small chuckle escaped him, he leaned down, whispering, "let's sit."

We sat in a corner slightly closed off from the rest of the restaurant. Mrs. Share brought us some complimentary biscuits and gravy. It was a very southern restaurant. It actually took me by surprise, "y'all help yourself!" She pointed at me, "and don't be shy!"

"Share's from Georgia too," Luke informed me after the woman disappeared again.

"I can see that," if the accent didn't give it away the food did.

"Mr. Bear's from here though. He went to America on a business trip, met Share, and brought her back here. They've been together for over fifty years."

"That's amazing," the idea of finding your soulmate in place so far away, it baffled me. It made me wonder if there was someone for me out there, "you seem to know a lot about them."